I met Amanda Radke back in 2007 when I traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota to
compete in the National Beef Ambassador contest. Upon meeting Amanda, there are
a few things that are very evident...she is beautiful, poised and very passionate about
production agriculture.
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to talk with Amanda one-on-one for a Rural
Lifestyle Radio segment. Since we were limited on time for the interview that was aired,
I decided I would share all of the questions I asked and her responses on my blog.
Enjoy!
Tell me a little bit about your history…did you always know this was the career
path you wanted to take?
I grew up on a cow-calf operation near Mitchell, SD. My family raises purebred Limousin
cattle. I was the typical 4-H and FFA kid, judging livestock, giving speeches and
showing cattle. I was the 2006 National FFA Extemporaneous Speaking Champion and
the 2006 National Beef Ambassador. I had internships with the USDA Ag Marketing
Service Livestock and Seed Program in Washington, D.C., the National Cattlemen's
Beef Association in Denver, CO, and BEEF Magazine in Minneapolis, MN. I also
studied abroad in Argentina during college. I graduated with an Ag Communications,
Leadership and Education degree from South Dakota State University in 2009.
Today, I work as a freelance writer and speaker. I have contracts with BEEF, the Tri-
State Livestock News, the Farmers' Advance and the Fence Post. I speak once or twice
each month to various cattlemen's groups, FFA chapters, etc. This flexible career allows
me to work on my family's ranch, where my husband and I are both actively involved.
This life is definitely more than I could have ever dreamed of. I started freelance writing
to help pay for college in 2007, and when it came time to get a "real job," I suddenly
had a strong desire to be back on the farm. I always thought I would be a lawyer in a
big office in a skyscraper somewhere. My parents were the type to encourage us kids
to pursue careers elsewhere because ranching is a tough life, but I couldn't be happier
doing what I'm doing.
What is it like to not only be young, but a young woman who is so involved in the
industry?
My family sells bulls and females by private treaty, and as a young kid, I would study the
cattle and their EPDs, so if customers had questions I would be ready. Of course, there
were some customers that didn't want to talk to me because I was a little girl; however,
there were others that seemed to value my opinion. I guess that's where I decided I
wasn't going to let being young or a female deter me from my goals. Being a young
women in the industry today can be a challenge sometimes, but it's one of those hurdles
I think is worth tackling.
You are considered an advocate of beef production and consumption…why are
you so passionate about this particular aspect of the Agriculture industry?
When I was a South Dakota Junior Beef Ambassador at age 10, I got hooked with
sharing my story with our consumers and showing them how to prepare nutritious beef
with fun recipes. I also realize that without boosting beef demand, every sector of the
industry suffers. Every time I go out and promote beef, I know I'm helping the ranchers
back home who don't have time to do it themselves.
What do you think your defining moment has been (As in, when did you know
people were listening to YOU)?
In 2006, when I encouraged a walk-out of the Carrie Underwood concert at the National
FFA Convention. It was a scary time in my life, where a lot of my friends wouldn't talk to
me. But, I knew I had to educate others about HSUS and their mission to abolish animal
agriculture in this country. When I found out that Underwood had donated $100,000
to HSUS and she came from a cattle ranch in Oklahoma, I knew I had to stand up for
animal agriculture and the agriculture students in the FFA organization.
Although that was a defining moment for me, I think establishing a relationship with
BEEF has given me a real platform to make a difference. The BEEF Daily blog had
more than 340,000 hits in 2010.
What do you think is the most critical issue currently facing the beef industry?
There are a lot of issues that I think are worth keeping an eye on. Of course, boosting
beef demand domestically and abroad is huge. Educating our consumers about
HSUS, as well as re-establishing consumer trust in farmers and ranchers are two other
priorities of mine. Additionally, encouraging young people to get back into production
agriculture is another challenge. With escalating land prices, tougher standards from
ag lenders and competition from established ranchers, it can be incredibly difficult for
young people to get into the business. Providing resources for the next generation is
incredibly important.
