This episode features a wide-ranging conversation with a veterinarian about how farmers care for their animals, the challenges of being a vet, and the story of Fairlife Milk. 

Dr. Marissa Hake is a veterinarian who specializes in communicating about how our food is raised. Marissa’s background has been in calf health and welfare but recently has transitioned into a new position as the Director of Animal Welfare and Sustainable Farming for Fairlife.

Key points:

What should consumers know about farmers caring for animals?

• Dr. Hake sees farmers working hard every day and putting animal needs above all else.
• Consumers tend to personify animals and compare them to children and pets. Farm animals are different.
• Farmers care deeply for the well-being of their animals, but sometimes that care looks bad from the outside.
• Dehorning calves, for example, protects other cows from injury.

What do people misunderstand about veal?

• Baby animals is an emotional topic.  People love cute baby animals.
• Veal is not a baby cow.  They are harvested when they weigh 500 to 600 pounds
• Chicken and pork are harvested at younger ages.
• Housing conditions have changed. It is illegal to tether a calf. 
• Farmers want happy, healthy cows. Cows are social.

How was Fairlife milk developed?

• A farmer/veterinarian experimented with filtering milk on his farm to see if it would filter out lactose
• The result was a lactose-free high-protein milk that appealed to athletes
• Now there are lots of Fairlife products available in the store
• Why are people scared of GMOs but not of filtered milk?
• People have a point of reference for filtering something
• There is too much heavy-lifting to comprehend the details of bio-engineering

What issues challenge the mental health of veterinarians?

• In ag and for Vets, what people say matters and affects mental health.  Most people don’t understand what they do.
• Vets have a high education debt load compared to human doctors – and make less money
• They deal with end-of-life decisions every day for their patients
• They get push-back from people who think their services should be free
• In rural communities, mental health resources are not accessible.

Three tips to overcome food bullying:

1. Make educated decisions
2. Ask the source
3. Do what is best for your family

Links:

Marissa Hake Website

Facebook

Instagram

Food Bullying Podcast’s Facebook Page

Food Bullying: How to Avoid Buying BS by Michele Payn

Embrace your Heart with Eliz Greene