Derry Brownfield -- Be Careful What You Eat

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU EAT

By Derry Brownfield
June 4, 2010

NewsWithViews.com

One might wonder if our own government agencies are perhaps trying to kill us. We have fluoride in our drinking water, mercury in our vaccines, Genetically Modified Organisms in our food and drugs and in our beef and pork. Nearly 50 years ago the growth hormone diethylstilbestrol (DES) was implanted into the ears of a high percentage of the cattle on feed for slaughter. Finally, the Food & Drug Administration made the pharmaceutical company, Elanco, take it off the market and made its use illegal.

When I was at the Kansas City Stockyards in the 1960’s, everyone unloading cattle (even lightweight feeders) were required to sign a statement saying the cattle were not on certain drugs. Ranchers would ask why – these calves won’t be slaughtered for many months? We informed the producer that if a calf accidentally broke a leg or somehow must go to slaughter, that meat may get into the food system and we can’t take the risk. Most animal health products carry a label stating: “Discontinue treatment at least 28 days prior to slaughter.”

Times have changed – and today practically anything goes. The big drug companies have placed their own people in high positions within the USDA and the FDA. Our present Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, has done endless work that favored Monsanto while he was Governor of Iowa. Being deep into Monsanto’s pockets he passed agri-business bills that made it difficult for small family farmers to do business, and was a huge supporter of genetically modified corn and soybeans.

Jerry Crawford, an Iowa attorney and lobbyist with close ties to Vilsack, is registered as the Washington representative for Monsanto. Michael Taylor, a former Vice President and lobbyist for Monsanto, is now the Senior Advisor for the FDA. Our Federal government is no longer controlled by WE THE PEOPLE, but by big Agribusiness and other multinational corporations – and these corporations are literally getting by with murder.

The FDA will allow these giant pharmaceutical firms to market just about anything. A good example of this is “RACTOPAMINE,” a drug marked “Not for use in humans.” The label states: “Individuals with cardiovascular disease should exercise special caution to avoid exposure. Use protective clothing, impervious gloves, protective eye wear and approved dust mask.”

Manufactured by Elanco Animal Health, the drug increases protein synthesis and gives livestock more muscling. Unlike other drugs that are to be withdrawn two weeks to 28-days before slaughter, this drug is used just prior to slaughter. With no withdrawal period, up to 20% of the ractopamine remains in the meat.

According to (Mercola.com) the drug is banned in Europe, Taiwan and China and more than 1700 people have been poisoned from eating pigs fed the drug since 1998. Dr. Mercola says ractopamine is used in 45% of U.S. swine rations and 30% of the rations fed to slaughter cattle. He also states that lesser amounts also appear in turkey feed. Some years ago I told my listeners that buying United States fed beef and pork at the supermarket was every bit as tasty and nutritious as home slaughtered animals. Now I have done a complete about-face.

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Today I furnish my family and friends with beef that is born, raised and fed here at home. People that do as I do have become a “thorn in the side” of the bureaucrats and the multinational companies who control the global food supply. That is why these political elite have literally declared war on small independent farmers. Congress has the power to change all this, but it’s up to the American voters to make the big change this coming November.

Derry Brownfield was born in 1932 and grew up during the depression. He is a farmer and a broadcaster. Derry attended the College of Agriculture at the University of Missouri where he received his B.S. and M.S. degrees. He taught Vocational Agriculture several years before going to work as a Marketing Specialist with the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Derry served as Director of the Kansas City Livestock Market Foundation at the Kansas City Stockyard prior to establishing himself in farm broadcasting.

Derry started farming when he was 16 years old and received the Future Farmers of America State Farmer degree in 1949. Since that time the Brownfield Farm has grown to over 1000 acres maintaining a herd of 200 registered Charolias cows.

In 1972, Derry and his partner established the Brownfield Network which now serves 250 radio stations throughout the Midwest with news and market information. In 1994, Derry started his own syndicated radio talk show and he is one of the most popular radio talk show hosts in America. The Derry Brownfield Show can be heard on approximately 80 radio stations in 23 states. With his entertaining sense of humor and witty commentary he has captured audiences for over 30 years. His ability to present an informative talk show while being light and colorful is why he has a large loyal listening audience.

Derry Brownfield is a practical farmer, a practical business man and a very entertaining speaker. He travels extensively throughout the country speaking about his common-sense point of view.