Clearing up egg, milk 'myths'

There are no nutritional differences in eggs from different housing systems, and no one should consume raw eggs or raw milk.
 

From time to time, "urban myths" about food begin getting so much attention that they need to be cleared up.
 

Two current myths are that there are differences in the nutrient levels of eggs from cage and free-range production systems (there are no differences) and that consuming raw eggs and raw milk is safe (it's not).
 

There are essentially no differences in the nutritional quality of eggs from cage and cage-free systems, according to an analysis by Dr. Kenneth Anderson, a poultry scientist at North Carolina State University.
 

The analysis was conducted in 2008 and 2009 using more than 400 brown pullets from the same hatch from the same line of breeding stock. The chicks were grown on identical diets and in cage or litter growouts that are typical of cage or free-range systems.
 
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USDA lays out details of reform plan

After requesting comments earlier this year as part of a government-wide effort to review agency regulations, the U.S. Department of Agriculture last week laid out proposed ideas aimed at reducing its administrative and operating costs as well as simplifying and reducing the reporting burden on the public for entry and access to USDA programs.
 

In a press briefing Aug. 23, White House Office of Information & Regulatory Affairs administrator Cass Sunstein noted that over the next five years, the monetized savings from just a fraction of the 500 reforms announced across all agencies are likely to exceed $10 billion.
 

USDA proposed a handful of ways to reduce regulatory burdens on businesses and individuals in the near term.
 

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RELATED ARTICLE
Will red tape cuts stick?

POET is launching a new process this week that will provide livestock and poultry producers with certified antibiotic-free dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS).
 

The process was developed internally at POET over the last five years and is unique to the company, according to Dr. Mark Giesemann, director of technical services.
 

It will be directed primarily at egg producers and other producer segments "that were previously underserved," he said in an interview with Feedstuffs last week.
 

POET, headquartered in Sioux Falls, S.D., is the largest ethanol producer in the world, producing more than 1.7 billion gal. of ethanol and 10 billion lb. of DDGS per year at 27 production sites across the midwestern U.S.
 

DDGS is a byproduct of ethanol production and a high-protein feed ingredient for livestock and poultry that POET markets under the Dakota Gold label.

 
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In our opinion...  

Economics dictate when to get 'big'

By Andy Vance  

As part of my role in the agricultural media, from time to time, I'm called on to speak with various groups and audiences about the stories I've reported or columns I've written.

Meeting with farmers and agribusiness professionals is one of my favorite parts of my career, and it helps me keep abreast of what's happening in our community.

Speaking to a group of feed industry professionals in New York last week, I shared the dais with two outstanding presenters who gave me a lot to think about.

One speaker's commentary, in particular, got me thinking about some of our (and the public's) preconceived notions about "big ag."

Talking specifically about the dairy industry, Dr. Roger Cady with Elanco shared some interesting trends and data dealing with correlations among herd size, productivity, management practices and milk quality.

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An interesting history of food

By Willie Vogt  

Foodies at heart love a walk through state fair buildings where amazing cakes, pies, breads and other foods have been prepared and judged by experts. To take part in a state fair competition as a judge was an idea that never originally entered my head, but when the opportunity arose I jumped at the chance.

The Greater Midwest Foodways Alliance has spent 2011 involved in a new Heirloom Recipe Contest to bring a closer look at the history of where our food comes from and exploring food traditions. This was no day of tasting 40 apple pies (not that it wouldn't have been fun) this was an afternoon exploring family histories, traditional foods and tasting a wide range of dishes.

Taste is really only one part of the Family Heirloom Recipes Competition. Judging each entrant also meant looking at how it was presented, reading a history of the food item and its relationship with the entrant. And it meant doing the hard part of being a judge - disqualifying entrants that didn't follow the rules.

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Summer traditions remind us why we love this life

 By Mark Klaus

Sometimes, it is pretty easy to get wrapped up in all of the negative happenings in the world today.

I realized that just the other day when I began thinking of what to write for this week's "episode." I was in a panic because it seems, at least in my view, that there really have not been any major events in animal agriculture lately about which to write. That is to say, I wasn't hearing much negative news.

However, there are so many positive things that always happen during my favorite season: summer. It is the best season to remind all of us why we choose to live the rural lifestyle.

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Secure bordor corridor initiative announced

The U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) and Union Pacific Railroad Co. signed an agreement Aug. 19 that formalizes and enhances their collaborative relationship to help secure the U.S. border against contraband and other security risks and to improve the flow of goods.
 

This agreement initiates the 21st Century Bi-National Secure Border Corridor -- a comprehensive program to expand cooperative partnerships among the U.S. and Mexican governments, railroads reaching the border and other stakeholders with an interest in rail transportation of goods between the U.S. and Mexico.
 

In recent years, CBP has assessed hundreds of millions of dollars in penalties against Union Pacific after illegal narcotics were discovered on trains originating in Mexico and delivered by Mexican railroads to Union Pacific at Mexican border crossings.

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