Author: Mike Callicrate

Bonds Ranch – TX. Great Ranches of the West

Mike Callicrate

“In this modern, high-tech world, it seems incongruous that a successful business could still abide by old-fashioned rules like a handshake or a coin toss. But Pete Bonds and family have proven that the simple life can exist harmoniously with the computer-savvy, state-of-the-art, and increasingly global economy.” – Jim Keen, Great Ranches of the West Author & Photographer Please note that only 13 of 228 full color pages from this self-published book are featured. This beautiful award-winning 12×11 Read More …

ZZ Ranch – AZ. Great Ranches of the West

Mike Callicrate

“The Cowboys are on horseback, herding the cattle to higher ground toward me. Hooves scrape against rocks a half-mile away, and coyotes howl in a dark canyon to the west canyon to the west. Chills run up my back as I think what else might be lurking over the southern hill. I’m glad the darkness is dissipating as a warm sun rises in the east. Even the Wild West of the Bell Ranch the morning brings a quite Read More …

The Politics & Economics of Food – A presentation at Lamar Community College March 2014

Mike Callicrate

click to enlarge I studied Animal Science at Lamar Community College in 1972 and 1973 prior to completing my Animal Science degree at Colorado State University. A lot has changed in agriculture as Land Grant institutions have taught students that agriculture is a business, not a way of life, steering us well off the path of a sustainable food system. Hopefully we can see a shift back from the destructive industrial model to an agriculture that includes good Read More …

Ruling Upholding Meat Labeling Rule Vacated to Consider First Amendment Issue

Mike Callicrate

Reproduced with permission from The United States Law Week, 82 U.S.L.W. 1479 (Apr. 8, 2014). Copyright 2014 by The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. (800-372-1033) http://www.bna.com The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit April 4 agreed to rehear en banc a March 28 panel ruling that a group of meat industry representatives was unlikely to succeed in their challenge to a rule revising meat labeling requirements and therefore were not entitled to a preliminary injunction against Read More …

The New Meat Monopoly: The Humane Society’s New Alliance with Family Farmers

Mike Callicrate

A generation ago, the business of raising animals for food in America looked much like it had at the Founding – family farms, open and competitive markets, high standards, and a self sustaining national economy. Today, vast corporations rule almost every corner of the animal agriculture landscape, and these giants are increasingly controlled from foreign capitals. Some economists argue in favor of this new order of things, mainly claiming it is more “efficient.” But there’s also growing evidence Read More …

The New Meat Monopoly: How Consolidation Affects the ANIMAL

Mike Callicrate

A generation ago, the business of raising animals for food in America looked much like it had at the Founding – family farms, open and competitive markets, high standards, and a self sustaining national economy. Today, vast corporations rule almost every corner of the animal agriculture landscape, and these giants are increasingly controlled from foreign capitals. Some economists argue in favor of this new order of things, mainly claiming it is more “efficient.” But there’s also growing evidence Read More …

SURVEY: Beef producers: do you support the $1 checkoff program?

Mike Callicrate

By Peggy Lowe | Mar. 18, 2014 Cattle business from the producers’ eyes Allen and Lynda Berry own a cow-calf operation in central Missouri. (Peggy Lowe/Harvest Public Media) The beginning for most cows starts on a family farm where cow-calf operators raise cattle the old-school way. But some worry that the industry is moving towards consolidation, like the hog and poultry industries. Click here to read about what life is like as a cow-calf operator. We’ve all heard Read More …