Friday, October 24, 2014

Friday October 24 Cattle on Feed + Ag News

NEBRASKA CATTLE ON FEED UP 2 PERCENT 

Nebraska feedlots, with capacities of 1,000 or more head, contained 2.24 million cattle on feed on October 1, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This inventory was up 2 percent from last year.  Placements during September totaled 520,000 head, up 2 percent from 2013.   Fed cattle marketings for  the month of September  totaled 400,000 head, up 3 percent from  last year.  This is the highest September marketings since the data series began in 1994.   Other disappearance during September totaled 10,000 head, unchanged from last year.



IOWA CATTLE ON FEED DOWN 5 PERCENT


Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in Iowa for all feedlots totaled 1,030,000 on October 1, 2014, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Iowa Field Office.  The inventory is down 2 percent from September 1, 2014, and down 5 percent from October 1, 2013.  Feedlots with a capacity greater than 1,000 head had 560,000 head on feed, down 3 percent from last month but up 2 percent from last year.  Feedlots with a capacity less than 1,000 head had 470,000 head on feed unchanged from last month but down 11 percent from last year.

Placements during September totaled 192,000 head, an increase of 60 percent from last month but down 4 percent from last year.   Feedlots with a capacity greater  than 1,000 head placed  99,000 head, up 57 percent  from  last month and up 11 percent from last year.  Feedlots with a capacity less than 1,000 head placed 93,000 head. This is up 63 percent from last month but down 17 percent from last year.

Marketings for September were 204,000 head, up 43 percent from last month and up 10 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity greater  than 1,000 head marketed 114,000 head, up 43 percent from  last month and up 31 percent  from last year.   This marks Iowa’s second largest number of cattle on feed marketed for feedlots with a capacity greater than 1,000  head  in  any  month  since  records  began  in  1994.    Feedlots  with  a  capacity  less  than  1,000 head  marketed 90,000 head, up 43 percent from last month but down 8 percent from last year. Other disappearance totaled 8,000 head.



United States Cattle on Feed Down 1 Percent

   
Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.1 million head on October 1, 2014. The inventory was 1 percent below October 1, 2013. The inventory included 6.46 million steers and steer calves, up 1 percent from the previous year. This group accounted for 64 percent of the total inventory. Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 3.55 million head, down 3 percent from 2013.

Placements in feedlots during September totaled 2.01 million, 1 percent above 2013. Net placements were 1.94 million head. During September, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 460,000, 600-699 pounds were 340,000, 700-799 pounds were 437,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 770,000. For the month of September, placements are the second lowest since the series began in 1996.

Marketings of fed cattle during September totaled 1.68 million, 1 percent below 2013. Other disappearance totaled 65,000 during September, 5 percent above 2013.


