Ag-Gag or Prevention of Crulety and Protection of Farmers

There’s a new term being tossed around by opponents and antagonists of Australian agriculture……”Ag-Gag Laws”. As with many things it is a term borrowed from the US where animal rights activists like PETA and Animal Liberation are very active. So active in fact that they have taken their activism to the next level - terrorism, and I do not jest. Animal Liberation burnt 14 trucks at a US meat company in an effort to damage industry.

http://agricultureproud.com/2012/01/11/california-activists-torch-cattle-trucks/

But we are in Australia, and things like this don’t happen, or do they? Is there a campaign against our Australian intensive livestock industries underway? Definitely. We have Animals Australia and Animal Liberation undertaking many campaigns and activities to undermine consumer confidence in our livestock farmers. They have also successfully, it seems, drawn the RSPCA into their efforts. Their most effective campaigns stem from the use of video footage depicting acts of cruelty against farm animals. This however is where I take issue to their campaigns. 

http://www.stockandland.com.au/news/agriculture/livestock/general-news/activists-antifarm-mission/2704528.aspx?storypage=0

Let me explain a little more initially by way of some myth busting of the seven basic myths being pedalled……..

Myth 1: Farmers don’t want people on their farms or filming things because they are cruel and are doing the wrong thing.

Truth:

Australian farmers love to talk about their farms and livestock. Just ask one a genuine question and they will love the opportunity to explain what they do and why they do it. They love visitors. However they are also far from naive and over the past three years many have become very aware of how easily things can be twisted through clever editing, to alter a perfectly benign situation into something much more sinister. This has made them cautious and wary. The amount of damage done to individual farmers through footage, of which little has resulted in successful prosecution for cruelty, is enormous. They have learned to be distrusting of a stranger’s motives and wary of disgruntled employees in this day and age of social media and the Internet.

Myth 2: All livestock farmers are cruel. 

Truth:

There is always someone somewhere in this world doing the wrong thing. People murder each other, people do terrible things to their pets, they do terrible things to each other. Farmers are not immune to this either and there will always be a small minority doing the wrong thing. They are however, as with the rest of the population,  a small minority. As a beef cattle farmer and feedlotter, I can tell you we take great care of our livestock. We value them not only as a commodity from which we earn an income, but as a living, breathing being for whom we provide food and water, treat when ill or injured and receive endless enjoyment from. Farmers are proud of their livestock. They put much effort into the genetics and breeding herd and their animals give them great pleasure and pride. To treat one of their animals poorly that they invested so much time, effort and patience into simply makes little sense.  There is also the fact that a mistreated animal will never result in the same returns as a happy, well cared for, content animal.

Myth 3: If you earn a living from livestock you are only interested in making money and are therefore cruel.

Truth:

To own or operate a farm, the end goal must be sustainability. Sustainability encompasses a wide spectrum of responsibility. Farmers must care sustainably for the environment (soils, water, vegetation), the animals (their welfare), their community (employees, contractors, service providers, schools, etc) and their business. If their business is not financially sustainable they cannot undertake the other aspects of farming sustainably. Did you know that 61% of Australia’s land mass has a farmer as its custodian, and to maintain this land, vegetation and animals is expensive. A livestock business must make money from the sale of its animals. It must be profitable during the good seasons/times so there are funds in reserve to manage the business through the poor seasons and times. Without money generated through profits from the sale of livestock there is no money for fodder or vets or medicines to treat ill livestock.Financial viability underpins animal welfare.

Myth 4: You can’t trust Livestock Industries and their various representative bodies because they have a vested interest

Truth:

A vested interest is exactly why livestock industries and bodies need to be one of the first ports of call when an issue rears its head. As a feedlotter we face annual audits each year, but in addition if we were found to be doing something wrong, especially acts of cruelty we would very quickly have  our licence suspended and probably revoked. Our industry does not want to see its well established reputation as progressive and welfare orientated tarnished by individuals who chose to deliberately do the wrong thing. After speaking with members from several other industries their Industry bodies are much the same. There is always room for improvement and our Australian livestock industries and the bodies that represent them are striving to achieve high standards.

Myth 5: Farmers are uneducated and therefore are unable to adopt new practises and unable to be trusted with knowing what is best for their farm and livestock.

