Death on a Farm Revisited
When I was a little girl growing up on a family dairy farm, I clearly remember the pain associated with the death of an animal. I also remember seeing animals butchered and being “grossed out.” However, I knew the animals we raised served a purpose greater than being my pet- to provide nourishment to humans. That’s a perspective shared by most farm kids, but is missing from the 98.5% of people not directly involved in production agriculture.
On March 16, HBO premiered “Death On A Factory Farm”, another documentary about farm animal abuse that was especially shocking to those who haven’t had the perspective of animals being raised to feed humans. And it was heart breaking for those involved with agriculture to see unforgivable animal abuse and know the majority of the population will have their trust in farmers eroded yet again. Take a look at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqQVll-MP3I if you want a glimpse of how agriculture is painted in this latest piece by a multi-million dollar activist industry.
Who’s to blame for this growing disconnect between how farm animals end up as the products on our plate? We could point the finger at activist groups, inaccurate media, a wealthy society’s fixation on making animals human-like or simply say consumers are ignorant. Or, we could take responsibility. Responsibility to educate the masses that agriculture remains true to our history of producing food, fuel, feed and fiber from both plants and animals – even if farms look different today. How would the story of food production be told differently if the people behind this film had been taken to a farm as a child and educated about modern food production? Or, if they had experiences in college that provided a real-life connection between a steak on their plate and the animals that died to provide human sustenance?
The preview of “Death on a Factory” farm claims that farmers don’t want their story told. That is simply not true; agriculture would love to have our story told, but we lack the appeal of blatant sensationalism included in pieces like this one. Here’s what I’d include in our story; feel free to add your comments.
- Agriculture is a life’s calling; farmers have to have a personal connection with animals with in order to be able to successfully raise them, even if that ultimately means sending the animal to slaughter.
- Agriculturists are proud to provide food for the world and do so efficiently to meet the needs of a population expected to double by 2050.
- Food production experiencing declining revenues for 40 years, forcing family farms to expand – the same as many other businesses in the Western world.
- Families still operate more than 97% of today’s farms, even if the farms look different and families may have a corporation – just as many small businesses have incorporated.
- Many animal rights groups would like to move to a completely vegan society and are using these extreme cases to drive the family farms out of business through distancing consumers, increasing regulations on the farm and persuading celebrities that animal rights organizations should monitor the well-being of all animals.
- National security would be further endangered – and animals raised in worse conditions – if activists successfully drive food animal production out of the U.S. How better to control a country than threaten food supply? Agriculture works diligently to help our country.
If you’re in agriculture, use this as an opportunity to tell the true story of food production and be proud of doing the right thing, the right way for the right reasons. If you’re a consumer, find a farm or ranch to become better educated about how plants and animals are raised with the utmost care. Don’t shrink away from the raw emotions created by this shocking video; create a connection between the mouths that eat and the hands that raise food!
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Michelle,
Instead of trying to “sweep” this under the carpet, maybe agriculture should take this on. How about a response like, “Yes, this happens and we (agriculture people) are just as horrified as you are.” I think the right person or organization could make this into a better PR opportunity.
I’d agree this is an opportunity, but it isn’t just about p.r. It’s also about protecting choices to farm, economics of both farm & food prices and realizing the issue is impacting all of ag. We do need to have more candid discussions about animals as food. Rather than a singular organization, I believe individuals in ag have a responsibility to get the word out – and are the most effective people to do so.
Ag still maintains the moral high-ground on raising livestock but it is being eroded beneath our feet as we sit silent. We need to re-craft our message. I’m currently reading a book called Made to Stick which is teaching me how to present my ideas in a manner that resonates with people. I belive ag has the stories that are interesting to people but we have made them sound boring and defensive.
You also might allow for opposing views on your blog… this makes it look more credible. Otherwise, you’re just preaching to the choir.
