Economic Impact Of Dairy Farming In America
According to Dairyfarmingtoday.org, “America’s dairy industry is much more than milk. It’s jobs, economic activity and supporting local businesses for the people of our country. The United States is home to a mixture of large and small dairy farms — both of which contribute to the local economy and tax base. America’s dairy industry is an important contributor to our nation’s overall economy. Each dollar a dairy producer receives in milk sales generates more money for the local economy.” Clearly, dairy farmers are not only important to agriculture but for the health of the economy.
Holstein cows are raised primarily for milk production.
The Slow Death Of Small Family Farms
According to Merriam-Webster.com, a factory farm is defined as a large industrialized farm; especially: a farm on which large numbers of livestock are raised indoors in conditions intended to maximize production at minimal cost. So, what is missing? The human connection. That is, the connection between humans, animals and the environment which basically embodies the soul of the small family farm. When these integrated relationships are mechanized, they become robotic and disconnected.
Across America, small family farms are closing their barn doors due to the rising costs of operations. To boot, the large factory farms are making it impossible for these folks to make any kind of profit much less a decent wage. One of the big differences between factory farms and family run farms is that family farmers know their land and know their animals. It is a smaller community but one that still maintains a sense of pride, integrity and value for the land.
On a factory farm, there is a great disconnect which is clearly evident in the situation captured in the video footage below. Sadly, while most small, family owned farms go above and beyond to care for their animals, there are some people whose actions tarnish the reputations of other farmers due to their disrespect of the industry and proper treatment of the animals which they are paid to care for.
It makes absolutely no sense to mistreat much less heinously abuse animals that help generate revenue for a farm. Especially for many families, the farm is a business and also the main source of income.
Holding Companies Can Be Hostile Environments
The footage of the undercover investigation allegedly took place at the Quanah Cattle Company, a Kersey, Colorado, calf-raising facility owned by J.D. Heiskell & Co. (a large commodity trading and livestock feed manufacturing company). Quanah Cattle Company is not a dairy farm but is a holding facility for male calves. The company buys and sells calves to other farms to be raised for meat production. While animal cruelty is not encouraged by the farming community, these transportation or holding companies can become hostile environments. When time is of the essence, there is little time for coddling animals that are difficult to transport because they are scared, sick or too weak to move.
Western Dairy Association Responds
On November 13, 2013, the following statement was issued by the WesternDairyAssociation.org:
“On behalf of our Western Dairy Association Board of Directors, President & CEO Cindy Haren, our dairy farm families and our staff, we are heartbroken to learn about the horrible mistreatment of bull calves at the Quanah facility. Animal care and welfare is a top priority for our dairy farm families, and to see the abuse these calves have endured is deeply saddening. Animal abuse and mistreatment is NOT standard practice on our family farms, and we do not tolerate these inhumane actions.”
Listen To The Interview
In this segment of The Organic View Radio Show, host, June Stoyer talks to Erica Meier, Executive Director of Compassion Over Killing as she discusses the heinous treatment of newborn calves revealed in new video footage in an undercover investigation of a Colorado agribusiness facility. To listen to the interview which does NOT show the violent treatment, press the play button below:
Good food isn’t cheap. People want cheap food and this is what is bound to happen.
As a 5th gen farmer, I can assure you that what happened in this situation is a rarity. We take good care of our land and our animals. The good things that farmers do never are mentioned. The only times you hear about anything is when idiots like these people pull stunts like this. That is what happens when you hire people that are unexperienced and do not care about your farm. The people who did this should be brought up on charges. I hope that people don’t think farmers do this. The farming community is small. Word gets around fast, so it is a shame that this happened.
Clearly, the people videotaped have serious issues. Anyone who abuses animals tends to have criminal trails. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were incarcerated at one point.
I appreciated your interviews with Joel Salatin and his philosophy is what should resonate with more people. If they only knew who their farmers were, something like this would never happen. The factory farms are destroying our great country.
This is terrible!
Food manufacturers make it easier for consumers to remain disconnected, especially since the meat has no bones or skin and is cut into “fun” shapes. This is the downfall of humanity.
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