Shows
Inside the BullseyePlaying with FIRE Ep. 40Just as every parent has their own parenting style, farmers and ranchers have their own unique way of doing things as well. There is no “one-size fits all.” We’ve explored many different practices through our conversations many of which are used in the Midwest. Today, we’re taking you to Oklahoma – where we look at some unique land management practices that are allowing you to enjoy some of the best beef products while keeping Mother Nature intact. Fire is actually a tool used by the Gourleys. Adam and Blayr share their wildlife management background and raising cattle and kids on the...
2022-07-1429 min
Inside the BullseyeCows can’t see the color red Ep. 39All you need are 5 minutes to hear these 5 answers that could help you win a million dollar prize in a trivia contest. (I even learned something new while researching this episode)
We’ll explore how cows vision differs from ours, how their teeth compared to ours, and how many bones a cow has compared to us (this answer may not be as obvious as you think).
Cows are interesting creatures and provide a lot to our families. If you learn something new, please be sure to share this with a friend.
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2022-06-3007 minInside the BullseyeWhat do your favorite pair of jeans and stale donuts and a cows diet have in common? Ep. 38What do your favorite pair of jeans and stale donuts and a cows diet have in common? It’s the topic of discussion today as we continue to learn more during June Dairy Month -- it's less than a 10 min. episode. There’s a big myth out there that cows are taking food away from humans, but really they are making use of things that would could never eat or choose not to eat and would otherwise end up in the landfill. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again for the people in the back – “Cows are exc...
2022-06-1709 minInside the BullseyeWhere is my milk from? Ep. 37Where is your milk from? I’m going to let you in on a little secret – it’s printed right on the packaging, but you have to know where to look and how to decode it. Take 5 mins. to learn the simple easy way to feel a little more connected to this grocery stable we bring into our homes every week (sometimes more if you drink milk like my family). Plus, it’s a fun activity to do with your kids and help them learn where their food comes from.
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June is Dairy Month! A...
2022-06-0908 minInside the BullseyeThe Miracle of Life on the Farm – Calving Season Ep. 36It’s spring time and that means babies on the farm! In today’s conversation, Brady Zuck, a beef producer from Northern Wisconsin, is back to talk about the miracle of life (you can catch our previous conversation - Cows: More than meat and milk Ep. 12). Right now on his farm, he’s getting about 15+ calves a day – let’s just say it’s keeping him very busy. He explains how this process compares to human pregnancy and birth, the recordkeeping farmers use to make sure you’re getting the best quality and consistency in your favorite beef products and just how q...
2022-06-0227 minInside the BullseyeBuying Beef Directly from a Farmer Ep. 35Do you know the difference between a Porter House steak and a T-bone steak?
Get your questions answered by meeting the people who raise your food! Grace Link joins the conversation today. She’s the owner of Bosben Rd Beef Company, a commercial cow-calf and registered Angus Operation in Deerfield, Wisconsin. She sells beef directly to consumers just like you. She also works off the farm at the Wisconsin Beef Council.
We talk about:
- What’s driving the cost of beef
- What you should consider if you want to buy b...
2022-05-2036 minInside the BullseyeWhy is my ground beef red on the outside but more gray in the middle? Is it spoiled? Ep. 34May is Beef Month and we’re answering 5 of your questions!
- Why is my ground beef red on the outside and more gray in the middle?
- What is driving the price of beef? Why is it so expensive?
- How do I pick the “right” piece of meat when I’m standing at the meat counter?
- How long does ground beef last in the freezer?
- Why does my meat have an iridescent color?
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USDA was a great, trusted resource when put...
2022-05-1412 minInside the BullseyeWait... an avocado is a berry? Ep. 33Whether it's Cinco de Mayo or a random Saturday, who doesn't love chips & guac and a margarita? You may eat them in guacamole, in salads, or maybe you use them as a baking substitute -- but my guess is there's a lot you don't know about this little green fruit. Yes, it's a fruit. And if we really want to get technical it's a berry! (What? I know, I was shocked too!) In this quick 8 min. conversation we discover the best ways to keep a cut avocado from turning brown, how to pick the best ones out at the grocer...
