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COPAKE, N.Y. (Jan. 22) -- State police in New York say an upstate dairy farmer shot and killed 51 of his milk cows in his barn before turning the rifle on himself.

State police found the body of 59-year-old Dean Pierson in his Copake barn on Thursday. A visitor found a note Pierson had left on the barn door that said not to come in and to call police.

State police would only say that Pierson was having personal issues.

The Columbia County hamlet of Copake is about 115 miles north of New York City.

Local farmers buried the cows outside the barn Friday. They would not discuss Pierson or what had happened, but one of the men said these are hard times to be a farmer.

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Check out this link really cool Mike Rowe Dirty Jobs from FFA convention

From the Passenger Seat - Thursday 28th of January 2010 11:12:37 AM

http://purduephil.wordpress.com/2010/01/28/video-feature-mike-rowe-supporting-agriculture/

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Vermont Bill Would Authorize HSUS to Oversee Livestock Commerce in the State Vermont Bill Would Authorize HSUS to Oversee Livestock Commerce in the State

Industry News - Wednesday 27th of January 2010 06:47:07 PM

It's almost unbelievable- but a Vermont lawmaker has introduced a bill that would authorize that "An inspector who is a representative of a the humane society of the United States, a Vermont-domiciled humane society, or similar organization approved by rule of the secretary, shall be present to observe a slaughterer, packer, or stockyard operator when engaged in the practice of bleeding or slaughtering livestock."
We have reaction from Steve Kopperud who helped found the Animal Agriculture Alliance, who says that " Animal Rights acitivists may be headed toward an unprecedented power grab in Vermont." Kopperud, who is now executive vice president of Policy Directions, has been monitoring the activities of animal rights activists for over 20 years and says what groups like HSUS are trying to do in Vermont represents an important turning point in their crusade to enact animal welfare reforms.

Click on the link below to hear a report from our colleague Stewart Doan on this incredible situation unfolding in the "Green Mountain State." We also have a link within our story of the language of the bill introduced in Vermont that would hand over the oversight of animal agriculture to HSUS

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EXTRA - EXTRA Ohio House Introduces Livestock Care Standards Legislation

Industry News - Wednesday 27th of January 2010 06:14:57 PM

Representatives Sayre and Bolon introduced the implementation legislation for State Issue 2’s Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board on Tuesday, Jan. 19. House Bill 414 does the following:
Defines “livestock” as equine animals, regardless of the purpose for which the equine are raised; porcine, bovine, caprine and ovine animals; poultry; alpaca and llamas.
Requires the appointment of the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board within 45 days of the bill’s effective date and establishes board member provisions such as terms of office, vacancies, meetings and compensation.
Reiterates Issue 2’s language regarding the purpose of the board.
Directs the board to adopt rules regarding civil penalties for violating care standards.
Establishes duties of the director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) for assisting the board and grants authority to the director and his/her representative to enter property for inspection and investigation.
Prohibits anyone from providing false information in response to the livestock care standard requirements, or otherwise violating the rules developed by the board.
Creates an Ohio livestock care standards fund and authorizes the director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture to use the fund for program administration and enforcement.
Increases the commercial feed and seed inspection fee in ORC 923.44 by 15¢ over the next three years, in 5¢ increments per year — to 30¢, 35¢ and 40¢ per ton — and increases the minimum fee from $25 to $50.
Allows the director of ODA to request annual transfers of not less than $500,000 from the commercial feed and seed fund to the Ohio livestock care standards fund.
States that the law does not affect the authority of county humane societies or officials.
Clarifies that the law does not apply to food processing production activities regulated under ORC Chapter 1717.

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This will make you mad! Oklahoma Based Sonic Bows to HSUS

Industry News - Wednesday 27th of January 2010 06:08:13 PM

In an news report from Meatingplace, the Oklahoma City based food chain Sonic Drive Ins have decided to make demands on their suppliers of pork and eggs going forward. "Sonic Corp., the drive-in restaurant chain, said it will begin requiring all suppliers to undergo independent audits of their livestock and poultry handling practices in an effort to promote the humane treatment of farm animals. Sonic said it is asking its suppliers to focus on employee training in humane animal-handling practices and ongoing verification of practices. Companies that continue to fail to meet Sonic's animal welfare guidelines will be excluded from its supply chain, Sonic said. "
Specifically, Sonic said it will challenge its poultry suppliers to convert to an animal welfare-friendly controlled atmosphere killing system (CAS). Animal welfare-friendly is defined as no dumping or shackling live birds and using inert gases. Sonic said it will favor suppliers that raise hogs in a gestation crate-free environment.

Egg suppliers will be required to meet United Egg Producer (UEP) standards for housing and other poultry practices. Sonic does not support the withdrawal of food or water to facilitate molting or support improperly controlled or managed beak trimming.

Meatingplace points out that Sonic is one of a number of fast food chains that HSUS has bought stock in and is demanding policy statements similar to those that Sonic has just announced. These policies as demanded by HSUS are in line with the political goals that HSUS is seeking in states across the country. Going back to last spring, the head of the HSUS admitted that the policies they seek are not science based, but rather are arbitrary standards that their board and staff have developed to fit their opinions of animal well being.

