Congratulations to Katelyn McCoy of Imbler OR

Katelyn's Angus heifer, EXAR Winnie 8455, was the Roll of Victory (ROV) Senior Champion Female of the Year at the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE). Congratulations Katelyn!

Baker FFA Ag issues 2011

Following is a copy of the Baker FFA Chapter's 2011 Agriculture Issues script. It was co-written by myself and Chuck Buchanan, who is our Team Coordinator/Chaperone/Advisor/Head Basher and many other things. Thanks for everything Mr. Buchanan! The members were: Ruthie Boyd- Narrator, Luke Coomer- PETA 1, Morgan Morris-PETA 2, Drew Morris- Butcher, Joel Rohner- Store Manager, Shelby Colton-Shopper and Talon Colton- Old Lady. I hope you enjoy it. Please comment and let me know what you think!

Luke

Narrator: Animal rights. Animal welfare. Similar sound, totally different meaning. On the one hand, we have a topic that most would agree is a good thing. On the other, the topic is one that has led to bombings, arrests and confrontation. Most pet owners are conscientious about giving their furry friends the best of care, up to and including medical care. The typical animal lover looks out for those in their care, as does the rancher whose animals produce the food that much of the world depends on, no matter what country he or she lives in. That is animal welfare.

Animal rights is a horse of a different color, so to speak. Ingrid Newkirk, president of PETA, an organization otherwise known as “People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals”, has said that “A rat is a pig is a dog is a boy”, which is her way of saying that PETA believes that animals have the same rights as humans. The whole subject of animal rights has led to polarization of opinion; however, there are some points that both PETA and others who do not believe in PETA’s stance can agree on. One of these is predator reintroduction. For different reasons, they and other opponents of wolf reintroduction programs agree that such programs are detrimental.

PETA does not believe in the consumption of animals for any reason, whether for food, clothing, or medical research. This belief has led to confrontation between those who eat meat and those who don’t…

And now, if you will, picture with me an elderly lady who goes to the store for something to prepare for dinner for her visiting grandchildren. She is about to enter… the meat counter zone…

Old lady walks into her local grocery store. Behind the meat counter is the butcher, sharpening a knife.

Butcher: Good morning, Missus Walker. Lovely day, isn’t it?

Old lady: Good morning to you, Sam. Yes, it is quite nice out. It might get hot later, though.

Butcher: What can I get you this morning?

Old lady: I think I would like a nice beef roast. My grandchildren are coming for dinner, and I want to cook something nice for them.

Butcher: Yes, ma’am. Coming right up.

Two PETA people have been listening to the conversation. They step forward to confront the old lady.

PETA 1: (Indignantly) How could you do such a thing?

Old lady: Excuse me? Are you talking to me?

PETA 1: Yes I am! And I want to know how you could do such a thing?

Old lady: (confused) What in the world are you talking about, my dear?

PETA 2: She’s talking about killing poor, defenseless animals!

Old lady: Did I run over a squirrel or something with my car in the parking lot?

PETA 1: No, but you’re going to kill a cow!

Old lady: I am?

PETA 2: Yes, you are! Every time you eat meat, you’re responsible for killing a cow that just wants to be left alone to be with its family!

Butcher: (laughs) You’re kidding, right? Cows don’t have families! Why don’t you just leave this nice lady alone so she can buy something to feed her family?

PETA 1: Nobody’s talking to you! You just butt out!

Old lady: Young lady, that is no way to talk to your elders! I demand that you apologize to Sam immediately. And as for killing a cow, the cow that supplied the roast I ordered is already dead!

PETA 2: We’re not apologizing to anybody! And just because somebody else killed the cow, that doesn’t make you innocent of its murder! Or him, either!

All start talking at the same time, loudly:

Old lady: Now see here…

PETA 1: No, you see here…

Butcher: You can’t talk to Missus Walker that way…

PETA 2: Nobody’s talking to you…

The store manager appears.

Manager: People, people, people! What’s all the commotion about? This is a grocery store, not the Jerry Springer show!

PETA 1: (points at Sam and Mrs. Walker) These people are murderers!

Old lady: (protests) I haven’t killed anyone!

PETA 2: (points at butcher, leans toward old lady) You asked him for meat, didn’t you? That makes you a murderer!

Butcher: (to manager) I’m just trying to do my job, and these two came in here and started harassing one of my best customers! Can’t you make them leave?