You blog…this concept is somewhat foreign to older folks or people who aren’t
as tech savvy. Why is this avenue such an effective way for you to share your
message?
The blog and newsletter has been an easy way for me to get the word out fast. It goes
out to 40,000 people each day and allows me to bring attention to important things
going on in the industry today.
How do you think social media is transforming the Agriculture industry?
Ranchers often live in remote places, and social media offers us the opportunity to
reach millions in just a few clicks. I do a lot of workshops educating producers on how to
use these tools to reach out to our consumers.
Now that people are using you as a resource…what resources do YOU use that
might benefit some of our listeners?
I'm a graduate of the Masters of Beef Advocacy Program, where I have access to a
wealth of information, a growing list of peers, and a grassroots way to quickly respond
to negative articles.
I subscribe to numerous newsletters each day, so that I can tune into the daily beat of
the industry. I also use Google alerts to follow what the media is saying about farmers
and ranchers. Finally, my twitter feeds monitor what moms, runners, athletes and
consumers are talking about, and I use the opportunity to share recipes, articles and
good news about beef with these audiences.
As you prepare for the State of the Industry issue of BEEF magazine that comes
out in June, what kind of response are you getting from producers?
This issue helps us determine what are the big issues concerning ranchers today and
how best we can address some of these issues. We strive to keep our readers up-to-
date on all current events and show them ways to increase their bottom-line and be
successful in the years to come.
Amanda Radke is a fifth-generation rancher from Mitchell, South Dakota and a recent South Dakota State
University graduate. She currently serves as Editor of BEEF Magazine’s, BEEF Daily, an online roundup of beef
industry news and commentary. Visit BEEF Daily http://blog.beefmagazine.com/beef_daily/.
I met Amanda Radke back in 2007 when I traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota to
compete in the National Beef Ambassador contest. Upon meeting Amanda, there are
a few things that are very evident...she is beautiful, poised and very passionate about
production agriculture.
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to talk with Amanda one-on-one for a Rural
Lifestyle Radio segment. Since we were limited on time for the interview that was aired,
I decided I would share all of the questions I asked and her responses on my blog.
Enjoy!
Tell me a little bit about your history…did you always know this was the career
path you wanted to take?
I grew up on a cow-calf operation near Mitchell, SD. My family raises purebred Limousin
cattle. I was the typical 4-H and FFA kid, judging livestock, giving speeches and
showing cattle. I was the 2006 National FFA Extemporaneous Speaking Champion and
the 2006 National Beef Ambassador. I had internships with the USDA Ag Marketing
Service Livestock and Seed Program in Washington, D.C., the National Cattlemen's
Beef Association in Denver, CO, and BEEF Magazine in Minneapolis, MN. I also
studied abroad in Argentina during college. I graduated with an Ag Communications,
Leadership and Education degree from South Dakota State University in 2009.
Today, I work as a freelance writer and speaker. I have contracts with BEEF, the Tri-
State Livestock News, the Farmers' Advance and the Fence Post. I speak once or twice
each month to various cattlemen's groups, FFA chapters, etc. This flexible career allows
me to work on my family's ranch, where my husband and I are both actively involved.
This life is definitely more than I could have ever dreamed of. I started freelance writing
to help pay for college in 2007, and when it came time to get a "real job," I suddenly
had a strong desire to be back on the farm. I always thought I would be a lawyer in a
big office in a skyscraper somewhere. My parents were the type to encourage us kids
to pursue careers elsewhere because ranching is a tough life, but I couldn't be happier
doing what I'm doing.
What is it like to not only be young, but a young woman who is so involved in the
industry?
My family sells bulls and females by private treaty, and as a young kid, I would study the
cattle and their EPDs, so if customers had questions I would be ready. Of course, there
were some customers that didn't want to talk to me because I was a little girl; however,
there were others that seemed to value my opinion. I guess that's where I decided I
wasn't going to let being young or a female deter me from my goals. Being a young
women in the industry today can be a challenge sometimes, but it's one of those hurdles
I think is worth tackling.
You are considered an advocate of beef production and consumption…why are
you so passionate about this particular aspect of the Agriculture industry?
