Ranchers Need Transparency

As I reported last week, the Humane Society of the United States is trying to get multiple animal welfare ballot initiatives passed in Colorado that would affect animal husbandry practices for colorado livestock and dairy producers.

Realizing that right now — these issues are not directly affecting Pacific Northwest ranchers — I asked Colorado Cattlemen's Association Executive Vice President Terry Fankhauser what ranchers in our region need to do. He says

Fankhauser: "I think one of the key points is that we can't take for granted that society clearly understands our business practices. We need to hold ourselves accountable for animal welfare issues but at the same point in time — we need to communicate what our animal handling practices. We need to communicate clearly what our industry is doing and leading on. We have to become more transparent. We have to hold ourselves accountable. And we have to engage off the ranch in some cases as much as on the ranch. Be prepared for these type of maneuvers from organizations like HSUS because at the end of the day when these are filed — and they are multi-million dollar campaigns — we can't be left trying to figure out: where we stand with the public, where we stand with our financial investments, and where those that support our position — as agricultural producers who protect our animals — are when it comes to election day."