Humane Watch - keeping an eye on HSUS

If you haven't read Chuck Jolley's article Five Minutes With David Martosko & RICO, The HSUS Dog, you're missing the update on the newest HSUS adversary, HumaneWatch.org.  HumaneWatch.org has been instituted by the Center for Consumer Freed (CCF).  Jolley spoke with David Martosko, Director of Research at the CCF, about the who, what, where, when and why's of HumaneWatch.org.

Q:Last week, CCF launched www.humanewatch.org which got some positive notice among people in animal agriculture, especially among those involved in social networks like Twitter and Facebook. What was the impetus behind developing the web site? And would you also share the financing behind it?

 A. Our faces are already on a lot of dart boards over at PETA. Remember www.PETAkillsAnimals.com? But PETA’s more bizarre tactics make it easy to convince Americans that they’re a fringe group. HSUS is a different story.

Essentially, PETA’s role in the animal world today is to make HSUS look reasonable by comparison. HSUS is smarter, more patient, and better-dressed, except for those vinyl shoes. But their long-term goals are exactly the same as PETA’s. And since they have a much less confrontational and nutty style, proving that they’re closet radicals is a much more daunting task.

When you take out ads saying PETA is crazy, no one disagrees. But putting HSUS on the same public footing as PETA—where they belong—requires a more methodical approach. So bit by bit, we’re publicly sharing the contents of our research files on HSUS. We’re confident that if ordinary people see what we’ve seen, they’ll conclude what we’ve concluded: that HSUS is just PETA with a nicer wristwatch and fewer naked interns.

The funding for this project is coming from CCF’s regular program budget. We enjoy the support of ordinary Americans as well as businesses from all parts of the food chain.

Q. You claim the site will publish “a treasure trove of information about the Humane Society of the United States, including lots of surprising documents that HSUS would rather remain hidden from its contributors.” That’s a pretty bold statement. What kind of information have you published and how did you find it?

A. What we’ve published so far is just the first trickle out of the faucet. We’ve been paying close attention, and so have researchers in many of the industries that HSUS attacks regularly. Some of them have been very gracious about letting me browse their filing cabinets. And I’ve heard from a large number of ordinary people who have horror stories to tell about HSUS. Some of them have photos and videos.

I wouldn’t want to comment on our other research sources, but let’s just say they’re not all the kind of things you can call up on the Internet. We’re doing a little bit of what the old-timers used to call “investigative journalism.”

Visit http://www.humanewatch.org/ for more infomation on how you can get involved, the latest buzz on the movements of HSUS and much more.

Until next time,
~Buzzard~

How to lose the argument on animal welfare…Reasons 3-1 and Bonus!

Ok - as promised here is the last installment (plus bonuses) of the top 10 reasons how to lose the argument on animal welfare.

How to lose the argument on animal welfare…Top 10 reasons

D. A. Daley, PhD – CSU, Chico

3. Assuming that you have to defend all agricultural practices, regardless of what they are. Why? I believe you defend those that are defensible. Period. Defending all practices makes no sense and causes you to lose credibility with the public.

2. Using economics as the justification for all of our practices. Although it makes sense to those of us who raise animals for a living, saying “well of course we treat them well or we won’t make money” really hurts our efforts with the public. In other words, if this is all about making money rather than working with animals we would probably be in another line of work! We need to convince the public that we truly care about animals not just about dollars. Besides that, it is not always true. You can have extreme conditions that are not good for animals that can be profitable. -- This is a great point.  For example: yes, gestation crates are the most economical way to raise hogs.  You can put more sows into one barn than you can if you were utilizing pen housing.  However, it's also vital to make known that if sows are allowed to live together, living conditions aren't so harmonius.  Gestation crates prevent smaller sows from being bitten and beat up, they increase the sow's quality of life and  they allow everyone to get her fair share of grub.

1. Assuming science will give us all the answers; it only gives us some of the answers. I believe strongly in science but science doesn’t solve ethical questions. Also, the public does not trust scientists and assumes they can be bought! Watch the news and it is easy to find “scientists” on both sides of almost every issue. It has become a contest of “my science is better than your science”. -- I am guilty of being a 'sound science' proponent.  There is a happy medium that needs to be met between science and ethics to solve the problems we are encountering in animal agriculture today.

