Happenings on the Ranch

The ciy of Drexel, MO last week had to, once again, issue an order for residents not to use their water in any way, shape or form – even if boiled.  It seems that every year after any heavy rains routine testing of their water turns up high levels of the weed killer, atrazine.  The most recent test in mid-June showed the atrazine level to be 10 times the EPA “safe” level.

Atrazine, made by Syngenta, is the most widely used herbicide in the country.  Run off from its use has long been a problem in ground water supplies  and can be carried up to 600 miles on the wind.  Here’s the kicker; it has been found (even in low concentrations) to lower sperm counts for men and increase the risk of breast cancer and fertility problems in women. When tested on frogs, it was even powerful enough to turn males into functional females.  And it’s okay to spray this stuff on our food supply?

Which begs the question, if it’s okay to spray it on our food why is it not okay to drink it, bathe in it or wash dishes with it?  Seems like quite a contradiction to me.  But now, cities are fighting back. Sixteen cities in Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, and Iowa have filed a lawsuit demanding that Syngenta pay for removal of atrazine from public water systems. It’s estimated the cities involved have spent more than $350 million trying to filter the herbicide from their water.

Apparantly it’s not even a particularly effective herbicide.   Even the USDA concedes that banning atrazine would reduce agricultural productivity by just 1.2 percent.  So why haven’t they just banned it?

Syngenta, obviously, says they haven’t done anything wrong since the EPA approved the use of atrazine in 2006.  Of course, this was two solid years after the European Union banned its use completely.  Somebody please remind me of what the job of the EPA is.  Doesn’t seem to me like they are doing a good job of protecting the environment or us.

It’s been a debate for a long time; what are the benefits of drinking raw milk versus the pasteurized version?  There is a small number of the population that seeks out and drinks raw milk, but their voices are loud and strong.  Proponents say raw milk contains more essential nutrients than its heated counterpart which kills those beneficial elements.  Opponents say it’s too risky to sell unpasteurized milk because of the risk of illness from bad bacteria.

In the 1940′s , states began to require milk to be pasteurized and, according to health officials and advocates, the number of milk-borne illnesses dropped.  Pasteurization is now the industry standard.

But, raw milk advocates say the process has taken vital enzymes and beneficial bacteria from our diets and that’s what is causing a rise in digestive disorders.  Many people are convinced pasteurization of our dairy products is behind the increase in everything from autism to allergies to ADD.

Sally Fallon Morrell leads the Washington-based Campaign for Real Milk.  ”Raw milk is superior for growth, development, bone density, protection against cavities and infections, protections against allergies and building the immune system,” she says.  But public health officials say the dangers of raw milk far outweigh the potential of any benefits and say studies supporting the raw milk debate are flawed.

According to federal figures, from 1998 to 2008 there were 1,614 illnesses, 187 hospitalizations and two deaths linked to raw milk.  Raw milk advocates contend that many of these illnesses, and the two deaths, are actually from raw cheese, often produced in peoples’ homes out of raw milk bought at conventional dairies.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires that any milk sold between states be pasteurized and says unpasteurized milk and milk products put too many people at risk of potentially deadly poisoning.  But as more people become raw milk drinkers, dairies that produce raw milk have seen their demand skyrocket.

Some form of nonretail sales of raw milk is allowed in 33 states. Only 10 states allow milk sales at the retail level, while nine states and Washington, D.C., ban it. Missouri bans retail sales at stores, but allows sales direct from the farm and by prearranged delivery to individuals.  But it’s difficult to find raw milk producers because they’re not allowed to advertise.  Most consumers find the dairies by word of mouth.

I’ve been able to find some sources of raw milk but have to travel pretty far to get it.  There is a producer here locally that sells direct from the farm but, since I’ve never actually met the owner, I don’t know if it’s been pasteurized.  I only know it’s not homogenized and I get it straight from the tank.

Do you prefer raw milk over pasteurized?  Have you found any local sources for raw milk?  Personally, I think it should be up to the consumer whether they drink pasteurized or unpasteurized milk.  I’m tired of the government telling me what I can and cannot eat or drink.  I think the information from both sides should be out there so consumers can make their own informed decision.

What do you think?

~Karin

Many of you who enjoy our eggs and stand in line to get them at our farmer’s market locations will be pleased to know our eggs are back!  We’ve taken care of the licensing issues and I now have a routine (somewhat) for grading and weighing the eggs.  The process is still a little bit slow right now so I’m not bringing as many eggs to market as I’d like.  But I have no doubt that as I get faster the process will also get faster.

However, the bad news is because the heat skyrocketed this week our hens’ egg production is down.  Anytime it gets over 85 degrees, the fewer eggs the hens tend to lay.  Unless you house them completely indoors all the fans in the world won’t make much of a difference.  Even though they have plenty of water and plenty of shade the heat and humidity just does a number on their systems.  We have a few more younger birds that are just beginning to lay so we hope that will make up a little bit of the difference, but our egg production will not be at peak levels again probably until the end of August.  Just a heads up!

In other news, I think our internet connection problems have FINALLY been completely resolved.  Apparantly a lighting strike during one of the storms hit the phone company’s switch and caused it to not only blow out service but to blow many of our modems, too.  They came out and replaced it but we continued to have sporadic problems until early this week.  The good news is we are now back to fully functional so, not only will I be able to post more often, I’ve now been able to get back to updating our weekly harvest page.  Now you’ll all be able to see what should be available for you at our market locations and on the farm.

Additionally, if you are a person who likes to preserve what’s in season and would like to find out about bulk pricing, please shoot me an email or leave a comment.  We generally offer tomatoes, beets, green beans and corn in large lots for canning and freezing.  There are minimum quantities but if you want to preserve a lot of the good stuff we’re getting in right now it will definitely save you money in the long run!

Until next time!  ~Karin