Trent Loos is a sixth-generation Nebraska rancher who’s taken his passion for a rural lifestyle to the radio air waves with a national program called “Loos Tales.”

Loos is a well-known promoter of American agriculture.  He was in Hays recently to talk with Fort Hays State University Agriculture students about their involvement in today’s food production system.

As a radio commentator, print columnist and internet blogger, Loos uses the media to counteract what he calls “sensationalism” in news stories he believes don’t tell the whole story about American food production and safety.

Loos pointed out a timely example.  Just two days before his Hays appearance,  the U-S Department of Agriculture confirmed a B-S-E infected dairy cow in central California.  “The cow never entered the food chain…the (random testing) system works, ” he said.

Loos also participated in the FHSU Ag Department’s annual Beef Promotion in the quad area.  Free hamburgers, hot dogs and ice cream were handed out during the noon-time event while the Beef Production class hosted a beef recipe tasting competition. As workers from the FHSU dairy demonstrated machine-milking a cow, the Agronomy Club illustrated fun facts about Crops.

Ag majors Ashley Montgomery, Hays, and Jade Meinzer, Yoder, CO, talked to attendees about the important role of ranchers and farmers in food and fiber production.

There’s more tonight on Street Beat Eagle Community TV Channel 14.