2022-05-0507 minInside the BullseyeMeet the people who will be feeding your kids Ep. 32There’s no shortage of hot topics in this episode:
GMOs
Organic
Food Labels
Technology
Animal Welfare
What does the future of agriculture look like? If only we could look into a crystal ball and know how we are going to efficiently and sustainably feed the growing world population. While you may not be a farmer or maybe have never even stepped foot on a farm – it’s important to follow this topic as this is the industry that will feed your kids – and even your grandkids and great-grandkids.
In this conversation, we talk with two insp...
2022-04-2843 minInside the BullseyeWill we run out of food? The impact the conflict in Ukraine has on our food supply Ep. 31When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the impacts could be felt all around the world almost immediately at the pump, at the grocery store checkout, and by farmers who were trying to get the supplies they need for their spring planting season.
"While we're all feeling the pinch at the grocery store, please know farmers aren't getting rich as a result of it," says Veronica Nigh, a senior economist for American Farm Bureau Federation.
Then who is?
What's driving the prices?
With the conflict still unfolding in Ukraine, what happens now tha...
2022-04-1437 minInside the BullseyeCOVID-19 - the impacts on the supply chain and your buying habits – Ep. 30The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world as we know it leaving a large impact on our food system and our buying habits. In today’s conversation, Roxi Beck with the Center for Food Integrity dives into the psychology behind it all. And yes to put it in simple terms – we are still in “survival mode.” When will this end? She shares her thoughts.
Beck talks Mom-to-Mom with host, Amy Pflugshaupt on how buyers habits shifted from “let’s buy those items that ‘do the right thing’” – like fair trade, ethically sourced, or farm raised – to a NEW focus of importance...
2022-04-0724 minInside the BullseyeWhat are you pouring on your pancakes? Not all maple syrups are created equal Ep. 29Not all syrups we drizzle over pancakes, waffles, French toast are created equal. One is not better than the other by any means (they all use ingredients that are produced by farmers), but if you are looking for items that are minimally processed then Pure Maple Syrup is your option. In this episode, Abigail Martin with the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center joins us again to explore how it’s produced, how you can tap a tree in your own backyard, and some of the other maple products out there other than syrup. Plus, don't make the same mistake Amy, In...
2022-03-2428 minInside the BullseyeThe 10 things you use before stepping out the door that are tied to the farm – and no, we’re not talking food. Ep. 28The 10 things you use before stepping out the door that are tied to the farm – and no, we’re not talking food. This episode is a quick 10 minutes! In honor of National Ag Day on March 22, we are talking about the items we use every day that we don’t always think about having ties back to the farm. From your tooth paste to your cold medicine, get ready to see how agriculture plays a role in your every day life. Plus, get a sneak peak at some conversations that are coming up.
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We Wan...
2022-03-1710 minInside the Bullseye“Excuse me? My broccoli has hormones, and my pork doesn’t?” Ep. 27“Excuse me? My broccoli has hormones, and my pork doesn’t?” Is your head spinning right now trying to make sense of that? Roxi Beck is the consumer engagement director for the Center for Food Integrity and the vice president at Look East Consulting. That’s not the only thing she says in this conversation that will leave you wondering, “How much do I really know about my food and the marketing claims printed on the packaging.” She’s setting the record straight and helping consumers just like you cut through the noise of all those buzz words (Natural, Hormone-Free, P...
2022-03-1051 minInside the BullseyeWhy are dairy calves taken away from their mothers? Cow Fitbits? Your questions answered by Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center Ep. 26Why are dairy calves taken away from their mothers? Cow Fitbits? Really, that’s a thing? (As we’ve said before, this isn’t your grandfather’s way of farming). Have your kids ever asked you some off the wall question like – “Mom, how long is a cow’s tongue?” We’re answering these and so much more thanks to the help of Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center. It’s a one-of-a-kind, hands-on learning facility based in Northeastern Wisconsin where the wonders of agriculture are on full display. Abigail Martin is the program manager at the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center, supporting their edu...