Go vegan
Farmers need to tell their stories. Farmers do not condone abusing animals, and anyone who abuses an animal should be held accountable. The HBO show portrays all farmers as abuseful, which is not true. We have a great story to tell, we just haven’t been telling it. We are too busy caring for our animals, land and environment.
Modern barns protect our animals from the weather, predator attacks, and diseases. Parasites live in dirt, by housing animals inside we have eliminated many diseases such as foot and mouth.
If we don’t start telling out story, foreign nations will be feeding us, and that scares me. We can’t trust China to make safe dog food, how can we trust them to feed humans?
the movie showed the truth the farmers got away with murder, torture, cruelty they are heartless human beings…..
Hello Carol. Thanks for your response. Before you determine that all farmers fit the picture that was painted for you in the movie, I’d encourage you to go visit a farm. 99% of food producers care deeply about the land and animals they raise to provide food.
As a consumer of livestock products I try to educate and inform people about sustainable food production in this country, I’m also an advocate for farm animal welfare so I can speak from both sides of the coin.
What is obscene to most non-farming animal lovers
is not just the atrocious abuse depicted in the documentary but the glaring overt disregard, indifference and callousness of the community, county and court officials contending they saw nothing wrong with what is commonly seen as “standard operating practices” and then stood in defense of the animal tormentors.
What occurred at the Wiles Farm is not unique or isolated, the dark veil of secrecy behind the systemic abuse at industrialized livestock operations has been lifted for all to see and unless the farming industry comes to grips with it and stops defending these abusers and practices it will remain a public relations nightmare and disaster.
We like thinking of ourselves as morally just. We like to say that we only harm (abuse) animal when it’s absolutely “necessary”… As in the case of a wild lion or bear attacking us. No one would say, we would not be justified in protecting ourselves against that animal. We like to say that we kill animals only if our survival depends on it… However, any other such harms are entirely frivolous. And therefore can be called abuse.
It is not necessary to use animals for the purposes of “food”. We can thrive without consuming their flesh. We can live without killing them. There is no ethical ground on which to stand that excuses our treatment to “food” animals, no matter how much in “compliance” the practice is with “standard acceptable practices”. The industry is it’s own rule maker and it’s own monitor. If ever there was a fox guarding a hen house!
And no matter what conditions a “happy” farmed animal may have had, his/her “welfare” is still ended by the same butcher knife. A society that wishes to delude it’s self calls this “humane slaughter”. But how, oh how was it “humane” when it was not “necessary” from the git-go?
Just because we like how they taste… or because their flesh is of monetary value – does not make the killing of these animals right. So the whole of it is “abuse”, cruel and unnecessary.
There are better choices – Go Vegan.
I was in the courtroom during the trial … and saw clips of how the documentary turned out. It’s amazing how the producers of this video edited the footage in their favor — clearly, very very biased!!
Yes, some of the footage looks really really ugly, but does that make it wrong? And why do you {general public} automatically assume this is how ALL farms are? Hasn’t the general public’s demand for cheap food forced farmers to push the limits of their production to stay profitable and in business? And yes, that means killing a sow after allowing her so many days to recover — if she doesn’t get better, the farmer has to cut his losses in order to stay in business. Right?
On the other hand, I grew up on a farm and experienced death, sickness, and success, and now try to help spread the word about agriculture.
I agree that farmers need to do a better AND MORE REGULAR job of telling their stories. Period.
I think the general public is beginning to realize that all of it is unacceptable. That even at its “best”, using animals for an unhealthy and frivolous “food” is against all ethical standards. Pigs chopped into hams and little sausages may have suited society years ago… when we thought of them as dumb, unfeeling creatures. But goodness – now we know pigs are as smart as our dogs… as intelligent as a 3 year old -How on earth can consuming these animals be morally justified? No matter how “nicely” they are treated for their brief little lives?
We will in the future look back at this practice as part of man’s darkest hour. And many are ahead of this curve – and see the realities in this present day.
