public policy

I am sure there are some true believers really hitting the ceiling today after the release of the meta-study published this month in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition entitled "Nutritional Quality of Organic Foods: A Systematic Review".  This journal is certainly not "in the pocket" of major agri-business interest nor is the institute which conducted the analysis: The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.  

Here is the money quote: “On the basis of a systematic review of studies of satisfactory quality, there is no evidence of a difference in nutrient quality between organically and conventionally produced foodstuffs. The small differences in nutrient content detected are biologically plausible and mostly relate to differences in production methods.”

SwineCast 0422 Show Notes:

• NPPC's Chief Environmental Council Michael Formica joins us to review climate legislation and world talks which may impact your operation... and what it means to you

     The externality crowd (the politicizers, activists and interest groups who believe that agricultural producers are pushing a multitude of costs off on the globe and their community without paying for them), should take a look in the mirror.  When a small group of the population, such as those who have a true willingness to pay for things like country of origin labeling, organic food, locally produced food, carbon-neutral food, etc. gain the political clout to force the costs of these attributes on everyone (willing to pay or not), they have used the government to structuralize a huge cost externality.  Which is to say, they have forced others to pay for attributes only they demand. 

SwineCast 0386 Show Notes:

• Special presentation with Sara Wyant of Agri-Pulse.  Her take on new administration's ag viewpoint and impact on policies affecting our industry

SwineCast 0374 Show Notes:

• Food safety conversation with Maple Leaf representatives following the massive recall last year.  What went wrong... and what they did right
• Speakers at the Center for Food Integrity's Annual Summit look at food safety as a key component of consumer trust and business profitability

SwineCast 0357 Show Notes:

• Talking with representatives from the Colorado Pork Producers about their agreement with the HSUS and why.
• How a major university dealt with questions from the student body on animal welfare concerns and food service selections based on husbandry practices.  For additional information on the booklet developed by CFI, call the Center for Food Integrity at (816) 880-5360.
• What Baby Boomers want and why... University of Manitoba discusses research with focus groups on issues the aging generation is concerned about as regards nutrition.