Bonuses!
Bonus – Criticizing/mocking any animal production system that is not “conventional”. There is room in agriculture for lots of different methods of production. Let the market determine their success rather than hoping for them to fail.

Bonus -Trying to lead a parade without seeing if anyone is following…..Have you asked producers about the issue? I (Dr. Daley, author of said list) have surveyed over 200 cattlemen in three locations and 90%+ of them say “animals have the RIGHT to be treated humanely and ethically”!
I hope that you were able to take-away some important points from this list.  I know that I have.  As agriculturalists, we often think that we know all there is about our industry.  However, there are always emerging topics, sciences and practices that can help us in our fight to protect the industry. 

Until next time,
~Buzzard~

Tip from the KLA

I love my weekly newsletter from the Kansas Livestock Association.  They're great at keeping me up to date on all things livestock in the state; from policy to education to market reports.  I am especially a big fan of the "Become an Agvocate" section they have.  It's a weekly feature intended to give producer's a talking point to negate consumer misconceptions.  This weeks tip is below
        
         MYTH:  Cattle are crowded into feedlots, which is bad for the animals and the environment.

FACT: Feedlots provide an average of 125-250 square feet per animal, providing plenty of room for cattle to run, strethc and lay down.  In addition, feedlots manage environmental factors like water and air quality to meet strict government regulations.

If you want to get the weekly KLA News and Market Report, it's easy.  It's a service provided to KLA members.  Just join the KLA and soon you'll have your report and have the scoop on all the goings-on in the industry.

Until next time,
~Buzzard~

How to lose the argument on animal welfare - Reasons 7-4

As promised, here is the next segment of my list.  You have all probably visited the website and looked at the entire list, however for those of you waiting on the edge of your seats for my next post (haha) here they are:

How to lose the argument on animal welfare…Top 10 reasons

D. A. Daley, PhD – CSU, Chico

 

7. Assuming that the lunatic fringe is the general public. We spend way to much time focusing on lunatics and not working with the public.

 

6. Not being willing to listen because we are so busy responding.

 

5. Attacking everyone who disagrees with you in a negative, critical manner. We get angry very easily and that generally means we aren’t comfortable with what we are doing, so we have to defend at the top of our lungs.

 

4. Assuming we can’t do better at animal welfare. Agriculture is about evolving practices. Why can’t we continue to improve a system that is already good but will continue to change?

 

Take these precautions to heart - we must listen to challengers, be willing to change for the better and accept people for their thoughts and ideas. 

On Thursday, I'll have the top 3 reasons and also two bonus reasons!  Get excited

 

Until next time,

~Buzzard~

How to lose the argument on animal welfare…Reasons 10-8

I got this list from http://www.feedstuffsfoodlink.com/ - these are the blunt truths about advocacy and if you care about our industry (if you follow my blog, that's probably a yes) then you'll read, retain and remedy them.   I'll be posting the next 3-4 reasons in a few days and work my way to number 1.

10. Not working hard enough to build coalitions that include the public (consumers), Most of our coalition efforts are focused on bringing agricultural groups together.There aren’t enough of us, and we don’t represent enough votes.

9. Assuming that because someone disagrees with you they are stupid, evil or both. Good people can look at the same issue differently.

8. Being reactive rather than proactive. - This one is repeated time and time again - it's why I started my blog

I hope you all enjoy these and will put them to good use - look for the next 3 or 4 in a few days

Until next time,

~Buzzard~

Yellow Tail Wine will NOT donate again to HSUS!

After a huge nation-wide response by Kansas Farm Bureau, American Farm Bureau, other state Farm Bureaus, numerous individual farmers and ranchers, ag groups, associations and more through social media and blogging venues, Yellow Tail Wine announced today they will NOT again donate to the Humane Society of the United States.
The $100,000 donation by Yellow Tail Wines to the Humane Society of the United States' (HSUS) animal rescue program prompted a flurry of angry online postings in the U.S. calling for people to boycott the wine.
In response to the donation, a page Yellow Fail has been set up on the Facebook social networking site and has attracted more than 3,000 fans.

Looks like they wisened up and listened to their customer base!
 