2022-03-0336 minInside the BullseyeClimate Change & Cows: Gen Z’s impact on the food you put on your table Ep. 25Climate Change & Cows is controversial on many levels. Farmers now, but more importantly the next generation of leaders, are having to find ways to feed the world. Gen Z is the first generation to grow up completely online. They don’t know a world without social media and are passionate about social change. In this conversation, we meet Kinzie Burtrum. She’s a 21-year-old rancher who was recently featured on time.com as part of the 30 in 2030: Planning for the Future video. She shares a very open view of what farmers are doing now and what some of the bigges...
2022-02-2428 minInside the BullseyeAnimal Abuse, Cold Cows & Antibiotics in Milk – Nothing is off limits with Annaliese Wegner, a Wisconsin dairy farmer & social media influencer. Ep. 24With more than 29,000 followers on Instagram, Annaliese Wegner (@ModFarmChick) is sharing her family’s farm story to connect people just like you to where your food is coming from. She’s a born and raised dairy farmer in Wisconsin. In this conversation, she answers some of the most common consumer questions about farm life including: the perfect temperature for cows to be happy, animal abuse (she even goes into an incident that happened on her farm), and why her cows aren’t out on pasture like some other dairy cows. She shares what it’s like as a woman working...
2022-02-1733 minInside the Bullseye"Around the Farm Table" with Inga Witscher Ep. 23Inga Witscher is fourth-generation farmer who is also the host of the PBS show, “Around the Farm Table.” This is a show that introduces you to the people who are growing your food. Inga then takes it back to her farm kitchen and show you how to prepare these farm fresh ingredients for your family.
Here’s the twist in all of this -- she didn’t always want to be a farmer. In this conversation, she shares what brought her back to the farm and inspired her to launch the PBS series that brings consumers, just like you...
2021-12-3038 minInside the BullseyeBeef for EVERY Price Point – Ep. 22Sticker shock is something we’re all experiencing at the grocery store. According to the Consumer Price Index all grocery items are up any where from 3% to 15% - with beef seeing the largest increase from last year with a 20% jump in prices. There are several things driving up the cost, including demand. Angie Horkan from the Wisconsin Beef Council digs into to a few of the factors driving this increase. She also offers some great budget-friendly ideas so you can still put a delicious, flavorful beef dish on your holiday table. If you can’t afford prime rib or a te...
2021-12-2327 minInside the BullseyeBenefits of Buying a REAL Christmas Tree Ep. 21Scotch Pine, Frasier Fir, Balsam Fir, Blue Spruce – Whatever kind of evergreen you bring into your home, there’s a lot of work that goes into it. There’s also a lot of great benefits to buying a REAL Christmas tree. We get to the root of it all with the help of the reigning Alice in Dairyland, Julia Nunes.
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What to see what Amy’s Christmas tree looks like? Click here or visit @InsidetheBullseye on Facebook and Instagram.
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With more than 20 episodes now available, be sure to get cau...
2021-12-1708 minInside the BullseyeFrom Cow to Cheese - Here’s the backstory of Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese Ep. 20It only takes hours for fresh milk to be turned into delicious cheese at Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese in Waterloo, WI – yes, literally just a few hours! This 3-generation farm family has a great story to tell. It’s one that’s been featured many times on national platforms like Good Morning America, Nightly News and now Inside the Bullseye. George and Debbie Crave pull back the curtain and give us a look at how this farm is run, the process of making cheese, the “old world” techniques they are still using, the sustainability efforts to preserve the land and someth...
2021-12-0941 minInside the BullseyeYou Gouda Brie Kidding! Free Cheese for a Year??? Ep. 19Want FREE Wisconsin cheese for a year??? In this “gouda” episode, Lizzie Duffey with Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin explains how you, a friend and a food pantry of your choice can savor all the goodness - all you have to do is snap a photo! Just note, the deadline for the Wisconsin Cheese Board Awards is Dec. 16, 2021 – so you better listen today! 😊She’s also talking about 3 simple steps to make your cheese board “Instagram-worthy,” the one knife you should invest in for all your cheese needs (trust me – it’s totally worth it and the best part – it’s affordable!), and she...
