Pintabian Horse Registry Inc

Where is Your Voice for Animal Agriculture?
by Tina Stadtherr

If you follow any of today's big name agriculture economists such as David Kohl, Danny Klienfelter, or Michael Boehlje to name a few, it should come as no surprise to discover one of the leading issues livestock farmers are facing is government regulations.  Regulatory costs are the second largest concern in animal agriculture, right behind high feed costs.  Whether it is local, state, or federal regulations, livestock producers are constantly being told how they can or cannot feed, treat, or house their livestock.  Are you educated as to why regulations are becoming more and more of an issue in livestock farming operations?  If you are not, now is the time to get educated and become a voice for not only the farm business, but your way of life in rural America.

The issue is often ignorance.  The general public simply does not understand the truth about livestock production and life in rural America.  Generations are becoming more and more removed from the farm.  Most friends and family who live in urban areas receive their information about animal agriculture from news clips that report on undercover video from PETA or the two minute commercials the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) runs on the television about animal neglect.  These same people are sharing false pretenses of animal agriculture with our legislators about what needs to happen in our towns and farms which, in turn, become bills intended to help but, are possibly harming.

We must think of ways to educate the general public about animal agriculture and its importance to our world population.  It may be as simple as writing a letter to your local legislators about the importance of livestock production or sharing your stories with the youth of your community.  Whatever small role you provide can be a vital piece to improving the attitudes our general public carries on the importance of rural America and animal agriculture.  If you are interested in learning more about Farm Business Management education, visit the website:  www.fbm.mnscu.edu.
 

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