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Fairs - Our Window of Opportunity
by Darrell Anderson
The fair season is upon us, and it is always a special time of the year for youngsters and parents alike. It usually is the culmination of a project that has consumed a large portion of your waking hours for many months. For many of us that have a rich tradition steeped in the livestock business, fair season holds many special memories – some of which may have impacted a career path, or even the decision regarding a spouse.
It is easy for those of us involved in the daily activities of the livestock industry to be consumed with all the tasks of preparation for showing our animals in competition. But for many fair-goers, their two- or three-hour experience in the livestock barns is their once-a-year exposure to our world.
For millions of Americans each year, livestock exhibitions are their “window to American agriculture.”
With that in mind, each of us accepts an enormous amount of responsibility to “seize the moment.” Make the most of this opportunity to create lasting, positive impressions on those that wander by your pens or past the show ring at the fair.
Part of that responsibility is education. Answer questions or concerns from those who watch you prepare your animal for the show.
While some of their questions may seem rather silly, you must remember that most of them have had little or no exposure to our industry. Or even worse, their only exposure might have been some propaganda supplied to their classroom by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) or some other radical-activist organization. Try to be prepared to answer their questions. And, if you can’t answer them, try to locate someone who can.
We must also be constantly aware that someone is watching us at all times. Be sure you truly are using the very best animal husbandry practices.
In no way should anything you do be misconstrued as animal cruelty or abuse.
As you will see in Mark Meurer’s feature story in this issue, there is a distinct difference between “animal rights” and “animal welfare.”
Unfortunately, many people have made that distinction quite blurry, and the only way we can combat those organizations and their messages is through public education. Each of us can serve a valuable role in the process if we accept the challenge.
I especially encourage you to read Mark’s sidebar article that refers to a rather-shocking revelation from Trent Loos: Some of these activists view our daily genetic-selection practices as “genetic manipulation” and possibly a violation of the animal’s “rights.”
Apparently they view the “normal and natural” process of crossbreeding in the wild to be the only acceptable reproduction method for animals, and our controlled, pedigreed approach is in violation of this “law of nature.”
Now you can smile and laugh all you want to, but the reality is that these folks have enormous amounts of money at their disposal, and their primary mission is to eliminate animal agriculture from our society.
Please don’t mistake this as friendly little banter back and forth. Rather, we are at war with these people, and they are out to destroy us.
While each of us can’t win the war alone, you will encounter many opportunities to assist in the battle at various expositions this month. Try to convert at least a few of their followers.
Enjoy the fairs, but always be aware of the opportunities to educate those with little knowledge of our industry.
In so doing, you will help create a positive image for animal agriculture and assure a bright future for the next generation.
