Which of the following words/phrases do you associate with the word “grazing”?
“high productivity” “low productivity” “high profit” “low profit” "cheap feed"
“back 40” “rough ground” “high body condition” “low body condition” “ always need supplement” “bloat” “healthy animals” “annuals” “perennials” “grasses” “legumes” “brassicas” “weeds” “low management” “high management” “too much trouble” “don’t have enough time” “dad used to do that” “old fashioned” "high meat quality" "low meat quality" “high tech” “low tech” “year round” "cows" "goats" "sheep" "hogs" "poultry"
Briefly explain some of the associations.
Is grazing currently part of your farming operation? If so, briefly describe.
(types of animals, #s of animals, grazing management practices)
If not, has grazing ever been part of your farming operation? If yes, why did you stop?
How common is grazing in your community? Has this changed during your career?
What do you think are the main reasons that grazing is not more common in your community?
Do you know any farmers that you think are exceptional graziers (grazier = manager of grazing animals)? If so, briefly explain.
Are you aware of the recent increase in demand for grass-fed animal products? Do you think this trend will continue? Has this trend impacted your farming practices?
Do you have any thoughts about the quality of grass-fed animal products?
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Question 9 Results
Number of Submissions: 25
Interviewer accessed someone from within the farming community: 23/25
1.How concerned are you about energy conservation and efficiency?
Interviewee provided a response that revealed a high level of concern over energy: 6/25
Interviewee provided a response that revealed some moderate level of concern over energy:14/25
Interviewee provided a response that revealed little to no concern over energy:5/25
2. Have you implemented practices/technologies during the past 5 years with a specific goal of reducing energy consumption or improving energy efficiency? If so, briefly explain.
Interviewee responded in the affirmative: 11/25
Interviewee responded in the negative: 12/25
Some cited explanations included: reduction off unnecessary power and fuel (cutting down on things like the number of passes over the fields, not driving equipment home every night, etc), purchasing of more efficient equipment, solar fence chargers, and no till practices.
3 How surprised were you by the run up in energy prices in 2008?
Interviewee was surprised: 3/25
Interviewee was not surprised 19/25
Do you expect to see $4 diesel again in the near future?
Yes:18
No:2
4. How do you feel about wind energy in IL? Is it an issue in your community?
Interviewee provided a response that revealed an overall positive attitude towards wind energy in IL: 19
Would you be interested in leasing some of your land to a wind energy company?
Interviewee expressed interest in this prospect: 16
Interviewee expressed no interest in this prospect: 3
5. Would you be interested in growing biomass for a bio-refinery if you could get paid $100/ton FOB?
Yes: 10
No: 10
6. Are you familiar with any state or federal programs that provide funding for improvements in energy efficiency in agriculture?
Yes: 3
No: 19
7. Would you be interested in an energy audit of your farm if it were free or guaranteed to save you money?
Yes: 20
No: 3
Interviewer accessed someone from within the farming community: 23/25
1.How concerned are you about energy conservation and efficiency?
Interviewee provided a response that revealed a high level of concern over energy: 6/25
Interviewee provided a response that revealed some moderate level of concern over energy:14/25
Interviewee provided a response that revealed little to no concern over energy:5/25
2. Have you implemented practices/technologies during the past 5 years with a specific goal of reducing energy consumption or improving energy efficiency? If so, briefly explain.
Interviewee responded in the affirmative: 11/25
Interviewee responded in the negative: 12/25
Some cited explanations included: reduction off unnecessary power and fuel (cutting down on things like the number of passes over the fields, not driving equipment home every night, etc), purchasing of more efficient equipment, solar fence chargers, and no till practices.
3 How surprised were you by the run up in energy prices in 2008?
Interviewee was surprised: 3/25
Interviewee was not surprised 19/25
Do you expect to see $4 diesel again in the near future?
Yes:18
No:2
4. How do you feel about wind energy in IL? Is it an issue in your community?
Interviewee provided a response that revealed an overall positive attitude towards wind energy in IL: 19
Would you be interested in leasing some of your land to a wind energy company?
Interviewee expressed interest in this prospect: 16
Interviewee expressed no interest in this prospect: 3
5. Would you be interested in growing biomass for a bio-refinery if you could get paid $100/ton FOB?
Yes: 10
No: 10
6. Are you familiar with any state or federal programs that provide funding for improvements in energy efficiency in agriculture?
Yes: 3
No: 19
7. Would you be interested in an energy audit of your farm if it were free or guaranteed to save you money?
Yes: 20
No: 3
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Question 9
How concerned are you about energy conservation and efficiency ?
