This is a test. Only a test.

I recently watched a report by Brian Ross on ABC’s Nightline. The report was titled “The Disturbing Reality of Dairy Land” and featured video footage from an “Undercover Investigator” at a large “Factory Farm” in New York. As a dairyman watching this report I quickly realized that this was not an investigative report as had been advertised but simply a propaganda piece by radical animal rights groups (Mercy for Animals and HSUS).

The video of the cows that was shown was not taken by ABC, rather it was shot by the “Undercover Investigator” who certainly had his agenda to prove. I began wondering if some of the clips were staged to enhance the shock value. For instance, I know of no dairyman who docks tails in the manner shown in the report. All the dairies I know use rubber bands that cut off circulation, and the tail just falls off in a few weeks. There seems to be very little pain and no blood involved with this method – not very shocking.

While I immediately saw this report for what it truly is, I realized that people unfamiliar with modern dairies would likely believe the fallacy of the report and believe that cows are abused and mistreated by dairy farmers; this could not be farther from the truth. In an attempt to counter the claims in the Nightline report I will attempt to compare cows to people, only because the term “humane” is used so frequently to describe the way farm animals should be treated, although they are not human and should not be confused as such.

The cows in the report were shown standing in a crowded holding pen with no room to move. The assumption was made that cows are kept in this condition all day, every day, when in reality those cows were there only for a few minutes while waiting for their turn to go into the barn to be milked. This is much like stepping into a crowded elevator or crowded subway car. We would not want to be there all day, but we tolerate it long enough to get where we are going. After being milked all the cows return to their pen where they have access to fresh feed, water, and a dry comfortable stall to lay down in (not shown in the report).

During stormy weather people like to be inside where it is warm and dry, these cows have a warm dry barn to protect them from stormy weather. Likewise, when it is hot outside people like to stay inside an air-conditioned building, these cows have a shaded barn with fans and misters to keep them cool and comfortable.

These cows have their home cleaned at least once, probably twice a day. I know the report shows cows in several inches of manure, however since no reasonable explanation was given; I will assume that the corrals were in the process of being cleaned. The manure had been pushed to one end of the coral, but had not yet been pushed all the way out of the coral (video footage being taken out of context for shock value). Some cows seek out dirty spots to lie in and seem to be able to find one regardless of the care taken to prevent it. We all know people whose personal hygiene is less than perfect; these people are the exception not the rule.

These cows have their beds made for them at least daily (raked out with clean fresh bedding applied as needed).

Every day these cows are fed a diet that is specially formulated to meet their nutritional requirements. This diet is formulated by a trained professional dairy nutritionist in order to provide the best health and comfort to the cow. These cows are also provided with all the fresh clean water they can drink (water being the beverage of choice for cows).

I hope you are beginning to see that these cows may be treated more “humanely” than a lot of people. They are also provided with a pedicurist (hoof trimmer) and a doctor (veterinarian) when ever needed without having to worry about paying the bill.

There seems to be much concern about the pain involved with certain management practices such as dehorning. While there is some pain involved with dehorning the animals are better off without their horns. People undergo medical procedures that are painful knowing that it is for their own good. Who enjoys having their wisdom teeth pulled? It is painful and can cause discomfort for several days, yet we still pull wisdom teeth. Similarly, we must dehorn calves for their own good. Dehorning methods have improved greatly over the years, we used to take a saw and cut the horns off (talk about a bloody mess). Today we simply burn them for a few seconds while the horns are still very small.

The report concludes with an attack on the ethics of America’s dairy farmers. I would say the ethics are with the people who get up early every morning 365 days of the years (weekends and holidays included) to place the care and well being of their cows above their own comfort and often that of their family.

America’s dairy farmers take pride in caring for our animals and producing a safe wholesome product for you and your family. In the future if people have questions about farming don’t ask ABC – ask a farmer.

For more information on animal care go to www.conversationsoncare.com.

I believe very much in the use of antibiotics in livestock and I also believe very much that the use of antibiotics is safe. I have no problem feeding my family an animal that had been given antibiotics. Let me tell you why I feel that strongly.

The antibiotics used in livestock production have been tested and deemed safe. They go through rigorous testing and do not contribute to anti-biotic resistance in any way, shape or form. Mandatory doses, treatment regimens and withdrawal periods are in place to make their use even safer. But that is not all.