Here is how I see it…. vegan, vegetarian, organic, cage-free, conventional, local…. whatever you want to eat. It is your right to do so, and if you believe so strongly that your way is the “right” way, then it is also your right to evangelize your point.
But, what gets my hackles up is when people begin to force their beliefs on others through law. This only creates defensiveness and damages the other parties who believe differently. If your beliefs are so great and so just, then they should be able to stand on their own and convince the masses on their own.
Now, here’s my sermon, and I hope it’s convincing:
The overwhelming majority of Americans consume animal products. Animals were put on this earth to provide nourishment, clothing, medical cures, and livliehoods to human beings. As superior beings, it is our job to make sure these animals are comfortable while carrying out their purpose. American farmers have the technology and resources to make their animals comfortable. Why attack them and outsource this industry to countries who may not be so advanced or understanding of this purpose?
On the last note, where farmers and vegans stand together is on condemning the true abuse that does happen on farms. Granted, there are discrepancies of opion here, there are incidences that we call all agree are abusive. As producers, we have to step in. There are always wrongdoers, and we must work as a whole to condemn and punish them. Nothing living deserves to die a slow and painful death at the hands of an uncaring human. We must hold up these examples of abuse and use them to prevent future abuses.
I am a producer – sixth generation at that. And I was upset at the way the animals were treated at the Ohio farm. We even used the video as training for our own employees. I can say, every one of them were as upset as the general public was. This is not the normal for our industry, and the editor made it out to be just that. I offer each and every one of you a chance to look inside a modern swine production unit via photos and discussion. Visit Facebook and search on “Liberty Swine Farms” it is unlocked so all can visit anonymously. American farmers have been caring for this nations food for ever and no one can do it better, nor care more. If this witch hunt continues, Americans are going to drive agriculture off the shores of the United States and you will be buying your food from China and Mexico. You need to stop listening to the agendas of people like the guy who did this video and HSUS and judge for yourself. There will be things that must take place on a farm that are not real pleasant to deal with. In the end, our animals make a total sacrifice to offer this country quality protein. But, in the mean time, we farmers care and nurture our animals as God has put us in charge of this.
Hey Bea,
Anybody that has worked with animals their whole life, like me, already knows how smart animals are! All of this is just crazy! How about everyone just telling the truth! The truth is there are good farmers and bad farmers just like there are good people and bad people. Commercial agriculture is not bad just because if is commercial! The opposition likes to pick out the bad and represent it as the norm. This is like doing a story on a child abuser and then telling the world that all people abuse kids. I personally take offense that people could be so small minded to believe that this is fact! Bea if you want to be a vegan have at it but don’t try and change everyone else because of your small mind. People have been consuming meat from the beginning of time and farmers have been taking care of animals for just as long! Some good some bad, live with it!
I was raised on a farm where cattle stood in mud (manure, really but no one seems to want to believe that) or stood in the blazing sun during the hot months of the year. I didn’t raise pigs growing up but my relatives did and I helped them when they needed it. These sows and babies were in the mud (manure) during the spring and anytime it rained in the summer. They laid out in the open and panted and died during the heat of the day. After the babies reached weaning age they were moved to a lot where if you stepped off the concrete you had better know how to swim.
I knew that the farm was where I would end up – it was a way of life that brought families together. Although I never wanted to raise pigs because I couldn’t get the smell out of my hands on prom night, I am without a doubt a pig lover today. We will finish approximately 42000 pigs this year – all indoors, out of the mud (manure), heat and believe it or not, without any abuse.
I will not condone many of the things I saw on that video – and I am sure it was edited to make it much more shocking. I had never heard of “hanging” sows or pigs, cattle, or sheep, to euthenize them. There are things that are necessary to do on a farm, and some of them are not “pretty”, but know also, that we – as the caretakers – don’t like to have to do it but know that it is necessary in order to ensure the health of the other animals.
No matter what size the farm, no matter what kind of structure the animal is given to live in, it comes down to management.