2021-12-0244 minInside the Bullseye“Time to get Basted!” Fun Turkey Facts thanks to the National Turkey Federation Ep. 18Is it the tryptophan that’s making you tired after your Thanksgiving feast? No! You’d be surprised what other food has the same amount of tryptophan and doesn’t get a bad rap like our holiday bird (pay attention at the 20 min mark). Beth Breeding with the National Turkey Federation sets the record straight on some common consumer questions:
1. Are turkeys raised in cages?
2. What’s driving the price increases this year at your local meat counter?
3. Are hormones and steroids used in turkey production?
She also shares some great ideas to...
2021-11-2524 minInside the BullseyeBONUS: Turkey Talk10 minutes – that’s all you need to set the tone for the holidays! We’re talking about the star of our holiday feasts – TURKEY! Fun facts (Do you know why commercial turkeys are bred to have white feathers?), preparing poultry and Amy shares a great recipe to give you the taste of Thanksgiving without having to prepare a whole bird. (It takes 5 mins. to prep and only uses 6 ingredients!)
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“Oh no, it’s Thanksgiving Day and my turkey is still frozen? What do I do???” First of all, don’t panic – here’s what food experts re...
2021-11-2011 minInside the Bullseye“You want to do the man’s job?” Meet Amber Bristow a 5th generation cranberry farmer Ep. 17As a kid, Amber Bristow watched as her dad “groomed” her older brother to be the next generation to lead the family’s century old cranberry farm. But, it’s Amber who’s came back on the farm breaking those traditional gender-roles in rural America. She’s a wife, new mom, farmer and she has a following of more than 10,000 on Instagram. She’s an advocate for the agricultural industry on social media where she details what it like working in the marsh, shares farm facts and adds a splash of color with fun recipes and family life. She shares what st...
2021-11-1949 minInside the BullseyePulse Check – Where we’ve been and where we are going Ep. 16This podcast is designed for YOU, the consumer. It’s time to weigh in and help drive the conversation. In Ep. 16, we take a second to look back, find out what you want to talk about and give a sneak peak as the conversations that are in the works now.
Submit your agricultural questions today:
1) Send an email: INSIDETHEBULLSEYE@GENUSPLC.COM
2) Send a direct message on Facebook or Instagram – just search @InsidetheBullseye (while you’re there be sure to follow us – thanks!)
3) Leave a comment on one of the @insidethebullseye posts
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2021-11-1209 minInside the BullseyeA City Girl’s Journey to the Farm: Aliza Eliazarov Ep. 15A single chicken nestled into the heart of New York City sends this city girl on an adventure out to the country. Aliza Eliazarov is an award-winning author and photographer. Her book, “On the Farm: Heritage and Heralded Animals Breeds in Portraits and Stories” is an elegant book filled with photos and nuggets of information that details her journey. In her words it was “A desperate need to educate myself and connect and get closer to the natural world.” Over the next several years, Eliazarov researched, talked to farmers, and photographed heritage and heralded breeds of animals – capturing images like you’v...
2021-11-0438 minInside the BullseyeFrom the Eyes of a Farmer on the Road Ep. 14How many combines have you passed this fall? I bet it’s at least a couple. Sharing the road – we hear the perspective from the farmer up in that piece of heavy machinery. What they can see or can't see, their concerns and the close calls. Kevin Heeg is a farmer from Marshfield, WI. He was born and raised on the farm and shares his experience driving farm implements on the road and the dangers that many drivers may not realize. This is a continuation of our conversation in Ep. 11, Slow Down and Share the Road. It seems like a si...
2021-10-2922 minInside the BullseyeShake up your dinner plans with the help of a beef producer who just happens to be a first-generation farmer Ep. 13Looking to shake up your dinner plans tonight? That chuck roast you have in the fridge doesn’t have to automatically mean pot roast. Sarah Wells is a first-generation farmer living in Rio, Wisconsin. During our conversation, she shares her secrets for spicing up dinner and how cooking a traditional chuck roast can serve as the base for several different recipes throughout the week. She also talks about ordering custom meat to fill your freezer – what cuts, the price, and when’s the best time to order. Also, how building connections with your local producers at the farmers market can eas...
