Rural Ramblings

The Real Reality

There are many "reality" TV shows out there.  The Real World, Kate Plus 8, Survivor, Keeping up with the Kardashians, Jersey Shore etc.   I think we can all agree there really is not much "reality" to some of these shows.  How many of us live with seven strangers and party every night or have eight children and go on paid vacations with paparazzi following us?  The reality is not many.  I have often wondered, with everyone's obsession with food and animal welfare, why are there not more "reality" shows featuring farmers and ranchers? 

If people want to see reality, the hard work and dedication that goes into farming, is as real as it gets.  No matter if it is below freezing or 100 degrees out, the work must continue.   There are no paid vacations, partying every night or paparazzi following farmers around. 

I was pleasantly surprised to see the show "Last American Cowboy - on the Animal Planet channel."  The series features three ranch families from Montana.  Through-out the series viewers can see ranchers battling the harsh Montana winters, delivering calves, managing wildlife, branding calves etc.  These are real families trying to make a living on their ranches.  

I hope this series is one of many to come, featuring all areas of production agriculture.  Maybe in the future we can see dairy, pork and grain families featured as well?  It would be great to see a "reality" TV show about a hard working pork producer on E! instead of the Kardashians and their drama.  Or maybe instead of Kate Gosselin and her herd of children, we see a dairy mom sharing how she and her family  provide us with safe affordable dairy products every day.

HSUS is There Something to Hide

Posted By:  Kelly Wubben

Recently the Humane Society of the United States posted public invitations to two South Dakota meetings on their website.  The first is scheduled for August 25th at Oh My Cupcakes in Sioux Falls and the second is on August 26th in Rapid City at Seattle's Best Cafe in Hotel Alex Johnson. 

The calendar invite reads as follows: 

Want to find out how you can help animals?

The Humane Society of the United States invites our members, supporters and other animal advocates to a grassroots meeting to discuss current issues affecting animals.

If you are concerned about local animal issues or just interested in creating a more compassionate South Dakota, you should attend this informative meeting to learn how you can take action for animals. Remember to bring your ideas, concerns, and questions, and don't forget to invite your friends.

RSVP today to lend your hand and make a difference for the animals in South Dakota! Please tell all your friends. Hope to see you there!

I am an animal advocate.  I just adopted a dog from the local humane society.  When there are opportunities to donate to local shelters at a restaurant or store, I do that.  I am concerned about local animal issues and believe in compassion towards animals.  I have concerns about animal welfare issues and I have lots of questions.  However, all these items apparently do not qualify me or several others to attend the meetings. 

Earlier this week, I received an email response from Darci Adams, the HSUS state director for South Dakota that said: 

"Perhaps you've been misinformed, but this is not a public event.  This is a private gathering for members of The Humane Society of the United States and supporters who want to get involved in our work to alleviate animal cruelty."

She did offer to meet separately with me to talk about animal welfare in a "more appropriate setting." 

I have to ask myself, why am I not able to attend?  Could it be because I, along with the others who were denied access, are farmers, ranchers or are involved in agriculture?   I think I hit it right on with that analysis.

Farmers and Ranchers are some of the greatest advocates for animals.  The spend every day caring for their livestock and often-times putting their animals' wellbeing ahead of their families and their own.  So why would we not be wanted at an HSUS meeting?

Currently HSUS is traveling state to state to pass legislation that includes banning of gestation stalls for pregnant sows and laying hen cages.  All of these changes they want to enforce have consequences, one being higher food prices for the consumer.  Just read about what is currently happening in California with the passing of Proposition 2. 

The more important consequence is the potential discomfort or issues for the animals themselves.  Over generations, farmers and ranchers have improved animal handling and housing to provide the best care for animals.  They have made improvements by learning from the past.  For example, hogs in indoor buildings are protected from windborne diseases and live in climate-controlled conditions.  Caged housing for chickens was developed to protect birds from each other and from contracting diseases from litter on the ground.  

I'm afraid that HSUS' concern is not for animals, but rather for their vegan agenda.  HSUS does not support the eating of meat.  While they will say they are ok with those consuming meat, maybe some comments from the recent Animal Rights 2010 Conference, of which HSUS hosted, will shed some light on their true feelings.

Today's agriculture is certainly different from what it was a generation ago,  It has taken farmers and ranchers decades to make housing conditions better for their livestock and poultry.  With HSUS starting to rally the troops in our own backyard, please remember that, South Dakota Farmers and Ranchers want nothing but the best for their animals and have lifetimes of experience in making the right decisions for our state's animals, environment, communities, and agriculture.  Let's not let an out of state multimillion dollar lobbying group make our decisions for us.

Protecting animals means speaking out, not videotaping abuse

Posted By:  Kelly Wubben 

Recently the extreme animal rights organization, Mercy for Animals released a video showing extreme abuse of dairy cows at a dairy in Ohio.  This has by far been the most horrifying undercover video to date.  I find it absolutely sickening that anyone could treat an animal that way. 

What I find almost as sickening is the fact the person videotaping these cruel acts spent four weeks witnessing this abuse and NEVER reported it to the authorities.  Instead, he decided to keep the camera rolling for publicity for the extreme animal rights group.  There is no way I would defend the abuser, however I think the videographer is just as guilty. 

If I had ever witnessed such violence, I would have immediately reported it so the animal's suffering could stop.  Wouldn't any person thinking logically do the same thing?  These animal rights organizations claim they love, protect and care for animals, however wouldn't protecting and caring for them mean reporting abuse AS SOON AS IT HAPPENS?   

This organization was not only filming abuse for four weeks and not saying anything, they were also building a special website for this "event."  And, after you are finished watching the abuse video on this new website, they made sure you can donate money to their cause.   

Animal rights extremists like those of the Mercy for Animals, PETA and HSUS do not have the animals interest in mind.  Instead they think how they can get publicity and more donations from well meaning individuals who want to stop the abuse.  These animal rights groups are now trying to pass this video off as how all farmers treat their animals, as a way to spread their vegan agenda.

No one in agriculture condones this behavior.  This is a case of a few bad apples, which unfortunately seems to get the most attention.  I truly hope individuals involved are punished severely.    I grew up on a farm, know many farm folks and have been to many dairies, especially over the past year.  Never once have I ever seen any kind of abuse.  Farmers care for their animals and find it impossible to abuse an animal like the way the video shows. 

Now more than ever, it is important for Farmers to tell their story.  If someone has questions about livestock production, make sure to take the time to tell them your story and how livestock are really treated.  Hosting tours and events like open houses on your farm and talking to local clubs are good ways to speak up and show the public how you really treat your livestock.  Do NOT let the "bad apples" tell your story for you.