Michigan Meatout Day, as proclaimed by our illustious Governer of the State of Michigan...
Whereas, A wholesome diet of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains promotes good health and reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and other chronic diseases, which take the lives of approximately 1.3 million Americans each year; and,
Whereas, The number of those who choose to live the lifestyle of a vegan or vegetarian has increased and so has the availability and selection of meat and dairy alternatives in mainstream grocery stores, restaurants, and catering operations; and,
Whereas, Reducing the consumption of meat or not eating meat at all can significantly decrease the exposure to infectious pathogens such as salmonella, E. coli, and campylobacter, which take the lives of several thousand Americans and sicken millions more each year; and,
Whereas, The benefits of a plant-based diet can consist of increased energy levels, lower food budget costs, and simplified food preparation and cleanup; and,
Whereas, It is encouraged that the residents of this state get into the habit of healthy living by consuming a diet that is rich with vegetables, fruit, and whole grains, and by staying active;
Now, Therefore, be it Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, governor of the state of Michigan, do hereby proclaim March 20, 2010, Michigan Meatout Day in Michigan. In observance of this day, I encourage the residents of this state to choose not to eat meat. Eating a healthy diet can be fun. Explore the different recipes that can be created by using fresh ingredients and by having a sense of adventure.
After this came to our attention at the Annual meeting of the Co-Op where we sell our milk, the delegates quickly approved this:
Resolution Approved by MMPA Delegates, March 16, 2010:
Michigan Meatout Day
Be it resolved, that as dairy farmers we are bitterly opposed to Governor Granholm’s declaration of “Michigan Meatout Day” on March 20, 2010.
Meat and dairy products are part of a nutritionally balanced diet and the production of these play a critical role in Michigan’s second leading industry.
We feel the Governor’s actions are destructive, insensitive and antagonistic toward a major force in the state’s economics.
The fact that the Governor’s resolution states unfounded facts and allegations toward meat products indicates her desire and willingness to court special interest groups to the demise of a major state industry.
Stay tuned there's more to come....
Showing posts with label consumers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label consumers. Show all posts
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Got Milk? Animal Rights v. U.S. Dairy Industry - ABC News
Got Milk? Animal Rights v. U.S. Dairy Industry - ABC News
At Pleasant Veiw Dairy, we strive to care for our animals in a humane and caring environment. I personally don't know any farmer who mistreats his animals, even when tempers flare and you've heard the comment, "kick the dog", we don't abuse our animals in any way, shape, or form.
It appears that unknowing farming families have hired "undercover people" who, for some reason or another, take measures to uncover anything that slightly resembles what a consumer might think of as "mistreatment". Then these "employees" (undercover people) just look for things to video tape that any uneducated consumer might not understand. Instead of standing up for these animals, they expose the animals, and in the end laugh at the fact that they are somehow a celebrity in the eyes of uninformed people. If PETA, HSUS, and Mercy for Animals were so concerned, then they should teach their hired "informants" (undercover people) to correct the alleged abuse (which they do not).
Let's look at the practice of tail docking. Some dairy farmers used this practice. Surely the cow didn't agree and so the practice was eliminated from the course of keeping the udder clean. But why do we need to keep the udder clean, and is that the only reason dairy farmers did it? The daily ritual of cleaning the udder to wipe away bedding materials (sand or newspapers, etc.) and possibly manure begins with a pre-dip, wipe, and hook up to the udder. In simple terms, we want to be sure that the udder is cleaned before we begin to milk the cow. Think about it. Another reason to dock a cow's tail is to eliminate the unpleasant surprise when a cow's tail (manure ridden or not) slaps you in the face, this usually happens when the switch (hairy end of the cow's tail) is there and the cow feels the need to swat at something. It's not pretty! So many farmers have gone to shaving the hairy end of the tail, therefore just eliminating the "wet slap". :)
And how about de-horning. This is the practice of removing horns or parts thereof from the head of a cow. The most important reason for doing this is...SAFETY! Cow's are large animals, and not all are "happy cows" all of the time. Just recently a local man was "gorged" by a bovine. He crawled to safety and a Life Flight helicopter had to take him to a hospital. This is very serious, I do not know the condition of the man or his injuries, but he could have been killed. When cows or bulls are protective, they use what they have, and that can be horns. To protect our workers, our other cattle, and ourselves, we de-horn. This is done when they are young.
I am not here to say that all farmers do it right-but I believe that 99.9% of farmers do! This is our livlihood, this is where we raise our children. We are good stewards of the land. We are producers of your food and fiber, and we are happy to be supplying you with products that are nutritious, delicious and American made.
At Pleasant Veiw Dairy, we strive to care for our animals in a humane and caring environment. I personally don't know any farmer who mistreats his animals, even when tempers flare and you've heard the comment, "kick the dog", we don't abuse our animals in any way, shape, or form.
It appears that unknowing farming families have hired "undercover people" who, for some reason or another, take measures to uncover anything that slightly resembles what a consumer might think of as "mistreatment". Then these "employees" (undercover people) just look for things to video tape that any uneducated consumer might not understand. Instead of standing up for these animals, they expose the animals, and in the end laugh at the fact that they are somehow a celebrity in the eyes of uninformed people. If PETA, HSUS, and Mercy for Animals were so concerned, then they should teach their hired "informants" (undercover people) to correct the alleged abuse (which they do not).