2021-10-2142 minInside the BullseyeBONUS: Why farmers use artificial inseminationWe had so much fun talking with Brady Zuck, a fifth-generation beef producer from Ladysmith, WI, that we wanted to keep the conversation going. In Ep. 12, we touched on the idea that he uses artificial insemination on his farm. In this BONUS episode, he explains why he uses this practice and how it impacts the products you bring into your home.
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To see more of Brady’s story as a producer you can visit the Wisconsin Beef Council’s website.
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If you enjoyed your time listening or lear...
2021-10-1515 minInside the BullseyeCows: More than meat and milk Ep. 12Perfume, shaving cream, deodorant, anti-aging cream and even chewing gum – they come from what?!?! Before you step out the door, there are dozens of items you use that can be traced back to cattle – and we’re talking more than just meat and milk. Brady Zuck, a fifth-generation beef producer, takes us on a tour of his family’s cow-calf operation in Ladysmith, Wisconsin. He talks about the magical superpower cattle possess known as “upcycling,” as well as some of those items used by your family that you may be surprised to know that have a connection to cattle herds just l...
2021-10-1435 minInside the BullseyeSlow Down and Share the Road - Ep. 11Give this episode 60 seconds and you’ll understand why we’re talking about sharing the road with farm implements. The next 30 minutes that follow, Cheryl Skjolaas, a senior outreach specialist with the UW Center for Agricultural Safety and Health breaks down the rules of the road, the two most common types of crashes that happen during harvest season and why all farm equipment isn’t created equally when it comes to safety standards. I was honestly blown away to learn just how long it takes safety features to become standard for farm implements – it’s 5 to 6 times longer than it does fo...
2021-10-0736 minInside the BullseyeWhat's for dinner? The common mistakes you're making when buying and preparing meat Ep. 10A chef turned butcher is educating consumers on "all the things" when it comes to meat. From best cuts, non-traditional cuts (yes, we are talking beef tongue and pigs feet -- before you say "ewwwww" you have to hear us out), what's trending, what are economical options and going as far as connecting the consumer to where and how that animal was raised. Judson and Monique Branch opened a meat and specialty store in Windsor, WI (a small town outside of Madison), called Branch + Daughter in July 2021. In our conversation, we talk about a huge trend in meat (that's ev...
2021-09-3040 minInside the BullseyeKeep or Toss?? Settling the debate over food label dates Ep. 9“Use before,” “Sell by,” “Expires on,” “Best if used by” -- What do they all mean? And if you pass that date printed on the label, do you have to throw it out immediately? These labels may be doing more harm than good as American are throwing out a third of our food. That's about $161 billion worth each year. Joining the conversation is Kevin Smith, a Senior Advisor in the FDA's Office of Food Safety. He explains what these labels mean, how they are determined and what you can do to cut down on food waste in your home.
If you lea...
2021-09-2327 minInside the BullseyeGet lost in a corn maze Ep. 8If you’re looking to get lost this fall in a corn maze, you are in good company. Agri-tourism is just one of the ways family farms are making ends meet. In this episode, we explore one of the top 10 corn mazes in the country as named by USA Today. What makes the Treinen corn maze so unique – no GPS equipment is used to create it. It’s all staked out by hand. One of the owners of this Lodi, WI farm, Angie Treinen, talks family farm history, physics, and the creative outlet she’s had over the last 21 years de...
2021-09-1644 minInside the BullseyeA new kind of class pet Ep. 7Calling all teachers, educators or organization advisors! Sign-up today for a FREE program that brings the farm to your kids - Adopt a Cow (not to be confused with Adopt a Dairy Cow featured in Ep. 2). This program is carefully crafted curriculum that allows kids to get to know a local farmer and a calf. Each class is paired with a newborn calf. They then receive progress about her growth and exciting updates – including photos of the cow, live chats from the farm, activity sheets and more. In this episode, we explore the program with Kaila Fitzl a teacher in Loya...
