Artificial Intelligence & What it Might Mean

Since November, 2022, a new artificial intelligence platform has taken the internet by storm. ChatGPT (openai. com) is a “trained model which interacts in a conversational way” to answer questions posed by users. The technology can write programs, generate art, and infinite other applications.

This new model is easy to use and can synthesize responses from millions of internet sources. Interestingly, the conversational platform doesn’t simply copy and relay information, but rather searches, interprets, and writes a response. In other words, the program takes large amounts of data and computing techniques to make predictions and string words together in a meaningful way.

The long-term potential benefits are truly mind boggling and it appears we are on the cusp of something transformational in how we interact with technology. From custom programming to digital art and precision agriculture, the possibilities are truly endless.

However, with any new technology, there are also limitations and potential pitfalls. Since artificial intelligence relies on the body of work on the internet, it begs the question: how does the new platform handle controversial or unproven topics?

Agricultural production practices and impacts are often misrepresented by those with anti-agricultural agendas and echoed by mass media. An example of this is beef’s impact on global greenhouse gas emissions which is often cited at 14.5 percent or more.

The reality is that the hard working ranchers in the United States produce approximately 20 percent of the world’s beef and only contribute about 0.4 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Because many of the false narratives are frequently regurgitated by a seemingly endless number of main press news sources, this article explores how artificial intelligence may impact the dialogue surrounding controversial topics related to agriculture and compare that with a noncontroversial topic that is much more grounded in fact.

The first part of the article will demonstrate the responses ChatGPT generates when asked various questions about artificial meat and environmental impacts of beef production.

The second article (see April 2023 Stockman) will demonstrate ChatGPT’s ability to describe cold stress in beef cattle. Some editing was done for the latter to make the article easier to read, but ChatGPT’s writing is designated in italics throughout. The questions that were used to generate the article about cold stress are listed at the end.

Overall, ChatGPT synthesized reasonable recommendations and dialogue when discussing cold stress in beef cattle. This indicates that it does well with fact-based and noncontroversial information. When challenged with some of the questions relating to current affairs in beef production, the narrative seems to default more towards the anti-agriculture messaging.

At times, the program appeared to con- tradict itself and almost always followed a positive statement regarding the beef industry with a “however” followed by a negative statement. Interestingly fact-based and noncontroversial topics rarely if ever generated a “however” followed by negative comment. ChatGPT developers acknowledge that the program will fill “gaps” with information that may or may not be true, and currently there are no methods, other than the user, to check the accuracy of the responses generated by ChatGPT.

Inevitably ChatGPT or similar programs will be heavily utilized in the not-too-distant future. As demonstrated below, increased use of these programs may pose a risk to exacerbate spreading of false or misleading information as it relates to agriculture production. On the other hand, ChatGPT’s ability to synthesize useful fact-based information is quite impressive. At least in the short-term, artificial intelligence will still rely on human interpretation and quality control but may be a mechanism to quickly spread misinformation.

Agriculture producers, industry, and academia should monitor this new technology and how agriculture messages are being relayed. Though this article only explored ChatGPT’s ability to discuss agriculturally important topics, it is equally clear that these new artificial intelligence tools are significant advancements in our ability to utilize and interact with technology to improve agriculture in a variety of ways.

CHATGPT’S RESPONSES TO CURRENT AFFAIRS

Question/Statement: It is possible alternative meat could have more harmful environmental impacts than traditional meat.

Response: It is possible that alternative meat products could have more harmful environmental impacts than traditional meat, depending on the specific production methods used. For example, if the alternative meat is produced using intensive industrial methods, it could lead to similar environmental problems as traditional industrial agriculture, such as deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and water pollution. Additionally, the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and other inputs such as pesticides and herbicides could also have negative environmental impacts. However, it is worth noting that alternative meat products made from plantbased ingredients and produced using sustainable methods could have a lower environmental impact than traditional meat.

Question/Statement: What about com- pared to sustainable meat production?