Truth:

It can be very easy for people from outside the livestock industries to view our farmers as uneducated and believe that they in fact may know better how to operate a farm and look after its livestock than the actual farmers doing it themselves. The truth of the matter is that Australian farmers are some o the most efficient and innovative in the world. They are quick to adopt new practices and technologies. They deal with a variety of environments, climates and market conditions. Australian farmers are very adaptable and their abilities do need to be given a little more respect.  As an aside, an interesting static for the feedlot industry shows that 29% of those employed in the industry actually have a Bachelor or Master's degree.

Myth 6: Animals Rights activists and organisations are the same as Animal Welfare organisations.

Truth:

Nothing could be further from the truth. Organisations like Animals Australia and the Animal Liberation do not spend a cent on the provision of welfare for any animals. Instead, in the case of Animals Australia, they spend a large portion of their budget on wages, advertising and legal fees. They provide shelter for no homeless pets nor do they act in the best interest of animals, rather making the best use of any footage to further their agenda than swiftly report and act incidents of cruelty.

Myth 7: Cruelty should be reported to animal rights organisations like Animals Australia.

Truth:

Due to the heavy campaigning in the media of groups like Animals Australia there is a misguided belief that they should be the first port of call if you witness cruelty occurring especially for farm animals. This is something that is becoming increasingly concerning as we continue to see footage released that has been held for long periods of time with no direct action or intervention. It is worrying seeing the shift in understanding that an organisation like Animals Australia is the right place to report cruelty. It is not. In fact nothing could be further from the truth. Animals Australia do not have any power to act upon reports. The RSPCA does. Animals Australia does not have the ability to investigate and prosecute, DAFF does. Animals Australia is not able to suspend accreditation for intensive industries, but industry bodies can.

So how can we counter these issues to a point that will see both animal cruelty reported in a timely manner but farmers rights protected from the deceitful actions of activists.

http://www.stockjournal.com.au/news/agriculture/general/news/back-pushes-antitrespass-bill/2705331.aspx

Portions of the legislation being proposed by Senator Chris Back would you believe actually originated from a chance meeting in Canberra. I had actually gone to Canberra to attend the launch of the Agribusiness Council of Australia. So perhaps I might be well placed to describe in part what the actual purpose behind the legislation is.

Animal Rights groups (not Animal Welfare) have increased their campaigns since the Four Corners episode A Bloody Business aired in 2011. Since that time there have been numerous releases of footage of animal cruelty at slaughter yards, piggeries, poultry farms and now shearing sheds. This footage is generally obtained using either deceptive methods or as a result of surveillance cameras being placed on farms after trespassing and breaching biosecurity protocols. 

While the common theme in these clips is of course the cruelty, there is another more sinister theme……that of an agenda that allows the footage to be obtained and held sometimes for as much as 9 months before being released or authorities contacted to report the incident. Often the clips are held to coincide with a peak production period for an industry such as ham at Christmas, or the height of the Live Export season.  This is where I take particular exception.

How can any person who claims to have the welfare of the animals at heart not immediately report the cruelty incident to the correct authorities immediately? How can someone who claims to have the interest of animals at the centre of their beliefs not act promptly to ensure that the person responsible is at least removed from the position of caring for animals if not prosecuted. Why do they not act immediately?

There has been a whole industry spawned that revolves around obtaining footage of cruelty. At present there is a veritable wealth of causes on sites like pozible, to which you can contribute by way of crowd funding, to facilitate the purchase of camera, video cameras and even drones whose sole purpose is to obtain footage from farms. The footage is used on social and mainstream to instill outrage amongst consumers. The footage that reaches its final destinations is not the original footage, but heavily edited, with suitably sad music applied.

If there is so much cruelty in our livestock farming industries, why are there not more cases successfully prosecuted? 

To counter the issue of unauthorised filming obtained with an agenda in mind but also to ensure that any cruelty is reported immediately to the authorities so it can be acted upon immediately a new suite of legislation is required. The legislation should be enacted at a Federal level and the States should follow suit so that borders are no obstacle in implementation or prosecution. I believe this is the only way that both parties (a person filming genuine cruelty and an innocent farmer) can be protected. 

