Forum Looks at Future of Animal Ag
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 07/17/2009 - 12:09pm.
Charlene M. Shupp Espenshade
Special Sections Editor
LANCASTER, Pa. — What is the future of agriculture? How will legislation impact how farmers can raise their livestock? What role will the public play in the look and management of tomorrow’s industry? For many farmers, the future can look murky.
Sharing a recap of this spring’s Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit in Alexandria, Va., Jim Adams of Wenger Feeds addressed the Ag Issues Forum at the Farm and Home Center last week.
“Why some of our systems have developed the way they have is we feel those environments keep the animals healthy and a healthy food supply,” he said. A main message of the Animal Agriculture Alliance summit was that “consumers want to know where their food comes from.”
One challenge facing agriculture, Adams said, is its tendency for infighting. Because of agriculture’s inability to unify with one voice, other groups have gained a foothold in the political arena as to how livestock should be raised.
When promoting farming, Adams said, “say what you do well. Don’t go picking on the other guy.”
Farmer-to-farmer support should also be expressed at local municipal meetings, Adams said, relaying a key point of one of the conference speakers. If a farm is looking to expand or change his or her business, others need to attend in a show of support. It will help community leaders see that there is support for the project, not just opposition.
In dealing with animal welfare issues, several speakers shared their thoughts on how to hold a discussion on a controversial topic. They pointed out that some consumers need to be reached on an emotional level, while others prefer to just stick to the facts.
Adams said that animal housing systems have evolved to take care of the animal and to improve animal observation and animal health. Many of the older technologies were abandoned for a reason.
On the farm, Adams said that farms need to have clear, written job descriptions for employees. One safety/terrorism expert stressed the importance of doing background checks on all employees to avoid infiltration by animal rights groups on farms.
Adams referred to the Esbenshade Farms poultry case in which a worker tried several different means until he was hired by the company, and then went on to have the farm cited for animal cruelty violations. The farm was later acquitted, but not before going to a publicized trial.
The hiring agreements should also have a non-disclosure clause, to avoid the taking of company information. The security expert urged that animal welfare guidelines be written out and enforced.
In reaching out to the consumer, several speakers said agricultural groups and farmers need to build on working cooperatively and not to duplicate education and outreach efforts.
Looking to the next generation, Adams said that farmers need to realize how consumers use social networking, the Internet and other technologies to communicate. Animal rights groups are using these tools to share their message.
Several speakers noted that Congress and the Obama administration are moving toward more regulation. In addition, there might be a reinterpretation and/or implementation of federal regulations.
Adams also said that statistics show that many of the newly-elected members of Congress support protectionism and are against free trade policies. However, many in agriculture believe that the free trade system has benefited them.
There is also a legislation in a U.S. House committee to ban subtherapeutic antibiotic use in animal production, which could potentially be signed into law.
“Washington is not thinking for you or your industry,” Adams said. “Government will affect your business one way or another.” That requires farmers to be involved and aware of agriculture policy.
Charlene Shupp Espenshade can be reached at cshupp.eph@lnpnews.com.
Charlene M. Shupp Espenshade
Special Sections Editor
LANCASTER, Pa. — What is the future of agriculture? How will legislation impact how farmers can raise their livestock? What role will the public play in the look and management of tomorrow’s industry? For many farmers, the future can look murky.
Sharing a recap of this spring’s Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit in Alexandria, Va., Jim Adams of Wenger Feeds addressed the Ag Issues Forum at the Farm and Home Center last week.
“Why some of our systems have developed the way they have is we feel those environments keep the animals healthy and a healthy food supply,” he said. A main message of the Animal Agriculture Alliance summit was that “consumers want to know where their food comes from.”
One challenge facing agriculture, Adams said, is its tendency for infighting. Because of agriculture’s inability to unify with one voice, other groups have gained a foothold in the political arena as to how livestock should be raised.
When promoting farming, Adams said, “say what you do well. Don’t go picking on the other guy.”
Farmer-to-farmer support should also be expressed at local municipal meetings, Adams said, relaying a key point of one of the conference speakers. If a farm is looking to expand or change his or her business, others need to attend in a show of support. It will help community leaders see that there is support for the project, not just opposition.
In dealing with animal welfare issues, several speakers shared their thoughts on how to hold a discussion on a controversial topic. They pointed out that some consumers need to be reached on an emotional level, while others prefer to just stick to the facts.
Adams said that animal housing systems have evolved to take care of the animal and to improve animal observation and animal health. Many of the older technologies were abandoned for a reason.
On the farm, Adams said that farms need to have clear, written job descriptions for employees. One safety/terrorism expert stressed the importance of doing background checks on all employees to avoid infiltration by animal rights groups on farms.
Adams referred to the Esbenshade Farms poultry case in which a worker tried several different means until he was hired by the company, and then went on to have the farm cited for animal cruelty violations. The farm was later acquitted, but not before going to a publicized trial.
The hiring agreements should also have a non-disclosure clause, to avoid the taking of company information. The security expert urged that animal welfare guidelines be written out and enforced.
In reaching out to the consumer, several speakers said agricultural groups and farmers need to build on working cooperatively and not to duplicate education and outreach efforts.
Looking to the next generation, Adams said that farmers need to realize how consumers use social networking, the Internet and other technologies to communicate. Animal rights groups are using these tools to share their message.
Several speakers noted that Congress and the Obama administration are moving toward more regulation. In addition, there might be a reinterpretation and/or implementation of federal regulations.
Adams also said that statistics show that many of the newly-elected members of Congress support protectionism and are against free trade policies. However, many in agriculture believe that the free trade system has benefited them.
There is also a legislation in a U.S. House committee to ban subtherapeutic antibiotic use in animal production, which could potentially be signed into law.
“Washington is not thinking for you or your industry,” Adams said. “Government will affect your business one way or another.” That requires farmers to be involved and aware of agriculture policy.
Charlene Shupp Espenshade can be reached at cshupp.eph@lnpnews.com.
