Ag United News

Farm-City Week Promotes Animal Agriculture

"Farm Animal Care: Myths vs. Facts" is the theme for this year's National Farm-City Week, celebrated the week leading up to Thanksgiving Day.  This year, Farm-City Week starts November 20 and ends the 26th. 

"Across the country and in South Dakota, livestock producers are facing new challenges.  Farm-City Week gives us a chance to reassure our customers that farmers and ranchers take the issue of animal care very seriously," said SD Farm Bureau President Scott VanderWal.  "As farmers and ranchers, we have a moral and ethical obligation to take care of our animals.  It's our highest priority every day."

As animal "rights" groups increase their activist efforts across the country, Farm-City Week is a chance for agricultural producers to help citizens understand the importance of good livestock care.   

Efforts by groups such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) are targeting the public with misinformation about animal agriculture.  "They are trying to regulate production based on emotion rather than sound science," VanderWal noted, adding that animal husbandry practices have been proven over time by universities and veterinarians.  "Agriculture needs to expose the animal 'rights' groups for what they are - activist groups with an agenda of eliminating the use of animals for food and clothing." 

"Livestock production is especially important in South Dakota," continued VanderWal.  "Much of our land is uniquely suited to grazing, rather than crop production.  Cattle and sheep allow farmers and ranchers to make effective use of their resources by turning those acres of grass into high-quality protein." 

"The public deserves to know the truth - that we in agriculture have nothing to hide.  We are producing the world's safest, most abundant, least expensive food supply, and we are doing it in an environmentally, socially, and morally responsible manner."

The National Farm-City Week, recognized by a White House proclamation, is organized by the National Farm-City Council, a non-profit 501(c) (3) charitable organization under the Internal Revenue Service Code, dedicated to enhancing links between farm families and urban residents. The National Farm-City Web site is www.farmcity.org.