Time Limit on Animal Abuse Report Creates Controversy

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Musings of a Pig Farmer by Larry Sailer

Famed broadcaster and agvocate Trent Loos recently tagged me in a post on his Facebook page with a link to his broadcast about clergy, who oppose a bill passed by the Tennessee Statehouse to protect animals. Trent’s Facebook message to was “enjoy.”

Anytime HSUS is mentioned, I’m pretty sure I’m not going to enjoy it. But I was wrong! This broadcast was recorded after Trent received a call from actress/activist Park Overall, who wanted to discuss the bill sitting on Governor Haslam‘s desk waiting to be signed into law.

Before I tell you why this interview was so entertaining, let me first provide some background information on the Tennessee bill. This bill is so simple that we can print it – in its entirety – here:

“SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-14-202, is amended by adding the following language as a new, appropriately designated subsection:
( ) Any person who records by photograph or video a violation of subsection (a) as committed against livestock shall, within twenty-four (24) hours of the photograph’s or recording’s creation:
(1) Report such violation to law enforcement authorities; and
(2) Submit any unedited photographs or video recordings to law enforcement authorities.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2013, the public welfare requiring it.”

Yes, that is the entire thing.

The key language in the legislation is the requirement to submit unedited photos or videos within 24 hours. As Trent writes in a related editorial, “Now anybody who truly cares about ‘animal welfare’ would not sit on such information for even six hours much less six months if their goal was really to protect animals.”

To make his point that HSUS is more concerned with holding videos until they best serve the organization’s interests, Trent reminds us of a video that HSUS released on Feb 17, 2008. This particular video, documenting the heinous treatment of some dairy cattle being unloaded at the Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company, was captured about six months earlier but was held until it was most strategic for their fundraising efforts.

Trent Loos

Why would anyone with the best interest of animals at mind sit on video like this for six months? Park Overall’s excuse (i.e. “explanation”) is that it takes time to build a case. Parks’ southern drawl and rambling reasoning make her interview with Trent entertaining, but that’s not all. She then goes off the topic of the Tennessee bill and mentions gestation crates. Trent supports g-stalls, so he explains why – and I agree with him.

But the use of g-stalls is controversial even within ag circles. Temple Grandin has even said they must be history as the gestation stall has become a symbol of cruelty to animals. I understand where Temple is coming from saying the crates must go due to public perception alone.

I just find it ironic that so many folks are against g-stalls when I believe they’re one of the greatest advances in prevention of animal cruelty! There have been studies that show if given a choice, the sow will spend about 85% of her time secure inside that crate, protected from the other sows.

G-stalls also protect farmers. I grew up raising pigs outside, in groups, and have seen firsthand how sows can abuse and kill each other. Plus, I had to be careful for my own safety because a 500-pound momma sow can be a killing machine! As a kid, I remember literally running for my life to get onto a flat rack in the sow pasture. What was considered normal at the time now scares the crap out of me!

The bottom line is this: We need to promote understanding between producers and consumers alike. I’m against cruelty to animals, but video that’s edited to be misleading doesn’t help animals. Honestly, I’m not sure how people can get as “emotional” as Park did, arguing against the 24-hour deadline to submit animal cruelty videos. Why wouldn’t they want to stop that abuse ASAP? Perhaps that’s why HSUS uses actresses as spokespeople…

Thank you Trent Loos for tagging me and for allowing me enjoy your interview. Thanks also for letting me vent on a topic that has been ticking me off for a long time!

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Celebrate May Beef Month with Pot Roast

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Every farmer I know looks forward to the beginning of a new planting season – as well as to its end! As much as Ben Jones of Spencer, Iowa, enjoys farming, he’s eagerly anticipating the end of the 2013 planting season and the beginning of a new chapter in his life.

Ben and his fiancé, Chelsea Heillers, are set to wed on June 22. Ironically, the two will be married in the building were they became reacquainted as the former Bomgaars building in Spencer has been converted into Faith Lutheran Church.

Both Ben and Chelsea were FFA members at Clay Central Everly, but Ben was a senior when Chelsea was a freshman. It was a few years – and many trips to Bomgaar’s – later, before the two reconnected.

“At the time, I was working fulltime for a farmer from spring through fall and working construction in the winter. It seemed like I was always going into Bomgaars for one thing or another. Once I realized Chelsea was working there, I might have come up with a few more reason to head into town,” says Ben with a shy smile.

Growing up on the farm and being active in both 4-H and FFA, helped Ben and Chelsea develop a love of the land and a passion for livestock. As a member of the Clay Raiders 4-H Club, Ben’s favorite 4-H project areas were cattle and hogs.

“I learned a lot about managing livestock and the importance of keeping accurate records,” he says of his 4-H experience. “You learn from your experiences and look for ways to continually better your operation.”

Such 4-H life skills are still in practice today as Ben helps his dad with the family’s Black Angus-mix cow-calf operation. Ben runs his own custom baling business, as well. He also still helps a local farmer, who Ben credits for interesting him in precision farming. They use GPS data to increase overall farm profitability by managing nitrogen and planting at variable rates.

Seed selection and seed placement are also key factors in increasing profit per acre. This is where Ben and Chelsea can team up as they get their Latham® seed dealership off the ground. This summer Chelsea is interning with a co-op. After earning an agronomy degree this December, she’ll pursue full-time employment in agronomy.

With two busy schedules, Ben and Chelsea plan ahead to spend time together often while enjoying a good meal. The two of them even cooked up their own recipe for Pot Roast. And in honor of May Beef Month, they’re sharing it today on TheFieldPosition.com. Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner!

Slow Cooked Roast

Ingredients:

  • 3-pound roast of your choice
  • 1 packet of Italian dressing dry mix
  • 2 to 3 cans of beef broth
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 red pepper, chopped
  • 1 green pepper, chopped
  • 1 bag of baby carrots
  • 2 to 4 potatoes, cubed

Directions:

  1. Rub dressing mix on entire roast, and then place it in a crock pot.
  2. Place peppers, onions, potatoes and carrots around and on top of the roast.
  3. Add beef broth until everything is almost covered.
  4. Add salt or pepper if desired.
  5. Cook on low for 8 to 12 hours.
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Optimal Planting Conditions for Soybeans

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Better planting equipment, improved soybean genetics and technology advancements such as seed treatments and weed control systems have moved soybean planting dates earlier in recent years. Last year 34% of Iowa’s soybean crop was planted by early May; this year only 1% of Iowa’s soybean acres are planted as of May 13.

Although there is a correlation to higher yield potential with earlier planting dates, it’s important to remember that soybeans respond favorably to early-planting dates if soil conditions are ideal for planting. Conditions weren’t fit for planting soybeans in late April or early May.

One silver lining in the delayed soybean planting is that soil temperatures have warmed. We recommend planting soybeans when soil temperatures are about 60 degrees, and soil temperatures were averaging only in the low 60s around May 15.

Planting into a field that is too wet or too cold early in the season will reduce emergence and plant population, which most often leads to reduced yield. Remember, planting soybeans in warm but wet soils can also have a detrimental impact on yield. Patience will continue to be key this planting season!

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