Saturday, February 27, 2010
Meet an Indiana Farmer
Meet an Indiana Farmer at www.farmersfeedus.org and get a chance to win free groceries for a year. A value of $5000. With each different farmer you meet on the site you get another chance to win. Learn about Indiana Agriculture today.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Yellow Tail Wine to repair Ag relationship
Why do I keep posting this stuff about HSUS? It is vital to Animal Agriculture to inform everyone that HSUS is not really a support group for dogs and cats but simply a group that has found a way to make a lot of money with sole intentions of eliminating Animal Agriculture. They encourage the increase in numbers of coyotes who are a predator of livestock. They encourage uncaged poultry when in reality there would be an increase in death loss as they would pile on top of each other and suffocate those on the bottom. Sows would unintentionally kill more of their baby pigs due to laying on them in an open environment. Taking away antibiotics? Would you want to go without antibiotics to help you feel better? Providing antibiotics to animals is done only as needed as it is an added expense to the profitability of the operation. Instead of sending money to HSUS feel free to send $32.50 to your county Farm Bureau and become a member of a hard working organization that will work directly with Livestock producers to provide the best animal care possible.
The good folks at the Animal Agriculture Alliance are commending Yellow Tail Wine for their effort to repair the relationship between themselves and the farmers and ranchers who were offended by their recent donation to the Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS) It turns out that the wine company, a family-owned business out of Australia, has realized their mistake and won’t be donating any additional dollars to HSUS in the future. Thanks to a grassroots effort made by farmers and ranchers through social media outlets, the real intent of HSUS, to eliminate meat, dairy and eggs from the American diet, has been exposed. Thanks to all of you for participating in that campaign to spread the word, and I’m sure this wine company won’t make the same mistake twice.After receiving word of a boycott of their products after donating $100,000 to HSUS, Yellow Tail wines listened to the voices of thousands of farmers and ranchers and have responded with a letter to the Animal Agriculture Alliance. Read the excerpt below:
The spirit and intention of our donation to the Humane Society of the United States was for the celebration of animals. Being farmers ourselves we support those who care for their land and their environment, just as we do. We are proud of our rural heritage and value a solid relationship with agricultural communities around the world.
Yellow Tail is committed to the plight of animals in need, and we know that animal welfare groups work in different ways to advance their cause. We are interested in the welfare of animals, and in financially supporting animal welfare causes that provide direct care services to help animals, not on taking positions on any animal lobbying issues. We pledge to you that any future support for animal welfare will go to organizations specifically devoted to hands-on care, such as rescue, sterilization, feeding, or disaster assistance.
The good folks at the Animal Agriculture Alliance are commending Yellow Tail Wine for their effort to repair the relationship between themselves and the farmers and ranchers who were offended by their recent donation to the Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS) It turns out that the wine company, a family-owned business out of Australia, has realized their mistake and won’t be donating any additional dollars to HSUS in the future. Thanks to a grassroots effort made by farmers and ranchers through social media outlets, the real intent of HSUS, to eliminate meat, dairy and eggs from the American diet, has been exposed. Thanks to all of you for participating in that campaign to spread the word, and I’m sure this wine company won’t make the same mistake twice.After receiving word of a boycott of their products after donating $100,000 to HSUS, Yellow Tail wines listened to the voices of thousands of farmers and ranchers and have responded with a letter to the Animal Agriculture Alliance. Read the excerpt below:
The spirit and intention of our donation to the Humane Society of the United States was for the celebration of animals. Being farmers ourselves we support those who care for their land and their environment, just as we do. We are proud of our rural heritage and value a solid relationship with agricultural communities around the world.
Yellow Tail is committed to the plight of animals in need, and we know that animal welfare groups work in different ways to advance their cause. We are interested in the welfare of animals, and in financially supporting animal welfare causes that provide direct care services to help animals, not on taking positions on any animal lobbying issues. We pledge to you that any future support for animal welfare will go to organizations specifically devoted to hands-on care, such as rescue, sterilization, feeding, or disaster assistance.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
HSUS watchdog site.
