Andy Vance

The last column I wrote in 2011 dealt with the historic agreement between United Egg Producers and Wayne Pacelle’s Humane Society of the United States. Like many in agriculture, I was less than thrilled with the idea that one of the leading farm industry organizations was playing ball with the leading animal rights lobbying group. [...]

My colleagues at Feedstuffs shared the first available commercial data on hen performance and egg production in an enriched colony housing system in a report released on the publication’s website earlier today. The colony system, negotiated as the solution to differences of opinion between United Egg Producers and Wayne Pacelle’s Humane Society of the United [...]

I’ll admit I have a soft spot for Paula Deen. She’s my kind of woman: she is who she is, she doesn’t apologize for it, and she’s a good time waiting to happen. I mean, who doesn’t want to hang out with a sweet ball of sunshine who exudes Southern charm with a hearty “let’s [...]

I’ve noticed that over the past two years I’ve written quite often about my experiences and adventures reshaping my body and redefining my lifestyle. Essentially, I woke up one day and realized I was too heavy, too fat, and on a path toward long-term health issues that I didn’t want to deal with. I didn’t [...]

I suppose calling this a New Year’s update is a little disingenuous given that we’re 10 days into said New Year, and yes, it is a little disappointing that I’ve failed to write anything here since turning the calendar… Be that as it may, here goes. 2011 was a great year for my Half Man Challenge. It [...]

I am fortunate in that I grew up on a farm. For those of us reared in rural environs, especially if actually engaged in the lifestyle, if not the business, of producing food and stewarding the land, much of our character derives from the joys and discomforts of farm life. For many of our friends [...]