Super Bowl Commercial Revealed!

We all know that the commercials that appear during the Super Bowl are supposed to be the best ones every year - they're the most expensive and are usually promoting products like Dr. Pepper, Doritos, Bud Light (which are the funniest in my opinion) and who can forget the E-Trade baby?

But this year there's going to be a new kid on the block in the form of a dairy commercial!

I don't want to spoil the fun so I'll only provide the link to the video here instead of embedding the video below. Or you can wait until Super Bowl Sunday to find out the 'dairy' good news!

Until next time,
~ Buzzard ~

Only in America do we say 'Git R Done'!

That is a phrase that has made several trips around the U.S. and has become the motto for NASCAR fans, camo-clad hunters, farm boys and several million other Americans who, like me, embrace their country upbringing. In fact, Git R Done was my class motto (there were only 7 girls and 11 boys; we got outvoted).

The twangy, plaid-wearing Larry the Cable Guy made the phrase famous on the Blue Collar Comedy tour and never looked back. His success has been astronomical, with two BCC videos, his own stand-up career, playing Tater in Cars 1 and 2 and most recently, a TV series the History Channel called "Only in America."  It debuted last year and just premiered its second season last week. Basically, Larry takes camera crews around to various rural outlets and gives viewers a firsthand look at American rural life. During this year's premiere episode, he visited Alaska to try to bust moose poachers and dropped in on Sarah Palin and her family.

The next episode, which is on tomorrow at 8 pm/C on the History Channel, will be in Wisconsin getting a better look at the dairy and beef industries. The online summary says that, "His first stop is the state's largest dairy farm, where he works every tough job that goes into each glass of milk." Additionally, I'm sure we can expect the usual LtCG antics and humor which will probably spice up the show.

I am not sure if I'll be able to tune in but I'm sure going to try! If ya'll watch, please leave me some comment love and let me know how it goes!

Until next time,
~ Buzzard ~

E6 Ranch Suffers the Consequences

Whether you care to admit it or not, we're all probably at least a little bit happy about this news update. Regardless of who committed the cruel acts at E6 Ranch, someone needed to be charged and punished for the inexecusable acts.

About two weeks ago (yes, I am this far behind on my blogging) Dairy Herd Network's email newsletter informed me that seven people, including ranch owner Kirt Espenson, had been charged in the E6 Ranch case. Bravo. Espenson was charged with Class A Misdemeanor animal cruelty (he wasn't engaged in the acts on video) and the six employees charged with felony animal cruelty. If found guilty, which in all actuality should and probably will happen, the felony charge carries a two year jail sentence and the misdemeanor charge is a one year jail stint.

Nathan Runkle, executive director of Mercy For Animals, said "We hope that this case and the action by law enforcement sends a strong message to the dairy industry that animal cruelty will not be tolerated." Espenson told officials that he had fired four employees over the horrible acts and hired a professional trainer to lead training programs in humane handling and proper euthanasia.

Thus far, I've been unsuccessful at finding out a court date, as dockets weren't available for most of July and August. But I'll be sure to keep the blogging world updated on the goings on of this case. It's essential that the world knows that farmers and ranchers don't tolerate or condone this type of behavior and that it is not the norm in our industry.

What are your thoughts? Do you think justice is being served appropriately? I'm anxious to hear feedback on this one.

Until next time (I promise it won't be another 8 days before my next post),
~ Buzzard ~

No Excuse

I just viewed the recently released undercover video from Mercy For Animals. I'm not going to share the link on here because the video brought me to tears and I am outraged that anyone would treat animals that way. But if you must see it, search 'Mercy For Animals calves' and I'm sure you'll be able to find it.

I can't say that I'm thrilled about undercover video footage - because you never see the thousands of honorable, decent farmers and ranchers who are doing the right thing in terms of animal welfare. But, I truly hope that the employees at the featured farm are punished to the full extent of the law and I must thank MFA for revealing the blatant disregard for animal welfare and complete absence of morals by the management and employees of said farm.

If you want to see how animals are and should be handled, with care, check out these farmers on twitter, Facebook or their blogs.  They all practice humane animal production practices and openly invited visitors to their farms. 

Mike Haley, Haley Farms
Ray-Lin Dairy
Ryan Goodman
Debbie Lyons-Blythe

Please contact them, or me, if you have any questions about animal care or production.

Until next time,
~ Buzzard ~

Hello from Down Unda!

We have safely arrived in Australia after a glorious honeymoon in Fiji – it was tough to leave. I mean, seriously who would want to leave this?

We spent a lot of time our first two days grocery shopping.  There is some amazing agvocacy for meat and dairy here. Funny and thought provoking – check it out.

Our first meal in Australia? McDonald’s of course…. Look what I found in the ¼ pounder box!

All good stuff.

If you’re interested in our Australian adventures head on over to From Oz to Aus – that’s where all the funny/satirical stuff will be posted.

Until next time,

~ Buzzard ~



Superbowl Snackdown

(No, this wasn't served at any party I attended. Dang it)

FroBuzz attended a nearby Superbowl party and didn't want to show up empty handed so 'we' (meaning 'I') had to drum something up.  Hyatt suggested these but I thought they sounded kind of plain so I gave them my own twist. Below is the recipe I concocted (warning: Buzzard's don't measure anything so don't be upset at some of my measurments).

What you'll need:
1 lb. hamburger
1 lb. pork sausage
Salt & pepper
Italian seasoning
Garlic salt
Hot, pepper cheese - enough to melt and hold meat together
Colby - Jack cheese - enough to melt and hold meat together
Cracked Pepper and Olive Oil Triscuits
Original Triscuits

Directions:
1. In one skillet brown hamburger; in another skillet brown sausage. Season each with salt, pepper and italian seasoning to taste. Drain.
2. Combine 1/2 of each meat with 1/2 of the other so that you have two pans with 1 lb of meat in each.
3. While on medium heat, in one pan add enough Colby-Jack cheese to bind all the meat together.  I used ~ 3/4 of a regular sized block of cheese. Allow cheese to melt and keep stirring meat until it creates a hot, melty mess.  Sprinkle with garlic salt to taste.  Spoon  ~ 1" meat clump on to Original Triscuits while warm.
4. Repeat step 3 for the other meat mixture, except using hot pepper cheese and the Cracked Pepper and Olive Oil Triscuits.  Do not use garlic salt in this mixture, the pepper cheese and fancy triscuits are plenty of flavor.
Refrigerate until time to eat. To rewarm (because you can't eat them cold, duh) place in 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes OR microwave a plate of 10 for about 30 seconds. Your choice.

Makes about 80 snacks.

They aren't fancy to look at, so I don't have a picture but they sure disappeared quick! Not only were they delicious but they were made with wholesome beef, pork and cheese produced right here in the good ole U.S. of A.  Thanks to America's farmers and ranchers for providing such tasty ingredients!

I also made a football cake but due to the fact that I didn't have enough red food coloring, the cake looked pea green. I do NOT have a picture of that, sorry.

Until next time,
~ Buzzard ~