Shouldn’t we expect better from the "Humane Society"?
Only 1 dollar of every 200 dollars donated to the Humane Society of the United States goes to hands-on Pet shelters.
The Humane Society of the United States is NOT your local animal shelter. In fact, it gives less than one-half of one percent of its $100 million budget to hands-on pet shelters.*
Meanwhile, this wealthy animal rights group socked away over $2.5 million of Americans’ donations in its own pension plans.**
Surprised? So were we.
The dog-watchers need a watchdog. Join the discussion at: HUMANEWATCH.ORG Keeping a watchful eye on the Humane Society of the United States HUMANEWATCH.ORG Keeping a watchful eye on the Humane Society of the United States
* HSUS gave just $452,371 to hands-on pet shelters in 2008, out of a $99,664,400 budget.
** HSUS made $2,532,167 in pension contributions in 2008.
Only 1 dollar of every 200 dollars donated to the Humane Society of the United States goes to hands-on Pet shelters.
The Humane Society of the United States is NOT your local animal shelter. In fact, it gives less than one-half of one percent of its $100 million budget to hands-on pet shelters.*
Meanwhile, this wealthy animal rights group socked away over $2.5 million of Americans’ donations in its own pension plans.**
Surprised? So were we.
The dog-watchers need a watchdog. Join the discussion at: HUMANEWATCH.ORG Keeping a watchful eye on the Humane Society of the United States HUMANEWATCH.ORG Keeping a watchful eye on the Humane Society of the United States
* HSUS gave just $452,371 to hands-on pet shelters in 2008, out of a $99,664,400 budget.
** HSUS made $2,532,167 in pension contributions in 2008.
Friday, February 19, 2010
2010 US Census is here!
The 2010 U.S. Census is here! The U.S. Census forms will be mailed in February - March 2010 and must be completed and returned by Census Day - April 1, 2010 – just 41 days away! >From May to July 2010, Census workers will follow up with visits to every address from which they received no response by Census Day. In December 2010, the Census Bureau delivers population counts to the President of the United States for apportionment.
The 2010 U.S. Census means business – dollars to your community from the state and federal government; representation in Congress and the Indiana General Assembly; and ensuring economic developers and others know just what your community is like. I need you, as a local official, to promote the 2010 U.S. Census in your community to accomplish our mission of ensuring every Hoosier is counted!
The Census counts all people living in the United States – whether citizen or non-citizen, legal or undocumented, homeless or housed. The U.S. Census happens once every 10 years and is required by the U.S. Constitution. It is important that every Hoosier household complete the Census form. The information collected from the Census is used to assist government leaders in making major decisions, such as the apportionment of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and Indiana General Assembly; and to help distribute $300-$400 billion in federal funds back to state and local governments each year.
Participation in the U.S. Census is required by law. The information provided to the Census is absolutely confidential.
Please promote the 2010 U.S. Census among the residents in your communities. Again, making sure every Hoosier is counted is our mission. Remind everyone to complete the form as April 1, 2010 approaches.
For more information and promotional materials visit, www.census.indiana.edu and http://indianacompletecountlocalgov.wordpress.com/
The 2010 U.S. Census means business – dollars to your community from the state and federal government; representation in Congress and the Indiana General Assembly; and ensuring economic developers and others know just what your community is like. I need you, as a local official, to promote the 2010 U.S. Census in your community to accomplish our mission of ensuring every Hoosier is counted!
The Census counts all people living in the United States – whether citizen or non-citizen, legal or undocumented, homeless or housed. The U.S. Census happens once every 10 years and is required by the U.S. Constitution. It is important that every Hoosier household complete the Census form. The information collected from the Census is used to assist government leaders in making major decisions, such as the apportionment of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and Indiana General Assembly; and to help distribute $300-$400 billion in federal funds back to state and local governments each year.
Participation in the U.S. Census is required by law. The information provided to the Census is absolutely confidential.
