CALF_News_April_May_2019

41 CALF News • April | May 2019 • www.calfnews.net Award-winning author Temple Grandin is famous for her groundbreaking approach to decoding animal behavior. Now she extends her expert guidance to small- scale farming operations. Grandin’s fascinating explanations of how herd animals think – describing their senses, fears, instincts and memories – and how to analyze their behavior, will help you handle your livestock more safely and effectively. order your copy today Grandin Livestock Handling Systems Over 30 years experience in research, custom design, and construction of facilities for happier, healthier animals. (970) 229-0703 • www.grandin.com Guide to WorkinG With Farm animals Order your copy today on Amazon.com! BEYOND THE RANCH GATE Continued from page 38 In a report by Chris Bennett in February’s issue of Farm Journal , Smirnoff didn’t respond by phone or email to ques- tions related to its non-GMO promotion. Contrarily, Allison’s Facebook post of their decision had over 100,000 views with private messages of support from around the world. As Greg Henderson further pointed out, in 2010 ranch- ers were mad at Yellow Tail wine from Australia for promis- ing a $100,000 donation to the Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS). Farmers and ranchers posted videos to Facebook and Twitter of themselves pouring full bottles of Yellow Tail Chardonnay out. This protest of HSUS, a known anti-live- stock group, proved successful in that Yellow Tail reevaluated its stance with lobbying groups and subsequently pulled their support. Henderson goes on to surmise that a Bud Light boycott could be more successful than that of Yellow Tail, with the potential of many more participants.“When was the last time you saw a cowboy leaning against a stock trailer behind the sale barn drinking a glass of wine?” he said. The last week has brought warming temperatures and sunshine to our winter wonderland. With this spring thaw and passable roads, it’s time to venture past the “ranch gate” and put an end to the incessant insanity television broadcasts. It’s time to check on the winter wheat and several projects languishing at the office and, of course, re-stocking the refrigerator and the libations cabinet. Armed with a new mantra,“know what’s on the label,” I can say when enough is enough in regard to my consumerism. I previously have been cognizant of ingredient labels and made decisions based on sound reasoning and knowledge, without cowering from fear-mongering leveled by many companies. But after my winter hiatus, I am more empowered to look beyond the product labels, to what might be hiding beyond. Hypocrisy, political correctness and clueless promotions have no place in my decisions, whether they be cold beer, cocktails or the steak on my plate.  Gray says the restart of the plant will take time.“I think the new owners will mend the fences, and there will be fewer South Texas cattle going to the Panhandle. Their near-term goal is to slaughter 800-900 per day. “I don’t think the recovery will be overnight. It will take a while to get cattle back into this area’s feedyards.” When the packing plant filed for bankruptcy in January, it had some $38 million in debt to cattle producers and feeders. It also had run up about $2 million in utility bills to Corpus Christi. Gray says the financial burdens on Kane and regional produc- ers and feeders are likely long from being over.“There will likely be numerous lawsuits before it’s over,” he says.  KANE BEEF Continued from page 34