A Lesson in Patience, Pigs and Passers-by

 

A few weeks back I posted some photos from a wonderful weekend trip to Ohio wherein the Ninja's middle sister won the Grand Champion Market Hog at the Ohio State Fair. This accomplishment, which I should mention is a family win and not just limited to her, earned her and her hog a spot in the coveted Sale of Champions. The prestigious sale takes place the day after the champion is chosen however, the sale is held in a different building than the show, which is approximately 1/2 mile away from the show barn. The exhibitor, pig and entourage must make this trek, on foot, in the middle of a usually-sweltering summer day in Ohio. Did I mention it's at a state fair?

A small portion of the entourage leaving the pig pavilion

That means there are people EVERYWHERE. So imagine this scenario if you will:
A large hog that has only ever been around three or four people at one time is now thrust into the midst of hundreds of spectators, many of whom are small and screaming, at every junction. The pig is hot, scared and obviously, not on a leash. Throw in an entourage of family members and fair goers who don't understand boundaries and you can see how trouble can brew and stress can build.



Walking a pig down the midway is no small task

I must pause to share how excessively proud I was, and still am, of the Ninja's little sister. During this 1/2 mile walk, which seemed to last for hours, her pig became "grouchy," for lack of a better word, and several times tried to turn away from the path and go back to the barn, ignoring her directional guidance. Fair goers offered several comments, some of the most memorable being:

• You should put that pig on a leash! (To which I promptly responded, "Uh, that's not really possible at this point." I was met with an up-turned nose and the retort, "Yes, you definitely can.")
• Ewww - gross!
• That pig is crazy!

Obviously, the unending comments were starting to get to all of us and, bless her heart, that show woman didn't take her frustration out on the pig. She didn't issue backlash at the fair goers, she didn't curse and she didn't cry. She maintained her composure and patiently continued to move her hog towards the barn while the rest of the family shooed folks out of the way with the explanation that "The pig is scared because it's a farm animal and there are a ton of people here. We just need to give him some room." 


We're just going to squeeze right by the French fries stand!

I can think of no better situation than the walk to the Sale of Champions to exemplify the need for farmers, ranchers, livestock owners and showmen and women to remember that there are always people watching and wanting to learn more about animals. A lot of people thought it was really cool that we were walking a pig down the midway; others were disgusted and some people just didn't give a hoot. But the point is that patience is important when dealing with people and I can assure you that my sister-in-law was a shining example of how we should practice high-quality animal care and interact with consumers who just want a glimpse of rural life.

Happy Friday!

Until next time,
~ Buzzard ~

The thoughts and opinions of this blog post strictly represent that of Brandi Buzzard Frobose and are NOT representative of any other entity or organization.

Wordless Wednesday: Champions

 

Some pig  

Here comes the champion

Once in a lifetime

Kroger purchased the Grand Champion Market Hog for $42,000. Kroger representatives pose with the purchase and the Frobose family after the Sale of Champions



At the buyer's meal after the Sale of Champions

Until next time,

~ Buzzard ~



Wordless Wednesday: [Corn] Blowin in the Wind

A wet cornfield on a windy day in Ohio - harvest is upon us!

Dr. Grandin Visits NW Ohio

As you know, I'm a pretty big fan of Temple Grandin; evidenced here, here and here.

About 3 weeks ago, Temple visited Ohio for the Northwest Ohio Autism Summit in Bowling Green. The night before, she visited a farm in Cygnet, Ohio to talk to producers and consumers -- while there she held an animal handling demonstration and spoke about transparency in agriculture.

Respected animal scientist visits Cygnet farm: foxtoledo.com

The event was sponsored by the Wood County Beef Producers, Farm Bureau, Great Lakes Family Farms, Ohio Cattlemen's Association, Ohio State University Extension and Bowling Green State University.

It's great to see producers reaching out to the community and opening up their farms for tours. Have you ever been on a farm tour or if you're a producer, have you ever held a farm tour? I hope that when hubsy and I finally have our own place, we will be able to open our doors to the community.

Until next time,
~ Buzzard ~

Fun factoid: the first interviewed speaker, Dan Frobose, is my father-in-law. He is one of many Wood Co. Beef Producers. Additionally, one of my sisters-in-law, Hannah, is seen stuffing her face with a bbq sandwich!

Ohio gives consumers A+ education

I just returned from a wonderful 'vacation' at the Ohio State Fair.  My future in-laws show hogs at the state fair which happens to occur during their home county fair - not exactly an ideal situation.  So, I go and help out with the hogs and try to stay out of the way in Columbus while their father holds down the fort at the Wood County Fair.

My first day in Columbus I wandered the fairgrounds for awhile looking at the exhibits and resisting the fried food stands.  I was pleasantly surprised at the number of consumer education booths I kept encountering.  In almost every building I entered, there was a booth or display that provided consumers a first hand view at how Ohio produces a safe, wholesome food supply.  Take a look at what I found in the swine barn - there were four viewboxes set up to show fair-goer's how hogs are cared for on a farm.