Manager: Everybody just settle down, please! It appears to me that what we have here is a failure to communicate! (points to the butcher) How did this all start?

Butcher: (pointing at PETAs. His voice gets louder as he talks) Missus Walker ordered a beef roast to cook for dinner for her grandkids. I was about to get it for her, when these two came up and started asking rude questions and calling us killers.

PETA 1: (interrupting, loudly) That’s exactly what you are when you eat meat! Just because you didn’t do the killing yourself, doesn’t mean that you don’t have blood on your hands!

Manager: (raising voice) Both of you stop it, right now! There’s no call for shouting, and I won’t stand for it! (Turns to PETAs. Waves finger) Young lady, if you can’t keep your emotions in check, I will have to ask you to leave this establishment. (looks back at Sam) And as for you, I won’t put up with you yelling at customers. If you can’t maintain a business-like attitude, I will fire you.

Butcher: (mumbles) They’re not customers, they’re trouble makers…

Manager: (sharply) What was that?

Butcher: Nothing, sir…

Manager: Now, we are going to discuss this in a rational manner, or I will be forced to take steps… (shopper approaches) Yes, ma’am? Can I help you find something?

Shopper: I couldn’t help but notice all the noise back here, and I was wondering what it was all about.

Manager: There was a disagreement between my butcher and Missus Walker, and these two young ladies. We were about to discuss it and see if we can work things out. (looks at PETAs) What organization are you two trying to represent?

PETA 1: (proudly) PETA!

Shopper: Oh, People Eating Tasty Animals. That’s quite an interesting website.

PETA 2: Not that one! That one’s nasty! It promotes all kinds of terrible things that are done to animals.

Shopper: Such as?

PETA 2: Such as eating animals. And using them for medical research, and for clothes, and…

Shopper: Then you must mean…

PETA 1: That’s right, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals!

Shopper: I see. Then I’m going to assume that you’re vegetarian, correct?

PETA 2: We prefer to think of ourselves as vegans.

Butcher: Oh really? What’s the difference?

PETA 1: Well, they’re sort of the same, except that as vegans, we don’t believe in eating meat of any kind, even fish and poultry, we don’t eat dairy products or eggs, and we don’t use any other kinds of animal products.

PETA 2: A lot of the time, vegetarians don’t seem to be so picky about the animal products thing. And some of them even eat eggs and drink milk.

Shopper: But can’t leaving meat, dairy products, and eggs out of your diet cause nutritional issues?

Manager: I was wondering that myself. The food pyramid that I’ve always seen definitely shows meat as one of the basic food groups.

PETA 1: According to the Mayo Clinic, it’s possible to eat just vegetables and still be healthy. You just have to eat more of them than you do if you eat meat, too.

Butcher: So then it’s better to eat meat, isn’t it?

PETA 2: No, because animals have to be killed.

Butcher: And this is bad because?

PETA 1: It’s bad because killing them breaks up families, and makes the others sad. And the way that they’re killed is cruel.

Old lady: And how do you know that it’s cruel? Have you ever seen cattle slaughtered?

PETA 1: Well, no, not exactly. But I’ve heard about it.

Old lady: And just what have you heard?

PETA 1: I’ve heard that cattle are pushed into chutes and their heads are restrained by metal vices. They are then hit in the head by a metal rod propelled by a pistol cartridge punching a hole in the skull and destroying brain tissue!

PETA 2: And that is just to “knock them out” so they “won’t feel any pain”. Would you feel pain if someone did the same thing to you?

Butcher: That may be true for some of the less humane slaughter plants but most plants have operators that are skilled enough to usually avoid actually penetrating the skull and there is also a new captive bolt gun that uses a mushroomed end bolt that cannot penetrate the skull. If the stunning is done right the animal feels little to no pain.

Shopper: Besides, isn’t there a law governing the humane slaughter of animals?

PETA 1: You mean the Humane Animal Slaughter Act of 1958. Yes it does require “humane” practices when slaughtering cattle, pigs and sheep. The biggest problem with this law is that it excludes fish, poultry and rabbits.

Manager: (To Butcher) Sam, what do you know about this law?

Butcher: Well, the law requires animals to be stunned before slaughter using an approved mechanical electrical or chemical method, with the exception of animals that are killed in accordance with special religious rules such as Kosher.

Manager: And how are those animals slaughtered?

Butcher: Usually the throats are slit using a very sharp knife and the animal is then allowed to bleed.