When I was a South Dakota Junior Beef Ambassador at age 10, I got hooked with
sharing my story with our consumers and showing them how to prepare nutritious beef
with fun recipes. I also realize that without boosting beef demand, every sector of the
industry suffers. Every time I go out and promote beef, I know I'm helping the ranchers
back home who don't have time to do it themselves.
What do you think your defining moment has been (As in, when did you know
people were listening to YOU)?
In 2006, when I encouraged a walk-out of the Carrie Underwood concert at the National
FFA Convention. It was a scary time in my life, where a lot of my friends wouldn't talk to
me. But, I knew I had to educate others about HSUS and their mission to abolish animal
agriculture in this country. When I found out that Underwood had donated $100,000
to HSUS and she came from a cattle ranch in Oklahoma, I knew I had to stand up for
animal agriculture and the agriculture students in the FFA organization.
Although that was a defining moment for me, I think establishing a relationship with
BEEF has given me a real platform to make a difference. The BEEF Daily blog had
more than 340,000 hits in 2010.
What do you think is the most critical issue currently facing the beef industry?
There are a lot of issues that I think are worth keeping an eye on. Of course, boosting
beef demand domestically and abroad is huge. Educating our consumers about
HSUS, as well as re-establishing consumer trust in farmers and ranchers are two other
priorities of mine. Additionally, encouraging young people to get back into production
agriculture is another challenge. With escalating land prices, tougher standards from
ag lenders and competition from established ranchers, it can be incredibly difficult for
young people to get into the business. Providing resources for the next generation is
incredibly important.
You blog…this concept is somewhat foreign to older folks or people who aren’t
as tech savvy. Why is this avenue such an effective way for you to share your
message?
The blog and newsletter has been an easy way for me to get the word out fast. It goes
out to 40,000 people each day and allows me to bring attention to important things
going on in the industry today.
How do you think social media is transforming the Agriculture industry?
Ranchers often live in remote places, and social media offers us the opportunity to
reach millions in just a few clicks. I do a lot of workshops educating producers on how to
use these tools to reach out to our consumers.
Now that people are using you as a resource…what resources do YOU use that
might benefit some of our listeners?
I'm a graduate of the Masters of Beef Advocacy Program, where I have access to a
wealth of information, a growing list of peers, and a grassroots way to quickly respond
to negative articles.
I subscribe to numerous newsletters each day, so that I can tune into the daily beat of
the industry. I also use Google alerts to follow what the media is saying about farmers
and ranchers. Finally, my twitter feeds monitor what moms, runners, athletes and
consumers are talking about, and I use the opportunity to share recipes, articles and
good news about beef with these audiences.
As you prepare for the State of the Industry issue of BEEF magazine that comes
out in June, what kind of response are you getting from producers?
This issue helps us determine what are the big issues concerning ranchers today and
how best we can address some of these issues. We strive to keep our readers up-to-
date on all current events and show them ways to increase their bottom-line and be
successful in the years to come.
Amanda Radke is a fifth-generation rancher from Mitchell, South Dakota and a recent South Dakota State
University graduate. She currently serves as Editor of BEEF Magazine’s, BEEF Daily, an online roundup of beef
industry news and commentary. Visit BEEF Daily http://blog.beefmagazine.com/beef_daily/.
I met Amanda Radke back in 2007 when I traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota to
compete in the National Beef Ambassador contest. Upon meeting Amanda, there are
a few things that are very evident...she is beautiful, poised and very passionate about
production agriculture.
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to talk with Amanda one-on-one for a Rural
Lifestyle Radio segment. Since we were limited on time for the interview that was aired,
I decided I would share all of the questions I asked and her responses on my blog.
Enjoy!
Tell me a little bit about your history…did you always know this was the career
path you wanted to take?
