Barn Buzz

Have you heard what Domino’s Pizza is doing now? They’re supporting America’s farm families, that’s what! The Domino’s corporation recently declared it trusts animal care experts to decide which practices are best for the production of animals for food.  

 

The shareholders of the company voted to reject a proposal from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) that would require the company’s pork producers to stop using gestation stalls. While this isn’t the first time HSUS has been rejected by Domino’s, it won’t be the last time HSUS proposes this type of policy to its shareholders.

 

"We’re pleased that 4% of all Domino’s shareholders feel strongly enough about animal protection to vote for our resolution, with an additional 16% at least abstaining from the vote so as to not block the resolution," says Matthew Prescott, HSUS’ food policy director. "We’re also pleased that the vote we garnered is of a sufficient level to allow us to resubmit a resolution to the company next year, if it fails to address the gestation crate issue by that time."

 

How can farmers prevent this from passing next year? There’s not much they can do but say thank-you for not supporting it this year and hope that the shareholders of Domino’s pizza will continue to use sound judgment and common sense.

 

Many plan to show their appreciation this weekend; in fact, hundreds of farm families are participating in an event called "Farmers Paying It Forward with Pizza" and you can get involved too! Here’s how it works. On the weekend of May 19, purchase a pizza from Domino’s. While you are there, leave a note for the manager explaining that you’re a semi local farmer (many will have to travel a distance to find a Domino’s) and express your appreciation for their company supporting your family. It’s that simple. Check out this Facebook event for more information.   

 

Are you going to get involved? Find the location nearest to you. We plan to participate and we’ll only have to drive 30 miles to get there!

 

 

Do you remember Big Bud, the famous farm tractor that was built in 1977 by Montana farmers Robert and Randy Williams? This massive tractor was built for use on the farm, and in the 20,000 hours it has under its belt it has been on farms in California, Florida and Montana.

 

 

The monster machine has literally traveled from coast to coast, but guess where I recently found it? I stumbled upon the giant at Heartland Acres, its new home in Independence, Iowa. The tractor first graced this agricultural museum with its presence in April 2010 and has been there ever since.

14 ft. tall

20 ft. 11 in. wide

28 ft. 6 in. long

1472 cubic inches of engine (Detroit 16v 92T)

1000 horsepower

TD 92-2610 Twin Disk Transmission

Clark 85840 Axles

1000 U.S. gallon fuel capacity

Weighs in at 135,000 lb.

8 tires at 8 ft. tall 40 in. wide

Can pull 80 ft. of chisel plow at 1.3 acres per minute

Original cost $300,000

 

The fourth case of BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy), also known as mad cow disease, to ever be found in the U.S. was confirmed today on a dairy farm in California. The Centers for Disease Control says that BSE "is a progressive neurological disorder of cattle that results from infection by an unusual transmissible agent called a prion." Because BSE is a neurological disorder, it cannot be transmitted to humans through milk or meat. The bovine version of the human disease Crutchfield-Jacobs disease, BSE can only be transferred through the ingestion of neurological tissues, whether in the brain or bone marrow. This is important to note because there is a misconception that BSE is contagious from one cow to the next, although it is not.

So is the cow really mad? The nickname "mad cow disease" is widely used and likely originated from the behavior of one of the first cows to be infected with BSE in the UK. Because it is a neurological disease, it often causes the animal to lose control of basic mobility functions. The cows appear to act drunk or crazy, i.e., "mad."

 

The case discovered today is an atypical strain. This means it rose spontaneously and was not transmitted through something the cow ingested. The USDA has not confirmed how the disease was contracted in the animal but has confirmed that the milk, meat and food supply is safe. "It was never presented for slaughter for human consumption, so at no time presented a risk to the food supply or human health," says USDA Chief Veterinarian John Clifford. "Additionally, milk does not transmit BSE." The carcass of the dead animal is now in the hands of the state's ag department.  

 

While this means that the food safety system is working, today's finding will undoubtedly cause fear in consumers. Similar to the first case of BSE in the U.S., which was found on Dec. 23, 2003, and was nicknamed the Christmas Cow, today’s events will likely lead to lower milk prices for dairy farmers. Since that time, only three others (including today’s) have been discovered in America. It is important to reassure your friends and neighbors that their milk is safe! "Milk isn’t Mad or Bad."