I have to admit that I really didn't feel like doing chores tonight. I don't know if it was the flu or something else, but my stomach was doing a whirl. However, the reality was that I had to go check on some cows that were due to calve and to feed them and our sheep. When I got to the pasture I needed to repair some fence, move the cows to fresh grass, fill the water tank with fresh water and make sure the cows and calves were healthy and happy. Sometime during the afternoon one of our cows had calved and that meant I needed to check it out to make sure it was healthy. Finally after making sure the new calf and mother were o.k. I got to go home and rest.

That is how it is with those of us in animal agriculture. We put the health and comfort of our animals first. Whether it is going out in bad weather, putting our animal's health ahead of our own or spending the entire night with one our animals, we all go the extra mile to make sure they are well cared for. I would bet that most livestock producers know their veterinarian better than their own doctor. In fact, I have my vet on my cell phone and I have no idea what my doctor's number is.

The bottom line is that those of us in animal agriculture are in the business of raising wholesome, safe food, but we also view ourselves as the caretakers of those animals in our charge. We make sure we go the extra mile to make sure they are well-taken care of and comfortable no matter the cost to our own comfort.