Number of Cattle on Feed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2013 and 2014
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  :                 :                 :              October 1, 2014              
                  :                 :                 :--------------------------------------------
       State      : October 1, 2013 :September 1, 2014:              :  Percent of  :  Percent of 
                  :                 :                 :    Number    :previous year :previous month
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  :     --------------- 1,000 head --------------          ----- percent ----     
Arizona ..........:        268               257              252           94             98     
California .......:        495               415              415           84            100     
Colorado .........:        870               800              840           97            105     
Idaho ............:        210               180              205           98            114     
Iowa .............:        550               580              560          102             97     
Kansas ...........:      2,000             1,950            2,010          101            103     
Minnesota ........:        103               113              114          111            101     
Nebraska .........:      2,200             2,130            2,240          102            105     
Oklahoma .........:        285               245              245           86            100     
South Dakota .....:        180               185              190          106            103     
Texas ............:      2,450             2,450            2,470          101            101     
Washington .......:        184               199              212          115            107     
Other States .....:        315               295              305           97            103     
United States ....:     10,110             9,799           10,058           99            103     
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Number of Cattle Placed on Feed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2013 and 2014
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  :              :              :           During September 2014           
                  :    During    :    During    :--------------------------------------------
       State      :September 2013: August 2014  :              :  Percent of  :  Percent of 
                  :              :              :    Number    :previous year :previous month
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  :    ------------ 1,000 head -----------           ----- percent ----     
Arizona ..........:       23             21             20            87             95     
California .......:       45             40             43            96            108     
Colorado .........:      190            145            200           105            138     
Idaho ............:       62             33             64           103            194     
Iowa .............:       89             63             99           111            157     
Kansas ...........:      390            410            400           103             98     
Minnesota ........:       17             15             20           118            133     
Nebraska .........:      510            425            520           102            122     
Oklahoma .........:       67             50             55            82            110     
South Dakota .....:       43             30             50           116            167     
Texas ............:      470            410            445            95            109     
Washington .......:       37             44             46           124            105     
Other States .....:       45             34             45           100            132     
United States ....:    1,988          1,720          2,007           101            117     
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Number of Cattle Marketed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2013 and 2014
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  :              :              :           During September 2014           
                  :    During    :    During    :--------------------------------------------
       State      :September 2013: August 2014  :              :  Percent of  :  Percent of 
                  :              :              :    Number    :previous year :previous month
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  :    ------------ 1,000 head -----------           ----- percent ----     
Arizona ..........:       20             25             24           120             96     
California .......:       53             40             38            72             95     
Colorado .........:      145            150            155           107            103     
Idaho ............:       41             37             38            93            103     
Iowa .............:       87             80            114           131            143     
Kansas ...........:      355            345            325            92             94     
Minnesota ........:       14             17             18           129            106     
Nebraska .........:      390            440            400           103             91     
Oklahoma .........:       60             44             54            90            123     
South Dakota .....:       32             34             42           131            124     
Texas ............:      430            415            410            95             99     
Washington .......:       36             33             32            89             97     
Other States .....:       29             32             33           114            103     
United States ....:    1,692          1,692          1,683            99             99     
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



McClymont Headlines Washington Co Cattlemen meeting


The next Washington County Cattlemen Meeting is set for Monday, November 3rd, with social at 6pm, dinner at 7pm, and the meeting to follow.  It's all to be held at the Blair Marina in Blair. Speaker will be NE Cattlemen Executive Vice President Pete McClymont. For more info call Brian at 402-720-4734



Cornhusker Economics Outlook Meetings Cross State in November


The 10th annual Cornhusker Economics Outlook meeting series will be held at five locations across the state in November and will focus on ag outlook and management decisions for farmers and ranchers.  The annual meeting series is offered by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension and the Department of Agricultural Economics and is available free to participants with the support of Great Western Bank along with several local sponsors.

The outlook meetings are scheduled for a concise, fast-paced discussion of this year's crop, livestock, policy, and financial outlooks. Speakers and topics will be:

-    Kate Brooks, extension livestock economist at UNL will provide outlook and analysis for beef and other livestock producers. Brook's expertise is in market analysis and production economics.  She recently led a study of livestock industry trends in Nebraska and opportunities for growth. She will discuss the excitement and uncertainty in the livestock market as well as supply and demand issues affecting  beef and pork production and marketing decisions.
    
-    Cory Walters, extension crop economist at UNL, will provide outlook and analysis for corn, soybean, and wheat producers. Walter's expertise is in crop marketing and risk management, with substantial research on crop marketing and crop insurance strategies and decisions. He will discuss the current price environment, crop insurance, and supply and demand factors influencing next year's prices.  
    
-    Brad Lubben, extension policy specialist at UNL, will provide perspectives on how to navigate choices in the new farm bill. Lubben will discuss whether to sign up for ARC or PLC and whether this is the only policy issue worth worrying about. He will discuss other farm program decisions and ag policy issues impacting producers in the year ahead.
    
-    Tina Barrett, director, Nebraska Farm Business Inc. and agricultural economics  instructor, will discuss the financial situation facing Nebraska farmers and ranchers.  Specifically, Barrett will discuss managing cost of production through a time of "minimizing losses" rather than "maximizing profits" for crop farmers and lessons to be learned from extreme profitability for livestock producers.

This outlook agenda is packaged into a 2 ½ hour format to provide producers the best available information and send them home ready to make 2015 management and marketing decisions.

Contact the local Extension office and educator to register for the meetings. Although there is no cost to participants, pre-registration is encouraged to plan for facilities, refreshments, and materials.