Have you implemented practices/technologies during the past 5 year with a specific goal of reducing energy consumption or improving energy efficiency?
If so, briefly explain.
How surprised were you by the run up in energy prices in 2008? Do you expect to see $4 diesel again in the near future?
How do you feel about wind energy in IL? Is it an issue in your community?
Would you be interested in leasing some of your land to a wind energy company?
Would you be interested in growing biomass for a bio-refinery if you could get paid $100/ton FOB? If so, how would this change your current farming operation?
Are you familiar with any state or federal programs that provide funding for improvements in energy efficiency in agriculture? If so, briefly describe the program and how you learned about it.
Would you be interested in an energy audit of your farm if it were free or guaranteed to save you money?
Have you implemented practices/technologies during the past 5 year with a specific goal of reducing energy consumption or improving energy efficiency?
If so, briefly explain.
How surprised were you by the run up in energy prices in 2008? Do you expect to see $4 diesel again in the near future?
How do you feel about wind energy in IL? Is it an issue in your community?
Would you be interested in leasing some of your land to a wind energy company?
Would you be interested in growing biomass for a bio-refinery if you could get paid $100/ton FOB? If so, how would this change your current farming operation?
Are you familiar with any state or federal programs that provide funding for improvements in energy efficiency in agriculture? If so, briefly describe the program and how you learned about it.
Would you be interested in an energy audit of your farm if it were free or guaranteed to save you money?
Friday, November 6, 2009
Question 8 Results
Total Number of Submissions: 26
Interviewer accessed someone from within the farming community: 24
Occupation was not specified: 2
Interviewee was male: 24
Interviewee was female: 1
Gender was not specified: 1
Average Age of Interviewee: 51
1. Do American farmers have a responsibility to feed the world?
Yes, interviewee thought that American farmers have a responsibility to feed the world: 15/26
No, interviewee thought that American farmers do not have a responsibility to feed the world: 9/26
Not Sure/Yes and No: 2/26
2. Are you concerned about competition from farmers outside of the US?
Yes, interviewee’s response reflected concern for competition from farmers outside of the U.S.: 12/26
No, interviewee’s response reflected little to no concern for competition from farmers outside of the U.S.: 9/26
3. Do you think American farmers are the low-cost producers in the world?
Yes, interviewee provided a response that supported the view of American farmers being the low-cost producers in the world: 12/26
No, interviewee provided a response that doubted or rejected the view of American farmers being the low-cost producers in the world 11/26
4. Have you ever considered farming in another country? If so, why?
Yes: 1
No:24
5. Have you ever been involved with an international agricultural development project? If not, how interested would you be if you had an all expenses paid opportunity?
Yes: 0
No: 24
No, but interviewee provided a response that expressed interest in involvement of an international agriculture project if all expenses were paid: 9
6. Have you traveled outside of the US? If so, did you visit any farms on your trip(s)?
If so, briefly describe impressions.
Yes, interviewee had traveled outside of US: 9/26
Interviewee Visited Farm in Foreign Country: 1/24
Interviewee had not traveled outside of US: 16/24
"Some Highlights:
1. Do American farmers have a responsibility to feed the world?
"Yes, that's what we farmers do."
NO!! farmers do not have that responsibility. Farmers only thrive on that thought to feel like they are really accomplishing something larger then what they really are. Farmers farm because they love the actions of farming and everything involved with this career choice. They farm so they can make money to feed their family. it is everyones responsibility to feed themselves."
"Yes, because if we didn't nobody would. We're not obligated, but since we can we should."
"I don't feel it is a responsibility to feed the world, but what we farmers do does help feed the world. The main goal of farming is to feed your family. It is a way of life chosen. We don't really have much say in where our grains go."
"No i don't think it is our responsibility to feed the world. It is a plus that we are able to contribute to it, but i don't think that we should be responsible for feeding the world."
"In this day and age we US farmers are responsible for feeding a good portion of the world."
"Not so much anymore, we used to but not so much anymore."
2.Are you concerned about competition from farmers outside of the US?
"There is some competition from South America."
"I am not concerned about competition from farmers outside the US at this point in time. At some point, if people choose to buy products from other countries like the trend has been with many other products, then I might become concerned."
"Yes, Soybeans are a very big issue in South America which could cause prices to be even worse."
"Not really. U.S. farmers always have been able to make money, and I think they always will."
3. Do you think American farmers are the low-cost producers in the world?
"Yes we produce the most bushels for the lowest cost and the most efficient."
"Yes, because we produce so much per acre."
"No, I think per acre we are the highest."
"No, only when they have to be I guess."
