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Sustainable and humane certification

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OldDog/NewTricks

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Industry News - PM
Temple Grandin launches new sustainable and humane certification

By Janie Gabbett on 2/11/2009


Temple Grandin, renowned designer of humane livestock handling facilities, is launching a new certification program that evaluates both sustainable and humane practices, according to a statement issued by Niman Ranch, which helped Grandin develop the program.

Starting in August 2009, companies that wish to carry the certification seal will be audited on 21 core principles which must be met by all farmers and ranchers receiving certification. The 21 core principles include the following:

Animals must be given the opportunity to care for, interact with, and nurture their young. In the case of swine, farrowing crates are not allowed.
Practices must be implemented that prevent soil loss or degradation in production areas, minimizes unacceptable or unintended poor air quality for family, workers, and neighbors, and prevents water quality degradation of surface and groundwater resources.
Animals must be fed a 100 percent vegetarian diet and have a feeding plan that will guarantee a sufficient, well-balanced diet to appropriately meet their nutritional needs at their stage in life and maintain required Body Condition Scores. Animals shall have access to their feed as long as is necessary for them to satisfy their nutrient requirements.
Pasture and/or bedding are the preferred environments. To qualify as pasture, 75 percent or more of the land occupied by livestock in this program must have vegetation with a root system
. With the core principles completed, Grandin and Niman Ranch are now in the process of developing separate guidelines for each species of animals, as well as an auditing plan.

Niman Ranch said it plans to be one of the first companies to be audited to carry the certification seal for their humanely and sustainably raised natural beef, pork, lamb and chicken.

"Using animals for food is fine, but we've got to do it the right way. This program provides farmers and ranchers a practical and affordable way to give animals a decent life and minimize the impact on our environment at the same time," Grandin said in the statement.
 
That may be worth looking into. I am of the opinion that our cattlemen's organizations need to be promoting themselves as animal welfare (NOT ANIMAL RIGHTS) groups and environmentalists. Which of us do not have a vested interest in preserving the land. Land abuse hurts us first. Too many so called environmentalists try to paint us as not caring about our lands. We need to win the public opinion over with truth. Likewise with welfare of our animals. We are interested in good husbandry practices, and need to tell JQ Public about that. We need to fight animal rights groups. They are the ones that stop horse slaughter, and would like to see us out of business. We need to promote the fact that we want to provide excellent care of our livestock, and a humane end when it comes time. We need to stop letting some biased, and ignorant of the facts, groups of people tell the public what we are and what we do. Get the truth out there!
 
Shortgrass, NCBA is one organization, and I believe Farm Bureau is another that are on the right track on those subjects.

When Earth Day first came into being, NCBA had ranchers trained to speak about our good stewardship of the land and how it was counterproductive for us to abuse our land. The sad part is that too many did not use that training more aggressively. We work with NRCS promoting the fact that ranchers are, for the major part, great stewards of the land. My personal opinion is that fact stems from our strong faith and understanding that stewardship is required of us if we are living our faith.

Same for animal welfare. The major problem is that we have great difficulty getting press for good news. It is bad news, tragedy and evil that seems to sell the media these days. And we also need to work harder at it as individuals, that is, at getting the media coverage.

We also need to be more aggressive and active in stopping our few neighbors who are abusive.

mrj
 
It's aggravating that there is any necessity for a "certification" program for humane and sustainable production. I understand that producers have to get on board and be proactive instead of always catching things on defense. Still, what a slap in the face to have someone come to your ranch and check off a list of practices that are "okay" to do. Wow. That just burns. Not everyone does things that are acceptable and sure there's a bottom end of every bell curve. I dunno, just doesn't feel good to have to cater to HSUS and PETA. Pretty soon Grandin is going to be on their payroll. :roll: :roll:

HP
 
Temple Grandin, renowned designer of humane livestock handling facilities, is launching a new certification program that evaluates both sustainable and humane practices, according to a statement issued by Niman Ranch, which helped Grandin develop the program.

Starting in August 2009, companies that wish to carry the certification seal will be audited on 21 core principles which must be met by all farmers and ranchers receiving certification.
Click to expand...

At a small nominal FEE plus travel expenses and per diem....Another way for someone to cut themselves into making a buck.... :(
 
Have you folks looked at this site? http://www.advocatesforag.com

There was an article in the paper recently about this young couple from western SD and the work they do.

There is currently a discussion on the horse slaughter issue going on in their blog.
 

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