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Mexico Remains Number One Destination for US BeefMexico Remains Number One Destination for US Beef

uncategorized - Wednesday 27th of January 2010 06:06:13 PM

Despite very difficult economic conditions, Mexico will finish 2009 as the leading volume and value market for U.S. beef exports and the top volume destination for U.S. pork. We talk about Mexico and their value to the US Red Meat Industry on today's Beef Buzz.
Chad Russell, U.S. Meat Export Federation regional director for Mexico, Central America and the Dominican Republic who is based in Mexico City, says Mexico's economy is showing some signs of improvement, and this should create a more positive business climate for USMEF marketing activities in 2010. He also cites Mexico's favorable market access conditions and excellent consumer acceptance of U.S. meat products as factors that should foster further growth of U.S. exports.

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Yellow tail and HSUS

uncategorized - Tuesday 26th of January 2010 03:28:28 PM

From Crystal.cattle - realy like this young ladies blog

No more Yellowtail for me thank-you HSUS

I prefer Little Penguin

This is your animal activist alert - they have done it again! HSUS has used their sad "puppy dog and kitty cat, but actually don't run any animal shelters" faces to convince Yellowtail wines to be a part of the team. Well, Yellowtail (even though there unfortunately is a bottle waiting to be drank on my counter, but is now going in the trash) we are not on the same team anymore.

According to the Human Society of the U.S.'s website Yellowtail wines and HSUS have partner together for the "tails for tails" program.

Through the end of March, you'll see special [yellow tail] displays bearing The HSUS name and logo in stores across the country.

Through "tails for tails," [yellow tail] is donating $100,000 to support us and our programs to help animals, including our Spay Day Online Pet Photo Contest. What better way to celebrate your own pet than by sharing your animal companion's photo.

I think if I wanted to celebrate my pets life I would donate to my LOCAL Humane Society and make a donation in their honor, not give HSUS more money so they can continue their crusade against animal agriculture. Anyone know of a good cowboy wine out there?

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Monday Market Sentiment: Industry Leaders Predict A Decrease In Cash Cattle Prices

Industry News - Tuesday 26th of January 2010 02:24:28 PM

A survey of cattle-industry leaders suggests the average price for cash cattle will decrease 20 cents to 84.71 this week. The decrease in the average forecast in CatttleNetwork's Monday Market Sentiment survey marks the first week in nearly two months that industry insiders have predicted a decrease in prices.

The Monday Market Sentiment is a forecast of the upcoming weekly cash trade (5-Area weighted average price) prices reported by the USDA. This week prices decrease for the first time in five weeks. Last week the USDA announced that cash trade for the week ending January 24th was 84.91, a 5 percent increase from a year earlier.

Most industry leaders were expecting to see much lower placements than what was reported in last week's cattle on feed report.

Rob Cook, Director of CattleNetwork, expects to see steady trade this week.

“Cattle feeders will be looking for steady prices this week.I thought this week would be off to a great start after last week's cattle on feed report. However with corn futures starting the week higher it slowed some of the enthusiasm. Hopefully beef demand can try to remain firm to end out the month.”

Each week CattleNetwork awards a $100 gift certificate from Cabela's courtesy of Intervet/Schering Plough to the industry leader whose forecast comes closest to the 5-Area cash trade number reported by the USDA. The most recent winner is Mark Engler of Cactus Feeders.

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Keifer Sutherland Loses Thousands In Cattle Sales Scandal

Industry News - Tuesday 26th of January 2010 02:16:50 PM

STOCKTON - Keifer Sutherland, best known for his role as Jack Bauer on the Fox TV series "24," has been named as one of the victims in a San Joaquin County case involving a Linden cattle salesman who is facing embezzlement charges.

According to a news release from the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office, the actor was swindled out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, allegedly by Michael Wayne Carr, a competitive steer roping promoter and cattle manager.

Carr's arraignment is scheduled for Feb. 8. It was delayed Monday after Carr's attorney was removed from the case, Deputy District Attorney Stephen Maier said.

Carr is expected to be arraigned on 12 felony charges: five counts of grand theft with "great taking enhancements," three counts of forgery, two counts of obtaining money by false pretenses, and one count each of embezzlement and falsifying corporate books.

If Carr is found guilty on all charges, he could serve 18 years in a state prison.

According to the District Attorney's Office, the Linden resident took $869,000 from Sutherland on an agreement that he would buy steers in Mexico with that money and sell them at a "huge" profit to prearranged buyers in the United States.

Some of the films in which Sutherland, 43, portrayed cowboys inspired him to buy a ranch in Montana and pursue rodeo competition. He has won a number of roping contests.

Prosecutors have found no evidence that Carr ever bought or sold the steers Sutherland supposedly financed.

Carr is accused by county prosecutors of doing the same thing to a couple in New Mexico, who gave him $177,000.

Local victims have also come forward. An Escalon man said he loaned Carr 54 steers and has yet to receive them back or receive any payment.

The county did find instances where Carr produced sales. However, the District Attorney's Office said, the cattle didn't belong to him.

A Colorado cattle mover who leases steers for roping competitions - primarily in California, Nevada and Arizona - accused Carr of selling some of the company's livestock without its permission and keeping the money. The court estimates the value of the missing cattle to be more than $400,000.

Contact reporter Jennie Rodriguez at (209) 943-8564 or jrodriguez@recordnet.com.

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