I grew up on a cow-calf operation near Mitchell, SD. My family raises purebred Limousin
cattle. I was the typical 4-H and FFA kid, judging livestock, giving speeches and
showing cattle. I was the 2006 National FFA Extemporaneous Speaking Champion and
the 2006 National Beef Ambassador. I had internships with the USDA Ag Marketing
Service Livestock and Seed Program in Washington, D.C., the National Cattlemen's
Beef Association in Denver, CO, and BEEF Magazine in Minneapolis, MN. I also
studied abroad in Argentina during college. I graduated with an Ag Communications,
Leadership and Education degree from South Dakota State University in 2009.
Today, I work as a freelance writer and speaker. I have contracts with BEEF, the Tri-
State Livestock News, the Farmers' Advance and the Fence Post. I speak once or twice
each month to various cattlemen's groups, FFA chapters, etc. This flexible career allows
me to work on my family's ranch, where my husband and I are both actively involved.
This life is definitely more than I could have ever dreamed of. I started freelance writing
to help pay for college in 2007, and when it came time to get a "real job," I suddenly
had a strong desire to be back on the farm. I always thought I would be a lawyer in a
big office in a skyscraper somewhere. My parents were the type to encourage us kids
to pursue careers elsewhere because ranching is a tough life, but I couldn't be happier
doing what I'm doing.
What is it like to not only be young, but a young woman who is so involved in the
industry?
My family sells bulls and females by private treaty, and as a young kid, I would study the
cattle and their EPDs, so if customers had questions I would be ready. Of course, there
were some customers that didn't want to talk to me because I was a little girl; however,
there were others that seemed to value my opinion. I guess that's where I decided I
wasn't going to let being young or a female deter me from my goals. Being a young
women in the industry today can be a challenge sometimes, but it's one of those hurdles
I think is worth tackling.
You are considered an advocate of beef production and consumption…why are
you so passionate about this particular aspect of the Agriculture industry?
When I was a South Dakota Junior Beef Ambassador at age 10, I got hooked with
sharing my story with our consumers and showing them how to prepare nutritious beef
with fun recipes. I also realize that without boosting beef demand, every sector of the
industry suffers. Every time I go out and promote beef, I know I'm helping the ranchers
back home who don't have time to do it themselves.
What do you think your defining moment has been (As in, when did you know
people were listening to YOU)?
In 2006, when I encouraged a walk-out of the Carrie Underwood concert at the National
FFA Convention. It was a scary time in my life, where a lot of my friends wouldn't talk to
me. But, I knew I had to educate others about HSUS and their mission to abolish animal
agriculture in this country. When I found out that Underwood had donated $100,000
to HSUS and she came from a cattle ranch in Oklahoma, I knew I had to stand up for
animal agriculture and the agriculture students in the FFA organization.
Although that was a defining moment for me, I think establishing a relationship with
BEEF has given me a real platform to make a difference. The BEEF Daily blog had
more than 340,000 hits in 2010.
What do you think is the most critical issue currently facing the beef industry?
There are a lot of issues that I think are worth keeping an eye on. Of course, boosting
beef demand domestically and abroad is huge. Educating our consumers about
HSUS, as well as re-establishing consumer trust in farmers and ranchers are two other
priorities of mine. Additionally, encouraging young people to get back into production
agriculture is another challenge. With escalating land prices, tougher standards from
ag lenders and competition from established ranchers, it can be incredibly difficult for
young people to get into the business. Providing resources for the next generation is
incredibly important.
You blog…this concept is somewhat foreign to older folks or people who aren’t
as tech savvy. Why is this avenue such an effective way for you to share your
message?
The blog and newsletter has been an easy way for me to get the word out fast. It goes
out to 40,000 people each day and allows me to bring attention to important things
going on in the industry today.
How do you think social media is transforming the Agriculture industry?
Ranchers often live in remote places, and social media offers us the opportunity to
reach millions in just a few clicks. I do a lot of workshops educating producers on how to
use these tools to reach out to our consumers.
Now that people are using you as a resource…what resources do YOU use that
might benefit some of our listeners?
I'm a graduate of the Masters of Beef Advocacy Program, where I have access to a
wealth of information, a growing list of peers, and a grassroots way to quickly respond
to negative articles.
