Time Limit on Animal Abuse Report Creates Controversy

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Shannon Latham, Vice President

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!

See “Behind the Scenes” Operations of a Hog Farm

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Shannon Latham, Vice President

Musings of a Pig Farmer by Larry Sailer

Last fall I wrote a series of blog posts, following a group of pigs from about 50 pounds to 290 pounds. The first post in the series began September 25, 2012, and ended a post on January 8, 2013.

Today I’ve decided to let my pictures “do the talking.” I’ve included a series of photos that show the “day-to-day” work of modern day hog production from disinfecting buildings to treating sick animals. As always, feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

_____________________________________________________

Before a new group of hogs arrives, we power wash our buildings to disinfect them. Cleanliness is a primary way to prevent disease and to help reduce the amount of medication needed to treat sick animals.

May 3, 2013 – We’re on our way to the hog houses to receive new pigs.

With an indoor temperature of 75 degrees, our pigs are warm and toasty on May 3. They aren’t even aware of the record-breaking snowfall outside the building.

“Who let the hogs out?” My granddaughter Carlie is sporting her pink camo as she counts the number of pigs into each pen.

Inside one of the “hospital pens,” Carlie and Darin are enticing sick pigs to eat their feed.

Darin is climbing over the gates, getting out of the way so as not to scare the next group of pigs coming into the building.

Darin shows the pigs where to find water.

It’s critical to have the right amount of fresh water available for pigs. I’m putting on a new nipple to ensure these little pigs will receive the right amount of water.

While I was adding the new nipple, the pigs were trying to “help” by carrying around spare parts.

Other curious pigs were trying to chomp on my toes as I worked on the nipple.

This feeder must be adjusted so that about 30% of the bottom is covered with feed. That’s the “optimal setting” that provides the pigs with plenty to eat without them wasting any. Otherwise, excess feed falls into the waste pit – and that’s a waste of good feed!

Veterinarians have developed guidelines for properly using and administering medication when needed. We use a can of paint to identify which pigs have already received medicine.

The blue bottle in the center, which hangs upside down next to my waist, is the medicine. The green handle is what I use to administer the shots; the next dose is already in the syringe. The long tube is the exact amount of medication and will automatically refill after each shot. Since I gave about 2,000 shots on Saturday, this tool is a huge time saver!

After the pigs are unloaded from the livestock trailer into our building, Carlie and Darin decided celebrate by going outside and having a snowball fight.

Related Posts:

5 Simple Steps to Prevent On-Farm Accidents

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Corey Catt, Forage Product Specialist

As one of the industry’s most renowned forage specialists, Corey Catt helps farmers strike that delicate balance between nature, science and technology. Corey is passionate about helping farmers produce healthy meat, milk and eggs. He also is passionate about how food sources affect human health. Corey says that many health maladies are closely related to one’s nutrition and vice versa. And it’s something he’s seen first-hand as a 911 paramedic, providing advanced life support for a large rural community. Corey also works part time in the emergency room at a Regions Hospital Level 1 Trauma Center in St. Paul, Minn.

We’ve all heard these sayings: She’s an accident waiting to happen. He’s a walking heart attack. Hopefully, no one has ever made one of these remarks about you!

At Latham Hi-Tech Seeds, we care about the health and wellbeing of farmers. We want each of you to have a blessed, fun, safe and fruitful cropping season. That’s why we’re taking a few minutes today to remind you to take the time to keep health and safety your number 1 priority. It’s also important to slow down and exercise caution.

Here are five simple steps you can take this season to help prevent accidents:

Always check your indicator lights before getting on the road. I have seen more than one fatal traffic accident occur as a result of bad indicator lights on implements. Be aware of inexperienced drivers, who may not understand tractors and equipment or the fact that you may be making a left-hand turn into field road. Watch for motorists trying to pass as you’re about to turn.
Make sure Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) signs are visible. Ensure that all your equipment is safety compliant with your state’s specific agriculture road travel equipment safety requirements. I’ve seen major accidents happen as a result of no sign or a faded SMV sign or burned out signal lights.
Avoid traveling down roads at sunset and sunrise. As a paramedic, I’ve seen firsthand some horrific fatal accidents with farm machinery that occurred especially at this time of day. When the sun is in a driver’s eyes, they may be blinded and crash into you.
If you have kids on the farm, know where they are. We’ve heard too many tragic stories about small children who unknowingly follow Dad to the tractor. Enough said.
Wear Personal protective equipment (PPE) equipment around hazardous materials. Remember that today’s advanced seed treatments contain, insecticide. As part of farm safety awareness, it would be good to include seed treatment awareness in your safety briefing for yourself and employees at beginning of planting. Even dust from moving seed can aerosolize and can be inhaled. I know an agronomist seed rep, who was vacuuming seed from planter boxes and became ill that night. He ended up in hospital with multi-system organ failure as a result of exposure. Please wear an approved safety breathing apparatus. Safety equipment required for handling the substance is generally listed on the MSDS sheets.It’s a good idea to have the sheets available for employees, too. If someone does face exposure, Emergency crews will need the MSDS sheets to help treat the patient. When handling any substance, remember to protect your eyes, skin, lungs and mouth. I remember transporting patients who mishandled anhydrous ammonia. This can become a fatal exposure, and fast! This will close your airway more quickly than a person can imagine.

Develop a safety plan for your farm – and follow it. Bad things can happen during peak seasons because (1) we sleep less, (2) cut corners, (3) drive faster and (4) generally work faster. Keep your cell phone charged, and keep it within reach at all times.

Remember to also be aware – and obey – signals your body is sending! Be safe this spring and always!