I urge all parties to consider supporting the Bill that Senator Back has proposed. If we are to see cruelty dealt with swiftly and effectively but also protect our farmers from organisations whose intention is to defame, discredit and destroy I believe this legislation must be adopted.

As a feedlotter it would give me great peace of mind. It is not unedited footage we fear, as it would show a complete version of event, but the heavily edited footage obtained through illegal trespass. It is easy enough to create an issue where in actual fact there is none with today’s technology. The liability and biosecurity risks we face are also real concern, along with the risk posed to ourselves, employees and children.

Surely all reasonable sides of the argument can see the benefits of adopting this legislation. I suggest that those against the legislation are fearful of a loss of revenue stemming from their public funding campaigns that rely heavily on footage of cruelty to win public support through outrage. It is much harder to inspire outrage when authorities are dealing with the matter at hand. 

Let's be proactive and think of the welfare of both our livestock and our farmers. 

A Letter To An Angel

My beautiful friend, after three and a half years battling Lymphoma, you slipped away peacefully. You fought tooth and nail all the way to have more time with your loved ones, but it wasn’t to be. I feel extremely selfish as I can feel your absence already with all the things I want to talk to you about, that big hug I want to be able to give you, that night out on the grog we spoke about, those shopping trips we won’t get to have (could we shop or what!). Selfish because if I miss you already as your friend, I cannot begin to fathom what you beautiful family is feeling. Selfish because these things seem so small compared to your epic battle.

I really need to tell you some things I didn’t get to say last time and I know some of them you already know, but I still need to say them:

Firstly and you already know this, but you have raised three of the most awesome children together with William. They are beautiful, brilliant children and will be all the stronger and more compassionate for watching how hard and courageously you fought this battle. Be proud AM and we all know you are and will always be watching over them and you have left them in safe hands. Will is a wonderful father, you taught him well :)

Secondly you fought this battle with so much determination and courage. You were simply inspirational to so many, especially me. Your positive attitude shone thought. There was no “why me” or “poor me” but “Let’s kick this thing in the arse”. Sometimes your courage faltered but you regathered and regrouped and fought harder. 

Thirdly thank you for so many wonderful memories. From puddle dancing at the Injune pub to going to the movies and watching “the Preacher’s Wife” ( no sex, violence or swearing and somehow so therapeutic) when we had the worst day at work; from having the absolutely best joint birthday party (cops came twice and everything) to having the most wonderfully supportive bridesmaid(who may have got a little too much satisfaction out of my very first proper hangover); from watching Dusk to Dawn (and freaking ourselves out) to  baby sitting that cute little bundle that is now a 6ft teenager. Most especially thank you for coming with me to Eddie’s scan in Brisbane when I was quite terrified. “It will be so lovely to see a baby scan instead of a cancer one” you said. Eddie will now have a Godmother with a direct link the lucky boy. The more I think of you, the more lovely memories that surface.

Fourthly, thank you for being my rock. Like everyone we had our rough patches as we traveled through life and things didn't quite got to plan. I can still remember when it was my turn for life to get a little rocky how happy you were to be able to repay the favour and be my rock (“I never thought I would be able to return the favour” were your words). Your support, wisdom, honesty and friendship got me through. I can only hope I was able to give you just a little of the help you gave me.

Fifthly (is that a word?) Thank you for teaching me the importance of treasuring those around me, my children, my husband, my family and friends. Not a day goes by I don’t think of how lucky I am and even though sometimes it is hard at the end of a day. I try to be thankful for everything from the tantrums to the triumphs. I don’t always succeed, but I am getting better. I think of you and your wish to be here and see you children finish school. It was not a big ask.

And finally I am sorry. Sorry I that I took for granted you were only a couple of hours away and didn’t visit more. Sorry that I got too wrapped up in my own little family and our own problems to be a wonderful friend to you. I have just got myself all sorted and now you are gone and this devastates me to no end. I have taken this on as a lesson and never again will I take those close to me for granted.

I miss you already darling girl and I know I always will, but I will talk to you everyday and check in on your wonderful family. I will not forget the things I have learnt from your experience or friendship.  Love you always and forever until we meet again. xx

From my beautiful friend's battle I discovered the dire need to increase numbers of people registered on the Australian Bone Morrow Donor Registry. A simple blood test and you could be registered and possibly save a life while you are here now. Please register. It was Anne-Marie's wish that from her battle something positive came about and she had hoped to raise awareness of the need for Bone Marrow Donors.