I know what the general public is saying about modern animal housing and production – what is unfortunate is that no matter how well these animals are cared for in the vast majority of the farms, only the poorly managed farms will make any news headlines. That to me is more along the lines of indoctrinating than allowing people to form an opinion. To form an educated opinion, wouldn’t you need to know both sides of a story?
So, to all of the vegans out there I’m glad you support midwest agriculture by eating lots of soy enriched products – I like soy enriched products too, I just prefer mine in form of a porkchop!
I am currently a National Beef Ambassador and a student at Virginia Tech. I would encourage any dissenters to take a trip to my family’s beef farm in Southwest Virginia. They could see how our animals live with abundant sources of water, feed and hay in the winter, acres of bright green pastures ripe for grazing in the summer, barns and other adequate facilities to help us maintain our animals’ well-being, and a family willing to do whatever it takes to ensure the animals are healthy and thriving. Farmers around this nation work extremely hard every day to feed a growing population. One farmer today can feed 144 people, and that is something at which to be truly amazed. However, it is up to us, America’s farmers, to educate the public about what we do.
As for “going vegan”, one must remember the kind and amount of nutrition one can get from eating meat as part of a balanced diet. Beef, for example, contains essential vitamins and minerals such as iron, zinc, and B-vitamins which exist in much higher percentages than in plant protein.
In conclusion, America’s farmers are providing a safe, abundant food supply for a quickly-growing population. Also, animal agriculturalists deeply care for and respect their animals. Think of it this way: on my farm, the animals are fed before the people get to eat.
Michelle,
Good for you posting the feelings and thoughts of one of the hardest thing that each and every farmer goes through. I believe this shows the type of compassion and dedication farmers put into caring for their animals.
I find it very interesting that media channels are putting out there that farmers don’t want their story told. I found a similar message on the movie trailer for “Food Inc.”. It sure is nice that they are targeting something that is easily fixed.
Keep up the good work.
Cheers,
Ben
“Agriculture” means different things to different people, but it definitely affects our lives every day in every way. For the housewife in the suburbs of New York City, it means driving three blocks to the grocery store where she can select from an abundance of food choice for her family’s meal. The textile worker in North Carolina, it means a job at the local factory turning cotton into clothing for resale. Driving cross-country the California trucker sees hauling fresh produce as away to purchase his own truck and support his family. In Northwest Oklahoma, for the farmer it means away of life, family values, tradition and an obligation to ancestors.
While America started off over two hundred years ago as a country based in agriculture values with over 90% of its population living on farms. Progressive agriculture has transformed our country into a world power. Now only 2 % of our population lives on a farm, but American farmers are able to provide food and fiber to 144 people. On average Americans spend 10% of their income on food, this less than any other country in the world. President Dwight D. Eisenhower stated it best with this quote ”In no other country do so few people produce so much food, to feed so many, at such reasonable prices”. Advances in technology have had monumental effects on agriculture production. Scientific research and technological inventions have catapulted our nation into leading the world in agriculture production.
Not only does American agriculture feed the country, but also it accounts for approximately 20% of the nations Gross Domestic Product (GDP), contributing $3.5 trillion a year to the U.S. economy. Agriculture is one of the few U.S. industries that enjoys a positive trade balance and is our country’s leading export. More than one in six jobs in America are directly related to agriculture. This accounts for 20% of the U.S. workforce or close to 21 million people. There are over 300 hundred-career choices in agriculture.
Besides the obvious food products, agriculture is responsible for producing several of the non-edible essentials in our lives as well. Like the tires on your vehicle and the lubricants that make it run smoothly have a direct link to agriculture. Even the medical world relies on agriculture products to produce the pharmaceutical wonders that save lives. Want ot have some fun, the basketball, athletic shoes, gym floor and even your uniform all are made from agriculture products.
Today, most Americans give little thought about where their next meal will come from because our agriculture system is so efficient. If you do not believe that agriculture affects your life every day in every way, then tried to go a day without agriculture.
We need to realize as a Nation that it is “Agriculture” that makes us a World Power!