Response: Alternative meat products produced using sustainable methods, such as plant-based meat made from non-GMO ingredients grown on regenerative farms, could have a lower environmental impact than traditional sustainable meat production. For example, traditional sustainable meat production still requires the use of land, water and other resources to raise and feed animals. Additionally, even sustainable farming methodologies will generate some greenhouse gases emissions. On the other hand, plant-based meat products require less land, water, and energy to produce and generate fewer greenhouse gas emissions. However, it is worth noting that alternative meat production methods are still being developed and studied, and more research is needed to fully understand the environmental impact of alternative meat products in comparison to sustainable meat production.

Question/Statement: Most of the land used for cattle production cannot be used to grow crops and is largely not used for anything else.

Response: It is true that much of the land used for cattle production is not suitable for crop cultivation, and may not be used for any other purpose. This land is often characterized as rangeland, grassland, or pastureland, and is typically found in regions with low precipitation or poor soil quality. While these areas may not be suitable for crop production, they can support grazing animals such as cattle. However, the use of this land for cattle production can have negative environmental impacts, such as soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and increased greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, overgrazing and poor land management practices can lead to desertification, making the land even less productive.

Question/Statement: Grazing cattle on rangelands can also be beneficial.

Response: Grazing cattle on rangelands can have both positive and negative impacts on the environment. When managed properly, grazing can help maintain the health of rangeland ecosystems by promoting biodiversity and preventing the encroachment of invasive plant species. Grazing can also help control wildfire risk and improve soil health by stimulating the growth of beneficial plant species and reducing the build-up of dead plant material.

However, when not managed properly, grazing can lead to overgrazing, which can cause soil erosion, loss of vegetation, and

Patronize Our Advertisers declines in biodiversity. It can also lead to desertification, a process where an area becomes progressively drier and less able to support plant and animal life.

In summary, properly managed grazing can be beneficial for rangelands, but it is important to ensure that the number of animals grazing on a given area is appropriate for the carrying capacity of the land, and that grazing is rotated among different areas to prevent overgrazing.

Question/Statement:

Eating beef is bad.

Response: Eating beef can have negative impacts on health and the environment. Beef is high in saturated fat, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke if consumed in excess. It is also a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, water pollution, and land degradation. Beef is a significant source of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and the production of beef requires large amounts of land, water, and other resources. Additionally, the clearing of forests for beef production contributes to deforestation and loss of biodiversity.

However, it is worth noting that the impact of beef production can vary depending on the specific farming practices used. For example, grass-fed beef, which is produced using regenerative farming practices, can have a lower environmental impact than conventionally produced beef and may also be healthier as it has a better ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids.

It is important to consider the environmental and health effects of the foods we eat and make informed choices that align with our values and goals.

See Part 2 in the April 2023 Stockman. ▫

View From The Backside

by Barry Denton

Government Horseshoeing

As a professional farrier for over 46 years, my biggest fear has come to pass. The United States Government is telling farriers and trainers on the nation’s horse racing tracks how horses should be shod.

This is truly the worst attack on an individual’s freedom that I have seen in the livestock business so far. Even the courts aren’t certain that it is constitutional. Perhaps you don’t think it’s your problem?

Just wait another ten years when HISA is expanded and comes out to inspect ol’Pards horseshoeing job before you can go on the big gather. Farriers, horse trainers, and veterinarians are expected to comply with new horseshoeing rules set forth by the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority known as HISA. The Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act was passed by Congress and signed into law in 2020 by President Trump.

In my opinion, it was the biggest mistake of his presidency. Stop and think a moment about who else this alleged “authority” effects. Horseshoe manufacturers, horseshoe tool manufacturers, jockeys, grooms, horse track designers, and builders, etc. have to get up in the morning and comply with HISA. Rather than complying, tell them to stuff it.

One of HISA’s first rules is: The Racetrack Safety Program prohibits traction devices on forelimb and hindlimb horseshoes during racing and training on grass or synthetic racing tracks. Traction devices include, but are not limited to rims, toe grabs, bends, jar caulks, stickers, traction nails and/or mud nails.

This rule is supposed to be applied carte blanche at every racing track in the country. Now how stupid is that? The racing surface at Santa Anita in California is harder and faster than any racing surface in Kentucky or Florida. If you are shoeing horses running on a muddy track at The Fairgrounds in New Orleans a traction device may just save a wreck from happening.

