While the Precautionary Principle has been accepted by many national governments as a basis for policymaking, controversy looms regarding the actual content and the practical implications of its implementation in policy issues. The National Institute for Animal Agriculture devoted the Opening and Closing General Sessions of its 2014 Annual Conference to the Precautionary Principle and recently released a white paper, … Read More
New FARM Manual Released
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) has released a newly-revised animal care reference manual, containing the guidelines that comprise the core of the National Dairy FARM (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management) Program. The FARM Program was created four years ago to establish a national, voluntary dairy animal care program to bring consistency and uniformity to the practices used on America’s dairy … Read More
See It? Stop It! Animal Care Starts With You
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), along with the Center for Food Integrity and the U.S. Pork Sector jointly launched “See It? Stop It! Animal Care Starts With You.” A campaign to give proactive demonstration of agriculture’s commitment to farm animal care. The initiative demands that if signs of animal abuse, neglect, mishandling or harm are seen, then we have … Read More
Helping Organic Dairies Become More Profitable
Organic dairy farmers and University of Minnesota experts will collaborate on a new study aimed at improving dairies’ profitability through improved pasture production, best management practices for animal comfort and more milk production. The project, headquartered at the university’s West Central Research and Outreach Center at Morris, brings farmers together with experts in animal science, entomology, agronomy and economics. A … Read More
FARM Animal Care Program Findings
A report issued about the National Dairy FARM Animal Care Program found that overall, its subscribers are doing a thorough job of adhering to its multi-faceted approach to comprehensive dairy animal well-being. In June 2012, data collected from the more than 5,000 second-party evaluations made of the dairy operations enrolled in FARM program was reviewed and analyzed to determine the … Read More
Idaho Dairy Video Prompts Quick Response
An undercover video that reportedly shows animal cruelty at an Idaho dairy has prompted a quick response by law enforcement and condemnation by the industry. The hidden camera video by an animal rights group, which has not yet been publicly released, is reported to show repeated and callous abuse by workers at Bettencourt Dairies Dry Creek Dairy near Hansen, Idaho. … Read More
FARM Reaches 45% Participation
National Dairy FARM Program: Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) has announced that 45 percent of the nation’s milk supply now comes from farmers, cooperatives, and proprietary processors implementing the FARM program. Voluntary and open to all producers, FARM is a national dairy animal care, third-party verified program designed to demonstrate dairy farmers’ commitment to outstanding animal care and a quality … Read More
PETA Takes on Dairy-Proposes "Standards"
Another reason for our dairy farmers to take 10 minutes each day to tell your story – there are many ways to accomplish this, whether it be social media, farm tours, talking to neighbors or giving presentations. Protect your right to farm! Last month PETA took aim at the dairy industry. On the heels of Mercy for Animals’ footage of … Read More
HSUS Video Shares Truth
Good reminder for all of those involved in agriculture, and all those who care about agriculture. The newly launched Missouri Farmers Care Web site encourages people to find out more about farmers and how food gets from field to plate, and offers stories from farmers around the state who farm because they care. The group recently released a YouTube video, … Read More
Validus Selected as Third-Party Verifier
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) has selected Validus as the third-party verifier for the National Dairy FARM Animal Care program. Validus is an ISO 9001: 2008 certified auditing and verifying company, with over 10 years of experience verifying on-farm animal care. Validus documents and verifies socially-responsible animal welfare, environmental, on-farm security, and worker care production practices through audits and … Read More