Wake-Up America — Before it is too LATE.
Bea, please remember that your opinions are just that OPINIONS, nothing more!
Any ‘bad’ actions in that video have apparently been magnified to suit the agenda of ending animal uses.
No honest animal grower condones abuse of animals. So called ‘factory farms’ are designed for optimal care of animals in order to ATTEMPT to get a viable return on investment in animals AND to raise healthful and nutritious food for a hungry world. Farmers truly are an altruitic bunch who generally love animals and love what they do for a living……but we must be able to make an adequte living doing it.
FACT: more than 95% of all farms in the USA are owned, and a majority of the labor is provided by a FAMILY. The work is hard, but emotionally rewarding. Returns on investment run at 1.5 to 3.0 percent, as of a few years ago. Haven’t checked that recently.
As an 18 year old who has grown up around agriculture my entire life, I always get so frustrated when ranchers and farmers are accused of being heartless individuals who torture animals.
Yes, we do need to take responsibility in connecting with the public. I believe one of the most controversial issues is that the general public will project human emotions and feelings onto livestock animals. Yes, pigs are smart but they are not 3 year olds. We must admire and respect these animals for what they are. That is of course if we would like to feed the projected population of 2050.
In my animal science class our professor mentioned that globally people are not starving because there is a shortage of food, but because we have not yet figured out how to disperse this food in an efficient manner. And there is no shortage of food because livestock can take a low quality low protein food such as grass, something we cannot consume, and turn it into a high quality hight protein nutritious and delicious product.
There were many days at home when I would love to just sleep in one morning but could never let myself because I knew our livestock outside were waiting and dependent on me to take care of them.
I also know I am not the only one who feels these responsibilities, almost all farmers and ranchers across America will take care of their livestock before they call it a day. These same farmers and ranchers, including myself, have been and will continue to work until these unfortunate instances do not exist.
My husband and I are third generation dairy farmers, who take pride in the care we give our animals, and the high quality milk we produce. I find it frustrating to see and hear of animal abuse so slanted – the vast majority of American Farmers take care of their animals in a humane way. To do anything less would go against our values, and put us out of business. Whether you are a small family farm, or a ‘factory farm’ (not sure what that means – as many large farms are family owned and operated) animal comfort and well being MUST be top priority.
The bottom line, if you do not properly take care of your animals – making them comfortable, stressfree, feeding them quality feeds and providing proper housing and water, you will not be in business. Animals are very sensitive to their environment and require farmers to treat them with respect and to meet their needs. As an example, dairy cows, in order to produce quality milk and to maintain her health, requires a comfortable place to lay and rest, access to fresh water and quality feeds, and stress free handling. If you don’t do that, she will not produce, putting you out of business. So, for anyone to think that the American Farmer across the board abuses animals is nonesense! Sure, if you look hard enough, and slant the story enough, you will find someone. I always question ‘undercover’ reports as ones that cannot be totally believed, as there is an underlying agenda.
Farming is a hard and rewarding life. My husband went out to work this morning at 6am, hasn’t stopped for lunch, or dinner, and still is out there tending to our dairy herd at 9pm. We love what we do, respect the animals we are blessed to care for while they provide for our family and provide milk to Americans. But because Americans are so far removed from agriculture, it is becoming a thankless job.
Go vegan if you want, but don’t push your agenda by trying to black list the American Farmer. You might be one of the 6 billion that are asked to leave the planet when the hands of the American Farmer are tied so tight they cannot provide food for our growing population. Or, that they are so frustrated by these external charges, that they give up farming all together. If you shut down the American Farmer, who will feed you and others. I know we will be fine, as we will always be able to provide our own food and milk for our family, but what about the billions that don’t have the means to grown their own food, care for their own animals.
Yes, agriculture needs to do a better job telling our story because of activities by HSUS, PETA, etc. Hmmmm, what is their record on caring for animals in their care? How many animals did HSUS help during Katrina? Can anyone answer that one for me? What is PETA’s record on saving animals in their care? Can anyone answer that one for me?
