The animal agriculture community has become all too familiar with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), H5N1, or “the bird flu” recently. How is this impacting fairs and other exhibitions?
For many people, the month of June is characterized by a release from the classroom, days spent at the beach or pool, the return of fresh backyard foods to the dinner table, and many other early summertime activities. Farmers and their families also enjoy this time as a new season approaches, but agriculturists alike have another reason to celebrate – it’s National Dairy Month!
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 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 and other ruminants have one stomach with four compartments: the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum.
“Why do your cows look so skinny?” Cows are athletes, and like athletes, they come in different shapes and sizes that fit with what they do.
It’s no secret that animal-based protein offers the quantity and quality of proteins needed for a healthy lifestyle but having someone in the public eye shed light on that is always exciting for the animal agriculture community. That’s exactly what Elle Purrier is aiming to do.
Animal welfare is increasingly on the radar of today’s shoppers, and that’s a great thing because it’s top of mind for livestock and poultry farmers too.
Although these machines are expensive, some farmers that have adopted the technology describe them as being a good investment because it is paying for labor ahead of time, and these workers don’t call out sick! Plus, they send notifications straight to the farmers’ phones to keep them updated on their cows throughout the day and night.
Dairy farmers use technology to help their farms be more efficient and to keep their cows comfortable. From back-scratchers to fitbits, technology improves animal care on dairy farms!
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