It's interesting to note that rising food costs is not only linked to the rising cost of oil. One of my friends wrote a "must read" letter to the editor of the Columbia Tribune in the Sunday, May 4th edition. It's nice to hear the reality of "news" rather than inflated claims.
Another noteworthy item of interest is that cattleman Greg Judy is highlighted in Sunday's edition of the Tribune. Judy no longer allows his cattle to roam free range to feed. He now sequesters them in one acre sections with a temporary electric fence which he moves twice daily. This pattern is known as high-density grazing. He no longer fertilizes the land nor gives his cattle hormones. His cattle, which he classifies as "ultra-natural" is sold for about sixty cents higher than the yeild of feedlot producers. He claims farmers utilizing this approach does not need to be subsidized by the government.
Considering the fact that the bulk of subsidies go to large corporate feedlots, this could be one area where money could be saved. I recently learned some horrifying details about corporate feedlots and dairys which seem nearly as awful as practices in veal production.
Don't worry, it's too close to brunch to elaborate on this subject.
