AgDay Daily Recap - February 29, 2012

February 29, 2012

By: AgDay TV

TODAY ON AGDAY

FEBRUARY 29, 2012

HORSE SLAUGHTER:

Good morning. Debate is heating-up after a story we first reported on Monday about a horse slaughter plant in southwest Missouri. A company called unified equine wants to open the plant near the town of Mountain Grove. This would be the first plant to open in the U.S., after president Obama signed-into-law a spending bill that restores the horse-slaughter industry. In this follow-up report, Linda Russell from affiliate KYTV talked with people in the industry about owners who can't afford to keep horses...in this poor economy.

INBOX:

Thanks Linda. We received numerous emails and comments on our Facebook page about this plant...and most of those comments are in favor of it. A horse owner from Coats, Kansas says she "...doesn't see anything wrong with a slaughter plant, at least you would know things were being handled humanely." Another viewer said - "if horses are shipped out of our country and then slaughtered, they are still slaughtered. Why not keep the jobs here?" From Facebook, Janet writes "give the horses death with dignity and help the country financially at the same time." Also from Facebook, Missy writes "these animals will be raised to be slaughtered. I do not understand how that is giving a horse a death with dignity." Our thanks to everyone for sharing their comments. We have even more comments on our website and on Facebook.

FUTURE OF FARMING:

Some of you may remember when your farm got its first phone. That was progress! We've come a long way from those days. AgDay's national reporter Tyne Morgan takes a look at how smart phones are helping the way people farm, Tyne. Thanks, Clinton. By 2015, it's projected just under half of the total U.S. population will be accessing the internet from their mobile device. In the upcoming 2012 census of agriculture, the USDA will include a new question - asking if farmers use smart-phones for internet access. Those portable devices are an essential tool for today's farmer. Whether it's sitting in meetings, or attending farm shows farmers of all ages are on their phones. And it seems using smartphones in agriculture is a growing trend. For this tobacco farmer, it's more than just the markets and weather. He's able to control a time consuming portion of his operation from his phone. Companies like John Deere are also grasping the trend. Through the JD link mobile application, the time-consuming feat of servicing equipment will become proactive versus reactive for farmers. With more than 80 employees, coordinating people and trucks could be a full-time job for John Stewart. A new mobile application, however, is making that job less time intensive. With a family at home, that's important to Stewart. Farmers don't really know the term "work life balance" because for them, it's 24-7. Smartphones are helping change that. Clinton, although smartphone users have these applications at their fingertips, many phones are actually underutilized. So, many people aren't actually downloading these apps? That's right. A recent study by the Nielsen Company found 25% of smartphone users don't use data at all. The company says people have purchased a device that has more computing power than what was used to send men to the moon, yet they only use their phones to make calls and send text messages.

SOUTHEAST LAND VALUES:

In agribusiness, farmland values have seen a double digit boom across the Midwest. New data from the southeast shows that region isn't keeping pace. The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond just released its latest survey of area ag bankers. That district is reporting good farmland prices in the third quarter are down 4.5% over the previous year. It averaged just over 3,200 dollars an acre. The surveyed-bankers expect land values to continue to weaken.

ANALYSIS:

Joe Vaclavik

IN THE COUNTRY; CELERY:

You may like it with peanut butter, cream cheese, or as ants on a log. Maybe it's a snack or part of your favorite soup. No matter how you slice it, celery is a versatile vegetable. And as Tracy Sellers of California bountiful tells us, farmers in the golden state are celebrating this long legged green from farm to fork. Thanks Tracy. Up next, Food and Your Family.

FARMERS FEEDING THE WORLD:

In its effort to alleviate world hunger, the Farm Journal Foundation hit a major goal this week. Its "Farmers Feeding the World" campaign made its largest single commitment to date - a one million dollar grant to Heifer International. Heifer International provides livestock and agricultural training to improve the lives of those who struggle daily for reliable sources of food and income. According to the Farm Journal Foundation, this grant will be targeted to sustainable hunger relief projects in Appalachia, the Arkansas Delta, Haiti and Sierra Leone.

SECOND BREAKFAST:

And as Americans spend more of their morning on the go---breakfast is going with them.

Industry experts say more of us are eating smaller servings but multiple times during the morning hours. Gone are the days of big single serve, sit and eat meals of pancakes, eggs, toast and bacon. Now busy households are starting with a smaller quick meal and then having a mid-morning snack. Food companies have caught on to the second breakfast trend. They're now marketing more mid-morning options for consumers.