Until next time,
~Buzzard~

HSUS Must Return Donations After Misleading Haiti Fundraising

Press Release: Center for Consumer Freedom

Washington, DC: The Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) is calling on the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to return all the funds it has raised under the pretense of 'saving' animals in the wake of Haitiâs devastating earthquake. A disaster relief expert working with Humane Society International (HSUSâs global arm) reports that there are no animal issues resulting from the earthquake and that no actions can be taken to help animals there. This follows a thorough assessment of the situation in Haiti.
HSUS continues to raise funds for 'emergency' donations, claiming Tuesday that "Humane Society International's team on the ground in Haiti continues its work of helping animals in distress."

David Martosko, Director of Research at the Center for Consumer Freedom released the following statement on HSUSâs deceptive fundraising:

Raising money to help nonexistent animals is the lowest kind of fundraising scam. Sadly, itâs just the latest in a string of phony HSUS fundraising schemes.

In 2007 HSUS raised money with the false promise that it would be used to "care for the dogs seized in the Michael Vick case." The New York Times later reported that HSUS was not caring for the animals at all, and HSUS president Wayne Pacelle said his group was recommending that government officials put down (kill) all the dogs, many of which were later saved by other organizations.

HSUS also raised a reported $34 million in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, funds that were supposed to help reunite lost pets with their owners. But an investigation by WSB-TV in Atlanta found that less than $7 million of this money could be publicly accounted for.
In the name of transparency, HSUS should cease its Haiti fundraising immediately, or redirect 100 percent of the proceeds to the American Red Cross.
The Center for Consumer Freedom is a nonprofit coalition supported by restaurants, food companies, and consumers, working together to promote personal responsibility and protect consumer choices.

I would think that at some point, their followers would turn on the news, open their ears and see the truths behind the HSUS ploy.

Until next time,
~Buzzard~

HSUS acting in Kansas!

The Humane Society of the United States has partnered with Humane Kansas (the HSUS of Kansas) to introduce a bill into the Kansas House Transportation Committee to make an 'I'm Pet Friendly' license plate.  Proceeds/profits from these license plates will be appropriated to Humane Kansas where the money will be used to "give a voice to the Kansas animal welfare community in the Kansas Legislature" (Humane Kansas' mission)- a.k.a. introduce bills similar to Prop 2 and other ridiculous legislation that will make life difficult for hard-working Kansas producers.

Don't be fooled by the "Pet Friendly" hype - I'm Pet Friendly. I have several horses, dogs and cats.  They all have their vaccinations and are warm, safe and dry with plenty of food to eat.  There are plenty of ways to show you're pet friendly without buying a HSUS/HK license plate. For example
  ---- Volunteer at a pound or pet shelter
  ---- Donate dog or cat food to the humane shelter in your area
  ---- Be a foster parent for orphaned dogs/cats until a permanent home is found for them
  ---- If you can, donate a few dollars to your local shelter.

There are plenty more ways to be pet friendly - show off your love of pets through those avenues but PLEASE don't purchase an "I'm Pet Friendly" license plate.  Combat this legislation by locating your legislator and asking them not to support Kansas House Bill No. 2255!

Until next time,
~Buzzard~

5 Rules for Dealing with Activists

5 Rules for Dealing with Activists
By: Yvonne Vizzier Thaxton

Great tips for agricultural advocates!

- Don't argue; they don't want to hear what you have to say and you won't change their minds.

- Do answer questions. If there is any doubt about a practice, admit it. Remember we are constantly learning and updating our systems. This applies to both welfare and large farms.
- Make sure you are doing all that you can to care for your animals and the environment. You are not responsible for your neighbors.
- Treat vegans and vegetarians with respect there is room for them on the planet.
- Consider Kosher, Halal, Organic, free range, etc. competition just like Tyson or Pilgrim's. They are not our enemy; they are just another way of doing things.

If we all follow those simple rules, life would be much easier. We'll still have to deal with those who are determined to change us, but we won't have to be so stressed doing it.

Yvonne did a great job of summarizing what our goals should be as advocates! Let's put these tips to use.

Until next time,
~Buzzard~

Update: CBS to air antibiotics piece TONIGHT!

