Tri-State Neighbor: South Dakota Farm Newspaper

By Scott Jones, South Dakota Cattlemen's Association President, Scott VanderWal, South Dakota Farm Bureau President, Dave Uttecht, South Dakota Pork Producers Council President
Friday, May 9, 2008 8:45 AM CDT

As livestock producers in South Dakota, we often consider ourselves “shielded” from the activist attacks on agriculture that happen in more populous areas.

However, in recent years it's becoming more and more apparent that Americans no longer have a thorough understanding of where their food comes from or how it's produced.

Even in South Dakota, a state whose economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, livestock producers are increasingly under fire from forces with a limited understanding of the industry. Recent media coverage of a new hog barn in the Wagner, S.D., area and the multiple ballot issues springing up regarding animal welfare are likely only the beginning of the uphill battle we face in re-educating American consumers about food production.

Recently, the Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production released six broad recommendations resulting from their two-year study of the U.S. animal agriculture industry. The Pew Commission took upon itself the task of conducting a study “in the public interest” of modern livestock production. Despite a pledge to an open and public process, the last half of the commission's work was done behind closed doors.

The commission has made no secret of its opposition to contemporary animal agriculture and is ignoring the scientific research they funded in favor of the opinions of commission members who believe they should be able to determine the future of animal agriculture in the United States. Highly respected experts from major land-grant universities, who either made presentations to the commission or conducted research at its request, stated that they felt the commissioners had preconceived notions about the U.S. livestock industry.

Despite what these, and many other, so-called “experts” assert about modern livestock production, those involved in animal agriculture know the truth. Livestock production makes efficient use of resources leading to a more affordable food product for all consumers. Improvements in livestock production technology have helped the industry do a better job of feeding more people.

Today, the United States is significantly ahead of the world in managing livestock production in an environmentally-friendly manner. More than half the agricultural land in the United States is unsuitable for crop production. Grazing animals on this land more than doubles the land area that can be used to produce food in this country and helps battle erosion, invasive plant species and wildfires, while at the same time providing wildlife habitat. A 2001 North Carolina State University study showed that these grasslands also act as a significant carbon offset, especially when carbon dioxide levels rise.

Also, animal feeding operations, such as confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs), are a great source of natural fertilizer. A 2006 EPA study found that application of organic fertilizer (manure) to agricultural lands increased carbon sequestration capability.

The misinformation released by the Pew Commission and touted by many other activists is not new. It is based largely on old data and the opinions of “experts” who know nothing about modern animal agriculture or the regulations that livestock producers adhere to in order to protect the environment and the public.

One area where we can all agree is that our country's animal agriculture industry cannot go back to what many people perceive as “the good old days” of smaller operations. According to a University of Minnesota study, if 1955 technology were used to produce beef today, 165 million more acres of land would be needed. With a growing global population that many project will add 3 billion more mouths to feed over the next 30 years, it's imperative for those of us in food production to use all of the tools available to ensure safe and adequate food supplies.

Open discussion and debate on important issues could benefit the industry and the public. The animal agriculture community remains interested in fact-based, balanced discussion with our stakeholders to address issues of public concern, including providing a safe, abundant and affordable food supply.

We encourage you to learn more about our industry's efforts at www.animalagalliance.org.

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