The following update is provided by Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), which manages the national dairy checkoff program, and is a producer-funded, nonprofit domestic and international planning and management organization responsible for increasing sales of and demand for U.S.-produced dairy products and ingredients.

Ethical treatment?
In late September as dairy producers gathered in Madison, Wisconsin, for World Dairy Expo, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) released a video depicting mistreatment of livestock at a dairy farm. PETA had used an “undercover investigator” to gather footage at a dairy farm in Pennsylvania that supplies Land O’Lakes.

PETA is a radical animal rights activist group that has a long history of using outrageous stunts to oppose animal agricultural practices and promote vegan diets. Its goal is “total animal liberation.” The organization launched the campaign with a media conference in St. Paul, Minnesota. In subsequent weeks PETA volunteers picketed in front of grocery stores, asking consumers to sign a petition demanding that Land O’Lakes adopt PETA’s 12-point animal welfare plan. PETA also sent letters to major dairy buyers such as Dannon, Dreyer’s and Papa John’s, demanding that they support its animal care program.

The joint industry issues management team – DMI, along with the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC, National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP) – monitored the situation closely. Dairy did not actively respond, as that would have given PETA even more unwarranted publicity. PETA was not successful in having the food companies sign onto its animal welfare program, nor did it generate a significant level of media coverage of its cause.

The industry has a number of initiatives in place that demonstrate its commitment to animal well-being. The same week that PETA launched its campaign, NMPF, with assistance from DMI, unveiled a comprehensive, science-based animal care program called National Dairy FARM (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management). Dairy FARM offers a nationwide, verifiable animal well-being program that demonstrates U.S. milk producers are committed to the highest quality standards. It builds on the overarching principles of animal care established by the National Dairy Animal Well-Being Initiative in 2007.

“We have a great story to tell about animal care on our farms,” said Karen Jordan, veterinarian, milk producer and chair of the NMPF animal welfare and technical writing committees, who spoke at the Dairy FARM launch. “We need to speak with a unified voice on animal care in the dairy industry so that consumers have confidence that our animals are well cared for and that our products are safe. The National Dairy FARM Program can help achieve this goal.” PD

Should I respond?
Yes. You can help reassure people that the activities depicted in the video are not accepted industry practices and that ill treatment of animals is both deplorable and bad business. Tell them what you do to ensure herd health and cow comfort on your farm.
•The video is not an accurate representation of U.S. dairy farm practices.
• Dairy farmers care for our herds by providing a nutritious diet, good medical care and healthy living conditions.
• The dairy industry has in place a number of initiatives that demonstrate our commitment to animal well-being.

This fall the dairy industry unveiled a comprehensive, science-based animal care program called National Dairy FARM (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management).
• The FARM program is available to all producers. It includes education, on-farm evaluations and third-party verification.

Typical practices on modern dairy farms include:
• Access to feed and fresh, clean water at all times
• Room to lie down, stretch, eat and drink comfortably
• Rubber or other non-slip flooring to make it easier for cows to move
• Advanced ventilation systems in the barn to ensure healthy air quality, and fans and misters for warm days
• Professional nutritionists to develop a scientifically formulated, balanced and nutritious diet
• A clean, dry, well-lit and well-ventilated separate calving area to ensure comfortable, safe and hygienic conditions for both mother and calf
• Daily interaction between cows and farm employees during regularly scheduled milkings

Related resources
Dairy Farming Today’s “Animal Care on Dairy Farms Fact Sheet”: www.dairyfarmingtoday.org/NR/rdonlyres/27F5890B-1A1D-4A61-8A5B-FA6AEB0C1769/0/AnimalCareOnDairyFarmsFactSheet.pdf
FARM (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management): www.nationaldairyfarm.com
National Dairy Animal Well-Being Initiative: www.dairywellbeing.org

Why should producers participate in the FARM program?
ANSWER: This initiative helps demonstrate the dairy industry’s commitment to animal well-being. This national effort will help create a stronger platform for producers to continue to build consumer trust in how they care for their animals and in the products they produce. A national program will bring consistency and uniformity to on-farm animal care and production practices throughout the country.