I regularly consult with my veterinarian on the use of those antibiotics. I understand the symptoms I am treating and use the right medicine in the right dose and observe the withdrawal period. I understand that antibiotics are absolutely necessary to insure the health of my animals, and I also understand the necessity to protect the health of those eating the food I produce. I also believe the uses of antibiotics are necessary to ethically produce livestock and here is an example.

Last week I noticed one of my week old lambs was not acting right. On closer inspection, the lamb had I discovered that the lamb had developed pneumonia. Pneumonia, untreated, will kill a lamb in a matter of just a couple of hours. I treated the lamb with an anti-biotic prescribed by my veterinarian and in a couple of hours he was back on the road to good health. We made note of the treatment and the withdrawal time will easily be attained. I would have no problem with my family, my children, consuming meat from this lamb.

I also have no doubt that without this powerful antibiotic the lamb would have died. I feel it is my duty to my livestock to provide them with the best care possible. I also ask that you, the consumer, trust the professionals charged with the development and use of such medicines. The protection and safety of the consumer is our first priority with the animal’s health and well-being a close second. That is the truth about the antibiotics I use on my farm and ranch and ultimately the meat I feed my family.

Did you know?

February is “Beef Lover's Month." In a recent survey 50% of people think beef tenderloin is the best way to say, "I love you." Forty-three percent said they would choose a steak meal to kick off a romantic evening of hot tub time, back rubs and champagne. 36% say beef is more often associated with "magnetism." This is more than fish (22 percent), pork (21 percent) and chicken (21 percent).

Are you looking for a recipes for Valentine’s Day give one of these recipes from the Beef Check Off Program a try.

T-Bone Steak for Two is a delicious meal to celebrate perfect pairs.

Filet Mignon with Herb-Butter Sauce and Mushrooms is a great recipe for the more than half of Americans (53%) who prefer filet mignon to accompany candlelight, red wine, linen tablecloths and romance.

How do farmers care for their animals? If you turn to the nightly news you will not see an accurate image of how farmers care for their livestock. Once again a major news network has aired an emotional video and story concerning animal care on farms. I have said it before and I will say it again, bad actors need to be punished for abusing animals. I do not condone animal abuse nor does any farmer I know. The alleged abuse that was showed on a dairy farm on ABC last night is not typical of how animals are cared for today. The person shown hitting or kicking the animals needs to be held accountable for their actions.

I am still troubled by the media only showing video of farms where alleged abuse takes place while choosing emotional words to describe what viewers are being told to see. Why don't they show all the farmers who are caring for their animals the right way so society can see the real picture of how animals are cared for? These videos are not typical of how farmers and ranchers protect and care for their livestock. It doesn't matter what size or type a farm is, farmers know healthy animals produce healthy food. We eat and drink the same food as do you, the consumer. We want our children to have healthy and safe food. This is why my husband spends more time with our animals on a daily basis than he does with me or our children. This is why when it is three degrees below zero outside my husband is out in the cold weather checking on our cattle or checking to make sure our hogs are comfortable inside our heated barns.

Just last night, my husband missed our daughter's basketball game because our livestock needed his attention. While he was checking on the pigs and cattle, our daughter scored her first ever three point shot at the age of 12. Where was her daddy? Outside in 15 degree weather checking our cattle and looking for a missing calf. He wasn't on the bench cheering her on next to me. Was our daughter disappointed? Sure, but she knows the livestock come first because she also knows healthy animals produce healthy food.

So why aren't stories like these on the nightly news? Because sensationalized stories increase viewers, not the truth.

I'm tired of farmers being painted with a broad brush. The type or size of farm doesn't impact the quality of animal care. What impacts animal care is the farmer and the tools available to him to make his animals comfortable. Thanks to technology I no longer have pigs on my farm born outside in freezing temperatures where they freeze to the ground. My pigs are in heated barns where they are not exposed to predator attacks, disease or the weather. Our family has borrowed a lot of money from the bank to make our animals comfortable inside our barns because it was the right way to protect our animals. Everything we do for animals is to protect them and keep them comfortable. And we do it even when it means missing our daughters first three point shot ever. Too bad ABC didn't tell that story on the nightly news.

Here is a video I just found on the dairy industry from Utah State Veterinarian Dr. Bruce King.