Thanksgiving Traditions, Rural Challenges, and the Fight to Protect America’s Food Supply
They highlight that only the United States and Canada officially celebrate Thanksgiving, and they reflect on its strong ties to religious liberty and personal independence. Trent even mentions that winter 2025 is forecast to hit next week—just in time for family gatherings and big meals.
The conversation takes a serious turn when Trent and Hank dig into the Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) outbreak that’s shutting down major horse events and threatening the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. Trent shares concerns from a thoroughbred trainer who believes constant vaccinations may be weakening horse immune systems. They also ask tough questions about whether some modern virus outbreaks are naturally occurring—or potentially man-made. They connect these issues to the history of selective breeding and today’s vulnerabilities in livestock.
Trent and Hank argue that mass vaccination pressure and disease scares are part of a bigger push to control rural America and force people into cities. They compare the horse industry’s struggles to the sheep industry’s fight against Mycoplasma, warning that both sectors face coordinated pressure.
Hank also lays out the harsh realities hitting sheep producers, from the Tyson beef plant shutdown to the broken H-2A visa program. He explains how almost impossible it is to secure reliable seasonal workers, especially with rising costs and endless regulations. He notes that digital payments aren’t even available in his area, forcing him to hand-write checks while the government demands more paperwork and oversight. Trent and Hank agree that America desperately needs a simpler, common-sense system that actually supports agricultural workers instead of choking them with bureaucracy.