This is a little more of her story.......

http://www.lymphoma.org.au/lymphoma-support/the-gift-of-life-bm/32-bone-marrow/180-anne-marie-brandon

 

Leadership

Why is it necessary to reinvent the wheel every time a person is not happy with a group or committee or even industry body? Why can the old or current body not be fixed, amended or corrected? Is it a matter of leadership? I am so tired of the whole out with the old in with the new scenarios being played out on social media, politics and in Australian agriculture on a daily basis. 

We are becoming a society of serial wasters, be it white goods, computers, food or people. It appears slightly broken so let’s dump it and start out again.

Why is there not more focus on building strong but flexible leaders in our schools? Leaders whose skills make them open and accountable rather than dictorial and close minded. Leaders whose skills are those of inclusion and courage. Leaders who can see the benefits to all arguments, but are also not afraid to point out the pitfalls and move to a better solution.  Leaders who inspire those under their care and command to grow and evolve rather than devolve into paranoid seething masses. 

There are some of those special people around, but often you don’t have them pegged as a leader. They are not self-promoting or self-serving. They do not talk about I. Everyone will know one. That person who has an aura that draws many different people to them. The person who has that innate ability to tolerate everyone with all their individual flaws and brilliance and has a varied and eclectic mix of friends. The person who doesn’t leave people out in the cold. The person that others gravitate towards. The person that does not merely talk about things but is actually out there doing the things themselves. That person that makes others want to be a better person. 

These are the people we need out there in our political parties, industry bodies and committees. These are the people who will take the time to listen to all the ideas put forward and build them into better ideas by inclusion and discussion. These are the people who act in the interest of democracy as a whole. These are the people who can listen to issues but resolve them through effective inclusive communication. These are the people who will ensure things move forward and people grow to their full potential.

We don’t need wolves or peacocks, show ponies or foxes. We need a good solid people who have the ability to unite, inspire and achieve.

Remember there is no I in team.

Upskilling.....the pressure was on

A quick lesson for me recently……I can do a lot of things when the pressure is on.

My husband was organising a buck’s party weekend away and taking his Best man’s role very seriously. A weekend of camping, fishing and drinking with mates, although after listening to the menu and their organising I had arrived at the decision that they were glamping….seriously 10kgs of prawns  & two boxes of strip loin straight from the abattoir to be consumed on a creek bank in Western Queensland?!  The wedding had already been cancelled once due to an unexpected accident (from which an excellent recovery has been made), and it was really important that they all get away for some downtime.

We had organised someone to come over and feed the cattle in the feedlot…..or so we thought. A feedlot is a very demanding master. Cattle must be fed at least once a day (sometimes more), rations mixed, waters cleaned and the feedlot checked several times a day (to make sure all animals are healthy, water is available, sufficient feed available, etc). Much like a dairy farm, it is very difficult to leave and ties you down to the place.

Finding employees is hard in this area. We have to compete against CSG(Coal Seam Gas) companies & service companies who pay big wages. The local town has rents that average $600/week for a house. It is also hard to find someone who is genuinely interested in feedlotting and farming.

Only six days out from the weekend we discover we have no one to feed, and we are hitting dead ends in finding alternatives. Meekly I pipe up with “Perhaps I could do it?”. I was very glad at this stage that the idea was rejected and I breathed a sigh of relief and went back to offering other suggestions.

I should explain at this stage that I do not drive a tractor. My mother told me never to learn so I did not have to sit there going around and around on a cultivation planting crops. I think it may be the fact that she used to have to drive a D6 Bulldozer with no cab at all (lovely Australian sun beating down on her) planting wheat may have been the reason behind her advice. She also told me never to marry a farmer (as in a cropping farmer). She should have mentioned feedlotters too I think. 

I do however drive a bobcat, and can operate a mixer. I also do all costings (working out costs of all components of a ration) on our rations so I know exactly what goes into a ration and at what ratio, but the finer points of mixing rations are not my domain. I assist with the induction of cattle and potter around cleaning waters, etc when able as I have three boys 5 and under who keep me house bound and busy.