CONTACT:

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COMMENTS (6 Comments)

Monika Courtney - Evergreen, CO
Why can comments not be posted ? Are you removing any that do not fit your views ? Please let me know. I tried to post this comment:
In a topic with such relevance to all of the nation's horse folks it is imperative to stay biased and show both sides. Many have submitted comments, many of them were NOT in favor of horse slaughter. So AgDay's representation is not covering that side, those who are not in favor. For a highly respectable and professional outlet it is expected to represent both sides of a hot topic that addresses the rest of the nation, not just those in your interests. Here was my comment: Dear Linda,
I read your recent article on the Horse slaughter issue. I am one to educate against horse slaughter, because I believe in real humane alternatives and grabbing the cause of the problem by the roots, which is over-breeding. I found your article interesting and was pleased to see that local attorney Cynthia MacPherson will explore the negative impact of such proposals in your community.
Horse slaughter is a complex topic. I have learned much here: www.savingamericashorses.org This is a film that won global awards and sheds light onto the topic. It is a documentary with many celeb's supporting it, big names in the horse welfare community and the director has compiled her research of many years into an educational journey for others.
Much of horse slaughter is not known to the general public - and few have the stomach to investigate at depth. In light of the cruelty and violations that have occurred, the lack of oversight and the propaganda of pro slaughter industry moguls, I have contacted Dr. Temple Grandin last year. She herself told me, that each time she left a slaughter plant, personnel went back to their lazy ways and the animals suffered. She strongly suggested video surveillance because the cruelty is imminent and personnel burnt out.
I have written a lot on this and wanted to know if you may be willing to publish one of my articles. My intention is to educate the horse community on both sides. I am not against slaughtering animals, but I am against exploitative, biased propaganda under the guise of "humane", when the evidence on all fronts speaks volumes that it was never, can never be humane. In addition, I like to focus on alternatives and solutions against this hideous practice.
I have many credible highly respected sources and contacts in this. We use the truth and facts as our bases, and our concern for true horse welfare. I have 3 horses myself and could never imagine them going to the hellish slaughter pipeline to meet their maker.
The current hot topic of resuming horse slaughter in America is one of great concern.
There is, and never was, humane slaughter. The shocking violations in past slaughter plants are documented and it is one of the most predatory industries.
Slaughter is not the answer. The mentality of DISCARDING must stop. It’s a well known fact that even in the good ol’USA inspections were seriously lacking to ensure any aspect of “humanity” which indeed does not exist, but is a big word for propaganda purposes. No slaughter was ever “humane”, whether here or abroad. This country is out of control with breeding. Not just horses, but dogs/cats who pay the ultimate price for an ignorant society at best. Regulate this excess breeding, increase registration fees and rethink the throw-away approach. The excuses of pro-slaughter folks do NOT reflect a responsible desire to find a morally feasible solution, but embellish their agenda with misleading fairy tales of humane euthanasia, which slaughter is not. The public health threat of adulterated meat is another significant component that is dismissed and reflects the very ill-minded principle of pro-slaughter action.To see how a modern country like the US resorts to such backwards dealings and trends of animal cruelty is worrisome and shameful.Furthermore the finger pointing blame-game by pro slaughter minds such as Wallis of labeling anyone opposing this very propaganda as an animal rights terrorist just demonstrates the lack of intelligence and the profit-driven tunnel-vision on the factual substance of the matter.
The serious public health threat of horse meat is evident. Horses are not raised for human food consumption and the presence of toxic drugs makes horse meat even dangerous enough to be banned from dog food. The ignorance and greed of sue Wallis add only more bad taste to the national disdain that is looming over her proposed plan. Bute, Clenbuterol, PBZ (horse aspirin, widely used for Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds) Stereoids and Banamine… are not a cocktail to be fed to unsuspecting humans. Also the risk of a potential Trichinosis outbreak is unconscionable. People do not eat horses in America, period. Neither should people in other countries !
If Wallis’ bloody lust for horse flesh would indeed be initiated by a concern for the “welfare” of horses…, one can wonder why the country so vehemently opposes such ideas. There are alternative solutions, horses need no slaughter plant, only a second chance.
Hay banks, special programs within rescues (such as Trails End of Colorado Front Range Equine Rescue), cost-reduced humane euthanasia (administered by a licensed vet) or programs such as the Arizona Dept of Agriculture’s Equine Rescue Registry -
http://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2010/10/26/state-agriculture-department-launches-registry-to-help-abandoned-horses/
are available. Wallis is nothing but a self-appointed, grotesque entrepreneur, who is using people’s naivete and economic pressures for personal gain. http://www.vetsforequinewelfare.org/medications.php
It is the strong position of VEW members that absent any formal regulation or structure by the United States with regard to medications and food safety withdrawal schedules for equines entering the food chain, horsemeat derived from any U.S. horse can never be regarded as safe for human consumption.
Furthermore, VEW member veterinarians strongly object to the AVMA and AAEP position in favor of horse slaughter for human consumption. For the AVMA and AAEP to condone the human consumption of meat derived from equines that have not been raised or medicated in a manner consistent with food safety regulations is, in our opinion, unethical, disingenuous, and dangerous.So Missouri is on the map for national outrage, tourist boycotts, contamination and sanitary hazards, ignominy, shame and litigation, brainwashing a new diet of horse carcass/meat/product which is unfit for human food, misbranded or adulterated (laced with ingredients not approved for food safety standards) and Wallis’ view on wholesomeness an insult to our intelligence and health. Profit is the main incentive driving the pro-slaughter minds: greed and exploitation, a way to continue the irresponsible dumping grounds of looking the other way, an American trademark.
I hope you will look at both sides and realize that the truth on horse slaughter is very disturbing, and I hope you have the courage to find out. If you would publish an article with a solution minded focus on this topic, please contact me, as I am a horse advocate who works to expose that truth and prevent the "industry" from further using their propaganda of "jobs, economy, "humane" slaughter" etc, to brainwash Americans. Horses don't need slaughter, only a second chance, and responsible owners. Horse slaughter does nothing but encourage the irresponsible breeding to continue and promotes a dumping ground and a lazy way out. Horse slaughter has never been humane and USDA has violated standards to the dark ages. The below link to the global award-winning documentary is an unbiased report on why this predatory practice must never return to America. This country was built on horseback. Time to remember and honor our horses, domestic and wild. We must educate the public on alternatives.

