[A Letter to the Editor that will be delivered tomorrow to my local newspaper. I challenge all agricultural leaders to do the same.]

If you like to eat, then please continue reading. In the last few weeks, agriculture has been routinely under attack from groups such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and Mercy For Animals (MFA). These groups are corporate, lobbyist organizations that have $100 million dollar budgets aimed at removing meat, dairy and eggs from our dinner tables.

Last week, the HSUS received a $100,000 donation from a winery that supplies the Yellow Tail brand of wine. Most people recognize the Australian made product by the prominently displayed yellow-footed wallaby icon, sometimes mistaken for a kangaroo.

According to a post on Yellow Tails Facebook site, the company decided to direct the $100,000 to HSUS to celebrate animals and for animal rescue. By conducting a simple internet search, Yellow Tail would have surfaced HSUS’ questionable financial records and the fact that HSUS does not own or operate a single animal shelter in the United States.

If they would have continued their search, they would have also found that the organization is led by radical animal activists such as J.P. Goodwin, who is not ashamed to admit his hatred toward agriculture, “My goal is the abolition of all animal agriculture.” Another employee on HSUS’ payroll, Leana Stormont, is currently being investigated for her ties to the terrorist Animal Liberation Front (ALF).

It’s time that we as consumers take a stand for agriculture, and send a clear message to those who financially support groups that work to put farms out of business. If you sell Yellow Tail at your store, I encourage you to remove it from your shelves. If you sell the Yellow Tail brand in your restaurant, I urge you to strike it from your menus. If you purchase Yellow Tail wine on an individual basis, look for an alternative U.S. brand, or better yet a brand made in New York State.

As consumers we have the choice to vote with our wallets. By not purchasing Yellow Tail wine products, we are telling the company to high-tail it back to Australia. We are also telling our local farmers that we appreciate the hard work and long hours that they sacrifice, so that we may enjoy a safe, affordable, and abundant food supply.

It’s your plate. Don’t let someone else decide what you can put on it.

This is a test. Only a test.

I recently watched a report by Brian Ross on ABC’s Nightline. The report was titled “The Disturbing Reality of Dairy Land” and featured video footage from an “Undercover Investigator” at a large “Factory Farm” in New York. As a dairyman watching this report I quickly realized that this was not an investigative report as had been advertised but simply a propaganda piece by radical animal rights groups (Mercy for Animals and HSUS).

The video of the cows that was shown was not taken by ABC, rather it was shot by the “Undercover Investigator” who certainly had his agenda to prove. I began wondering if some of the clips were staged to enhance the shock value. For instance, I know of no dairyman who docks tails in the manner shown in the report. All the dairies I know use rubber bands that cut off circulation, and the tail just falls off in a few weeks. There seems to be very little pain and no blood involved with this method – not very shocking.

While I immediately saw this report for what it truly is, I realized that people unfamiliar with modern dairies would likely believe the fallacy of the report and believe that cows are abused and mistreated by dairy farmers; this could not be farther from the truth. In an attempt to counter the claims in the Nightline report I will attempt to compare cows to people, only because the term “humane” is used so frequently to describe the way farm animals should be treated, although they are not human and should not be confused as such.

The cows in the report were shown standing in a crowded holding pen with no room to move. The assumption was made that cows are kept in this condition all day, every day, when in reality those cows were there only for a few minutes while waiting for their turn to go into the barn to be milked. This is much like stepping into a crowded elevator or crowded subway car. We would not want to be there all day, but we tolerate it long enough to get where we are going. After being milked all the cows return to their pen where they have access to fresh feed, water, and a dry comfortable stall to lay down in (not shown in the report).

During stormy weather people like to be inside where it is warm and dry, these cows have a warm dry barn to protect them from stormy weather. Likewise, when it is hot outside people like to stay inside an air-conditioned building, these cows have a shaded barn with fans and misters to keep them cool and comfortable.