CBS pushed back airing their antibiotics piece until February 9th and 10th (tonight and tomorrow evening).  It will air on the CBS nightly news - which comes on at 7 pm (doublecheck that). 

Pork and beef producers have already gone on the offensive, urging producer's not to support the current legislation for a ban of antibiotics in animal agriculture.  See 'Legislation to support use of antibiotics is supported' 2/8/10 on how you can tell your representative NOT to support that bill.

Dr. Michael Apley and representatives from NCBA met with Louise Slaughter, the writer of the legislation, yesterday to discuss the implications of passing the bill.   Hopefully, she took careful consideration into what they were telling her: there is no evidence that antibiotic use in animals creates resistance in humans; a ban would cause a rise in prices due to a decline in supply from all the animals that would die; our food supply would not be as safe if antibiotics were banned.  Just take a look at Denmark, that should be proof enough of what bad can happen when safe practices are stripped away.

Until next time,
~Buzzard~

Mike Rowe: Friend of Agriculture

At the 2009 National FFA Convention, one of the keynote speakers was Mike Rowe, host of the highly successful show "Dirty Jobs." Now, among all FFA speakers, Mike spoke to the audience about working hard, being driven and not waiting until it's too late to start influencing those around you.  He also spoke about animal agriculture.  In an interview with Farm Broadcaster Orion Samuelson after his speech, Mike discussed his opinion on the animal rights - animal advocacy agenda.

In the interview, Mike was quick to state that the 'original environmentally minded, the original dirty jobb-ers and the original conservationists' are farmers and producers.  Instead of caring only about green ($), producers care first about the brown, because they work in it all day, and then the green is their reward.  Mike doesn't claim to be an advocate, merely a friend. But, he's a friend with an extremely successful tv show that highlights ordinary Americans doing tough jobs -- 40% of those people are farmers/producers.

He also had some thoughts on the stance of PETA and HSUS.  Mike said that when an organization states their main goal is to eradicate animal agriculture; there's no hiding it.  Because of the radical agenda and presentations of both PETA and HSUS, the public hasn't had an honest look that captures the entire understanding of the situation, which is a very critical detail.

If you'd like to view the entire interview click here.  As always, Rowe is hilarious and he talks about his project "Mike Rowe Works".  It would be awesome if we could recruit Mike Rowe to be our spokesperson, much like his job for Ford.  Let's get on it.

Until next time,
~Buzzard~

Legislation to cut use of antibiotics is supported strongly in D.C

Unfortunately, that title is true.  PAMTA (Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act) is being backed strongly by over 100 representatives.  The legislations has several stated purposes:

• The proposed legislation seeks to eliminate the "non-therapeutic" use of antibiotic drugs considered important for human health.
• The intent of the legislation is to decrease the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in humans.
• The bill purports to preserve the effectiveness of medically important antibiotics used in the treatment of human and animal diseases by withdrawing antibiotics for 'non-therapeutic' purposes in food-producing animals unless they can be proven to pose no harm to human health.
• The bill defines critical antimicrobial animal drugs as those intended for use in food-producing animals and are composed wholly or partly of any kind of penicillin, tetracycline, macrolide, lincosamide, streptogramin, aminoglycoside, or sulfonamide, or any other drug or derivative of a drug that is used in humans or intended for use in humans to treat or prevent disease or infection caused by microorganisms.
• The bill defines 'non-therapeutic use', with respect to a critical antimicrobial animal drug, as use of a drug as a feed or water additive for an animal in the absence of any clinical sign of disease in the animal for growth promotion, feed efficiency, weight gain, routine disease prevention, or other routine purpose.

As agriculturalists, we know that antibiotics have been used for over 40 years to keep our nation's food supply safe and that of the antibiotics that are currently utilized in industry, 95% are for therapeutic control of disease.  Legislation similar to this has been instituted in Denmark and these are some consequences from that implementation:

Denmark, with a pork industry roughly equivalent to the size of the pork herd in Iowa, instituted a ban on the use of antibiotics as growth promoters (AGPs) in 2000 which has not reduced antibiotic resistance patterns in humans. The ban has, however, resulted in increased death and disease among animals, greater amounts of antibiotics used to treat and prevent disease, and little evidence to suggest that antibiotic resistance in humans has declined.

