Stopping HSUS & PETA

Here is two articles concerning actions by the Humane Society of the US, and PETA.
The first article is from writer Barry Estabrook at Gourmet. His column is titled, “Politics of the Plate: McDonald’s eggs to go cage-free?” It seems McDonald’s is getting pressured to change its food purchasing policies. The Humane Society plans to put the squeeze on the fast-food giant over its use of eggs from caged chickens. The HSUS announced last week that it would introduce a resolution at a McDonald’s shareholder meeting in May requesting that the fast-food chain use only cage-free eggs. Quizno’s has already changed their policy to purchase cage-free eggs, and I’m concerned about the implications of food production if McDonald’s follows suit. What do you think about this issue? How should food producers respond?
The second article of the day deals with PETA. While I have heard talks about PETA’s euthanasia policy for years, I’m excited to see its traction once again on the internet. Media outlets and bloggers are outraged to hear that in 2008, PETA euthanized 95% of the animals in their care. You can check out the full press release at The Center for Consumer Freedom. The press releasereveals the facts about this hypocritical animal rights group’s 2008 pet death toll of 21,339 animals. Despite having a $32 million budget, PETA does not operate an adoption shelter. PETA employees make no discernible effort to find homes for the thousands of pets they kill every year. Last year, the Center for Consumer Freedom petitioned Virginia’s State Veterinarian to reclassify PETA as a slaughterhouse.

FB fights to protect animal agriculture

Farm Bureau to Congress: Oppose Anti-Antibiotics Bill 03/24/2009
The American Farm Bureau Federation is expressing strong opposition to legislation that would remove and restrict important antibiotics for veterinary and farm use. In a letter to Congress, AFBF President Bob Stallman said the bills (H.R. 1549 and S. 619) would handicap veterinarians and livestock and poultry producers in their efforts to protect the nation’s food supply and maintain the health of their farm animals. He said, - in order to raise healthy animals, we need tools to keep them healthy.Stallman pointed out that, "Farmers and ranchers and the veterinarians they work with use antibiotics carefully, judiciously and according to label instructions, primarily to treat, prevent and control disease in our flocks and herds." He told members of Congress that by opposing the bills, they would protect the professional judgment of veterinarians and livestock producers in providing safe and healthful meat products for consumers.Stallman said more than 40 years of antibiotic use in farm animals proves that such use does not pose a public health threat. In fact, Stallman said - recent government data shows the potential that it might occur is declining. Bacteria survival through food processing and handling is decreasing, food-borne illness is down, development of antibiotic resistant bacteria in animals is stable and resistant food-borne bacteria in humans are declining.

Ag Week pictures

Additions to this year's Farm Fest Activities were Coloring on the stage, along with our special character friends, Mr. Tractor, the Corn twins, along with Ms Chicken and Ms Cow.

Patti Cash, Farm Bureau Secretary, and many others worked in the Farm Bureau booth teaching the children about Ag using the spinning wheel and passing out various materials.

Receiving the Farm Family of the Year award was the Mike Rissler Family.

This year's Friend of the Farmer was David Greenburg.

Last Legislative Update Session Held

The final Farm Bureau Legislative Update session was held this morning with Senator Bray, and Representative Michael in attendance to discuss Legislation at the State House. Discussion varied greatly from Ag issues concerning property tax caps, SB221, the Puppy mill bill to Education issues such as directives handed down from the Supt. of Public Instruction on instructional time and unfunded mandates requiring schools to weigh and measure certain grade level students and report this to the state. Also, discussed were local government issues. Representative Michael also reported the results of her survey which could be presented here if someone would like to request it via the comments allowed for these posts. The Farm Bureau would like to thank the Legislators for taking the time to meet with us this year and discuss various issues of concern in Putnam County as well as thank the concerned citizens who came to voice their opinions.

Dairy information for everyone!

Hoosier dairy farm families remind youto have your 3 a Day!
We deliver, every single day!
The "Every Single Day" project is a statewide advertising campaignthat features actual dairy farmers talking about their farms and industry andrecorded right on the actual dairy farms. It is an attempt to let consumers understand how their dairy products are produced. Listen to the commercials below and watch the videos to learn more about Indiana dairy farmers and the products they produce, every single day.
Milk Promotion Services of Indiana (MPSI) is a not-for-profit promotion, advertising, and nutrition education organization funded by and serving Indiana dairy farm families. They provide service to consumers, health professionals, teachers, food service professionals, and also to those in the dairy industry. Learn more by visiting the winnersdrinkmilk.com website.

