The director of the Beef Cattle Institute at nearby Kansas State University, Dr. Dan Thomson, a veterinarian and researcher, spoke Monday night during the annual meeting of the Dickinson County Farm Bureau Association in Sterl Hall in Eisenhower Park.
Thomson acknowledged that when peaking before farmers and ranchers it might be easier to applaud their work; however, his message was more about being proactive in the face of animal rights groups who have no regard for what production is all about.
“Our industry is under attack,” Thomson said of organizations with goals to outlaw animal production for food purposes.
While he works with the cattle industry, it also applies to pork producers and other meat producers. Producers understand the care of their animals and they have a vested interest in caring for their livestock, the veterinarian said.
However, there are animals rights groups who are “like wolves in sheep clothing,” he said.
Two states -- California and Ohio -- had animal rights issues on the ballot that could have been devastating to production agriculture because of the regulatory environment it would have created, he said.
Thomson said those who advocate animal rights have courted the public’s perception of animal well being. Producers have to be wary because there are animal rights groups who think that animals are a lot like humans.
The producers of today also have to recognize that while there are groups who will be violent in opposing research, he has noticed over time that animal welfare rights groups have “blended messages” that confuse consumers.
He noted that 85 percent of people think of their pets like children. It contrasts with a trend of fewer people involved in production agriculture.
Forty years ago, “Mr. Green Jeans” gave children and the general public a positive view about agriculture, Thomson said. In contrast to today, at least one organization offers an online course that teaches how to be an effective anti-livestock advocate.
For Thomson, it reminded him about the importance of educating youth.
“We have to get to all the kids,” he said.
Thomson said livestock producers best bet is to continue to invest in consumer education. They need to let them know they are caring for their animals, educate children, and assure the public that they are not abusing animals. The expert said the consumer is ultimately right.
The veterinarian said farmers and ranchers have a positive message.
“What do we do everyday? We feed the world,” Thomson said. “Is there a more noble occupation?”
It is all driven by profitability, he said, noting that increased bureaucracy and unnecessary regulations affect income.
With today’s modern social media, someone can erroneously Tweet a rumor that causes fears through any industry, including agriculture. Thomson said farmers and ranchers, known for being humble, do have to speak out on behalf of their industry, particularly if they see something wrong.
At K-State, part of his mission as he sees it is to continue to educate producers as well as consumers about the importance of the livestock industry. As a third-generation veterinarian, it comes easy for him.
“Nobody cares more about cattle than the people in the beef industry,” he said.
Their message is a good one, he said, noting that America has the safest food supply in the world. The country has a vested interest in watching U.S. agriculture succeed and knowing that farmers and ranchers are viewed as trustworthy and humane.
He said farmers and ranchers can support local animal shelters, should be wary about sending contributions to national organizations without finding the specifics.
He said many of the organizations that oppose using livestock for meat production have a goal of raising money with glitz and glamour, while driving a vegetarian agenda, so they advise Americans, and attempt to abolish animal agriculture for meat-eating purposes.
Thomson said in 2010, farmers and ranchers need to be paying attention to state races. He personally opposes initiative and referendum going on the issue because it leads to animal care votes in which anti-livestock campaigns are largely funded by out-of-state groups. Those campaigns tend to smear production agriculture.
He prefers going through the legislative process.
“Animal welfare is not about checking a box but is about working day in and day out (with livestock),” he said.
The industry has to disarm critics, Thomson said. Producers who abuse animals must be singled out by those who are involved in the industry. Producers should provide water and reasonable care for animals that are to be euthanized. They should look at castration and dehorning techniques that are humane. Castration and dehorning are done to improve weight-gaining efficiency for steers.
Labor issues will continue to be a part of future livestock operations, he said, as fewer and fewer ranch hands come from traditional farms. The Hispanic population, the veterinarian said, has provided more ranch hands in recent years. As a result, it also calls on the industry and universities to provide information for better cultural understanding of workers as well as bilingual instruction about animal care.
Also at the meeting, Dickinson County Farm Bureau president Barbara Schlesener recognized Kent and Sarah Mills, Chapman, as the Farm Family of the Year. Schlesener noted the Mills and their two children, Kevin and Kyle, have exemplified production agriculture and have been involved in outreach.
Two farm families were recognized for Century of Farms. They were Leon Mills, Enterprise, whose ancestors started the family farm in 1874, and Hilton Helbach, rural Ramona, whose ancestors started their farm in 1910.
Fred and Jean Traskowsky, Woodbine, received the Natural Environmental Resources award from board member Kerry Whitehair. The Traskowskys started their improvements in the 1980s.
Schlesener was recognized for her leadership as she is stepping down as president of the county farm bureau organization after serving in that capacity for the past six years.
Board member Jeff Bathurst credited Schlesener for the development of the agriculture ambassador program, which has been recognized at the state level, and the annual Farm Day program geared toward third-graders. Those visible programs have raised greater awareness about what farmers and ranchers do, he said. She has also been a proponent of supporting food pantries in Abilene and Herington.
Kristin Felbush was elected as a District 2 representative for Lincoln-Grant-Garfield-Newbern townships. Elected as voting delegates to the annual Kansas Farm Bureau meeting were Jeff Bathurst, David Wood, Travis Kuntz, Kerry Whitehair and Sam Shrack.
Those attending the meeting also approved Aug. 11, 2009 meeting minutes and financial report from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010. The audience also viewed a recap of the past year, noting education efforts about agriculture production and food nutrition geared toward children.
Dignitaries were introduced. They included state Sen. Pete Brungardt, R-Salina, Rep. Tom Moxley, R-Council Grove, Dickinson County commissioners Everett Kolling and Sheila Biggs, and Joe Badger, an aide for Congressman Jerry Moran. Abilene FFA agriculture ambassadors Emily Harris and Samantha Sare and Chapman FFA agriculture ambassador Lexi Coberly led the group with the Pledge of Allegiance. Jeff Bathurst gave the invocation. Farm Bureau members and supporters served a picnic style dinner that included ice cream from Kansas State University’s Call Hall.