You can read the rest of the bill and it's implications by clicking here.
 These are facts that your representatives need to know before they sign and pass this legislation!  Visit this link on the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) and send a letter to your representative - voice your opinion and prevent the passing of this detrimental legislation.  Here's your chance to help stand up for our industry. 
 
Until next time,
~Buzzard~

  

 

 

"Nature is cruel but we don't have to be" - Temple Grandin

Well, I just finished watching 'Temple Grandin' and it was fabulous.  It solidified my desire to work with her on both my Master's projects and also attend CSU to pursue my PhD.  If you missed it, it will be on HBO again at 10:45.  You can look up a program schedule for the next two weeks by visiting HBO's site.

It not only tells the story of one of our industry's greatest pioneers, but it's a deeply moving and inspiring story of overcoming all odds and 'opening doors' to new challenges.  She encourages us not to be cruel like nature and since we raise cattle for our consumption we owe them some respect.  We owe it to be humane to them.  I strongly encourage all agriculturalists, producers and consumers to see it. I'm going to watch it again in an hour and a half! 

Until next time,
~Buzzard~

Become an Agcovate

This blurb was in my weekly KLA newsletter and I thought I would share it with all you cyber-readers

Become an "Agvocate"

MYTH: Antibiotics used in the lifestock industry cause resistance in humans and leave resistance in the food supply.

FACT: All antibiotics used in beef production go through a rigorous testing process by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that helps protect human health and gives veterinarians and beef producers the tools needed to keep animals healthy.  In addition, by law, no beef with antibiotic residues exceeding FDA standards is allowed in the food supply.

You can share this with your peers, coworkers, friends and family - impress them with your extensive science knowledge!

Until next time,

~Buzzard~

Despite consumer protests, Yellow Tail follows through with HSUS Donation

If you checked on either my blog, Agropinion or Advocates for Agriculture, you would have seen the cry for action from agriculturalists.  Yellow Tail wines pledged $100,000 to HSUS to help 'save puppies and kittens'.  Upon hearing this, agriculturalists from across the nation posted on Yellow Tail's page their disgust with the decision and supposedly Yellow Tail was 'listening.'  Their facebook status yesterday, "Hi all, lots of conversation here today – we’re listening. Check back soon, as we’ll be announcing news shortly on our Tails for Tails program", presented that they were going to listen to their consumers and not support HSUS.

Unfortunately, just a few hours later this was the new Yellow Tail status, "Okay, there’s been good feedback here recently. Here’s an update on where our donation will be directed to celebrate animals: We've decided to use all of our $100K gift to aid animal rescue: http://www.discoveryellowtail.com/#/news/year-of-the-tails/"  Obviously, they still haven't done their research about the true destination of funds that are donated to HSUS.  All day yesterday and today, people have continued to post their comments.  Some are economical and state the true value of Yellow Tail's decision - take this one for example:

"Wow!!! Looks like someone in marketing committed an expensive $100,000 mistake. You not only blew 100 grand, but lost more than that in sales. Me alone, 2 bottles per week @ $7.00 per bottle = $728.00 in one year( for just me) If this was my company, I'd have heads rolling, make an apology, and hope my sales isn't ruined forever!"

Others chose to cite how well wine and steak go together or offered suggestions of other organizations that could use a $100,000 donation.  The bottom line is; if you want to help animal shelters, donate directly to the shelter. Also, don't tick off your main customer base - hard working Americans who produce the nation's food supply.

Until next time,
~Buzzard~

Yellow Tail wine to support HSUS!

I read this on Troy Hadrick's Advocates for Agriculture blog - Yellow Tail wines is pledging $100,000 to HSUS in order to help save puppies and kittens etc.  The news was released in an article by the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance yesterday. I have cut and pasted the entire article below for your reading displeasure. 

U.S. Sportmen's Alliance
Yellow Tail Wine Gives Money to HSUS
Sportsmen Urged to Voice Protest
The Australian maker of Yellow Tail Wine has pledged $100,000 to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the nation’s largest anti-hunting organization. This partnership offers further proof of HSUS’ work to spin its animal rights message in a way as to seem mainstream.

As HSUS states on its website:
“… the HSUS has paired with [yellow tail] for the "tails for tails" program. Through the end of March, you'll see special [yellow tail] displays bearing The HSUS name and logo in stores across the country.