So when hubby suddenly said “Right you’re it!” I suddenly felt sick. Sick at the responsibility that would now be mine. I believe at this point in time I was almost physically sick any time I gave the coming weekend too much thought.  Me and my big mouth and bright ideas!!

Perhaps the thing that worried me the most was the fact I must drive a bobcat with a bucket load of various commodities up a ramp and empty the bucket into a mixer.  Bobcats are sensitive machines, prone to propping and bucking under the drivers hands. The bucket is controlled by foot pedals while driving is controlled by the hands on sticks. Lots of things to be doing at once,  meaning lots of room for error. There was a lot of bunny hopping over bumps to and from the silage pit & also more terrifyingly up and down the ramp.

I sat there in the cab tense, so tense infact that when I got out it took along time for the muscles across the shoulders to relax and my hands were almost like claws from gripping the sticks so tightly. When I bunny hopped right at the top of the ramp there were so many deep breaths taken I was positively oxygenated well and truly. It probably sounded like I was going a round with Danny Green as the air sailed out of my cheeks like I had been punched. Then two small things made all the difference……1. I discovered I could move the seat forward so I had much better control over the pedals (yes I know der Freddy) and 2. I banned all from sitting there watching me and giving orders with flapping arms. Suddenly calm came to the cab of the bobcat and I had it all together (barring odd minor lapse in concentration).

The other thing to note is that it really is important that a lot of care be taken with the mixing of the rations. Ratios of the different commodities must be correct. Therefore we operate by the “if you are not happy with it don’t feed it motto”.  I had a lovely list of the exact amounts needed for each ration, removing the margin for error.

So after three days of intensive training & practice, hubby headed off with a procession of utes. It should possibly be noted here that it should have only taken them 3-4 hours to reach their destination, not the 12 hours via a scenic route that it did (mud map found still on kitchen table). The first morning of going it alone I arrived at the commodity shed and jumped into the tractor to warm it up only to find a lovely note pinned to the clipboard where all the ration information is kept…….”Remember to breath sweetheart. Piece of piss. You’ve got this.”

Strangely I discovered it was very peaceful without someone watching me (even if they were hiding around the corner trying not to be seen).  As long as I didn’t let my mind wander off on a tangent like thinking about jobs to be done at the house or the kids, I drove that bobcat like an old hand. The minute my mind wandered I spilt stuff, bunny hopped or collected something. The rations were mixed and successfully fed out. Cattle were happy and well behaved in the absence of the “boss”.

Not being a morning person I was surprised to discover how much enjoyment I got out of getting up in the cold and the dark to go down to the feedlot and prepare the mixes and feed out the ration. I am thinking it had more to do with the sense of achievement I got from being able to successfully complete my job without any complications (Husband’s friend who was “on call” for motor issues was not required).

I do love cleaning the waters in the feedlot. The cattle soon become quiet if they weren’t already. There is always one or two in every pen who are addicted to fresh clean water and are pushing past you while you are scrubbing the troughs as they can’t wait until you are done. The back of your shirt is often wet from being licked or chewed or having water dribbled down it while you are scrubbing. There is always one character in the feedlot who likes to make sure you are awake and up for a game of “Call your bluff”, which I lost on two occasions as I am sure it had passed the game and these couple of characters had developed more sinister intentions.  Or as you wander through the pen checking on the health of the cattle it resembles the school playground game of “What’s The Time Mr Wolf” as the cattle inch closer and closer behind you.

So to the outcome…..the mixer wears two new (small) scars from a bobcat bucket. The shed support is slightly bent at one point (although I am pleased to say I was not the first to do this). One bunker wall may not be as straight as it was. I did however remember to raise the elevator between feeding every pen removing the chance of tearing it off. The tractor well it was a piece of piss (hubby’s term).  Even found the light switch (it is an old tractor and it took some finding) so I could feed out at 4 am because the cattle were particularly hungry that night. All cattle were fed and happy, waters clean and mixed done correctly.

I finished my job feeling empowered, confident and proud that I was able to master and complete the tasks without any incident. I loved the fact that I surprised myself, my husband and his friends.

Agriculture has many areas where it becomes a man’s domain based often simply upon the strength required to complete a task. However women can do many things and should be encouraged to give it a go. Agriculture needs more people in every industry and everywhere throughout Australia. Male or female if you think you have a passion to be on the land, you can make it happen.