Happy July! While most people associate July with Independence Day, it’s also host to some of the more interesting national holidays like National Anti-boredom Month, National Culinary Arts Month, National Grilling Month, National Hotdog Month, and National Purposeful Parenting Month. It is also the national month for everyone’s favorite frozen treat: ice cream!
It’s a common tactic for animal rights extremists to attempt to take advantage of unfortunate situations faced by the animal agriculture community. This includes the devastating spread of avian influenza among poultry flocks right now. Extremist groups are adamantly working to twist the narrative by spreading misinformation that this is a public health concern. Per usual, there’s a lot more to the story than these groups would like you to believe.
Some determined activists will say almost anything to convince people to go vegan. One example of this is the film “What The Health”. Discover the truth behind some of the film’s claims.
Today, the average American is at least three generations removed from the farm which means you might have more questions about agriculture than you have answers, particularly when it comes to trending topics. It can be hard to find answers when there’s so much complex—and conflicting—information out there, so we did some of the heavy lifting for you. Here are some quick, easy-to-understand answers to the top questions surrounding animal ag today.
Having worked with and on behalf of some of the greatest people in the world, all striving for continuous improvement while playing critical roles in producing food for our nation and beyond, my gratitude for the Alliance is tremendous.
After two years of adapting to the challenges that COVID-19 threw in our way, it’s finally happening! We are now able to come together once again to connect, engage, and protect our farming communities. The 2022 Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit is your chance to meet and collaborate with stakeholders throughout the food chain and across commodities. But after two years of virtual meetings, Zoom webinars, and online conferences from the couch, we all may need a few tips to get back into practice of attending a conference in person.
Pretty much all animal rights extremist organizations – no matter how reasonable they attempt to appear publicly – share the same goal of eliminating animal agriculture and taking meat, milk, poultry, and eggs off our tables.
Whether in the barn or the field, farmers go to great lengths to protect the environment. The soil is a precious resource that is vital for the production of nutritious food and feed for both humans and livestock. The USDA outlines four major principles farmers incorporate into their practice to improve soil health.
It doesn’t take advanced and expensive technology or equipment to deter activists – basic farm security can go a long way to making yourself a harder target. In a panel titled “Protecting Yourself from Animal Activism,” myself, Master Trooper Kelly Osborne at the Pennsylvania State Police and Brook Duer, attorney at the Penn State Center for Agricultural and Shale Law, discussed how farmers can adopt farm security protocols and engage with their local law enforcement.
Cows have been condemned for climate change effects time and time again – often times unfairly with overstated figures and exaggerated claims. But even now, as anti-animal agriculture activists rally this cause as an excuse to reduce or even eliminate the consumption of meat, milk, poultry and eggs, farmers and ranchers have countered their claims with a continued commitment and action toward reaching solutions. Enter: carbon sequestration.
HB 3799
Description:
Relating to the advertising and labeling of certain meat food products.
Status: Introduced 3/7/2019
Pending
HB 1081
Relating to a study regarding the prohibition of dairy farming in certain areas of the state
Description:
Would require the Texas Animal Health Commission to conduct a study regarding the current risk level for bovine tuberculosis in certain states determined by the Commission to be infected or at high risk for bovine tuberculosis. By 9/1/2014, the Commission must submit a report of the findings to the Department of Agriculture and others listed.
Status: Effective 6/14/2013
Passed
Pass Date: 6/14/2013
HB 1643
Description:
Would add a concentrated animal feeding operations to the list of facilities that drones are prohibited from flying over.
Status: Effective 9/1/17
Passed
Pass Date: 6/15/2017
HB 1819
Relating to liability for injuring a trespassing sheep or goat
Description:
Would make a person with a fence that is insufficient who kills or wounds a head of cattle, horse, goat or sheep liable to the owner of the animal for damages.
Status: Effective 9/1/2013
Passed
Pass Date: 6/14/2013
HB 334
Relating to the establishment of the Texas Livestock Care Standards Advisory Committee
Description:
Would establish a 16-member Texas Livestock Care Standards Advisory Committee. The committee would be required to research and develop standards governing livestock and poultry care, food safety, local food availability, food affordability, and best farm management practices for animal well-being.
Status: Introduced 11/19/2010; Died in Committee
Failed
SJR 22
Right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife amendment
Description:
Would amend Aricle 1, Section 34 of the Texas Constitution to include that people have the right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife, including the use of traditioal methods, subject to laws and regulations to conserve and manage wildlife and preserve the future of hunting and fishing. Would also state that hunting and fishing are preferred methods of managing and controlling wildlife.
Status: Enrolled 5/20/2015; Died in Chamber
Failed