|
|
|
Many area residents and farmers attended the Audrain County Farm Bureau-sponsored market outlook meeting Monday night at Mexico High School’s Emmons Hall. Kelly Smith, director of marketing and commodities, Missouri Farm Bureau, talked to the audience about understanding animal activists. He explained how current attacks by animal rights/welfare activists threaten the existence of both livestock and grain producers. The purpose of his talk was to teach the public about the animal rights/welfare movement and the proposed Missouri ballot initiative by the group calling themselves Humane Society of the United States attacking dog breeders. Smith presented a slide show and urged the audience members to “take a stand, become committed and speak out” regarding HSUS. Farm Bureau also provided informative pamphlets regarding the petition HSUS is circulating. Included in the pamphlet are quotes from officials and members of HSUS such as “My goal is the abolition of all animal agriculture,” “Our goal is to get sport hunting in the same category as cock fighting and dog fighting,” and “The life of an ant and that of my child should be granted equal consideration.” Smith also discussed current and future market trends for livestock and grains. In addition to the speaker, Centralia FFA students Gina Olsen, Mitch Schmidt and Katie Martin presented an agricultural issue report they have worked on as a team to present at public forums and FFA competitions. The students present the information and issues, pros and cons, and the audience forms their opinions on the topic “Should Missouri Institute a Livestock Care Standard Board to Regulate Animal Agriculture?”
Many area residents and farmers attended the Audrain County Farm Bureau-sponsored market outlook meeting Monday night at Mexico High School’s Emmons Hall. Kelly Smith, director of marketing and commodities, Missouri Farm Bureau, talked to the audience about understanding animal activists. He explained how current attacks by animal rights/welfare activists threaten the existence of both livestock and grain producers. The purpose of his talk was to teach the public about the animal rights/welfare movement and the proposed Missouri ballot initiative by the group calling themselves Humane Society of the United States attacking dog breeders. Smith presented a slide show and urged the audience members to “take a stand, become committed and speak out” regarding HSUS. Farm Bureau also provided informative pamphlets regarding the petition HSUS is circulating. Included in the pamphlet are quotes from officials and members of HSUS such as “My goal is the abolition of all animal agriculture,” “Our goal is to get sport hunting in the same category as cock fighting and dog fighting,” and “The life of an ant and that of my child should be granted equal consideration.” Smith also discussed current and future market trends for livestock and grains. In addition to the speaker, Centralia FFA students Gina Olsen, Mitch Schmidt and Katie Martin presented an agricultural issue report they have worked on as a team to present at public forums and FFA competitions. The students present the information and issues, pros and cons, and the audience forms their opinions on the topic “Should Missouri Institute a Livestock Care Standard Board to Regulate Animal Agriculture?”