Shopper: (horrified) You mean the animal bleeds to death?

Butcher: Yes Ma’am that’s true, however, it is highly unlikely that they suffer very much as they die very quickly.

PETA 1: (loud, indignantly) It’s “unlikely” that they suffer “very much”? They still suffer don’t they? Just look at the Agriprocessors slaughterhouse. Those animals definitely suffered a lot!

Manager: (sternly) Young lady! I’ve warned you once already about shouting and I will not do so again. Now, what should we know about Agriprocessors?

PETA 2:  In late 2004 Agriprocessors, inc. was cited for cruel slaughter of animals. Cattle were stressfully driven up chutes to the kill box using electric prods. Once in the chute they were secured and turned upside down, after which their throats were slit by untrained workers who then tore out the cow’s tracheas to speed the bleeding. When dropped out of the box the animals were still conscious and thrashed about for up to three minutes.

Shopper: That’s horrible! Are all cattle slaughtered like that?

Butcher: No ma’am. Agriprocessors only killed animals for kosher purposes; however, several Jewish rabbis heard of this and immediately denounced it as non-kosher. Most plants, even kosher ones, slaughter their animals much more humanely; with well trained personnel and stunning when possible.

Old Lady: Besides, wasn’t Agriprocessors fined twice? And didn’t they eventually go bankrupt?

PETA 1: That’s true but it serves as a good example of how cruel it is to eat meat.

Butcher: Did you not hear what I said? You can’t use Agriprocessors as an example; they were the exception, not the rule, for kill plants. Most plants have well trained workers who kill the animals in a much more humane fashion.

PETA 2: There’s nothing “humane” about butchering animals! They have a right to live with their families and be happy!

    

Old Lady: Since when do animals have rights? 

PETA 1: Animals have had rights as long as you have!

Manager: Rights? You mean the owners of animals have an obligation to provide for their welfare don’t you?

PETA 1: (emphatically) NO‼! Animals have just as many rights as you. You have a right to life, so do they; you have a right to the pursuit of happiness, so do animals.

Old Lady: Animals can’t have rights miss, they’re animals; by definition they don’t have rights.

PETA 2: They most certainly do have rights! And as for the definition of animal, we are animals.

Manger: How about we all just agree to disagree for now and discuss the health ramifications of eating beef. What does the Mayo Clinic say you have to do to stay healthy without eating meat?

PETA 1: A good foundation for a vegan diet consists of at least 2 servings each of fats and fruits, 4 servings of vegetables, 5 servings of legumes, nuts and other protein-rich foods and 6 servings of grains daily.

PETA 2: You may also need to take supplements in order to meet your needs for certain nutrients, vitamins and minerals like Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B-12, and iodine.

Shopper: But if being vegan means you have to eat more and take supplements doesn’t it make sense to eat meat or fish in order to get those nutrients? It would certainly be cheaper.

PETA 1: (peevishly) Cheaper yes, kinder, no.

Manger: Now, let’s not get started on that again. We can discuss the cruelty issue later. Sam, what’s your take on this whole thing?

Butcher: Well, I think it’s healthier to eat meat along with your vegetables because not only does it make it easier and cheaper, but sometimes, if you buy healthy meat, you actually can better use those nutrients.

Shopper: And why is that?

Butcher: Animal foods, such as meat, milk, cheese and so on, contain nutrients that are much easier for us to digest. Cattle do not have that problem because they are designed to eat plants; humans are omnivorous, we are designed to balance meat and plants in our diet.

Shopper: So what if you ate a mostly vegetarian diet but included small amounts of meat like chicken or fish?

Butcher: If done correctly that would be an excellent health choice ma’am, as fish is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids but, I would recommend that you use small servings of lean beef instead of chicken in your diet as beef is higher in every nutrient than chicken.

Shopper: So who would I talk to in order to plan such a diet?

Manger: I’ve heard that the Beef Checkoff and the Oregon Beef Council are both excellent sources of information on beef.

Butcher: That is a good place to go, but, make sure you talk with your doctor first, he can offer you great advice on nutrition.

PETA 1: (agitatedly) But that would make you a killer too!

Shopper: Excuse me?

PETA 2: If you include ANY meat products in your diet it automatically makes you as much of a murderer as them (points to Sam and Mrs. Walker)!

Manager: (sighs) So we’re back to that again, eh? Would you two kindly tell us why you think it’s cruel to eat meat?

