Thursday, May 8, 2008

Downer Cattle Video

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has released a video today alleging abuse of downed dairy cattle at four different auction yards. While we don’t know the validity of their claims as of yet, an investigation has already begun. The video was taken during April and May of this year and was shared with US Secretary of Agriculture Edward Schafer on Friday.

If these allegations of abuse are true, there is no excuse for this mishandling. Auction markets have available to them quality assurance programs to teach proper handling to their employees and management must make sure that these handling procedures are being put in place.

No one in livestock production wants to see an animal suffer. Those of us that work with livestock on a daily basis work hard everyday to make sure that our animals are content. Producers know that their livelihood depends on these animals living healthy lives and being handled in the best possible way.

Millions of head of livestock are handled every year in this country using proper handling guidelines. And our industry should expect nothing less.....Troy

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