Under each flap was a picture of the equipment or in this case, some feedstuffs.

Moving on to the beef barn, I admired the putt-putt golf course.  My friend, Erin Limes Lampe, who is the Director of Programs and Industry Relations for the Ohio Beef Council, had set up a putt-putt course with beef production facts.  You could play on the course for $1 and at each hole there was a sign describing different production methods and phases.  This hole was about herd health.

Erin told me that 4000 people play that putt-putt golf game every year.  If even 1/2 of those patrons were non-agricultural consumers, that is a superb achievement for the beef industry.  Erin has also developed a video to show consumers the story of beef production in Ohio. You can access this by clicking HERE. 

My last stop was the Dairy Bar, where I admired the informational displays while waiting on my delicious strawberry sundae. 

I think it's great that consumers can see who produces their food and how it is done.  In addition to the above displays, the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine had set up a booth that allowed patrons to milk a cow and admire the animals in the petting zoo while a moderator explained how producers provide basic health care to their animals.

I think that Ohio does an amazing job of educating consumers on how their food is produced.  Almost every agricultural entity has a form of media to communicate to consumers how agriculture is embedded in everyone's lives.  By setting up displays and booths at their state fair, Ohio agriculturalists have been able to educate a largely urban population about what goes on in the food industry.  I give Ohio an A+ and can only hope that other states will follow suit.

Until next time,

~Buzzard~

Mixed Emotions, Opinions in Ohio

Last week, news hit that HSUS was pulling out of Ohio. Skedaddling; leaving for good.  Agriculturalists across Ohio, and the nation, cheered together instantaneously.  Wordage from OH Governor, Ted Strickland, such as he will "strongly encourage tougher penalties on puppy mills" led us to believe that no real harm had been done to OH but that HSUS was defeated and rushing home with their tails tucked under.  Our celebratory praises were short-lived and possibly misplaced.  Sure, Ohioans accomplished a huge feat: stopping HSUS from presenting a ballot initiative. But at what price did that victory come?

Pacelle's blog, A Humane Nation, praises HSUSer's and their effort of buying signatures in Ohio.  He also jumps a bit to conclusions about how successful he was in this agreement.  You can read his blog for yourself but just remember, he is good at twisting words. (p.s. I really hate that I linked to anything related to positive opinions about HSUS but to be fair and unlike them, I did. Please don't hold it against me).
I've been talking to several friends in Ohio who farm and I've gotten a variety of opinions.  One told me that he was thrilled that HSUS was gone and would never be coming back -- another farmer was pretty ticked that after the end of the year, he could no longer purchase gestation crates for his swine facility.  Misconceptions are occurring everywhere and it's no wonder.  If you didn't read the full agreement (which I suggest you do) between HSUS and Ohio, you'd have no idea of some of the provisions within.

I'll summarize some of the major points.  This is, in my mind, a hard fought and won battle for Ohio. However, with every battle there comes some casualties.

• Part 7 - "Recommendation will be made to the OLCSB for current hog producers and to phase out
  the use of gestation crates by December 31, 2025. By that date time all sows must be
  housed using alternative systems. After December 31, 2010, any new facilities must
  utilize alternative sow housing (not gestation crates). It is understood that in all housing
  systems, sows may be housed in breeding/gestation stalls until they are confirmed
  pregnant."
• Good/bad -- The good side is that hog farmers can buy gestation crates, as is, until December.  All those who want to continue using current practices may until December, 2025. I'd like to point out that science and technology are always evolving, in 15 years a more efficient and more welfare friendly system may have been developed. In which case, no one will care about gestation crates anymore. The down side is that the HSUS still has their grubby paw in the mix on hog farms and has succeeded in getting some regulations, while small, invoked. And I don't know anybody who wants that.
• Part 9  - "HSUS will also not initiate litigation (nuisance or otherwise) to attempt to use legal process to obtain the same ends as articulated in the ballot initiative in Ohio through the life of this agreement. HSUS will not fund, advise or otherwise support other organizations to move forward in their place."
• This is good. In short, they're not going to further pursue a ballot initiative. This saves Ohio millions of dollars that can be spent on improving animal well-being instead of being poured down the toilet for campaigning.
  
• Part 10 - "The HSUS will not submit a constitutional amendment on animal welfare in 2010 to the Ohio Secretary of State. Failure to implement the provisions related to wild and dangerous animals or the reforms recommended to the OLCSB by December 31, 2010
  could void the agreement and allow the HSUS to pursue a ballot initiative whenever it
  chooses. However, if the terms of this agreement are met and implemented to the
  satisfaction of all parties, the agreement will extend to January 1, 2014. At that time the
  agreement shall be extended through January 1, 2017, and subsequently through January
  1, 2020, if the terms continue to be met, and no party shall reasonably withhold its
  consent to the extensions. Any future pursuit of a ballot initiative by HSUS could nullify
  the limitation on gestation crate or battery cage facilities until and unless other lawful
  prohibitions come to exist."
• This is not so good - basically, if OLCSB doesn't take some direction from HSUS on wild and dangerous animals, they'll renig on their end and pursue a ballot initiative.  Then we'd have to go through all the drama all over again.