The other day, I read an article in which the author stated that individuals raising livestock should be ashamed that they are harming animals and that we should all go to the grocery store to buy meat that hadn’t been killed by farmers and ranchers. This, in itself, describes the problem that we, as agriculturists, face. We have allowed the public to become disconnected with the family farm. In fact, many are under the impression that their food comes from the local grocery store. I agree with Michelle in that we should take responsibility and step up. Take the time to tell your story and to help the public become connected to our family farms once again. I know that agriculture is an essential part of our daily lives, for without it we would be naked and hungry. The rest of the world should know the same.
For Opposing Groups,
Sadly some animals are mistreated on their farms and one small glimpse can cause all those who are removed from agriculture life to think that all farms produce products in that way. However, just the opposite is true. I do not write to simply enforce that point because I think my fellow agriculturist have done that well enough.
However, I do write to comment on how ironic some things are. It is very ironic that those who are vegan and/or vegetarian beg for the “rights” of animals. How about the “rights” of people to choose to eat as they please? Please stop ending every post with “Go Vegan”. We don’t want to. We don’t care that you are. That’s fine with us, just like we don’t care if you choose to drive a truck or a car as a personal preference. Please choose. But as people who are activists for animal rights shouldn’t you also be activists for human rights. As in the right for each human to choose to eat meat and animal products if they so choose?
It’s funny how ironic things can be when you are not stepping back to look at the big picture huh?
American farmers and producers (the good ones, not the occasional one depicted abusing animals & whether you agree with their occupation or not) have been the backbone for this nation, not only as it developed but even today as we strive to be energy independent. So, before you try to disgrace a person’s living, or the industry that holds what little bit of an economy we have together please consider where our nation would be without agriculture. And the answer is – extinct!
It is unfortunate that there are some farms that mistreat animals. It is just as unfortunate that some persons or groups will distort information from such a farm to the point of projecting the image that an entire industry operates in the same manner.
To the lady that is a vegan, I would say that while this is not my choice of lifestyle, I respect your choice. I trust that you will equally respect my choice to eat meat.
As far as whether this is a moral issue and whether we should treat farm animals equally with humans is addressed in scripture by God. He gave man dominion over all of the animals of the earth. He also showed the Apostle Peter in a vision that whatever God mad clean to eat was okay for Peter to eat. The description in scripture is very clear that this include all types of animals.
The morallity of this is that God has given man the right to raise animals for food and that it is okay to do so. I do believe that God calls us to act responsibly and respectfully in all endeavors. Therefore we should treat animals being raised for food in a caring manner as far as protecting them from predators, disease and bad weather when possible. That does not extend to the stopping the eventual and sole purpose of raising those animals which for food.
Roger
Many animal rights activists do not believe in the bible. So, citing biblical passages is worthless.
Even if one accepts the bible, one must accept that one only is allowed to eat meat due to the fall of man. Animals were not originally created for human consumption. It is in no way the ideal.
It is true that until B-12 supplements were invented, one could not have reliably remained healthy as a vegan. Even now, a few have unusual problems (that Michael Klaper’s vegan health study is trying to figure out).
But if one can remain healthy as a vegan, that is the best option.