"No.. I believe us to be some of the high costing producers in the world. However, I also see us as the most yielding producers in the world."
5. Have you ever been involved with an international agricultural development project? If not, how interested would you be if you had an all expenses paid opportunity?
"I would never farm in another country."
"No, I would be very interested if all expenses were paid. Why not?"
"If i didn't have any responsibilities back home i would definitely go on a trip to a different country."
"No, I would be very interested. I am always open to new technologies."
"No, Whats the project and when do we leave?"
"No, I would consider it though."
6. Have you traveled outside of the US? If so, did you visit any farms on your trip(s)?
If so, briefly describe impressions.
"I have traveled outside of the US. Agriculture in other countries is often times lacking, and I'm glad I have the freedoms to farm as I do in America, at least for now that is."
Interviewer accessed someone from within the farming community: 24
Occupation was not specified: 2
Interviewee was male: 24
Interviewee was female: 1
Gender was not specified: 1
Average Age of Interviewee: 51
1. Do American farmers have a responsibility to feed the world?
Yes, interviewee thought that American farmers have a responsibility to feed the world: 15/26
No, interviewee thought that American farmers do not have a responsibility to feed the world: 9/26
Not Sure/Yes and No: 2/26
2. Are you concerned about competition from farmers outside of the US?
Yes, interviewee’s response reflected concern for competition from farmers outside of the U.S.: 12/26
No, interviewee’s response reflected little to no concern for competition from farmers outside of the U.S.: 9/26
3. Do you think American farmers are the low-cost producers in the world?
Yes, interviewee provided a response that supported the view of American farmers being the low-cost producers in the world: 12/26
No, interviewee provided a response that doubted or rejected the view of American farmers being the low-cost producers in the world 11/26
4. Have you ever considered farming in another country? If so, why?
Yes: 1
No:24
5. Have you ever been involved with an international agricultural development project? If not, how interested would you be if you had an all expenses paid opportunity?
Yes: 0
No: 24
No, but interviewee provided a response that expressed interest in involvement of an international agriculture project if all expenses were paid: 9
6. Have you traveled outside of the US? If so, did you visit any farms on your trip(s)?
If so, briefly describe impressions.
Yes, interviewee had traveled outside of US: 9/26
Interviewee Visited Farm in Foreign Country: 1/24
Interviewee had not traveled outside of US: 16/24
"Some Highlights:
1. Do American farmers have a responsibility to feed the world?
"Yes, that's what we farmers do."
NO!! farmers do not have that responsibility. Farmers only thrive on that thought to feel like they are really accomplishing something larger then what they really are. Farmers farm because they love the actions of farming and everything involved with this career choice. They farm so they can make money to feed their family. it is everyones responsibility to feed themselves."
"Yes, because if we didn't nobody would. We're not obligated, but since we can we should."
"I don't feel it is a responsibility to feed the world, but what we farmers do does help feed the world. The main goal of farming is to feed your family. It is a way of life chosen. We don't really have much say in where our grains go."
"No i don't think it is our responsibility to feed the world. It is a plus that we are able to contribute to it, but i don't think that we should be responsible for feeding the world."
"In this day and age we US farmers are responsible for feeding a good portion of the world."
"Not so much anymore, we used to but not so much anymore."
2.Are you concerned about competition from farmers outside of the US?
"There is some competition from South America."
"I am not concerned about competition from farmers outside the US at this point in time. At some point, if people choose to buy products from other countries like the trend has been with many other products, then I might become concerned."
"Yes, Soybeans are a very big issue in South America which could cause prices to be even worse."
"Not really. U.S. farmers always have been able to make money, and I think they always will."
3. Do you think American farmers are the low-cost producers in the world?
"Yes we produce the most bushels for the lowest cost and the most efficient."
"Yes, because we produce so much per acre."
"No, I think per acre we are the highest."
"No, only when they have to be I guess."
"No.. I believe us to be some of the high costing producers in the world. However, I also see us as the most yielding producers in the world."
5. Have you ever been involved with an international agricultural development project? If not, how interested would you be if you had an all expenses paid opportunity?
"I would never farm in another country."
"No, I would be very interested if all expenses were paid. Why not?"
"If i didn't have any responsibilities back home i would definitely go on a trip to a different country."
"No, I would be very interested. I am always open to new technologies."
"No, Whats the project and when do we leave?"
"No, I would consider it though."
6. Have you traveled outside of the US? If so, did you visit any farms on your trip(s)?
If so, briefly describe impressions.
"I have traveled outside of the US. Agriculture in other countries is often times lacking, and I'm glad I have the freedoms to farm as I do in America, at least for now that is."
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