animal welfare Archives - Minnesota Farm Living

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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What If Consumers AREN’T Always Right?

February 16, 2017 By Wanda Patsche

You’ve heard it. Many times. The consumer is always right. And you dare not question that statement. Ever. Marketers live and die by that statement.

But what if, just what if, the consumer isn’t always right? What if they are right based on the information they have? What if they don’t have all the information and are making important food decisions based on lack of information? Especially when it comes to their food. Does it matter?

Yes, it matters

Because sometimes . . . information consumers don’t have about how their food is raised or grown affects our entire food system. Let’s take a look at the recent initiatives by the state of Massachusetts to outlaw the use of gestation stalls (gestation stalls are individual pens where sows are housed) as well as other animal welfare issues.

The new law in effect in Massachusetts

The new law will prohibit Massachusetts farmers from confining egg-laying hens, breeding pigs and calves raised for veal in spaces that prevent the animals from “lying down, standing up, fully extending its limbs, or turning around freely” — and the sale of products from animals confined in that way.

And it was passed overwhelmingly. 77.7% in favor, 22.3% against.Continue Reading

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Is Critical Thinking and Holding Civil Food Conversations Too Much To Ask For?

December 21, 2016 By Wanda Patsche

BLOCKED

Have you ever looked at your newsfeed on Facebook and notice the “comment” button is no longer there? That is the sure sign of “we have blocked you from commenting on our page because we don’t want you to sabotage our propaganda.”

I am officially blocked from the HSUS (Humane Society of the United States), the Food Babe and Moms Across America. Don’t be fooled about Moms Across America. It is an anti-GMO website. On each of these blocked sites, I have been respectful in my comments. I have not bombarded their facebook page with posts or links, but I do occasionally disagree with the misinformation they post and I will refute their statements. And the result?

Blocked

Because I have been blocked, I am no longer allowed to correct any misinformation on their site or discuss the issues with them. So, how do we have a conversation?

But I think that is the point, they do not want a conversation.

HSUS pushes a vegan agenda and wants to eliminate or greatly reduce animal agriculture. The Food Babe pushes her agenda of food fear and Mom’s Across America is an anti-GMO site. Even if I don’t agree with their position, what is wrong with having a healthy discussion, with opposing views?

Let’s examine biotechnology, or more specifically GMOs. How can I say biotech crops are safe? I am not a scientist nor do I have a science background except for the BIO100 class I took in college. Just because I don’t have a science degree doesn’t mean I can’t use my critical thinking skills and make a determination if a study is credible or not.
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What Is A Factory Farm?

December 19, 2016 By Wanda Patsche

Factory Farms.

If there is one term I am most frustrated with hearing people say, it is Factory Farms. Why? You may find this a little crazy coming from a hog farmer, but I really don’t know what they are. Just what is a factory farm?

What was that? Did you just read what you thought you read?

Yes, I struggle with what a factory farm is.

And the ironic part of this statement is I actually live in the Minnesota county that markets the largest numbers of hogs in the state. In fact, we are also ranked 6th nationally in regards to hogs marketed. So how utterly ridiculous does it sound when I say I don’t know what a factory farm is?

Let's Take The "Factory" Out Of Factory Farms — Our Farm

It’s because my vision of a “factory farm” is not what I see. I envision a factory farm as a place with numerous long, cold, colorless steel buildings whose only goal is to produce as many animals as possible, as fast as possible with the least amount of money and care needed. I think of an uncaring, industrialized operation owned and run by “big money” corporations. An operation that has little to no contact between the animals and people. And this is the same image companies like Chipotle, Whole Foods, and Trader Joes and animal rights activist groups like HSUS want you to envision also when you hear the word “factory farm.” Continue Reading

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