Let's look at the practice of tail docking. Some dairy farmers used this practice. Surely the cow didn't agree and so the practice was eliminated from the course of keeping the udder clean. But why do we need to keep the udder clean, and is that the only reason dairy farmers did it? The daily ritual of cleaning the udder to wipe away bedding materials (sand or newspapers, etc.) and possibly manure begins with a pre-dip, wipe, and hook up to the udder. In simple terms, we want to be sure that the udder is cleaned before we begin to milk the cow. Think about it. Another reason to dock a cow's tail is to eliminate the unpleasant surprise when a cow's tail (manure ridden or not) slaps you in the face, this usually happens when the switch (hairy end of the cow's tail) is there and the cow feels the need to swat at something. It's not pretty! So many farmers have gone to shaving the hairy end of the tail, therefore just eliminating the "wet slap". :)
And how about de-horning. This is the practice of removing horns or parts thereof from the head of a cow. The most important reason for doing this is...SAFETY! Cow's are large animals, and not all are "happy cows" all of the time. Just recently a local man was "gorged" by a bovine. He crawled to safety and a Life Flight helicopter had to take him to a hospital. This is very serious, I do not know the condition of the man or his injuries, but he could have been killed. When cows or bulls are protective, they use what they have, and that can be horns. To protect our workers, our other cattle, and ourselves, we de-horn. This is done when they are young.
I am not here to say that all farmers do it right-but I believe that 99.9% of farmers do! This is our livlihood, this is where we raise our children. We are good stewards of the land. We are producers of your food and fiber, and we are happy to be supplying you with products that are nutritious, delicious and American made.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Your Poll Results
Thanks for taking the time to vote on the Poll Questions. The first question asked if you "have visited a farm in the last year"? Out of the 13 responses, only 1 person hadn't been to a farm within that time frame. That's terrific! For those of you who work or visit a farm, you know all too well what actually goes on. But for the many thousands of Americans who never get that chance, they need someone to tell them the "story". That's where this blog comes in. It's a tool to let the non-farm public see up-close and personal the ways in which their food is raised. The care that we as farmers show to our livestock, our crops, our employees.
24% of Michiganians are employed in agriculture. That means that 1 out of every 4 people you may know have some relationship with ag. But for the 3 out of 4 people who know little, if any, about agriculture please share this blog with them. There are other blogs that I recommend also, follow my links. And I am always searching for new and interesting blogs that tell the story of ag, so let me know if you find one that peaks your interest.
This weeks question was "Do you feel farmers take good care of their animals"? An overwhelming YES resounded. Hooray! You're right. Farmers and ranchers take excellent care of their animals. The health of a cow and her calf is very important to us as healthy animals equate to healthy products. As mentioned in an earlier post, we provide shelter, a nutritious diet of fresh feed and water daily, veterinary care, and plenty of good ole' cow comfort. We care for every animal, every acre and every person. This is our livlihood, this is where we raise our children and grandchildren and this is where we feed the world. So Thank a dairy farmer the next time you meet one, and drink that cold glass of milk knowing that plenty of hard work and care went into it!
Until next time,
Thank a farmer.
24% of Michiganians are employed in agriculture. That means that 1 out of every 4 people you may know have some relationship with ag. But for the 3 out of 4 people who know little, if any, about agriculture please share this blog with them. There are other blogs that I recommend also, follow my links. And I am always searching for new and interesting blogs that tell the story of ag, so let me know if you find one that peaks your interest.
This weeks question was "Do you feel farmers take good care of their animals"? An overwhelming YES resounded. Hooray! You're right. Farmers and ranchers take excellent care of their animals. The health of a cow and her calf is very important to us as healthy animals equate to healthy products. As mentioned in an earlier post, we provide shelter, a nutritious diet of fresh feed and water daily, veterinary care, and plenty of good ole' cow comfort. We care for every animal, every acre and every person. This is our livlihood, this is where we raise our children and grandchildren and this is where we feed the world. So Thank a dairy farmer the next time you meet one, and drink that cold glass of milk knowing that plenty of hard work and care went into it!
Until next time,
Thank a farmer.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Welcome!
Welcome to The Milk Can!
I am so excited to tell you all of the great things about being a dairy farmer in this blog. Every day, yes, 365 days a year, we are living the story of the American Farmer.
Dreaming the dream of owning our own land. Because, about 99% of all U.S. dairy farms are family-owned and operated, just like ours. And every day we are raising animals in a healthy environment to help feed the world.
Feed the world, you say? Yes, feed the world. Nearly 60,000 U.S. dairy farms provide milk, cheese, yogurt and other dairy products to the U.S. and other countries. U.S. dairy farms produce roughly 21 billion gallons of milk annually.
A cow will produce an average of 6.3 gallons of milk each day. That’s more than 2,300 gallons each year. Most milk only travels about 100 miles from the dairy to the grocery store to ensure farm-fresh quality. To be sure you get a safe product, milk and dairy foods undergo extensive quality and safety testing before they reach the grocery store. In fact, dairy foods are one of the most highly regulated foods you will consume.
Milking machines deliver milk directly from the cows to a refrigerated holding tank to preserve freshness and ensure safety. The milk is then quickly transported to processing plants for continued freshness and safety. And isn't it wonderful? There's nothing better than a good cold glass of milk.
So stay tuned in to "The Milk Can" and I will help to educate you and your family on the benefits of being a Michigan farmer, and share in the joy (and sometimes the sorrow) of being a dairy farmers wife.
Until next time,
Drink Milk!!
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