The ‘best option’ according to who? The science on the health benefits of being vegan are murky at best. Could you cite several articles showing how a vegan lifestyle is healthier than an omnivorous one? I am sure you could. I could just as easily, and quickly, cite any number of articles from peer-reviewed sources claiming the reverse. As a matter of simple common sense, it does MATTER that humans are physiologically designed to be OMNIVORES not vegetarians. If that were not true, then our teeth would be MUCH larger and our appendix would be a functional organ, not a vestigial one. We turned that corner, as a species, millenia ago. My biggest gripe with the ‘go vegan!’ crowd is their continual self-aggrandizement, and their insistence that they have the moral high ground in the debate. The simple fact is, a vegan diet is not a natural choice for humans, it flies in the face of our own evolution as living creatures, and trying to equate meat consumption to immorality is simply hyperbole, nothing more. We are omnivores, and trying to make that a ‘bad thing,’ trying to make people ashamed to be what God made them, is straight up lunacy. If you want to be ashamed to be what you are, and want to tell yourself you are somehow ‘more enlightened’ etc because you choose to eat an unnatural diet, one that you have to take supplements in order to survive on, and somehow manage to convince yourself you are ‘better’ than people who ‘murder’ animals, fine. But just don’t expect the rest of us, who are NOT ashamed to be who we are and what Nature created us to be, to stand silent while you throw rocks at us. We *will* point out the cognitive disconnect. I take my rightful place in the food chain. I am a predator. I am an omnivore. More importantly, I know the truth about agriculture: it is not possible to feed the world without animal agriculture, without turning land that is useless for any other agricultural purpose into growing grass to feed herbivores who then convert that grass to proteins usable to humans. Without that portion of the food supply, fully 1/4 of the world’s PEOPLE would starve to death. If you want to claim to ‘love animals’ that is all well and good, but people are animals too. I give your own logic back to you: stop being a speciesist.
I come from a farm family, and wheat is what we harvest. Besides growing up in the Midweset I have lived in countries other than the U.S. and I have lived among poverty stricken areas where people struggle to eat.
I have eaten meat in the past but I eat mostly vegetables and grains now mainly for land sustainability issues and health reasons. I learned about these issues after living overseas. I think that animals are killed and eaten much more in this day and age in the Western world than they ever were in the past.
As for health concerns, the human body was formed over thousands of years to mainly eat vegetables and only the lucky or the rich could have access to meat. That is how it continues to be in many areas of the world, but not in the U.S. Here in the U.S. people are blessed, but we are also spoiled. We expect something that would normally be a treat to be a common occurence. People in the states eat meat at every meal and therefore people are getting too much of it, with health problems as a result. It is NOT normal for people in most parts of the world to have meat at EVERY meal. In the U.S. we eat far too much meat, and far too many sweets for our health.
People can get most of their nutrients from fruits, vegetables and grains. Protein can come from fish and eggs. Having grown up with farm animals I also have a great respect for them, and since in my opinion it isn’t necessary to kill them for food, why should I? I think that killing an animal is justified only if people are starving. It is a terrible thing to see the life slipping away from an animal – especially when you know that the reason is so that some obese person can have one more hamburger that he doesn’t really need.
From my experience, most farmers are reasonable and good people and they try to take care of their animals well. However, there are exceptions, and the video shown on HBO depicted that. I am thankful that the horrible practices on that farm in Ohio were exposed! Farmers must be held to high standards, and we must be the first to want these standards in order to get rid of people who give us a bad name.
It isn’t right for vegans to claim that all farmers are like the ones depicted in the film. At the same time, it isn’t right for farmers who raise animals to claim that according to the Bible, God gave human beings superiority over animals. I’m a Christian but if we based our society on the ancient writings in the Bible then women could be stoned for slight infractions and it would be legal to own slaves. So, instead, it would be better for us to use the brains that God gave us to come up with some workable solutions.
I think that farmers should have a dialogue with vegans and others who have misgivings about farms. There are lots of smart folks in both groups. Both groups would probably learn a lot from one another.
Farmers have a good point about the importance of providing food for the world. Also, what information can farmers give Americans regarding what family farms look like in this day and age?
Vegans have good points in their concerns for how animal production wears down the environment. How can vegans show farmers that this issue is important for all people? Vegans also have justified concerns about the welfare of animals.
However, we have to stop getting offended and keep getting on soap boxes. Instead, we need to treat one another respectfully and listen to the concerns that we all have. There are valid concerns on both sides. We should find common ground and work together from there. By working together we can come up with some solutions that most people in both groups will be more happy with.
Blessings to all.