These cows have their home cleaned at least once, probably twice a day. I know the report shows cows in several inches of manure, however since no reasonable explanation was given; I will assume that the corrals were in the process of being cleaned. The manure had been pushed to one end of the coral, but had not yet been pushed all the way out of the coral (video footage being taken out of context for shock value). Some cows seek out dirty spots to lie in and seem to be able to find one regardless of the care taken to prevent it. We all know people whose personal hygiene is less than perfect; these people are the exception not the rule.

These cows have their beds made for them at least daily (raked out with clean fresh bedding applied as needed).

Every day these cows are fed a diet that is specially formulated to meet their nutritional requirements. This diet is formulated by a trained professional dairy nutritionist in order to provide the best health and comfort to the cow. These cows are also provided with all the fresh clean water they can drink (water being the beverage of choice for cows).

I hope you are beginning to see that these cows may be treated more “humanely” than a lot of people. They are also provided with a pedicurist (hoof trimmer) and a doctor (veterinarian) when ever needed without having to worry about paying the bill.

There seems to be much concern about the pain involved with certain management practices such as dehorning. While there is some pain involved with dehorning the animals are better off without their horns. People undergo medical procedures that are painful knowing that it is for their own good. Who enjoys having their wisdom teeth pulled? It is painful and can cause discomfort for several days, yet we still pull wisdom teeth. Similarly, we must dehorn calves for their own good. Dehorning methods have improved greatly over the years, we used to take a saw and cut the horns off (talk about a bloody mess). Today we simply burn them for a few seconds while the horns are still very small.

The report concludes with an attack on the ethics of America’s dairy farmers. I would say the ethics are with the people who get up early every morning 365 days of the years (weekends and holidays included) to place the care and well being of their cows above their own comfort and often that of their family.

America’s dairy farmers take pride in caring for our animals and producing a safe wholesome product for you and your family. In the future if people have questions about farming don’t ask ABC – ask a farmer.

For more information on animal care go to www.conversationsoncare.com.

I believe very much in the use of antibiotics in livestock and I also believe very much that the use of antibiotics is safe. I have no problem feeding my family an animal that had been given antibiotics. Let me tell you why I feel that strongly.

The antibiotics used in livestock production have been tested and deemed safe. They go through rigorous testing and do not contribute to anti-biotic resistance in any way, shape or form. Mandatory doses, treatment regimens and withdrawal periods are in place to make their use even safer. But that is not all.

I regularly consult with my veterinarian on the use of those antibiotics. I understand the symptoms I am treating and use the right medicine in the right dose and observe the withdrawal period. I understand that antibiotics are absolutely necessary to insure the health of my animals, and I also understand the necessity to protect the health of those eating the food I produce. I also believe the uses of antibiotics are necessary to ethically produce livestock and here is an example.

Last week I noticed one of my week old lambs was not acting right. On closer inspection, the lamb had I discovered that the lamb had developed pneumonia. Pneumonia, untreated, will kill a lamb in a matter of just a couple of hours. I treated the lamb with an anti-biotic prescribed by my veterinarian and in a couple of hours he was back on the road to good health. We made note of the treatment and the withdrawal time will easily be attained. I would have no problem with my family, my children, consuming meat from this lamb.

I also have no doubt that without this powerful antibiotic the lamb would have died. I feel it is my duty to my livestock to provide them with the best care possible. I also ask that you, the consumer, trust the professionals charged with the development and use of such medicines. The protection and safety of the consumer is our first priority with the animal’s health and well-being a close second. That is the truth about the antibiotics I use on my farm and ranch and ultimately the meat I feed my family.

Did you know?

February is “Beef Lover's Month." In a recent survey 50% of people think beef tenderloin is the best way to say, "I love you." Forty-three percent said they would choose a steak meal to kick off a romantic evening of hot tub time, back rubs and champagne. 36% say beef is more often associated with "magnetism." This is more than fish (22 percent), pork (21 percent) and chicken (21 percent).

Are you looking for a recipes for Valentine’s Day give one of these recipes from the Beef Check Off Program a try.

T-Bone Steak for Two is a delicious meal to celebrate perfect pairs.

Filet Mignon with Herb-Butter Sauce and Mushrooms is a great recipe for the more than half of Americans (53%) who prefer filet mignon to accompany candlelight, red wine, linen tablecloths and romance.