Animal care is my responsibility
By Justin Dauer
I’m often puzzled by the notion that livestock are abused in pursuit of the almighty dollar.
I know some of that sentiment is generated by images seen on television or the internet of animal mistreatment. Just to set the record straight, I think anyone who abuses livestock should be out of the business. I do not condone abuse of any animal for any reason. Neither do the other farmers and ranchers I know.
But I can tell you about the welfare of my livestock.
read moreTexas beef from farm to fork
By Amanda Hill
Nothing makes my mouth water more than a steak—cooked medium, perfectly light pink in the center—for dinner. When I was approached to attend the Texas Beef Council‘s Farm to Fork event in Fort Worth a few weeks ago, I figured we’d be eating a lot of steak. My mouth was watering just thinking about it. Naturally, in the name of reporting, I agreed to attend.
I was right—we had delicious beef meals throughout the event. But we also learned a lot about the nutritional benefits of the 29 cuts of lean beef.
Ode to the pits
By Nathan Smith
Last Saturday, I found myself in Llano, Texas. When driving through Llano, it’s almost a sin for a devout Texas barbecue disciple to drive past Cooper’s Old Time Pit barbecue without paying homage to the great, above-ground smoking pits.
I stopped and was not disappointed.
While enjoying the delicious brisket, red beans and spicy sauce, I started wondering how Texans’ love affair with barbecue began. So I did a little digging.
The origins of Texas barbecue, like many things about the state, were influenced by European immigrants.
read moreIndependently Texas
By Nathan Smith
Any self-respecting Texan knows the significance of this Friday. On March 2, we stop to remember the Alamo and pay our respects to the Texians who fought and won independence from Mexico.
I am a big fan of Texas country music and recently bought an album titled The Eagle and the Snake. Most of the songs are themed around the fight for Texas independence.
One song, called “Travis’ Letter,” is a half-spoken tune reciting the letter that Colonel William Travis sent to Sam Houston requesting reinforcements. If you recall seventh grade history, you will remember that backup didn’t arrive in time and the Alamo volunteers became martyrs.
read moreI may be a ‘locavore’
By Amanda Hill
Remember in school when you learned about carnivores, omnivores and herbivores? Those terms always made me think of dinosaurs, rather than dietary preferences. But in the past few months, I’ve been wondering if I’m a different kind of dinosaur—a “locavore.”
I’ve heard several people describe locavores as people who eat local food. (Speaking of school, wasn’t there a rule that you couldn’t define a word with the same word?) Others say it means only buying food grown within a 100-mile radius of your home.
This whole local food movement has got me thinking.
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