2021-09-0923 minInside the BullseyeFirst-of-its-kind, newest breast milk alternative Ep. 6The first-of-its-kind baby formula made from goats milk is giving families another option to feed their babies while also building a new market for dairy farmers. Dr. Nikos Linardakis shares how he's leveraging his Greek upbringing and knowledge to work with dairy farmers and create Bêne Baby Toddler Formula.
Bene Baby Formula was a semi-finalist in the Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge -- a national business competition that showcases U.S. startups developing innovative solutions to challenges facing America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities.
The company's mission: "When you shop with us, you are s...
2021-09-0235 minInside the BullseyeOnline Farmers Market: Bringing the farm to YOU! Ep. 5"We are one failed corn crop away from mass starvation." -Nick Carter, Co-Founder and CEO MarketWagon
In our candid conversation, Carter talks about growing up on his family's farm in Indiana, leaving it behind and then eventually returning and starting an online farmers market. Market Wagon's goal is to connect you back to where your food comes from and gives local farmers the opportunity to "thrive in their local markets." He explains why he felt he had to create this link between the farmer and consumer.
To learn more about the mission of Market Wagon and...
2021-08-2629 minInside the BullseyeSorry, sustainable farming isn't a new idea Ep. 4Protecting those valuable natural resources all while delivering your favorite products. Sustainable farming isn't a new idea. Farmers have been doing it for generations and are always coming up with new ways to do it better. Rachel Gerbitz, the Director of Sustainability Communications and Partnerships with Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, starts the conversation of sustainability on the farm and why consumers should care. This episode just scratches the surface of this topic that will be a recurring one for Inside the Bullseye.
CLICK HERE for a more in depth look at some of the sus...
2021-08-1919 minInside the BullseyeBONUS: Witness life on the farm first-handThere's no better way to learn than by learning hands-on. Here's your chance to visit 9 different types of farms and see first-hand what they are doing to protect the environment and still deliver the best products you love to use. It's all part of Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation's Leaders of the Land: A State Sustainability Series. Rachel Gerbitz, the Director of Sustainability Communications and Partnerships with Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, explains just some of what these individual farms are doing to be more environmentally-friendly. Some of these farms send their goods to popular companies like Frito-Lay and Ocean Spray.
2021-08-1920 minInside the BullseyeWhat's in my meat? Ep. 3It's a common concern among consumers, "Is my meat antibiotic- free?" Consumers also want to know where and how that animal was raised and what did that animal eat. Tammy Vaassen, the executive director of the Wisconsin Beef Council, explains all of the regulations in place for farmers who's animals end up in the food chain and on your plate.
CLICK HERE for new recipes for beef or learn more about how farmers are producing healthy & nutritional products for you and your family through the Beef Quality Assurance Program.
Follow the Wisconsin Beef Council on so...
2021-08-1226 minInside the BullseyeAdopt a Dairy Cow Ep. 2Milk! For many of us, it's how we start and end our day. A cold splash on our cereal or a big glass at night to dunk our favorite cookie for that midnight snack. However, for the thousands of people battling hunger, it's not always available. In Ep. 2 of Inside the Bullseye, how adopting a dairy cow not only helps put this item on the table, but encourages philanthropy and supports local farmers. It's a WIN-WIN-WIN!
CLICK HERE to donate, see the cows up for adoption, and learn more on how you can start a si...
2021-08-0329 minInside the BullseyeWatching your favorite sports team - Why you can thank a farmer for that! Ep. 1What’s in my meat? How was that animal raised? Is pleather better than leather? What are GMOs? Should I feed them to my kids?
Whatever your question may be – Ask us! Here at Inside the Bullseye, we want to educate you so you feel confident about those daily decisions and you can rest assured that your family is happy and healthy. Agriculture plays so many different roles in our daily lives. Some of them are obvious, while others you probably never imagined. So come with us on this journey – Inside the Bullseye host, Amy Pflugshaupt, is happy to...
2021-07-2607 min