I very, very strongly encourage you to read the agreement. Like I said, there are mixed opinions and the aforementioned were mine.  You may have your own.  There are good and bad sides to the Ohio saga - let's try not to be pessimists and instead, let's face the uncertain future with a smile.  Remember what your mom used to say - kill 'em with kindness.
 
Until next time,
~Buzzard~

Success in the Buckeye State!

Ohio passes livestock care bill
By Jill Blocker
April 1, 2010

Livestock in Ohio will get better care and housing arrangements, thanks to Gov. Ted Strickland’s signing of House Bill 414 into law Wednesday. The bill provides policies and procedures for the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board, which will set animal care standards for livestock and poultry.

The Board will set standards for livestock and poultry care that take into account best farm management practices for animal well-being, animal morbidity and mortality data, food safety and local availability and affordability of food, according to http://www.ohiofarmer.com/. The strict regulations on farm animal confinement have become popular as the Humane Society of the United States and other groups have pushed to raise awareness of how animals are treated in the food-production system, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The Board, created in November with the passage of Ohio Issue 2, is comprised of 13 members with different backgrounds: a family farmer, a licensed Ohio veterinarian, state veterinarian at the Ohio Department of Agriculture, a food safety expert, a representative of a county humane society that is organized under state law, two members from state wide farm organizations, the dean of an Ohio agriculture college or university and two members of the public representing consumers.

"Ohioans have spoken and clearly understand that a board of experts is the appropriate entity to make decisions on behalf of animal agriculture and food production in our state,” said John Lumpe, president of Ohioans for Livestock Care PAC, to AG Web in November. “Passage of Issue 2 is a win for everyone who acknowledges the essential relationship between excellent farm animal care and a safe, affordable, locally grown food supply.”

Livestock issues will be determined by the overall impact of animal health, biosecurity on livestock farms, animal disease and prevention and food safety and production volume and price.  States such as Michigan, California, Arizona and Idaho have also moved toward making stricter animal welfare laws on housing animals such as chickens, pigs and cows. However, an unforeseen consequence of states making the regulation change is that outsiders may try to lure farmers imposed with strict legislation to more lenient states.

Oh how sweet it is to be in agriculture!  Although the war is far from over, it seems that producers have won this battle.  Have a great Good Friday and a very Happy Easter!

Until next time,
~Buzzard~

Ohio Tells H$U$ to Take a Hike

On November 3rd, 2009, Ohioans united and passed Issue 2, the establishment of the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board, overwhelmingly - proactively ebbing legislative efforts from HSUS to regulate the welfare standards for livestock in Ohio.

After Issue 2 passed, HSUS issued a statement stating  that HSUS will 'submit a ballot initiative next year in Ohio to pursue the abolishment of gestation and veal crates and battery cages.'  A few days ago Ohio Congressman Zack Space sent this letter to Wayne Pacelle, President of HSUS

Dear Mr. Pacelle,


I was disappointed and troubled to hear of the recent decision by the Humane Society of the United States to move forward with attempts to further their political agenda and force it on the people of Ohio. This news proves that clearly you and your organization have not been listening.

HSUS was obviously not listening when residents across the state of Ohio spoke in one voice -- overwhelmingly supporting Issue 2 and ensuring that Ohioans regulate our own standards for animal care. HSUS was obviously not listening when a majority of Ohio's federal and state delegation endorsed the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board -- overwhelmingly denouncing the HSUS' efforts to undermine it. And HSUS was obviously not listening when farmers across the state of Ohio weighed in on this disastrous policy -- overwhelmingly opposing it.


In addition to a majority of Ohioans, Issue 2 also had great support among Ohio's legislators, Governor Strickland and groups representing animal interests, including The American Humane Association and the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association. It is unconscionable to me that an outside group would come into our state and claim that they know better.


The OLCSB was created just four months ago with a strong mandate by the people of Ohio, and it would be wrong for it to be hijacked by overzealous special interests based out of Washington, D.C. Our board will ensure that livestock and animals in Ohio are treated humanely and that our agricultural producers -- a major sector of Ohio's economy -- are not unfairly penalized with unacceptable regulations.


The experts that will make up the OLCSB are the best sources for determining Ohio's minimum standards of care for our animals, and not a liberal group whose real intentions are less about animal care and more about control over what we in Ohio eat.


Your attempts to dictate our state policies regarding animal care are misguided, and I will not stand for them. Ohio's standards of animal care should be determined by those who know the issue best and have a vested interest in the outcome -- Ohioans.


I joined the farmers of my district to support the passage of Issue 2, which passed with almost 64 percent of the vote on Nov. 3. Ohioans statewide have spoken. It is clear exactly where they stand on this issue.


Mr. Pacelle, Ohio has spoken. Why haven't you been listening?

I become extremely confident in and proud of our government when I see efforts like this, even if it is in Ohio and not Kansas.  It's legislators like Congressman Space that will aid producers and advocates in keeping animal agriculture running full steam ahead.