What Mercy?

There are few things that can stop me in my tracks and instantly make my stomach curl, but animal abuse is on the top of that list. This past week the animal activist group Mercy For Animals released yet another "top secret" video of farmers abusing their livestock. As many of us are aware, this isn't the first time this particular group has targeted dairy farmers and their families. Last spring they released a video of an Ohio farm with the vicious intention of promoting political initiatives in our state. What wasn't broadcast or thrown to the media was the fact that in that video, the employee of the farm was initially hired by Mercy For Animals to pose as a farm worker and abuse livestock. Or that this particular farm worker's bail (of a large sum) was paid in cash. But no one seemed alarmed by these facts. In fact, I still hear people talk about the incident with certainty that all farmers are cruel and inhumane.

Honestly, I couldn't even watch the whole video from last year because I was so disgusted; let alone this new supposed case of abuse. And I'm not the only one. Agriculturalists have spoken up with emotions that can only come from individuals that truly know and understand our industry. A great example of this came from a blog I found called "Gate to Plate":

http://www.causematters.com/agriculture/mercy-for-animals-calves-animal-abuse/

Although it pains me to see news like this flashing all over and brainwashing uneducated consumers, it also reminds me of how much work we have to do as advocates.

While I'd like to say that it's their own fault for being uninformed, look at what information they are receiving. Wouldn't you be a little concerned and mad at livestock producers if abuse videos were highlighted on the evening news? Wouldn't you be apt to join in anti-agriculture movements if you'd never met a farmer before? Wouldn't you believe that animal agriculture is harmful if you'd never seen a production farm or how livestock are handled? I know I'd be suspicious. And suspicion is dangerous.

That is why it is more important now than ever before that we come together and spread positive messages about what we do and who we are.

It is our responsibility to educate others.

Our mission needs to be informing consumers.

If agriculture is our passion, we need to be willing to spread the word.

Here's another great resource to gain information: http://www.collegiatetimes.com/stories/15428/anti-agriculture-claims-need-further-examination

The time is now. Become an advocate of agriculture.

God Bless,

Hannah