Through "tails for tails," [yellow tail] is donating $100,000 to support us and our programs to help animals, including our Spay Day Online Pet Photo Contest.”
Alerted to this relationship, the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) immediately contacted the American distributor of the wine, W.J. Deutsch and Sons Ltd., and urged them to ask Yellow Tail to sever its relationship with HSUS."
A copy of the letter the USSA sent to management can be found by clicking here. Thus far, the USSA has not heard from W.J. Deutsch regarding our request.
“This wine maker has fallen into the same trap as other companies who donate money to HSUS,” said Bud Pidgeon, president of the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance. “They believe they are helping animals in shelters when in fact they are funding an agenda from an animal rights group that is largely divergent from the vast majority of Americans.”
Take Action! Sportsmen should contact W.J. Deutsch and Sons Ltd. and inform them that they disapprove of Yellow Tail Wine’s relationship with the HSUS. It is important that W.J. Deutsch and Sons Ltd understand that each dollar given to HSUS is another dollar that can be used to attack hunting, fishing and trapping rights. Further, tell them that sportsmen will be forced to select alternative brands if the relationship with HSUS is not severed.

W.J. Deutsch and Sons Ltd. can be contacted at:

108 Corporate Park Drive
White Plains, NY 10604
Tel: 914-251-9463
Email: info@wjdeutsch.com
Ask to speak to Bill Deutsch, W.J. Deutsch’s chairman or Peter Deutsch, the company’s chief executive officer.

You can also voice your opinion by becoming a fan of Yellow Tail on facebook.  Then post your thoughts on their donation to HSUS.  Hundreds of people have already done so, and Yellow Tail's status says they'll be announcing news soon on the recent decision.

Until next time,
~Buzzard~

Don't Forget Temple!

A looong time ago, I posted about the HBO movie 'Temple Grandin' that was going to be released soon ('Temple Grandin - HBO Biopic' 11/17/09).  Well soon means this Saturday, February 6 at 7pm on HBO.  I repeat, Saturday February 6th at 7 pm.  The movie displays Dr. Grandin's life from high school (when she was expelled) to the creation of Grandin Livestock Handling Systems.

Dr. Grandin is a professor at Colorado State University (CSU) and a pioneer for the livestock industry, designing over 1/3 of the world's livestock handling systems.  She has written several books, hundreds of articles and speaks to conferences and universities on a regular basis.  In fact, she will be in Manhattan, KS for the International Symposium on Beef Cattle Welfare.  Unfortunately, I will be unable to attend because I'll be on my way to South Africa - but that's for another day. You can learn more about the Beef Cattle Welfare Symposium and how to register for it by visiting this site http://www.isbcw.beefcattleinstitute.org/.


Goodbye and don't forget to turn your tv to HBO this Saturday, February 6th at 7pm for the movie 'Temple Grandin'
 
Until next time,
~Buzzard~

February is I Heart Beef month!

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association is kicking off a month-long consumer awareness program to instigate a conversation about America’s love for beef. The “I Heart Beef” program is designed to help increase demand for beef by elevating consumers’ desire for great steaks like the T-bone and tenderloin (my mouth is already watering). A secondary emphasis of this program is to help generate more awareness that lean beef is a great addition to a Heart Healthy Diet, especially in light of February being Heart Health Month.  There are 29 cuts of beef that are lean including...tada! the T-bone and tenderloin!

According to a recent survey of American consumers, a majority of Americans (including me) agree the best way to say “I love you” to your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day is with a steak! And since lean beef is good for your heart, you are also saying I love you by serving a heart-healthy dinner.

Below are some tips that were emailed to me from Daren Williams, Executive Director of NCBA Communications, on how to show your love for beef for the month of February.

Share your love for beef through email
Use the attached “I Heart Beef” graphic as your email signature this month.

Spread your love for beef on your Web site
Place the special “I Heart Beef” widget on your Web site.  