Beatrice
Monday, Nov. 17, 9 a.m.– Noon  CST, Gage County Fairgrounds 4-H Bldg
Contact: Paul Hay, UNL Extension Educator, Gage County, 402-223-1384, paul.hay@unl.edu

Columbus
Tuesday, Nov. 18, 9 a.m. – Noon CST,  Central Community College, 205 West Education Center
Contact: Al Vyhnalek, UNL Extension Educator, Platte County, 402-563-4901,  avyhnalek@unl.edu

Gering
Monday, Nov. 24, 9 a.m. – Noon MST, Gering Civic Center
Contact:  Jessica Johnson, UNL Extension Educator, 308-632-1247,  jjohnson@unl.edu

Curtis
Monday, Nov. 24, 5 – 8 p.m. CST, Nebraska Ag Education Center Auditorium
Contact:  Paul Clark, Assistant Professor, UNL Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, 308-367-5275, pclark4@unl.edu

Hastings
Tuesday, Nov. 25, 9 a.m. – Noon  CST, Adams County Fairgrounds
Contact: Ron Seymour, UNL Extension Educator, Adams County, 402-461-7209,  ron.seymour@unl.edu

More information about the meetings is available on Cornhusker Economics Outlook website, the UNL Department of Agricultural Economics website, or by contacting  Lubben at 402-472-2235. Register by contacting the local Extension office listed for each location.



Nebraska Agriculture Water Management Network honored for innovation


            The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture has honored the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Nebraska Agriculture Water Management Network with an Innovative Programs and Partnership Award for its groundbreaking water-management work and contributions in advancing agricultural science.

            Suat Irmak, H.W. Eberhard Distinguished Professor and a faculty fellow at the Robert B. Daughtery Water for Food Institute, and Ronnie Green, Harlan Vice Chancellor of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and vice president of the University of Nebraska system, accepted the award at an Oct. 23 ceremony in Washington, D.C.

            Irmak leads the UNL Extension-based network, which was launched in 2005 and is made up of farmers, natural resources districts, crop consultants, irrigation districts and USDA conservation officials. The group creates and implements effective water-conservation strategies and tools on roughly 1.7 million irrigated acres of farmland in Nebraska.

            "Through research, this team has displayed outstanding innovation, teamwork, partnerships, collaboration and leadership to reduce water and energy use for crop irrigation," NIFA said in a statement.

            In its first decade, the network has transferred high-quality research and data on soil water status and crop-water use measurements to farmers and their advisers; adopted new irrigation water-management technologies to help farmers increase water-use efficiency, reduced energy consumption and protected agro-ecosystem services; developed new water, soil and crop management tools; and enhanced communication between growers, crop consultants, academics and state and federal agencies.

            "Information and strategies taught in the network are changing how producers irrigate," Green wrote in a nomination letter to NIFA.

            Green also noted the network's rapid growth and success: In 2005, 15 farmers enrolled to make use of specialized technology and equipment and to learn new strategies to conserve water and energy, such as how and when to irrigate so corn and soybean plants got the most value from moisture applied. By 2013, the network had grown to more than 1,100 Nebraska farmers managing 1.7 million acres.

            The benefits in Nebraska have been clear: Participants have reduced irrigation withdrawal by at 2.2 inches per acre, per year since 2005 -- a total of more than 1 million acre-feet of water and fuel savings of more than $50 million to date. Network core members also have reached more than 10,000 people directly through Extension, outreach, demonstration programs, field days and presentations in the last decade, he said. Now it has plans to expand to other Midwest states.

            In addition to Irmak, key network participants include UNL Southeast Research and Extension Center educators Jennifer M. Rees in Clay Center, Brandy VanDeWalle in Geneva and Gary Zoubek in York, who helped establish the network in heavily irrigated Nebraska counties. Rod DeBuhr and Dan Lininger of the Upper Big Blue Natural Resource District and Daryl Andersen of the Little Blue NRD were also major contributors to the program's success.

            "The success is owed to team participants who have earned the respect of hundreds of people implementing water-saving practices to make it work," Green said. "Consequently, Nebraska has clearly demonstrated it is serious about reducing water use while maintaining a quality product and yields."

