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Genetic progress is stuck in neutral.
Secretariat still holds the record for the Kentucky Derby after almost 40 years.
Goats in Ontario still average the same milk volume per day as they did 30 years ago.
Cows give a lot more milk now but where do we divide feed management and genetics? Have we given up almost as much in health, feet, and reproduction as we've gained genetically?
On the crop side, are we reaching plateaus in yields at the cost of quality and diversity?
When genetic selection is based on single trait selection to gain short-term financial returns (i.e. terminator genes, high production) instead of being based on supplying food to improve the health of the people and the animals that it is produced for we have failed.
At this time, when food supply and the cost of maintaining our health system are major topics, we need to take the lead as 'farmers', not 'multinationals', and make long-term right decisions.
Story of the Week:
A man, his wife, nine kids, and a blind man were waiting at the bus stop. When the bus arrived it was rather well filled. The driver said that he could take the mother and the nine kids, but the two men would have to walk or wait for the next bus.
When the bus left, the men started walking. The blind man continuously tapped to the pavement with his cane as he walked. Finally, the other man said to the blind man, "If you put a rubber end on that stick it wouldn't make so much noise."
The blind man replied, "If you had put a rubber on your stick we wouldn't be walking."
For the past two decades, society has treated agriculture as a problem child: a lot of potential and essential it be protected and nurtured for the well-being of the whole family BUT from time to time some considered it to be more trouble than it was worth.
While farmers struggled to survive, governments wrapped so many bandaid solutions that agriculture began to resemble an egyptian mummy--not their fault, of course; it was necessary for their re-elections.
Thus, as farmers struggled to survive, we lost all focus on setting up policy for worldwide sustainability of the food system.
Suddenly, agriculture and a sovereign SAFE food supply has become the #1 focus not only for economic stability but also for political stability in the world. We don't have to drive our cars or have the newest techno toy, it isn't necessary to have time to watch the last soap (As the Stomach Turns) or hear the news about who got caught doing what within the last five minutes.
We do have to have a secure supply of nutritious food to not only lead a meaningful, happy life but also to do so in an environment of peace. Because hunger breeds violence, individually and collectively.
How fast have things changed? It is my opinion that by the next federal election in Canada (Sept '09??) agriculture, not the auto industry, will be the #1 economic engine in Ontario. If not then, certainly before the next provincial election in October of 2011.
Let's not be hypnotized by the mistakes of the past to the point where we make a mess out of the opportunities of the future.
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