PETA 1: (exasperatedly) As I said before, eating meat is cruel because it breaks up families, causing heartbreak. On top of that, the animals are killed needlessly.

PETA 2: The animals are also often raised in inhumane conditions. Young cows are fed in corrals that are knee deep in their own feces!

Butcher: Cattle do not have “families”, once the calves are weaned their mothers just see them as another calf that needs to learn its place in the pecking order. Ask any competent cattleman and he will tell you that he gets paid by the pound for live, healthy cattle; it just doesn’t make sense to treat his animals cruelly. The only reason the calves are kept in feedlots like you mentioned is that it’s more efficient to fatten them that way. Most feedlots have a high spot for the animals to bed down on that is not knee deep in muck. It’s not a perfect system, but it’s what we have at this time.

Narrator: Is eating meat hazardous for your health? No. Is it cruel? That depends. 50% of US slaughterhouses now use animal handling systems designed by Dr. Temple Grandin of Colorado State University. These systems have been proven to reduce stress on cattle dramatically with the animals staying calm throughout the entire slaughter process. The problem of animal rights vs. animal welfare is definitely going to be difficult to resolve but, with perseverance, understanding and logical debate it can be solved. We hope that this presentation has helped you get a clearer picture of the slaughter process and how regulations are passed as needed to prevent it from being excessively cruel.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! I refuse to succumb to political correctness and say "Happy Holidays". If you do not celebrate Christmas, I mean no offense. This is one of the largest problems facing our country today; we are all easily offended when someone makes a remark that goes against our beliefs, even if they mean well. Today, let's all make an effort to show peace and goodwill toward men, no matter what their beliefs.

With that being said, did everyone get what they wanted for Christmas? I did- my family is all safe, I'm going hunting this afternoon, the weather is beautiful, the stock water is fixed, and agriculture has had the best year in decades! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year all! May you see many, many more!

Luke

P.S.
Feel free to leave your personal thoughts on Christmas in a comment. I would love to hear from you!

God Made a Farmer

Here is a powerful video by Paul Harvey. Everybody thank a farmer for growing your food. Never forget that they buy retail, sell wholesale and pay the freight both ways.
http://www.youtube.com/embed/QuzhwkaNC40?rel=0

December 7, 1941

Today marks the 70th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. As I write this, I cant help but imagine what it was like in Hawaii on that Sunday morning. All was peaceful and routine. The flags were raised, the national anthem was played, meals were served, people went to church, guards made their rounds. Then, suddenly, the air was filled with the roar of airplanes and the whistling of bombs. Fires erupted uncontrollably, ships sank, men died. 15 minutes later, half of the US Pacific fleet was either in flames or at the bottom of the harbor. The death toll for that day was 2,403 with 1,178 injured. Please take a moment from your day to remember those heroes who died 70 years ago. Also, thank their modern day brethren who are still fighting to keep us safe and free.

Luke

Should Animals be Stunned Before Slaughter? Part 2

Alright, I'm back!
I hope all of you went to the BBC website and read the article that I linked to. It was quite an interesting read wasn't it? Well, as promised, here is my opinion.

So, should animals be stunned before slaughter? I think that wherever applicable they should be stunned. There have been many studies which show this to be a humane practice which reduces stress on the animals immensely when used by well trained operators. Unfortunately, just like any other tool, when the operators are poorly trained, the animals will suffer. Does this mean Kosher slaughter is inhumane? No, it does not. When Kosher slaughter is done correctly, the animals suffer as little as, or less than, when they are stunned. In the case of Holland, studies were done on "ritual" slaughter to determine its effectiveness. The scientists would then report to the Dutch parliament so that the body could make an informed decision. This is all well and good except for one not-so-little detail: they scientists conducting the study did not use true Kosher guidelines or equipment. This resulted in a skewed result which is now being passed off as accurate. In light of this, I do not believe that Kosher slaughter should be banned due to concerns of animal welfare. Lawmakers should just come out and say they wish to discriminate against Jews and Muslims. There is a fine line between concern for animal welfare and discrimination.

Have a nice day!

Luke

Should Animals be Stunned Before Slaughter?

I found this article on the bbc news site. It is very interesting as this has been a debate in US agriculture circles for awhile. My opinion is that if Dr. Temple Grandin says the animals dont suffer its good enough for me because she has vastly more experience than I. I will post a follow up to this soon with some more facts and my actual debate.

Have a nice day!

Luke

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-14779271