Make your love for beef known on Facebook
Make sure you’re a fan of “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner” on Facebook
Add “I Heart Beef” flair to your Facebook page
Share your love for beef by posting why you love tenderloin or T-bone steaks

Make your love for beef known on Twitter
Make sure you’re following @BeefForDinner and @BeefRD on Twitter
Add the #IHeartBeef hashtag to all your loving beef tweets
Use the special “I Heart Beef” twibbon on your Twitter page

I'll be posting more tips every week in February so you can continue to show people how you much you love your beef!  It's like that Hillshire Farms commercial - "Go Meat!"

Until next time,
~Buzzard~

CBS to air segment about antibiotics in livestock

Tomorrow and Thursday night, CBS will air a segment about the use of antibiotics in the livestock industry, primarily the pork and poultry industries. NPP spokesman Dave Warner said that the poultry and pork producers who were interviewed found the questions to be very accusing in nature.

Besides meeting with farmers, CBS also met with Representative Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) who has introduced legislation that would regulate antibiotics used in livestock production. Additionally, CBS crews traveled to Denmark where antibiotic use has been regulated for quite some time now.  Industry groups are crossing their fingers that the edited and aired parts of the segment are not completely derogatory.

We all know that antibiotics are used in livestock production only when necessary and that they keep animals healthy.  We also know that healthy animals produce a healthy, safe product that keeps our food supply going strong.  Be sure that your peers, friends and family know that too.

Tune into the CBS Nightly News tomorrow and Thursday night to see what's in-store for the livestock industry.

KSU Collegian Speaks Out Against PETA!

That's right - you heard it here on Buzzard's Beat!  The KSU Collegian published an article speaking out against PETA for the organization's blatant disregard for morality.

The article, Puppy Love: PETA seeks limelight, uses attacks for promotion, written by KSU junior Leslie Campbell, cites the immature acts that have taken place at various PETA appearances.  Most recently, a PETA member threw a tofu cream in the face of the Canadian Fisheries and Oceans Minister - Gail Shea.  Although Ms. Shea brushed off the incident with a laugh and commented on the "blandness" of the pie.  This act is just one of many outlandish occurrences that PETA whips up.

PETA has a long history of outrageous advertising to try to persuade people that eating meat and wearing fur is wrong.  For example take this billboard

Obviously, this was put up to influence people to think that eating meat will lead to extreme obesity.  We agriculturalists know this to be not true -- especially since there are 29 cuts of lean beef, including the T-bone and tenderloin, which contribute to a heart healthy diet!  Additional instances of attacks on meat eating are the numerous accounts of scantily clad women holding signs saying "Go Vegetarian."  This is supposed to imply that being vegetarian is sexy and will keep you super thin. 

I think Leslie Campbell says it very succinctly when she states, "PETA is nothing more than a vicious organization, seeking out the limelight every chance they see possible."  Yep, I'd say that just about sums it up.

Until next time,

~Buzzard~

HSUS Trying to Take Down Ohio....Again

Today, news was released that HSUS has filed an amendment to the Ohio Constitution that would force the Ohio Livestock Care and Standards Board (see "A Battle Won for Animal Agriculture" 11/5/09) to adopt minimum requirements for all farmers and livestock producers.  Those minimum requirements are:

- Prohibit a farm owner or operator from tethering or confining any calf raised for veal, pig during pregnancy, or egg-laying hen, on a farm, for all or the majority of a day, in a manner that prevents such animal from lying down, standing up, fully extending his or her limbs or turning around freely. This prohibition would not apply during certain times set forth in the amendment, including, but not limited to, during veterinary treatment, certain livestock exhibitions, and scientific or agricultural research.

- Require that the killing of cows and pigs on farms be performed in a humane manner as set forth in the amendment.

- Prohibit the killing of cows and pigs on farms by strangulation as a form of euthanasia.

- Prohibit the transport, sale, or receipt, for use in the human food supply, of any cow or calf too sick or injured to stand walk.

HSUS wants these requirements to be set and in progress within 6 years -- so basically, if passed, within 6 years there will be no gestation crates, battery cages or veal crates.  That equals the extinction of the veal, egg and pork production in Ohio. 

Tell your friends to spread the word about this one.  Animal agriculture can't afford for this go through after such a successful vote in November in favor of the Livestock Care Board.  A defeat of this amendment will breathe life into our industry and drive other states forward to take initiative to combat HSUS. Good luck Ohio!

Until next time,
~Buzzard~