            Other NIFA honorees on Oct. 23 included projects at Washington State University, Texas A&M University, the University of Florida and the University of California, Davis.

            "The United States … faces a demanding set of challenges as we work to feed the world," NIFA director Sonny Ramaswamy said. "These honorees are instrumental in helping NIFA find and apply solutions that ensure all people have access to a safe and nutritious food supply."



OCTOBER HAY RISKS

UNL Extension Forage Specialist Bruce Anderson


Late summer rains and moderate temperatures have produced higher than usual fall alfalfa yields.  Quite a bit has been harvested this October.  Storage can be risky, though.

Hay cut in October tends to be rich with very high quality. The fine-stemmed hay packs really tight into nice, heavy bales.

October hay also is hard to dry, however.  To get it off the field, many times it gets baled just a little too damp, especially for the extra tight, heavy bales it makes.

While high forage quality is great for feeding livestock, it also provides plentiful nutrients for microbes in the hay.  Plentiful nutrients in a tight, dense package that is a little too wet can be a recipe for disaster.

As microbes feed on nutrients in the hay, they produce heat.  In a tight, dense bale it is difficult for this heat to dissipate into the air.  The hay gets hotter and hotter, and eventually can start to burn.

The fire risk is magnified when hay is stored indoors or stacked because the heat has to travel farther before being released in the air.  Wait a couple weeks after baling for heat and moisture to evaporate before moving this kind of hay into a large pile.

If you are worried about your stacked hay, drive a steel pipe into your haystack.  If it gets too hot to handle in 30 minutes, start pulling out bales in hopes of eliminating or reducing fire damage.

Better yet is to put a thermometer down a hollow pipe or use an infrared thermometer to measure temperature directly.  Above 140 degrees is risky and hay should be moved.  At 160 degrees, hay might combust as it’s removed.  And above 180 degrees the hay is likely to burn.

Monitor your October hay.  If you catch it early enough you might prevent your hay stacks or barns from burning.



Ag in the Classroom Workshop to Provide New Tools, Networking


Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) county coordinators and others interested in becoming involved in integrating agriculture into school curriculum are welcome to attend a new workshop hosted by The Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation (IALF) Nov. 7 in West Des Moines.

AITC is a grassroots program focused on helping students gain a greater awareness of the role that agriculture plays in our economy and society. In Iowa, programs are typically coordinated by county Farm Bureau staff and volunteers but may also include other organizations. The Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation supports Agriculture in the Classroom efforts to help expand and grow programs throughout the state.

The workshop is designed to bring staff and volunteers together from across the state to share best practices and learn from each other and review new ideas to enhance existing AITC efforts. The workshop will offer professional development and a guest speaker, Peggy Christensen a science consultant at Heartland AEA in the hopes of advancing Agriculture in the Classroom efforts.

"This is a great opportunity to network and share best practices that might help enhance other AITC efforts," said IALF executive director, Will Fett. "Incorporating agriculture into school lessons is a great way to apply concepts and it gives students terrific hands on learning experiences."

"Iowa is fortunate to have a number of terrific, well-established AITC programs," said education program manager, Cindy Hall. "We want to showcase what is happening and create opportunities to learn from each other. Participants will leave with a lot of ideas and tools that they will be able to easily put into practice."

For more information or to find out how to become involved in Agriculture in the Classroom, contact IALF at info@IowaAgLiteracy.org.

IALF serves as a central resource for educators and volunteers who want to teach Iowa's students about agriculture. The mission is to educate Iowans, with a focus on youth, regarding the breadth and global significance of agriculture. Iowa is a leading producer of agricultural products that are essential to feed a growing world population, estimated to reach more than 9 billion by 2050. IALF believes it is important for all Iowans to understand the essential role agriculture has in their lives. IALF will support existing agriculture education efforts such as FFA, 4-H and Ag in the Classroom. IALF was created through a joint effort of agricultural stakeholders, including the Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Silos and Smokestacks Foundation, DuPont Pioneer, GROWMARK, and the Iowa Beef Industry Council. For more information visit IALF online at www.IowaAgLiteracy.org, on Facebook, and Twitter.