Please promote the 2010 U.S. Census among the residents in your communities. Again, making sure every Hoosier is counted is our mission. Remind everyone to complete the form as April 1, 2010 approaches.
For more information and promotional materials visit, www.census.indiana.edu and http://indianacompletecountlocalgov.wordpress.com/
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Livestock Bills to see action.
Livestock Bill Will See Action This Week at Indiana Statehouse
Several key bills that will impact the Indiana livestock industry will see action in the Indiana legislature this week. HB 1099 and SB116 both deal with the issue of who should set animal care standards in the state. Bob Kraft with Indiana Farm Bureau says these bills establish the Indiana Board of Animal Health as the regulatory authority on animal care, “We support this legislation so that what happened in Michigan will not happen in Indiana.” In Michigan, there was an effort to have a separate entity dominated by animal rights groups, set the standards for animal care. Kraft said these bills would place in state statutes the authority of the BOAH to set and regulate standards of animal care.
Several key bills that will impact the Indiana livestock industry will see action in the Indiana legislature this week. HB 1099 and SB116 both deal with the issue of who should set animal care standards in the state. Bob Kraft with Indiana Farm Bureau says these bills establish the Indiana Board of Animal Health as the regulatory authority on animal care, “We support this legislation so that what happened in Michigan will not happen in Indiana.” In Michigan, there was an effort to have a separate entity dominated by animal rights groups, set the standards for animal care. Kraft said these bills would place in state statutes the authority of the BOAH to set and regulate standards of animal care.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Speaking out about HSUS
Poultry Producer Speaks Out About HSUS
Posted by Andy Dietrick on February 8, 2010 at 10:38am
Here's a well written letter from Alan Rust, via our friends at Indiana Prairie Farmer:
Perhaps turn-about is fair play. Livestock producers have been on the radar screen of the Humane Society of the United States for year. Now HSUS is on the radar screen of producers. And when they sort down to the facts, the story that HSUS likes to tell in commercials and print doesn't always seem to match reality.
Anthony Rust, co-owner of Rose Acres, Seymour, recently called in response to an editorial "Get the truth out about HSUS' in the February issue of Indiana Prairie Farmer. We asked Rust to put his thoughts on paper. Here is what he believes people should know about the animal welfare group known as HSUS.
Dear editor;
You guys were right on the money in your editorial in the February issue of Indiana Prairie Farmer ("Get out the truth about HSUS", page 8). The Humane Society of the United States takes money from people who think they're helping dogs and cats. They're not. According to www.consumerfreedom.com, in "Unpacking the HSUS Gravy Train," only one-half of one-percent of what they take in actually goes to help animals. The authors say the information came from HSUS's Form 990 for 2008 taxes.
As you pointed out, many people assume they're donating to local humane societies that do a lot of good on the local level. If their check goes to HSUS, they're not helping anyone locally. If they want the money to be used locally to provide care for pets, they need to seek out their local humane society in the community and donate to them directly.
We're in the chicken and egg business. We operate Rose Acres. By my way of thinking, HSUS uses the money they raise to kill chickens, not help animals. Here's why I make that statement
HSUS was heavily behind proposition 2 in California. Voters passed it as a ballot initiative. Fortunately we don't have ballot initiatives in Indiana. Anyway, as part of the proposition, animals will have to have enough room to turn around without touching another animal. What we hear from those in the industry is that California will lose some of its poultry producers. They will go to states that want them, and where they can care for the chickens like they should be cared for.
Meanwhile, HSUS contends that chickens should not be raised in cages. Yet studies show twice the mortality rate when chickens are in loose housing compared to cages. We've known that for 40 years. That's because they pile up and some suffocate.
We tried it ourselves again just to be sure. We found the same thing. We lost twice as many chickens in a loose housing system compared to our normal cage system. Turning chickens loose results in more dead chickens.
There is a market for free-range eggs and other specialties, so we do enough of it to supply our market. If the customer wants it, we'll deliver it. But fewer chickens die if they're in cages.
