EASY STEPS To Improve Animal Welfare

Good livestock nutrition is important not just to increase the productivity of your herd, but also for animal welfare and, increasingly important today, for avoiding criticism in the news media by animal activist organizations.

Two of the most vocal activist groups are the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).  PETA is the uses more extreme rhetoric, which makes the HSUS seem more reasonable to the public.  But make no mistake, both of these groups want to end animal agriculture as their ultimate goal.

While inadequate or insufficient cattle nutrition is only one of many issues the groups harangue, it is an easy topic for these groups to use when they attempt to stir the emotions of the general public and policy makers.

Other frequent allegations by these types of organizations – some of which admit to never having visited the cattle operations they criticize, including feedlots and processing plants – address the living conditions of the animals, such as confinement to small spaces or lack of access to sunshine and fresh air.

No one has a bigger stake in the welfare and productivity of beef cattle than the farmers and ranchers themselves. For this reason, a number of organizations with a thorough understanding of the beef cattle industry have established guidelines for animal care. These organizations include: the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA Beef Quality Assurance Guidelines), the American Veterinary Medical Assn., the National Council for Agricultural Education and the American Meat Institute.

Here are some frequently mentioned and advised animal welfare practices:

1. Take all steps possible to prevent non-ambulatory cattle  (“downers”) but when these animals occur (a small percent age of total livestock) refrain from transporting them to  market facilities or auctions.

2. Follow best practice recommendations in the proper  administration of animal health products.

3. Provide animals access to nutritious food and clean water  daily, and provide access to clean pastures.

4. Provide timely and appropriate veterinary care as needed to prevent disease and to treat it when it occurs.

5. Ensure that facilities allow for the safe, humane and  efficient movement, restraint, and transport of livestock.

6. Ensure that all personnel are trained in proper animal care  techniques that will keep animal stress to a minimum.

7. Do not tolerate any mistreatment of animals.

Maintaining strong relations with the community and policy makers in your region can help instill public support and confidence in your operations – and help build allies in the event an animal activist group levels emotion-laden attacks your way.