12:35 PM Mar 3rd

Monika Courtney - Evergreen, CO
www.savingamericashorses.org
12:26 PM Mar 3rd

Monika Courtney - Evergreen, CO
In a topic with such relevance to all of the nation's horse folks it is imperative to stay biased and show both sides. Many have submitted comments, many of them were NOT in favor of horse slaughter. So AgDay's representation is not covering that side, those who are not in favor. For a highly respectable and professional outlet it is expected to represent both sides of a hot topic that addresses the rest of the nation, not just those in your interests. Here was my comment: Dear Linda,
I read your recent article on the Horse slaughter issue. I am one to educate against horse slaughter, because I believe in real humane alternatives and grabbing the cause of the problem by the roots, which is over-breeding. I found your article interesting and was pleased to see that local attorney Cynthia MacPherson will explore the negative impact of such proposals in your community.
Horse slaughter is a complex topic. I have learned much here: www.savingamericashorses.org This is a film that won global awards and sheds light onto the topic. It is a documentary with many celeb's supporting it, big names in the horse welfare community and the director has compiled her research of many years into an educational journey for others.
Much of horse slaughter is not known to the general public - and few have the stomach to investigate at depth. In light of the cruelty and violations that have occurred, the lack of oversight and the propaganda of pro slaughter industry moguls, I have contacted Dr. Temple Grandin last year. She herself told me, that each time she left a slaughter plant, personnel went back to their lazy ways and the animals suffered. She strongly suggested video surveillance because the cruelty is imminent and personnel burnt out.
I have written a lot on this and wanted to know if you may be willing to publish one of my articles. My intention is to educate the horse community on both sides. I am not against slaughtering animals, but I am against exploitative, biased propaganda under the guise of "humane", when the evidence on all fronts speaks volumes that it was never, can never be humane. In addition, I like to focus on alternatives and solutions against this hideous practice.
I have many credible highly respected sources and contacts in this. We use the truth and facts as our bases, and our concern for true horse welfare. I have 3 horses myself and could never imagine them going to the hellish slaughter pipeline to meet their maker.
The current hot topic of resuming horse slaughter in America is one of great concern.
There is, and never was, humane slaughter. The shocking violations in past slaughter plants are documented and it is one of the most predatory industries.
Slaughter is not the answer. The mentality of DISCARDING must stop. It’s a well known fact that even in the good ol’USA inspections were seriously lacking to ensure any aspect of “humanity” which indeed does not exist, but is a big word for propaganda purposes. No slaughter was ever “humane”, whether here or abroad. This country is out of control with breeding. Not just horses, but dogs/cats who pay the ultimate price for an ignorant society at best. Regulate this excess breeding, increase registration fees and rethink the throw-away approach. The excuses of pro-slaughter folks do NOT reflect a responsible desire to find a morally feasible solution, but embellish their agenda with misleading fairy tales of humane euthanasia, which slaughter is not. The public health threat of adulterated meat is another significant component that is dismissed and reflects the very ill-minded principle of pro-slaughter action.To see how a modern country like the US resorts to such backwards dealings and trends of animal cruelty is worrisome and shameful.Furthermore the finger pointing blame-game by pro slaughter minds such as Wallis of labeling anyone opposing this very propaganda as an animal rights terrorist just demonstrates the lack of intelligence and the profit-driven tunnel-vision on the factual substance of the matter.
