I have stayed out for a while - but it is time to jump in. First and foremost, you are quite right in stating that we are all part of the industry. As a cow calf operator I used to send my animals to the feedlot. And in turn those feedlots fed things to my animals that I did not consider unacceptable. If I knew then what I have learned over the past 2 years I would not have eaten what I thought to be "pure" beef. Forgive the term - but I think you all know what I mean.
I am definitely NOT high and mighty. If I were I could afford a new winter coat. I believe we as producers have an obligation to the public to ensure the food they eat is as healthy, nutritious and clean as is humanly possible. There was a time when I believed government regs and various federal and state / provincial inspectors along the route from field to fork were doing their jobs - and I - along with thousands of others trusted them - wrongly so.
We in Canada have learned the hard way. It is now very apparent to me and many like me that if we are to succeed in this business we must make it very clear to the consumer that we have their best interest at heart. We must do this while we do our best to remain profitable - otherwise we will eventually import all of our food from off shore. We cannot gain their confidence unless we do "not only what is right, but what is perceived to be right".
In other words WE have to mind the store - because our legislators will do it for us if we do not.
Was I guilty once upon a time? Yup - and so were the vast majority of producers out there - some knowingly and some unwittingly. No longer.
Your high ideals & self righteous beliefs allow you to look down on those that do differently & to criticize without facts because you're all blameless, choosing to ignore what happens next in the cattle process (without your calves the "abnormal/horrible" feedlot feed practices couldn't take place).
You have reacted in a predictable manner because you perceive yourself under attack. That is where you are wrong - oh so wrong. It is not you - it is the entire system that is under attack. And well it should be. We have either contaminated our food and created this disease - BSE - or it has sprung from somewhere. At this time no one can actually prove where it comes from. All the scientists in the world can only theorize what the origin of this disease is.
What we producers must do - as must the feedlot business - is change the way we operate as an industry. Realize that we all sink together if the public sees us feeding things to herbivores that should only be fed to carnivores. Grandma is not likely to continue serving the family a nice roast on weekend get togethers if she finds her food comes from something she would not approve of. You can be sure that your local friends and neighbours will not either.
Feedlots are changing. And they will have to. Imagine how the local consumer would think if he understood what he/she was eating. Well, they are getting smarter. And we have to get smarter as well.
I do not mean to fool the public or lie to the public. I mean we must learn to feed in a manner that allows us to make a dollar and at the same time provide food that the public is willing to eat - especially after they scrutinize the methods we use to raise that food. And, that scrutinization has come to Canada - and IT WILL COME to your back door - perhaps sooner than you may think or desire. The internet is a powerful tool being used by those who are for our industry and those who are against it.
We have to cater to the consumer. That means we MUST feed what is right and proper. And, no I do not believe one should feed animals chicken poop. (Can't believe I actually wrote "poop)
Why don't you "better than I folk"
No one has "called you down" - even though I disagree with your feed process, I do not know you - so I cannot state I am better than you. So, get off your horse and set a spell.
(does that validate your self-righteousness)?
Not being self-righteous - just being factual. I know that there is a very large movement afoot in my country to CHANGE and ban processes like the one you are using right now. If it is legal in your country, then perhaps it is simply time for you to re-evaluate your own procedures. I know profitability is important. If you knew me as well as many on this board you would know that is almost always my prime concern.
Sooner or later changes will come and you will be forced to comply. (Borg comes to mind - any Trekkies her?)
Seems to me that you are all a bit two faced, knowing that your calves are subsequently fed ground up animals, one of the very things you find so unacceptable - why do you let this happen, are you really that much better than me?
Nope I do not think I am better than you - I simply DISAGREE with you.
There is a heck of a difference in that - at least where I come from.
Actually I now know that my animals ARE NOT fed ground up animals. Never feed meat to an animal that does not have a beak or sharp teeth. My animals are grass finished and actually bring a premium on the local market. Still horrible pricing, but that is due to the current Canadian situation. This is only for the past two years. Prior to that I was as you stated - sending them off to be fed ground "stuff".
As for making mistakes - these guys have beat me up a time or two. I figure they were wrong - and they figure they were right. Well actually. I KNOW they were wrong!
So rather than bore you with more pontification, I have a couple of questions:
1. Is this the ONLY way for you to be profitable?
2. Have you explored other feed avenues?
3. Do you believe this is the way of the future for the industry as a whole?
4. For all of the above - Why / why not?
I will start by answering your question.
Is litter even an option to most of those that find it so objectionable
There was a time when I gave it no consideration. I did not care. Then one day while I was standing at our north gate watering cows my lovely wife of more than 25 years drove in the yard and came to me. She had a look in her eyes that told me she was more than a little worried. "Hon, the radio announced they have found BSE in Alberta".
From that day until today we have been fighting to keep this place afloat. There have been no hard words in this house, but the stress has been unimaginable. Neighbours have helped, banks and lawyers have threatened, Christmas was saved by parents pitching in - no, taking over - bless them - to make sure the kids could at least have something. I drive through snow on bald tires and rely on my strong back to keep going - even when I want to quit.
Wife has aged far too much and far too early. My kids are now serious adults at too early an age. Not pleasant I can assure you.
If you are not careful it can happen to you - may God help you all if it does.
The risks are not worth it.
No.
Regards
Bez
