7-22 FB Farmers Fight Back

 A very graphic, disturbing video of dairy cows and calves being kicked, hit and prodded by pitch forks was released recently by animal rights group, “Mercy for Animals and played on the internet. The YouTube video also contained raw language and was so aggregious that I couldn’t watch it. I have no idea why anyone would release this video to the general public unless it was an attempt to paint a picture like this is just par for the course animal treatment at AnyDairy USA.

If I’m a dairyman or if I’m a member of the dairy industry I’m enraged by the intent of this animal rights group. Fact is, I’m not associated with the dairy industry…I’m a reporter and I’m still totally put off by the innuendo.

Well ag producers are fighting back via the internet blogging, tweeting, uploading their own videos and chatting on Facebook to defend their industry and explain the abuse did not represent their practices. This is an excellent example of the old saying, fight fire with fire. Farmers are getting proactive and farmer Robert Blair, an internet junkie, has words of wisdom: “You do need to get on Facebook”. In that instance Robert was talking to me but ag producers in general are getting the message.