The serious public health threat of horse meat is evident. Horses are not raised for human food consumption and the presence of toxic drugs makes horse meat even dangerous enough to be banned from dog food. The ignorance and greed of sue Wallis add only more bad taste to the national disdain that is looming over her proposed plan. Bute, Clenbuterol, PBZ (horse aspirin, widely used for Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds) Stereoids and Banamine… are not a cocktail to be fed to unsuspecting humans. Also the risk of a potential Trichinosis outbreak is unconscionable. People do not eat horses in America, period. Neither should people in other countries !
If Wallis’ bloody lust for horse flesh would indeed be initiated by a concern for the “welfare” of horses…, one can wonder why the country so vehemently opposes such ideas. There are alternative solutions, horses need no slaughter plant, only a second chance.
Hay banks, special programs within rescues (such as Trails End of Colorado Front Range Equine Rescue), cost-reduced humane euthanasia (administered by a licensed vet) or programs such as the Arizona Dept of Agriculture’s Equine Rescue Registry -
http://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2010/10/26/state-agriculture-department-launches-registry-to-help-abandoned-horses/
are available. Wallis is nothing but a self-appointed, grotesque entrepreneur, who is using people’s naivete and economic pressures for personal gain. http://www.vetsforequinewelfare.org/medications.php
It is the strong position of VEW members that absent any formal regulation or structure by the United States with regard to medications and food safety withdrawal schedules for equines entering the food chain, horsemeat derived from any U.S. horse can never be regarded as safe for human consumption.
Furthermore, VEW member veterinarians strongly object to the AVMA and AAEP position in favor of horse slaughter for human consumption. For the AVMA and AAEP to condone the human consumption of meat derived from equines that have not been raised or medicated in a manner consistent with food safety regulations is, in our opinion, unethical, disingenuous, and dangerous.So Missouri is on the map for national outrage, tourist boycotts, contamination and sanitary hazards, ignominy, shame and litigation, brainwashing a new diet of horse carcass/meat/product which is unfit for human food, misbranded or adulterated (laced with ingredients not approved for food safety standards) and Wallis’ view on wholesomeness an insult to our intelligence and health. Profit is the main incentive driving the pro-slaughter minds: greed and exploitation, a way to continue the irresponsible dumping grounds of looking the other way, an American trademark.
I hope you will look at both sides and realize that the truth on horse slaughter is very disturbing, and I hope you have the courage to find out. If you would publish an article with a solution minded focus on this topic, please contact me, as I am a horse advocate who works to expose that truth and prevent the "industry" from further using their propaganda of "jobs, economy, "humane" slaughter" etc, to brainwash Americans. Horses don't need slaughter, only a second chance, and responsible owners. Horse slaughter does nothing but encourage the irresponsible breeding to continue and promotes a dumping ground and a lazy way out. Horse slaughter has never been humane and USDA has violated standards to the dark ages. The below link to the global award-winning documentary is an unbiased report on why this predatory practice must never return to America. This country was built on horseback. Time to remember and honor our horses, domestic and wild. We must educate the public on alternatives. Would you help me ? Monika Courtney

12:25 PM Mar 3rd