OK I left off last week with the statement that I applaud FARM for desiring to protect the ethical treatment of animals. We should all want to protect and care for animals.  God asked us to do so.  They should not be abused or treated in unethical ways.  Following these thoughts I want to discuss a little about how my views as a rancher and family feedlot operator diverge from FARM org’s thinking:

·      I believe it is taken too far when animals are given human-like emotions and qualities.  Animals are not human and they have survival instincts to help protect them, but the thought process and mind of an animal is different than a human. 

·      It is not wrong to use animals for food.  After the flood, God told Noah that we could use animals for food.  In Genesis 9:2-3  “The fear and dread of you will fall upon all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air, upon every creature that moves along the ground, and upon all the fish in the sea; they are given into your hands.  Everything that lives and moves will be food for you.  Just as I gave you the green plants, now I give you everything.” 

·      Defining management practices as abuse.  We manage our livestock for their health, to manage the resources available to us, for legality, for disease prevention, and of course like all businesses we manage for profit.  We do not manage our livestock to intentionally abuse animals.  A profitable business is founded on healthy happy livestock and healthy land. 

·      No one is perfect or has all the answers.  We in the agricultural industry are still learning, seeking, and modifying our practices to encompass these values.  And if you’re not- you should be.

So, in conclusion I guess I ultimately would like to call for a little more listening, a lot more love, and more thought to go into our reactions and actions. 

All of this to say how will I be participating in Meat Out Day:

·      As someone who doesn’t believe that cattle are any more responsible for global warming now than they were 200 years ago.

·      As someone who believes that the meat I produce is healthy as well as raised and harvested in a responsible and ethical way.

·      As someone who genuinely cares for and finds pleasure in the livestock that we raise.

·      As someone who wishes to peacefully and respectfully educate others about what we do and why we do it.

I will not be participating in Meat Out Day to

·      Throw hatred at those who feel different

·      Sling written or verbal abuse

·      Be a part of party-hating politics on either side

Honestly, we will probably eat meat that day. We eat meat nearly everyday here. But I won’t hate you if you don’t. Even if you don’t agree with me I hope you now have a better understanding of why I don’t think it’s wrong. #Meatout #Meatin