I subscribe to numerous newsletters each day, so that I can tune into the daily beat of
the industry. I also use Google alerts to follow what the media is saying about farmers
and ranchers. Finally, my twitter feeds monitor what moms, runners, athletes and
consumers are talking about, and I use the opportunity to share recipes, articles and
good news about beef with these audiences.
As you prepare for the State of the Industry issue of BEEF magazine that comes
out in June, what kind of response are you getting from producers?
This issue helps us determine what are the big issues concerning ranchers today and
how best we can address some of these issues. We strive to keep our readers up-to-
date on all current events and show them ways to increase their bottom-line and be
successful in the years to come.
Amanda Radke is a fifth-generation rancher from Mitchell, South Dakota and a recent South Dakota State
University graduate. She currently serves as Editor of BEEF Magazine’s, BEEF Daily, an online roundup of beef
industry news and commentary. Visit BEEF Daily http://blog.beefmagazine.com/beef_daily/.
I met Amanda Radke back in 2007 when I traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota to
compete in the National Beef Ambassador contest. Upon meeting Amanda, there are
a few things that are very evident...she is beautiful, poised and very passionate about
production agriculture.
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to talk with Amanda one-on-one for a Rural
Lifestyle Radio segment. Since we were limited on time for the interview that was aired,
I decided I would share all of the questions I asked and her responses on my blog.
Enjoy!
Tell me a little bit about your history…did you always know this was the career
path you wanted to take?
I grew up on a cow-calf operation near Mitchell, SD. My family raises purebred Limousin
cattle. I was the typical 4-H and FFA kid, judging livestock, giving speeches and
showing cattle. I was the 2006 National FFA Extemporaneous Speaking Champion and
the 2006 National Beef Ambassador. I had internships with the USDA Ag Marketing
Service Livestock and Seed Program in Washington, D.C., the National Cattlemen's
Beef Association in Denver, CO, and BEEF Magazine in Minneapolis, MN. I also
studied abroad in Argentina during college. I graduated with an Ag Communications,
Leadership and Education degree from South Dakota State University in 2009.
Today, I work as a freelance writer and speaker. I have contracts with BEEF, the Tri-
State Livestock News, the Farmers' Advance and the Fence Post. I speak once or twice
each month to various cattlemen's groups, FFA chapters, etc. This flexible career allows
me to work on my family's ranch, where my husband and I are both actively involved.
This life is definitely more than I could have ever dreamed of. I started freelance writing
to help pay for college in 2007, and when it came time to get a "real job," I suddenly
had a strong desire to be back on the farm. I always thought I would be a lawyer in a
big office in a skyscraper somewhere. My parents were the type to encourage us kids
to pursue careers elsewhere because ranching is a tough life, but I couldn't be happier
doing what I'm doing.
What is it like to not only be young, but a young woman who is so involved in the
industry?
My family sells bulls and females by private treaty, and as a young kid, I would study the
cattle and their EPDs, so if customers had questions I would be ready. Of course, there
were some customers that didn't want to talk to me because I was a little girl; however,
there were others that seemed to value my opinion. I guess that's where I decided I
wasn't going to let being young or a female deter me from my goals. Being a young
women in the industry today can be a challenge sometimes, but it's one of those hurdles
I think is worth tackling.
You are considered an advocate of beef production and consumption…why are
you so passionate about this particular aspect of the Agriculture industry?
When I was a South Dakota Junior Beef Ambassador at age 10, I got hooked with
sharing my story with our consumers and showing them how to prepare nutritious beef
with fun recipes. I also realize that without boosting beef demand, every sector of the
industry suffers. Every time I go out and promote beef, I know I'm helping the ranchers
back home who don't have time to do it themselves.
What do you think your defining moment has been (As in, when did you know
people were listening to YOU)?
In 2006, when I encouraged a walk-out of the Carrie Underwood concert at the National
FFA Convention. It was a scary time in my life, where a lot of my friends wouldn't talk to
me. But, I knew I had to educate others about HSUS and their mission to abolish animal
agriculture in this country. When I found out that Underwood had donated $100,000
to HSUS and she came from a cattle ranch in Oklahoma, I knew I had to stand up for
animal agriculture and the agriculture students in the FFA organization.