We try to be open-minded. There's a new housing method out called the enhanced cage system. Basically, chickens are in cages part of the time, but not all the time. The idea is to capture the best of both worlds. We're thinking seriously about experimenting with it. If it's progress and a better way to do it, we're all for it. Additionally, it supposedly cost the same as a regular cage system.
What does HSUS think about this new idea? From what I can tell, they don't want anything to do with it. They don't want chickens in cages, period.
To me the bottom line is clear. HSUS brings in an unbelievable amount of money. But they're not about helping animals or saving chickens. They have their own agenda, and that's where the money goes.
Sincerely,
Alan Rust, Rose Acre Farms, Seymour
Posted by Andy Dietrick on February 8, 2010 at 10:38am
Here's a well written letter from Alan Rust, via our friends at Indiana Prairie Farmer:
Perhaps turn-about is fair play. Livestock producers have been on the radar screen of the Humane Society of the United States for year. Now HSUS is on the radar screen of producers. And when they sort down to the facts, the story that HSUS likes to tell in commercials and print doesn't always seem to match reality.
Anthony Rust, co-owner of Rose Acres, Seymour, recently called in response to an editorial "Get the truth out about HSUS' in the February issue of Indiana Prairie Farmer. We asked Rust to put his thoughts on paper. Here is what he believes people should know about the animal welfare group known as HSUS.
Dear editor;
You guys were right on the money in your editorial in the February issue of Indiana Prairie Farmer ("Get out the truth about HSUS", page 8). The Humane Society of the United States takes money from people who think they're helping dogs and cats. They're not. According to www.consumerfreedom.com, in "Unpacking the HSUS Gravy Train," only one-half of one-percent of what they take in actually goes to help animals. The authors say the information came from HSUS's Form 990 for 2008 taxes.
As you pointed out, many people assume they're donating to local humane societies that do a lot of good on the local level. If their check goes to HSUS, they're not helping anyone locally. If they want the money to be used locally to provide care for pets, they need to seek out their local humane society in the community and donate to them directly.
We're in the chicken and egg business. We operate Rose Acres. By my way of thinking, HSUS uses the money they raise to kill chickens, not help animals. Here's why I make that statement
HSUS was heavily behind proposition 2 in California. Voters passed it as a ballot initiative. Fortunately we don't have ballot initiatives in Indiana. Anyway, as part of the proposition, animals will have to have enough room to turn around without touching another animal. What we hear from those in the industry is that California will lose some of its poultry producers. They will go to states that want them, and where they can care for the chickens like they should be cared for.
Meanwhile, HSUS contends that chickens should not be raised in cages. Yet studies show twice the mortality rate when chickens are in loose housing compared to cages. We've known that for 40 years. That's because they pile up and some suffocate.
We tried it ourselves again just to be sure. We found the same thing. We lost twice as many chickens in a loose housing system compared to our normal cage system. Turning chickens loose results in more dead chickens.
There is a market for free-range eggs and other specialties, so we do enough of it to supply our market. If the customer wants it, we'll deliver it. But fewer chickens die if they're in cages.
We try to be open-minded. There's a new housing method out called the enhanced cage system. Basically, chickens are in cages part of the time, but not all the time. The idea is to capture the best of both worlds. We're thinking seriously about experimenting with it. If it's progress and a better way to do it, we're all for it. Additionally, it supposedly cost the same as a regular cage system.
What does HSUS think about this new idea? From what I can tell, they don't want anything to do with it. They don't want chickens in cages, period.
To me the bottom line is clear. HSUS brings in an unbelievable amount of money. But they're not about helping animals or saving chickens. They have their own agenda, and that's where the money goes.
Sincerely,
Alan Rust, Rose Acre Farms, Seymour
Friday, February 5, 2010
District Lugar Essay Winners announced.
District 5: Deena Hesselgrave of Gosport, attends Cloverdale Middle School, daughter of Tina Lundsford; Joe Littiken of Quincy, also attends Cloverdale Middle School, son of Jim and Jane Littiken.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)