VOTE NOW FOR THE NEXT FACES OF FARMING & RANCHING


Now, you can cast your vote for the next Faces of Farming & Ranching!  Beginning October 24 through November 2, visit the Faces of Farming & Ranching Online Voting page to learn more about each of the finalists and the work they do, including short videos highlighting their farms/ranches. From there, vote for whom you believe best exemplifies agriculture. These votes will be factored into the final decision to determine the next Faces of Farming and Ranching. 
 
THE FINALISTS

Erin Brenneman, Iowa 
Jay Hill, N.M. 
Carrie Mess, Wis. 
Thomas Titus, Ill.
Darrell Glaser, Texas 
Brian Jones, Texas 
Jessica Potter, Colo. 
Carla Wardin, Mich.
 
HOW CAN PEOPLE VOTE?

Access the Faces of Farming & Ranching Online Voting Page: 
·  From any desktop computer OR mobile device: Visit http://faces.pgtb.me/w2Sg4d
·  From any desktop computer OR mobile device:  Go to USFRA’s Facebook Page, and click on the link in the Faces of Farming and Ranching Post pinned at the top of the Timeline.
·  From any desktop computer: Go to USFRA’s Facebook Page – click on the VOTE NOW tab

Only one vote per day per email address is allowed.  Registering on Facebook is required in order to vote – to ensure all votes are legitimate and non-fraudulent. Not already a member of Facebook?  No problem – simply sign up at Facebook.com to register.  
 
FACES OF FARMING & RANCHING WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENT

A combination of public votes and USFRA judges’ scores will determine the winners, who will be announced on November 12, 2014, during a press conference at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Convention (NAFB) in Kansas City.
 
ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Winners will serve in multiple high-visibility roles on behalf of USFRA, participating in a number of activities including national media interviews, advertising and public appearances.  Winners will receive a $15,000 stipend to help cover the costs of being away from their operations. They’ll also receive professional media/speaker training and full support from USFRA through their yearlong tenure.



Did You Know... Beef Info Shorts from the Cattlemen's Beef Board 


Did you know ... The beef checkoff will soon be launching a multi-pronged approach to beef literacy. Building on the popular educational platform www.MyAmericanFarm.org, the checkoff will launch a new Beef Heritage game, celebrating how producers care for animals, care for the land and provide quality beef products using a variety of production methods. Other platform details include a volunteer kit, containing resources to conduct beef literacy classroom visits and activities; a second My American Farm game, emphasizing nutrition and health benefits of beef products; a mobile application featuring both new beef games; and, a new Beef Ag Mag elementary school reader, targeting parents, teachers and families of young learners.

Did you know ... The beef checkoff’s Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative is proud to fuel runners at the 39th running of the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC, on Oct. 26. As a part of its sponsorship, the beef checkoff is supporting a group of 22 runners on Team BEEF from across 12 states, as well as participating in various activities throughout the weekend, such as the first timers pep rally. Runners can also stop by the beef booth at the Health and Fitness Expo, during the weekend, to learn how #BeefFuelsMCM and watch Miss Patty Melt enjoy the mascot and kids races on Saturday, Oct. 25. Follow the Team’s progress on race day with @NortheastBeef on Twitter!

Did you know ... Market insights show that older millennial parents purchase ground beef more often than whole muscle cuts of beef. New insights and inspirations were needed to make this a mainstay on their shopping lists, and increase purchase frequency. The new Ground Beef section on BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com helps to highlight the versatility and convenience of ground beef, making it the perfect mealtime option for any night of the week. The section features a variety of ground beef information, from quick and easy recipe collections to content that educates consumers on how to properly freeze and store ground beef, to step-by-step instructions on how to quickly thaw ground beef in the microwave in under five minutes.

To learn more about your beef checkoff investment, visit MyBeefCheckoff.com.



Pioneer, Perdue AgriBusiness Plan to Double Acreage for the 2015 Plenish High Oleic Soybean Program 


DuPont Pioneer and Perdue AgriBusiness announced today that Perdue plans to more than double the acreage contracted for Plenish® high oleic soybeans in 2015 in geographies supplying its soybean crush facility in Salisbury, Maryland. The high oleic soybean oil produced from this program will target several markets including food service and food manufacturers looking for healthier oil alternatives with good performance.