Although that was a defining moment for me, I think establishing a relationship with
BEEF has given me a real platform to make a difference. The BEEF Daily blog had
more than 340,000 hits in 2010.
What do you think is the most critical issue currently facing the beef industry?
There are a lot of issues that I think are worth keeping an eye on. Of course, boosting
beef demand domestically and abroad is huge. Educating our consumers about
HSUS, as well as re-establishing consumer trust in farmers and ranchers are two other
priorities of mine. Additionally, encouraging young people to get back into production
agriculture is another challenge. With escalating land prices, tougher standards from
ag lenders and competition from established ranchers, it can be incredibly difficult for
young people to get into the business. Providing resources for the next generation is
incredibly important.
You blog…this concept is somewhat foreign to older folks or people who aren’t
as tech savvy. Why is this avenue such an effective way for you to share your
message?
The blog and newsletter has been an easy way for me to get the word out fast. It goes
out to 40,000 people each day and allows me to bring attention to important things
going on in the industry today.
How do you think social media is transforming the Agriculture industry?
Ranchers often live in remote places, and social media offers us the opportunity to
reach millions in just a few clicks. I do a lot of workshops educating producers on how to
use these tools to reach out to our consumers.
Now that people are using you as a resource…what resources do YOU use that
might benefit some of our listeners?
I'm a graduate of the Masters of Beef Advocacy Program, where I have access to a
wealth of information, a growing list of peers, and a grassroots way to quickly respond
to negative articles.
I subscribe to numerous newsletters each day, so that I can tune into the daily beat of
the industry. I also use Google alerts to follow what the media is saying about farmers
and ranchers. Finally, my twitter feeds monitor what moms, runners, athletes and
consumers are talking about, and I use the opportunity to share recipes, articles and
good news about beef with these audiences.
As you prepare for the State of the Industry issue of BEEF magazine that comes
out in June, what kind of response are you getting from producers?
This issue helps us determine what are the big issues concerning ranchers today and
how best we can address some of these issues. We strive to keep our readers up-to-
date on all current events and show them ways to increase their bottom-line and be
successful in the years to come.
Amanda Radke is a fifth-generation rancher from Mitchell, South Dakota and a recent South Dakota State
University graduate. She currently serves as Editor of BEEF Magazine’s, BEEF Daily, an online roundup of beef
industry news and commentary. Visit BEEF Daily http://blog.beefmagazine.com/beef_daily/.
I met Amanda Radke back in 2007 when I traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota to compete in the National Beef Ambassador contest. Upon meeting Amanda, there are a few things that are very evident...she is beautiful, poised and very passionate about production agriculture. A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to talk with Amanda one-on-one for a Rural Lifestyle Radio segment. Since we were limited on time for the interview that was aired, I decided I would share all of the questions I asked and her responses on my blog. Enjoy! Tell me a little bit about your history…did you always know this was the career path you wanted to take? I grew up on a cow-calf operation near Mitchell, SD. My family raises purebred Limousin cattle. I was the typical 4-H and FFA kid, judging livestock, giving speeches and showing cattle. I was the 2006 National FFA Extemporaneous Speaking Champion and the 2006 National Beef Ambassador. I had internships with the USDA Ag Marketing Service Livestock and Seed Program in Washington, D.C., the National Cattlemen's Beef Association in Denver, CO, and BEEF Magazine in Minneapolis, MN. I also studied abroad in Argentina during college. I graduated with an Ag Communications, Leadership and Education degree from South Dakota State University in 2009. Today, I work as a freelance writer and speaker. I have contracts with BEEF, the Tri-State Livestock News, the Farmers' Advance and the Fence Post. I speak once or twice each month to various cattlemen's groups, FFA chapters, etc. This flexible career allows me to work on my family's ranch, where my husband and I are both actively involved. This life is definitely more than I could have ever dreamed of. I started freelance writing to help pay for college in 2007, and when it came time to get a "real job," I suddenly had a strong desire to be back on the farm. I always thought I would be a lawyer in a big office in a skyscraper