Horsemen that work with these animals everyday should be making these calls, not some government entity that makes one rule for all involved. HISA has a nine-member board and only one member is a farrier. If farriers want to know who the sell out farrier is, it is Patrick Reilly, who is Chief of Farrier Services at New Bolton Center in Pennsylvania.

I suspect he has shod lots of race horses on several race tracks across the United States in order to tell over 30, 000 race track farriers how race horses at every track ought to be shod. Number one, if Mr. Reilly agreed to be on this board, he evidently has no regard for something in America called freedom.

Incidentally, there is no transparency within HISA. No one knows who or how much they are being paid or by whom. You can find out any other government employee’s salary, but not HISA?

It looks to me like Lisa Lazarus the CEO of HISA spent 10 years with the National Football League. Just speculating, but isn’t that a “woke” organization? Do we need that in the horse racing industry?

The good news is according to Blood Horse Magazine on November 18, 2022: “Holding that the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority is not subordinate to the Federal Trade Commission, the US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals declared its enabling legislation unconstitutional.”

Of course, there will be more appeals by HISA and there are a number of other lawsuits against HISA that are pending from Horseman’s Associations and states racing authorities.

We have had horse racing in America since before the American Revolution. Yes, horse racing has its problems like any other sport, but those problems need to be solved by horsemen, not government.

It’s incumbent to remember Ronald Reagan’s famous quote, “The most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government and I’m here to help.”

RANCH FOOD & FODDER

by Deanna Dickson McCall

It seems March is a month of extremes. I was born in March. My husband jokes and says that pretty much explains my personality. It can be cold, snowy and windy, making us wonder if winter will ever end. It can also gift us with a beautiful spring day with soft breezes, puffy clouds and green beginning to show. The first flowers begin to appear, and it seems the whole world is preparing or experiencing birth, from birds building nests to heavy cows waddling around. I’ve always loved watching lambs frolic and wondered how on those mother cows keep their babies so clean and shiny.

It is a time of newborns in the house, on the floor of a pickup or under heat lamps. A time of bottles, colostrum and various packets and animal biologics littering the kitchen counter. Hours spent trying to teach an animal how to nurse. Mud and manure on the floor, and hats, boots, scarves draped everywhere. The scent of wet hay and manure has probably taken over your utility room by now. The months of wet wool and assorted animal feeds with everything else that gets tracked in has reached its peak in permeating the air.

Springtime means we put in long cold days and nights. A cow rarely needs help calving on an idyllic Walt Disney type spring day when the birds are chirping. It is far more likely to be in the middle of a spring blizzard in the middle of the night. From dragging fields and preparing ditches to feeding and assisting with births, it can be an exhausting time. It is a time of improvising and substituting as well. No one knows how to improvise more than farmers and ranchers. Due to necessity and long distances, we learn how to make things work with we have.

The recipe below is an example of improvising. You can put this together and then go outside and work for hours while it simmers in a Dutch oven or a crockpot. You can use any leftover cooked meat, just chop it up. It can be leftover meat you threw in the freezer figuring you could use it for something someday. Or you can omit the meat. The beans and other ingredients make this a pretty hearty soup. Use what you have, it will still be good and welcome on a cold night.

Ranch Soup

Ingredients:

2 TBS olive oil

1 onion chopped

½ cup bacon ends, chopped Leftover cooked chopped meat (lamb, beef , even chicken)

½ to 1/3 cup chopped cabbage

1 finely chopped carrot

1 rib of celery chopped

3 cloves garlic minced

1 chopped bell or sweet pepper

1 cup of tomatos, frozen, fresh or canned

2 cups of beef broth

2 cups of water

1 TBS Italian seasoning

1 tsp dried sweet basil

Black pepper

Pasta or rice pinch of red pepper flakes

1 can of kidney beans

Directions:

Sauté the onion, bacon, cabbage, carrot and celery in olive oil

When the cabbage and onion become soft add the garlic, pepper and tomatoes and let cook for a few minutes.

Then add the broth, water, meat, and seasonings. Add a handful of rice or pasta.

You can continue cooking in a Dutch oven or pour into a crockpot at this point. The longer it cooks the better it is. Add water as needed.

A few minutes before serving add 1 can of beans, I usually use kidney beans. Add ¼ cup of dry grated Parmesan cheese. More cheese can be added at the table.

Serve this with bread and salad for a great meal.