CALF_News_October_November_2019

38 CALF News • October | November 2019 • www.calfnews.net A re you ready for an animal welfare audit on your ranch or farm? You better be, warns Janeen Salak-Johnson, Oklahoma State University associate professor and animal behavior specialist. She was among the speakers at the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association annual convention this summer in Norman. The convention followed the theme of “Building Momentum.” Several hundred producers, feeders and allied industry associates participated in the event. Nearly all are aware of the importance of exceptional animal welfare at the ranch or feedyard. After all, if cattle are cared for properly, they are healthier and more than likely will see better gains and higher quality. However, pressure from animal activists who influence beef retailers and restaurants has generated “an emerging issue – assessment of an animal’s mental state,” said Johnson, a disciple of animal behavior teachings by Temple Grandin, Ph.D. “On-farm animal welfare audits will likely be the standard and a requirement,” she said, adding that packing plants will be doing more “assessing of animal welfare and what happened at the farm.” She termed it “a dicey issue” that will see challenges from consumer groups. Expect more scrutiny from retail giants like Costco, she said,“which is being pushed by activists,” and other beef buyers.“Wendy’s, Tyson and others are telling us what cattle they want. Achiev- ing and ensuring good animal welfare is not a choice.” She pointed out that beef producers could see more accusations of “painful mutilations” caused by castration, tail docking and other procedures. Under- cover, distorted videos such as the one earlier this year at Fair Oaks Farms are not examples of true treatment of ranch or dairy animals. “Even though the video is fabricated – that’s the vision of consumers,” Johnson said.“We’re letting everyone else tell our story. But animal welfare is our term. You (producers and feeders) are the experts. You need to be delivering the narrative. We have to work together and learn from other industries. You have to drive the train.” OCA and other state producer and feeder associations are part of NCBA’s efforts to promote better animal wel- fare and take the lead in encouraging ranchers and others to help educate friends and family members who aren’t informed about cattle production. It’s up to producers and feeders to excel in Beef Quality Assurance and not be slack on animal welfare issues. “But we must know that some things we do may not look good on the cover of TIME magazine,” Johnson said, but they are sometimes part of the cattle handling, transporting and slaughtering process.” NCBA pushing for better trade deals While animal welfare is on NCBA’s mind, beef exports are also at the forefront of the association’s activities By Larry Stalcup Contributing Editor Oklahoma CATTLEMEN'S CONVENTION LEFT: OSU’s Janeen Salak-Johnson says ranchers should expect more scrutiny of their animal welfare.  MIDDLE: NCBA President Jennifer Houston sees trade ratification as the industry’s No. 1 priority.  RIGHT: OCA President Weston Givens. Animal Welfare, Drought Insurance, Other Hot Topics