This Week's Activities

Tuesday, March 17, Ag Breakfast 6 am -8 am Community Building Fairgrounds
Hall of Fame, FFA Reports, Extension Report
Wed., March 18, Farmer's Rotary/Kiwanis Luncheon & Elementary Field Day
New Head of Department of Agriculture speaks
Thursday, March 19, Mini Farm Fest, ~3-6 pm Community Building Fairgrounds
Lots of Exhibits and new activities
Saturday, March 21, Legislative Update Session, Boardroom of Farm Bureau office
Last chance here, to speak up on Legislation now being considered.

New Beef Cattlemen Scholarship

Indiana Beef Cattle Association announces new Scholarship
The Indiana Beef Cattle Association (IBCA) announced the creation of a new annual college scholarship program during their annual business meeting in Indianapolis. The $500 scholarship is being made possible through the generous donation of Clark Sennett, owner of Sennett Farms Cattle Company in Waynetown, IN. It will be available to residents of Indiana who plan to attend a two or four year college or university. Applicants must be from a family that is actively involved in beef production and are current IBCA members. In addition, applicants must be an existing college student majoring in agriculture or a high school senior planning to major in agriculture.

Support Animal Ag and vote no! today...

---SHOULD ANIMALS HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS AS PEOPLE?---COSTCO has placed a poll on its Web site asking if animals should have the same rights as people. Matt Prescott, director of corporate affairs for PETA, and David Martosko, director of research for the Center for Consumer Freedom, express opposing views on the issue. Voting is open to anyone. As of March 11, the poll stands at 93.8 percent of 16,242 respondents voting “no” and 6.2 percent voting “yes.”

COSTCO poll

Possible changes to Farm Bureau board

The Putnam County Farm Bureau, Inc. board would like your opinion on changing from having one board member selected from each township to having an equivalent number from each Commissioner region. We would also look to allow at-large members to complete the board if we cannot find enough interest from a certain region. Many Counties have gone to this system, one of which is Montgomery County. The board would welcome your opinion. If the board decides to consider this it would be voted on at the Annual meeting in June. Remember, click on comment and if you do not have a google account use anonymous. Thanks

California at it again.....

I would suggest that all the legislators in Califonia not be allowed any medication for their own needs such as tylenol, pennicillin, or any other medication that might cure an illness. That is what they are considering for animals. Talk about inhuman treatment of animals. Oh, by the way they also need to no longer be allowed to eat any meat, eggs, dairy products or other Ag product as they think they could still go to the store and get them at a reasonable price. Please understand and read this article and understand the fight the Livestock producers are facing in the US today.

California Bill Would Halt Antibiotics Use 03/05/2009
A California state legislator has introduced a bill that would practically end the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture. The bill would, as of January 1, 2012, prohibit schools from serving poultry and meat products which have been treated with antibiotics for non-therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. Then three years later the law would be applied to the production of any human food produced in the state. The bill would also prohibit state and local governments in California from purchasing meat supplies raised using antibiotics for non-therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. The bill was introduced by Dean Florez, the California Senate majority leader and chairman of the food and agriculture committee. Previously, Florez introduced a measure that would ban tail-docking in dairy cattle. Michael Marsh, chief executive officer for Western United Dairmen, said, "We’re curious to see where Florez is going with this legislation. The majority of what he’s proposing is unconstitutional."Last September Dr. Craig Rowles, a veterinarian and partner with Elite Pork in Carroll, Iowa told the House Agriculture subcommittee that the U.S. pork industry has established programs that include principles and guidelines on antibiotic use that help protect animal and public health and animal well-being. He added, "As a swine veterinarian, I need all the tools available to live up to my oath, to protect animal health, relieve animal suffering and promote public health."

2009 Ag Week "Every Day in Every Way

Make plans to attend this year's Ag Week activities. Stacey Baird, Beth Evans, and Heather Poynter along with several others have put together this year's Ag Week. This year's activities include the old and the new with many of our standby activities and several new additions.
It all starts March 17th at 6 a.m. with the Ag Breakfast. Mark Evans will discuss his new job as Putnam Counties Ag Extension Educator. Also at the breakfast will be our introduction of the 2009 Farm Family and Friend of the Farmer Awards. Set your alarm early and attend this event. Wednesday, March 18th the fairgrounds will be filled with Elementary students traveling from station to station learning about Agriculture. At noon on Wed. the Kiwanis/Rotary Ag luncheon will be held for those members and invited area farmers. The new Indiana Department of Ag Chairman will be on hand to discuss her plans for the future. Thursday activities begin after school with the Mini Farm Fest. Lots of booths and activities for both young and old will be available to tell the story of Putnam County Agriculture. What's it all cost? Breakfast is $1 and the rest is free. Ag week activities are sponsored by Putnam County Farm Bureau and several Ag organizations in the county. A complete list of sponsors is available on the Ag Breakfast program.