Califonia Farm Bureau Federation
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Discussion Meet

Application

Deadline: October 31, 2011

Discussion Meet Winner

Congratulations to Discussion Meet winner Tyler Blagg of San Joaquin County! Blagg won the 2010 Discussion Meet during the California Farm Bureau Federation's 92nd Annual Meeting in Monterey.

A way to begin to understand the issues

As a young rancher, Tyler Blagg is no stranger to learning by example.

He and his wife Amy raise replacement dairy heifers in San Joaquin County, but by day, Blagg works for a company that manufactures animal identification products, doing sales, service and support for livestock clients throughout the Western region.


Tyler Blagg won the California Farm Bureau Federation YF&R Discussion Meet in 2010. CFBF President Paul Wenger presents Blagg with his award at the CFBF Annual Meeting last December.

The job not only exposes him to technology and management tools important to his farm, he said, but it also allows him to meet a wide variety of producers from different backgrounds who can serve as a model for what he might want to do in the future.

"I'm able to see some of the best operations around the state and the Western area, and how producers are operating and what works well for them," he said.

Blagg's involvement with livestock started with his family in Grass Valley, where they raised replacement dairy heifers and stocker beef cattle. He also worked with cattle in school through 4-H and FFA.


San Joaquin County farmer Tyler Blagg at his farm in Lodi, where he and his wife Amy raise replacement dairy heifers.

In college, he studied animal science with an emphasis in dairy production management. After graduating from California State University, Fresno, in 2007, he worked as a manager of a 1,000-cow dairy in Sacramento County before landing his current job with Destron Fearing.

Even though he works mainly with livestock, Blagg says he makes it his business to know about all kinds of agricultural issues, even those that may not immediately impact him. He said being involved in Farm Bureau's Young Farmers and Ranchers program and with commodity groups, as well as attending local community meetings, have been key to keeping abreast of what's going on.

"I look at it as a way to begin to understand the issues, so that when I'm older and if I'm fortunate enough to farm as a full-time career, then I'll be able to see what tactics people have used to ensure they remain viable for the future," he said.

Keeping agriculture viable is important, he said, because eventually he and his wife would like to expand their operation and incorporate beef cattle and grapes into the mix, all while trying to balance a family life with their son.

"That's a challenge—trying to get involved, because it's hard to give 100 percent, but you can give what you can," he said.

Collegiate Discussion Meet


Keiko Osumi

In the separate Collegiate Discussion Meet, a student from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, won the separate Collegiate Discussion Meet competition. Congratulations to Keiko Osumi of Arroyo Grande.


2011 Discussion Meet Questions

  1. Are the current and proposed Renewable Energy Policies beneficial to all segments of American agriculture? Why or why not?
  2. How can we convince the public that the animal agriculture industry balances production efficiencies with the public's expectations of animal care?
  3. Have farmers and ranchers effectively utilized social media to educate and influence the public? What strategies can be implemented to expand the interaction between producers and consumers?
  4. How do we capitalize on the growing world demand for agricultural products?
  5. What role, if any, should agriculture play in addressing health and obesity issues?