But…What are We Going to Do with Them? Dr. Les Anderson Extension Professor, University of Kentucky I heard an interesting comment at the Kentucky Beef Efficiency Conference a couple weeks ago. For those of you who aren’t aware of the conference, KCA and UK work together to invite 3-4 nationally recognized speakers to address efficiencies in the beef production business. The comment was made by Dr. Dan Thomson, Department Chair at Iowa State University. Dr. Dan has worked various jobs serving the beef industry but mainly he had been on the frontline of where the beef industry changes to the food industry giving a veterinarian perspective. Dr. Thomson told the story of his interaction with an animal rights group member.
will just let the run free.
Dan said the young lady wanted to “save the animals, impact global warming, and save the planet”! Dr. Thomson replied “Well, what are you going to do with them? Do you want us to kill them all right now so there are no more cattle in the world? Is that truly in the best interest of cattle?” “No, of course not” the activist replied. We
Then Dr. Thomson said, “Well if they are roaming around eating forages and cropland how are we reducing methane emissions and slowing down global warming?” The activist had no answer.
92 • Cow Country • March
Dr. Dan then ask her, “So we want them running free through towns, through yards, out on roads so they can get hit by cars? Can you imagine the amount of damage done to a car when it gets hit by a 1600-pound cow! Insurance companies will love that! Dr. Dan then asked, “What are the cattle going to eat?” and the activist replied they could simply exist like deer eating grass and forages. Then Dr. Thomson mentioned that “deer eat quite a bit of grain crops so I guess we will allow cattle to roam free in our croplands just eating what they want?”
Dr. Dan followed up with “Well, I guess we will have to kill them all because, according
to you, keeping them alive is ruining our planet. We will certainly eat well for a while with this plan, but doesn’t it seem odd that the best way to “save the planet” is to render a species extinct. Again, the activist had no answer. Dr. Dan was brilliant in his interaction with this activist. Her emotions often clouded real thought on the most basic question; What are we going to do with them? Salient point to a real question in our industry today. I appreciate Dr. Dan presenting at this meeting. I know I certainly got a lot out of his talk. If you have not been attending the Kentucky Beef Efficiency Conference, I highly recommend you go. It is held at the on the first Thursday morning KCA Convention each year. The speakers there will challenge you to think differently, manage differently, and perhaps work a little smarter. Seems like that could help us all!
