Welcome to Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country this nations only full hour, live radio show about the rural lifestyle and rural living. We're heard each Sunday morning at 8 here in Central Iowa on 98.3 WOW-FM (983wowfm) or (if you live outside of the area) you can listen live using your computer.
You can also follow us during the week on Twitter (RuralLifeRadio) where we interact with like minded folks about everything rural.
On the show today...Ya know, there is not a week that goes by that we don't hear of yet another incident of abandoned horses. This week we picked up a story from The Green Equestrian about 30 starving horses found in rural Pennsylvania. Tragic stuff!And they are seeking dollars to help feed the survivors. If you've got a mind to help click on the link above.
Speaking of horses there is a revival of interest in the horse slaughter bills running in several states. Here is an example out of Illinois where a committee in that states legislature has just passed a measure to repeal the two year old ban on processing horses. We think much of this is driven by stories like the one out of Pennsylvania. Too many horses...not enough money.
Last year the nation lost over 2,000 dairy herds. A sign of the economy, poor milk prices and the aging of farmers. Productivity remains high but as one farmer said, "There just isn't any money in it." There were loses in dairy herds in nearly every of the 23 "Dairy States". Here is that report. (It is a pdf)
Last week we told you about Quiznos and PETA. Seems PETA "asked" the company to do away with eggs...and Quiznos quickly removed four cookie selections from their menu. This week the CEO of Quiznos...resigned for personal reasons. Here is the story.
Want a house but don't have the down-payment? How about moving to Rural America? A little known USDA program might help...and if the wage-earner loses his/her job there is also a large grace period. We had not heard of it before...but it's worth a look.
Food Terrorists? As if you didn't have enough to worry about the Animal Agriculture Alliance says there were 640 acts of sabotage, vandalism and arson toward food companies and farmers in 2008. Here is that story.
Corn based fuel is in trouble. Nobody in Iowa, Illinois or much of the "Corn Belt" wants to talk about it but story, after story, after story is coming out claiming that corn and bio-fuels is not a good mix and maybe other things, like sugar, need to be considered. Should the public continue to be persuaded against corn ethanol that's not good news for Midwest Producers and could further depress the rural economy.
Ethanol may be very, very bad to use! Under Islamic Law...or so says one cleric from...where else...the Saudi Islamic Law Center. Another blow to bio-fuels for those of you wanting to bring back a 7th centrury way of thinking. Yikes!
Speaking of the Rural Economy...things not looking so good "out here" either. Job losses in Rural America expanded in December in nearly huge numbers. Our friends at The Daily Yonder have all the numbers and a map pinpointing the areas hardest hit.
While we're talking rural economy it's time again to take a look at the Yonder 40. That's a list of the rural stocks watched by The Daily Yonder. Once upon a time...these "Dusty Road" stocks they were out performing Wall Street. But now they too...have fallen on hard times. Here is that story.
Paul Harvey died yesterday. I've been listening to Mr. Harvey for over 5 decades. I remember getting ready for school and that voice would boom over our radio at home. It's like he was always...there. He broadcast from Chicago and several years ago I remember he was out, sick, for several months. I did something I usually don't do. I sent an e-mail to his office asking about his condition. To my surprise...I got a nice note back from his secretary of many years. Out of the millions of faithful listeners they didn't have to do that. But that was the class of his way. And, he'll be missed.
Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country is proudly brought to you by:
Allied Insurance - Now with Country Choice..."for the way you live". Find your local, independent Allied Insurance agent by going on line. Learn how Allied can help you protect your small farm, acreage, home, business and vehicle.
Kubota & Capital City Equipment - Owning a small farm or acreage means you've got work to do. And Kubota is up to the job. You'll find the help and the tractors and the attachments you'll need at Capital City Equipment of Ames and Des Moines. Go Orange with Kubota!
Country Vet Pet Food - A great pet food with formulas for all levels of age and activity. Now with over 900 dealers nationwide you're sure to find one near you. Country Vet Pet Food - Loved by Pets, Trusted by Owners. Here in Central Iowa you can find Country Vet Products at Shoppers Supply.
Running Horse Elite Equine Feeds - Running Horse is special in the fact that you'll feed less, there is less waste and you'll see dramatic results. For a dealer near you head to their website. Running Horse - For the Long Run!
Acreage - The Magazine of Rural Living. Each month Acreage brings to your door the information you need to make informed equipment decisions and gives you practical tips on living the rural lifestyle.
Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications - That's our company...a full service advertising agency that works in agriculture and the rural lifestyle. You make a product or service...let us help you make it great!
Thanks for reading and for listening!
Michael Libbie - Acreage Owner & Host
Comments