News Update
March 24, 2009

Blizzard Begins to Weaken

The blizzard that pounded the western Plains with heavy snow and strong winds has begun to slowly weaken, according to The Weather Channel. Winds should remain high into Wednesday morning then gradually diminish over western sections of the Dakotas, northern Nebraska, northeast Colorado and eastern Wyoming.

Eastern sections of the Dakotas, Minnesota, northern Wisconsin and northwestern Michigan should have increasing winds tonight and Wednesday morning with diminshing winds Wednesday night. The rain there tonight should change over to snow before ending Wednesday.

Severe thunderstorms along the southern end of the Plains storm continue through tonight from southern Illinois southwest to eastern Texas. The primary threats are hail and damaging winds, although an isolated tornado or two cannot be ruled out. Storms should diminish later this evening with a band of rain and embedded thunderstorms progressing eastward into the Ohio Valley and Mid-South overnight.

— by Kevin Roth, Lead Meteorologist for The Weather Channel

Cattle Rustling on the Rise

Poor economic conditions have contributed to a rise in cattle rustling, according to an article in the Star-Telegram citing reports from the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA).

TSCRA received reports that 6,404 cattle were stolen or missing in 2008 compared to 2,400 in 2007. According to TSCRA, some cases involved white-collar fraud involving $1 million worth of livestock. In some of these cases, livestock were illegally sold or taken out of trust ownership and marketed.

American Agri-Women Promotes Animal Welfare 

American Agri-Women (AAW) is asking that all in agriculture speak up for animal welfare and assure the public that we take the care of our animals seriously.

How does agriculture meet the challenges that the animal rights groups present? Here are a few ideas American Agri-Women (AAW) has assembled from several sources:

• Recognize that this is an industry-wide issue. All of us in agriculture must be involved to prevent unreasonable restrictions being put in place that have a negative impact on the production of livestock. Many states have already formed state and regional organizations that work to “tell the real story of animal agriculture.” The Ohio Livestock Coalition and the Minnesota Foundation for Responsible Animal Care are two examples. Other states are or have organized agriculture-based coalitions around the animal care issue.
  
• Understand how society listens to the messages food animal producers are sending. Our mainly urban society thinks of animals as pets and companions. They are not interested in our economic problems, but that food animal producers provide good care to their animals. We need to assure them that we care for our animals but do the work that consumers don’t or won’t do to have meat on the plate.
  
• Institute an animal welfare assurance program on your farm or ranch. Utilize good production, transporting and processing standards following industry guidelines. Set your standards high and maintain that quality. Properly evaluate all employees, including day labor. Be vigilant in hiring practices; check applications, work history, backgrounds and references thoroughly. Fully train employees in basic animal care practices and the priority of these practices in everyday husbandry. Take swift and appropriate action if unacceptable animal handling occurs.
  
• Keep informed. Know who the leading activists and anti-agriculture groups are; check out their web sites. Become familiar with their agendas, know who the leaders are, and how they are funded.
  
• Be a legislative watch dog. Activist groups have well-designed strategies and resources for influencing legislation at all levels. Many states report a flurry of bad legislation and court cases led by anti-animal agriculture groups. Prominent law schools around the nation are preparing lawyers by offering courses on animal rights. Agriculture leaders need to stay alert and work to defeat bad legislation both state and federal.
  
• Speak up for animal agriculture. Let consumers know that farmers and ranchers give animals humane, healthy and caring treatment while providing safe and nutritious food products for a hungry world. Provide accurate, science-based information while inspiring positive emotion among consumers toward farming and ranching.
  

The challenge of educating the public about animal rights issues and organizations is not easy, but it is winnable. All segments of agriculture — feed industry, equipment companies, animal health companies, animal science friends, veterinary medical community, processors, and retailers—must put aside their commodity squabbles and differences and come together to speak with one clear voice.

For more information, contact Marcie Williams, President, president@americanagriwomen.org, or visit the web site www.americanagriwomen.org.

— Adapted from a release provided by AAW.

National Cancer Insitute Study Reports Red Meat ‘Dangers’

The U.S. National Cancer Institute has released a study reporting that diets high in red meat and in processed meat shorten life span from cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, stomach ulcers and other conditions.

According to ABC News, the study found that “reducing red meat consumption to the amount eaten by the bottom 20% seen in the study would save 11% of men’s lives and 16% of women’s lives.”

The American Meat Institute (AMI) released a statement objecting to the study results, saying it relied on unreliable self-reporting methods about what was eaten in the preceding five years.

— compiled by Crystal Albers, associate editor, Angus Productions Inc.