animal welfare Archives - Minnesota Farm Living

Yes, There is a “Science” to Moving Pigs

June 1, 2017 By Wanda Patsche

The one thing I appreciate about education is you can look back and realize that things could have been better . . . if you only knew. That was my realization after I completed the TQA (Transport Quality Assurance) Plus class, a class about best practices in transporting or moving hogs. I have moved my share of pigs in the past and to be honest, the experience was quite exasperating. I soon found out that yes, there is a “science” to moving pigs.

TQA (Transport Quality Assurance) Plus

TQA Plus is part of the WeCare initiative. The WeCare program demonstrates that people in agriculture are accountable to established ethical principles and animal well-being practices. TQA was developed for all people involved in animal movement, such as transporters, farmers and handlers.

Let’s Look at the Basics

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What I Wish People Knew About Pig Farming

April 20, 2017 By Wanda Patsche

Recently, I participated in an online video discussion with an Animal Welfare class from an eastern U.S. university. The purpose of the class was to give class attendees a farmer’s perspective on pig issues related to animal welfare. There were two of us, myself and another farmer from Indiana. We were given a few questions ahead of time, but we also answered questions directly from the class about pig farming. By the end of the class period, it was apparent there was a definite flavor of animal rights views within the classroom. Later, as I pondered about the class discussion, I thought very hard about the animal right’s perspective and agenda. I really wanted to “see” animal welfare issues through their eyes.

I struggled.

I think what is most frustrating for farmers is how do we communicate our experiences so others also feel and see the same experiences.

What I wish people knew about Pigs — Pigs

I wish others could experience the things we experience.

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Why Livestock Farmers Are Worried And Anxious About Wolves

April 18, 2017 By Wanda Patsche

Wolves are an important part of our ecosystem in northern Minnesota. Northern Minnesota has an ideal habitat for wolves. Unfortunately, their populations had been significantly reduced in prior years (mid-1960s) due to human persecution, habitat deterioration and prey reduction. Wolf populations were extremely and dangerously low. In 1966, the wolf was listed on the Endangered Species Act (ESA), which resulted in an expanding wolf population. Currently, because the wolf is on the Endangered Species List, the only way a wolf can be killed is to protect human life.

Current State of the Wolf Population

No one is questioning the decision to put the wolf on the Endangered Species List in the 1960s. But what is the current wolf population in Minnesota? Right now, the gray wolf population is estimated at 1 for every 10 square miles. Only Alaska has a higher wolf density.

Federal Guidelines for Delisting the Wolf–Is it Time?

The federal guidelines for delisting is a wolf population of 1200-1400. In 2013, the wolf population in Minnesota was estimated at 2200. So based on the federal guidelines, the wolf was delisted in 2012 to 2014.

Nathan Nelson, a farmer near Hinkley, explains the history of the government wolf intervention:

As a result of a successful re-establishment effort, the gray wolf exceeded the target population goals and in 2011 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service returned management of the wolves to individual states. Then the MN Department of Natural Resources (DNR) established a hunting season. The first hunting season was held the fall of 2012, a second season the fall of 2013 and the 2014 season was cut short December 19 by U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell in ruling that returned the gray wolf to protection under the Endangered Species Act

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Where Did Blue Apron Go Wrong?

March 30, 2017 By Wanda Patsche

This past Christmas I bought two gift certificates for my daughters to Blue Apron. Blue Apron is a company that provides all the ingredients for a meal (made from scratch) that you cook at home. It is one of the newest food trends. My reasoning for the gift certificates is their lives are busy. They work full time and have young children—need I say more? Unfortunately, Blue Apron has revealed their true self to me which caused me to ask, “Where did Blue Apron go wrong?”

“Food Fear”

What I realized is Blue Apron is perpetuating “food fear”–the food fear that is so popular as a marketing tactic we see frequently today. In fact, after watching one of their commercials, it appears to me they are following the same path as Chipotle.

Truth Revealed

A few days ago, a Blue Apron post appeared on my Facebook newsfeed. It stated the company was going to start partnering with Bill Niman (of Niman Ranch) to source their protein. In fact, their headline stated, “Animal Welfare Pioneer Joins Blue Apron.” Blue Apron continued with, “Today as the founder ( Bill Niman) of BN Ranch and as a member of the Blue Apron team, his wealth of experience, knowledge, and passion enables us to uphold a best-in-class set of criteria for the sustainable, responsible treatment of animals, and for high-quality beef . . . Bill Niman will play a key role in the development of all of Blue Apron’s beef, pork and poultry programs. Promoting high standards for animal welfare and sourcing only the best ingredients are just a part of Blue Apron’s vision for a better food system.“

A better food system? High standards for animal welfare? Responsible treatment of animals?Continue Reading

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