For the 2015 growing season, Perdue Agribusiness will contract with soybean farmers in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey to grow 60,000 acres of Pioneer® brand soybeans with the Plenish® high oleic trait. In addition to helping to launch an important new technology that will expand the market for soybean oil, growers will be eligible for a Perdue-paid incentive for producing and delivering Plenish® high oleic soybeans. Similar to last year’s program, multiple delivery points will be available in contract areas. For contract information, contact your Pioneer seed representative or April Cheesman, Perdue AgriBusiness, at 866-816-7946, or april.cheesman@perdue.com.

“Soybean farmers supplying Perdue have a keen interest in finding new ways to add value to their production and in growing the region’s agricultural industry,” said Randy Minton, DuPont Pioneer business director for the Eastern region. “The solid yield performance of Plenish® soybean varieties, combined with the added profit opportunity with grain premiums, makes participation in the Perdue program an attractive decision for growers. The plan to double Plenish® soybean acres for 2015 comes at a good time, considering the challenges growers face with lower soybean prices.”

“We’re always looking for ways to bring new market opportunities to our grower customers,” said John Ade, Perdue AgriBusiness senior vice president. “By working with DuPont Pioneer on the production of Plenish® high oleic soybeans on the Eastern shore, we’re hoping to generate additional profit opportunities and long-term industry growth.  In addition, it allows our company to better serve the needs of our downstream oil customers.”

The development and commercialization of Plenish® high oleic soybean oil is a significant milestone for DuPont Pioneer efforts to bring product innovation to the soybean value chain.  It’s an important example of how biotechnology is being used to develop products with direct food industry and consumer benefit.  The oil’s improved fatty acid profile provides a soy-based trans fat alternative for food companies and foodservice operators.  Its enhanced stability provides longer frying life in restaurant applications and longer shelf life in packaged food products than standard industry oils.

From a health and nutrition perspective, Plenish® high oleic soybean oil has 0g trans fat per serving and 20 percent less saturated fat than commodity soybean oil, making it a more attractive ingredient for health conscious consumers of food products.
The high oleic soybean varieties are developed by DuPont Pioneer using its elite genetics and cutting-edge technologies. Field testing has confirmed yields on par with leading commercial products.

Plenish® high oleic soybeans are approaching completion of global de-regulation with more than 90 percent of U.S. soybean export markets now approved to accept the beans. For more information on Plenish® high oleic soybeans visit www.plenish.com.

Perdue AgriBusiness is committed to helping its customers prosper with flexible, forward-thinking solutions for agriculturally based products from a uniquely trusted name. Perdue AgriBusiness is a direct exporter of U.S. agricultural commodities through the company’s deepwater port in Chesapeake, Va. Perdue AgriBusiness merchandises grain and oilseeds, processes soybeans, blends feed ingredients, trades a wide variety of agricultural commodities and refines edible oils. With an entrepreneurial spirit, Perdue AgriBusiness ventures touch such diverse opportunities as bio-energy, organic fertilizers and specialty livestock feeds.



HSUS Launches Tip Line

(from HSUS web site)

A hotline for reporting cruelty and neglect on factory farms, at livestock auctions and in slaughter houses will empower employees at those facilities who have witnessed cruelty or other unlawful acts.

The Humane Society of the United States, which launched the hotline (1-888-209-7177), offers whistleblowers a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those who have committed acts of cruelty to farm animals.

The HSUS will work with the United Farm Workers to distribute the hotline to workers at factory farms, slaughterhouses and livestock auctions.
The hotline was launched after agribusiness interests and their legislative allies made it virtually impossible to document cruelty on factory farms in a handful of states. Those states have passed “ag gag” bills, which criminalize undercover investigations of agricultural facilities.

Animal cruelty laws vary among states, but punching, kicking and other overt acts of violence are usually illegal. Denying adequate food, water, shelter and veterinary care to animals may lead to prosecution. Hotline callers will be assured anonymity if they desire it.

“The bleak conditions endured by animals on factory farms are often made worse by overt violence and neglect,” said Paul Shapiro, vice president of farm animal protection for The HSUS. “Pigs are often beaten. Chickens are stomped on. Lame cows are left for dead. We want whistleblowers to know that help is just a phone call away.”



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