As cattle producers, we are facing some tremendous challenges in our industry.  One that I think is on top of the list is the mounting attacks from animal rights activist.  I am involved with an agricultural leadership development program called ALOT (Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow).  This past February we spent a week in Washington D.C.  During the week tour we had the opportunity to meet with the Human Society of the United States (HSUS) at their head quarters in DC.  This was a once in a lifetime opportunity to “go into the belly of the beast” and ask anything we wanted.  After a two hour conversation with the leaders of HSUS around their conference table, one theme stuck in my mind, HSUS will stop at nothing to completely abolish animal protein in the American diet, either by choice or legislation.  That is it.  The industries attempts to compromise to or adopt HSUS influences are only opening the door to their propaganda and activism.  During our meeting, HSUS told us of their intentions to end animal protein as a dietary supplement in the human diet and I quote “we can produce just as good of a steak in a laboratory as you do on your farm; it just isn’t cost effect yet but it will be”   

Recently the HSUS has been able to impose its will in states across the USA.  With a lot of success and one set back, HSUS has now put its sites on the mid west.  It is hard to believe that a rural state like Missouri would ever adopt such sweeping changes but as one HSUS representative said “all we have to do is show a few pictures and the public is on our side, the facts or irrelevant” Many cattlemen don’t understand how legislation changes in states like California, which animals in band crates, can affect cattlemen raising cattle on the open range.  The issue isn’t about sow crates; it is about HSUS ability to manipulate public opinion.  In DC, HSUS stated that their approach was a deliberate, consistent and determined strategy to change public opinion against animal agriculture.  So how does the banning of sow crates affect a Missouri cattleman, it opens the door for the HSUS’s ultimate goal of taking your right to produce and consume beef away from you. 

You say “Matt, I am only one person…how can I make a difference?”  Your first action must be to become an active member of NCBA and your state and local Cattlemen’s association.  By becoming a member you become soldier on the front line defense of our industry.  NCBA will equip you to become an activist for the industry.  NCBA offers you the opportunity to network with other industry professionals to share ideas and stories which will help in the fight to save our way of life.  NCBA is a channel for your voice to be heard when it other wise would go unnoticed.  After you have your arsenal full from the NCBA, I would start by presenting the facts to your family and close friends.  A grass root effort starts by neighbor talking with neighbor and worker talking to coworker.  You would be surprised to find out how many people at your church have no idea what you do for a living.   HSUS’s current strategy is to use State ballot initiatives to shape Ag policy.  This means that by influencing your circle of friends and family, their votes will add up to defeat the ballot initiatives. 

Take people out to your farm and show them how no one cares more about the health and safety of animals than those who raise them.  I would also start letting your public servants know how you feel.  Our politicians need to know our story.  Let them know how important Animal Agriculture is to our local economies and lively hoods.   It is also important to recognize that this isn’t just a beef problem or a pork problem, this in an agriculture problem.  Two thirds of all the corn grown in the USA is fed to animals, therefore, the corn farmer has just as much at stake in this fight as the animal protein producer, if only indirect.  All sectors must rally as one voice to combat the extreme views of groups like the HSUS.  Finally, start to tell your story.  Animal Agriculture has a proud story to tell.  We produce the safest most abundant source of protein the world has ever seen, all while providing the most humane and healthy animals as possible. So, tell your story!

In closing, NOW is the time to start.  If HSUS isn’t in your state already, they will be.  In DC, HSUS told us they would have a ballot initiative in Iowa next November.  Yes the largest pork producing state will be considering banning its way of life.  They have hundreds of millions of dollars behind them and probably as many Hollywood celebrities.   This will be a true David and Goliath story.  Unfortunately I think we are David but have faith, we are in the right, our intentions are true.  It is time to stand up and let your voice be heard or else organizations like HSUS are going to silence it.