somewhere. My parents were the type to encourage us kids to pursue careers elsewhere because ranching is a tough life, but I couldn't be happier doing what I'm doing. What is it like to not only be young, but a young woman who is so involved in the industry? My family sells bulls and females by private treaty, and as a young kid, I would study the cattle and their EPDs, so if customers had questions I would be ready. Of course, there were some customers that didn't want to talk to me because I was a little girl; however, there were others that seemed to value my opinion. I guess that's where I decided I wasn't going to let being young or a female deter me from my goals. Being a young women in the industry today can be a challenge sometimes, but it's one of those hurdles I think is worth tackling. You are considered an advocate of beef production and consumption…why are you so passionate about this particular aspect of the Agriculture industry? When I was a South Dakota Junior Beef Ambassador at age 10, I got hooked with sharing my story with our consumers and showing them how to prepare nutritious beef with fun recipes. I also realize that without boosting beef demand, every sector of the industry suffers. Every time I go out and promote beef, I know I'm helping the ranchers back home who don't have time to do it themselves. What do you think your defining moment has been (As in, when did you know people were listening to YOU)? In 2006, when I encouraged a walk-out of the Carrie Underwood concert at the National FFA Convention. It was a scary time in my life, where a lot of my friends wouldn't talk to me. But, I knew I had to educate others about HSUS and their mission to abolish animal agriculture in this country. When I found out that Underwood had donated $100,000 to HSUS and she came from a cattle ranch in Oklahoma, I knew I had to stand up for animal agriculture and the agriculture students in the FFA organization. Although that was a defining moment for me, I think establishing a relationship with BEEF has given me a real platform to make a difference. The BEEF Daily blog had more than 340,000 hits in 2010.
What do you think is the most critical issue currently facing the beef industry? There are a lot of issues that I think are worth keeping an eye on. Of course, boosting beef demand domestically and abroad is huge. Educating our consumers about HSUS, as well as re-establishing consumer trust in farmers and ranchers are two other priorities of mine. Additionally, encouraging young people to get back into production agriculture is another challenge. With escalating land prices, tougher standards from ag lenders and competition from established ranchers, it can be incredibly difficult for young people to get into the business. Providing resources for the next generation is incredibly important. You blog…this concept is somewhat foreign to older folks or people who aren’t as tech savvy. Why is this avenue such an effective way for you to share your message? The blog and newsletter has been an easy way for me to get the word out fast. It goes out to 40,000 people each day and allows me to bring attention to important things going on in the industry today. How do you think social media is transforming the Agriculture industry? Ranchers often live in remote places, and social media offers us the opportunity to reach millions in just a few clicks. I do a lot of workshops educating producers on how to use these tools to reach out to our consumers. Now that people are using you as a resource…what resources do YOU use that might benefit some of our listeners? I'm a graduate of the Masters of Beef Advocacy Program, where I have access to a wealth of information, a growing list of peers, and a grassroots way to quickly respond to negative articles. I subscribe to numerous newsletters each day, so that I can tune into the daily beat of the industry. I also use Google alerts to follow what the media is saying about farmers and ranchers. Finally, my twitter feeds monitor what moms, runners, athletes and consumers are talking about, and I use the opportunity to share recipes, articles and good news about beef with these audiences. As you prepare for the State of the Industry issue of BEEF magazine that comes out in June, what kind of response are you getting from producers? This issue helps us determine what are the big issues concerning ranchers today and how best we can address some of these issues. We strive to keep our readers up-to-date on all current events and show them ways to increase their bottom-line and be successful in the years to come. Amanda Radke is a fifth-generation rancher from Mitchell, South Dakota and a recent South Dakota State University graduate. She currently serves as Editor of BEEF Magazine’s, BEEF Daily, an online roundup of beef industry news and commentary. Visit BEEF Daily http://blog.beefmagazine.com/beef_daily/.