Tag Archives | dairy farms

Tennessee Governor Trumps Ag Gag

May 14, 2013

(POLITICS) TENNESSEE — Score one for free speech, and animal welfare. After lengthy consideration, Governor Bill Haslam has decided to veto Tennessee’s Ag Gag bill. Haslam’s decision rests on his claim that the bill is “constitutionally suspect.” Although agriculture remains the top industry in Tennessee, Governor Haslam recognizes that the bill could potential violate a number of constitutional rights. Continue reading below to find out what the future holds for Ag Gag bills in Tennessee, and how the state intends to handle them. — Global Animal

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License Plates For Livestock?

April 18, 2013

(POLITICS) The federal government is implementing a new livestock identification program to streamline the process of tracking and investigating cases of disease in livestock. This new system will help agriculture and health officials track the transportation of animals and quickly establish quarantines and other preventative measures to control the spread of disease. Ranchers and farmers are expected to mostly use ID ear tags which will also benefit companies who want to be able to trace back where their food came from. Continue reading for more on the new federal legislation and one rancher’s response to this new program. — Global Animal

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Animals On Antibiotics: The Cure Or The Problem?

April 9, 2013

(ANIMAL SCIENCE) Mutant bacteria strands that have become resistant to antibiotics are a major concern for ranchers as well as for consumers. Currently, herd health practices are changing in hopes of minimizing potential risks. Within three years, certain antibiotics important to human medicine will be phased out of farm use for good. Yet, there is still no proven connection to antibiotic treatment failure in humans as a result of consuming animals who have been given antibiotics. Check out the article below for more on medications used on livestock and potentially dangerous mutant bacteria strands. — Global Animal

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Is Animal Advocacy Now A Crime?

March 18, 2013

(POLITICS) Animal advocates have exposed some of the biggest farm animal abuse cases to date. Now, state legislators are introducing laws that will make it more difficult for animal defenders to investigate cruelty and food safety cases. Bills of this nature are pending all across the U.S. with some going as far as making it a crime to take photographs at farming operations. Many believe the purpose of this type of legislation is to keep consumers in the dark about how their food is being produced. Read on about these new laws and the states that are trying to implement them. — Global Animal

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Cruelty Free Farmer Names His Dairy Cows

September 14, 2012

(FARM ANIMALS) OREGON — All hope is not lost for inhumanely treated farm animals. Bob Bansen, an Oregon dairymen, raises his cows to be happy cows. Naming each of his 230 “girls,” Bansen knows each of his cattle from head to udder. In addition to the farmer’s personal acquaintance with his cows, his secret to healthy livestock is no antibiotics. Although Bansen was hesitant to wean his many companions off of the recommended medications, he found that his cows’ health improved without them. He concluded that as long as the animals are kept clean and have access to free range, the risk of infection that warrants antibiotics is greatly reduced. If dairy farms followed Bansen’s example, many cases of animal cruelty could be put to an end. Continue reading to learn about Bansen’s humane methods of agriculture.  — Global Animal

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Slaughterhouse Gets Away With Cruelty, Re-Opens

August 29, 2012

(ANIMAL ABUSE) CALIFORNIA —  The USDA shut down Central Vally Meat Company earlier this month when an undercover video by the animal organization Compassion Over Killing showed cows suffocated, shot, poked and prodded repeatedly. One “spent” dairy cow was shocked more than forty times. The slaughterhouse re-opened for business on Monday, causing concern among animal advocates. It’s hard to believe that in such a short amount of time the meat company implemented enough long-term changes to follow federal regulations about the treatment of animals. Read on for more on this disconcerting news.  — Global Animal 

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Social interactions between cows can influence their health, welfare and milk yield. Photo Credit: REX

Crucial Friendships In The Fields

August 5, 2012

(FARM ANIMALS) The value of friendship is immeasurable, as studies say maintaining these relationships can improve mental and physical health, add years to your life and ensure an overall happy wellbeing. Researchers in the UK are highlighting this factor during a study on cow social structure and interactions. Scientists are hoping to determine how social interactions can influence cow health, welfare and milk yield.  Hopefully this research doesn’t just lead to increase sales for dairy farmers, but improvements in the treatment and lives of these cows. — Global Animal

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Mark Bittman: You Don’t Need Milk

July 16, 2012

(COMPASSIONATE LIVING) In a recent New York Times op-ed piece, famed food writer Mark Bittman talks about the adverse effects of dairy. Bittman is the author of How To Cook Everything Vegetarian, and working on a new cookbook Vegan Before Six. Giving up dairy might be just the answer to various health concerns. Not to mention, the life of a dairy cow is short, cruel and painful. Check out Bittman’s well informed article “Got Milk? You Don’t Need It.” — Global Animal 

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