A2O-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, October 19 1991
Farm Group Keeps Watchful Eye On Animal Rights Activists
ANDY ANDREWS
Lancaster Fanning Staff
ELIZABETHTOWN (Lancas
ter Co.) A cartoon on the back
of a recent animal welfare newslet
ter has a automobile driver careen
ing off the road to avoid hitting a
mouse all the while heading
straight for a human victim.
While this glowingly illustrates
the lopsidedness in the views held
by “animal rights” activists, it also
points to the growing involvement
of those groups that attack the use
of animals for anything food,
scientific research, sports, etc.
But it is a concern that must
weigh heavy on the minds of all
those involved in large- and small
scale production agriculture.
Many of the “animal rights”
groups have huge numbers in their
membership and are substantially
funded. In the end, they could pose
a threat to production agriculture
on a wide scale.
Farmers who are concerned are
invited to join a group called Pen
nsylvanians for the Responsible
Use of Animals (PRUA), an advo
cacy group formed in 1982 com
prised of many farm organizations
that seeks to promote the responsi
ble and humane use of animals for
food, research, and entertainment
Maintains headquarters
PRUA is headed by former state
rep. Kenneth E. Brandt, of Fal
mouth, who maintains headquar
ters for PRUA in Lancaster
County.
Many of the animal rights
groups want to eliminate the use of
animals for all food use and scien
tific research.
But mostPRUA members advo
cate the responsible use of animals
not completely banning their
use.
A special program to test educa
tional materials at the grade and
high school levels will be initiated
statewide in the next five to six
months, according to Dr. Lowell
L. Wilson, professor of animal sci
ence in Penn State’s College of
Agriculture. The program involves
faculty from the departments of
Production Contracts
dairy and animal science, poultry
sciences, agriculture and extension
education, agricultural economics,
rural sociology, and cooperative
extension.
The new program, funded by the
Pennsylvania Department of Agri
culture, will examine, over a three
year span, effects of animal wel
fare material on students in school,
as well as 4-H and FFA organiza
tions throughout the state.
“We want to put forth a better
image about the care and welfare
of animals on farms,” said Wilson.
Wilson believes there needs to be
more dialog between the farm and
animal welfare groups.
Recently, Penn State released
results from studies involving
more than 1,000 veal calves. The
studies show that “the majority of
veal calves are healthy and well
treated,” said Wilson.
Based on total .blood protein
levels. Wilson found that 88 per
cent of the calves had received col
ostrum. “All calves should have
colostrum to give them early pro
tection from diseases and to get
them off to a better, healthier
start,” he said.
Producers under attack
Veal producers are undo- attack
in particular from animal rights
activists, mostly because the
industry is “rather small and the
least understood of all individual
agricultural industries, including
people who are involved in agri
culture and those who are not,”
said Wilson.
There has been picketing of veal
producer meetings on a tegular
basis, although this year, surpris
ingly, the number of such incidents
are down, according to Wilson.
“There’s not much you can do
about the animal rights groups,
because they hold a noncomprom
ising philosophy," said Wilson.
Accordingly, they do not show
much interest in learning about
other attitudes, and stick to their
own opinions regardless of
evidence.
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Examine material
To show their new concern for itself is sponsoring a program deer meat from this fall’s deer
those who can benefit from the called “Sharing the Harvest” The harvest
humane use of animals, PRUA program is aimed at using surplus (Turn to Pago MS)
GOOD WEEK FOR FIELDWORK; Below-normal temperatures and precipitation prevailed across the
state. Precipitation occurred early and late in the week with dry conditions dominating during mid-week.
Temperatures were coolest early and late in the week with the mid-week enjoying near normal temperatures.
Respondents to our survey indicated that 5 days were suitable for fieldwork during the past week. Activities
for the week included repairing fence; harvesting hay, fruit, potatoes, corn, com silage, and soybeans; plant
ing small grains; maintaining machinery; and caring for livestock.
CORN: At this time last year, the state’s com crop was rated 26 percent excellent, 48 percent good, 19 per
cent fair, 6 percent poor, and 1 percent very poor. By week’s end, the com crop was rated as being 0 percent in
the dough stage, 16 percent in the dent stage, 54 percent in the mature stage, and 30 percent harvested. This
compares to 1,50,43, and 6 percent respectively last year at this time. The five-year averages were 2,32,52.
and 14 percent respectively. Com harvest completion by region was 32 percent-northern, 29 percent-central,
and 29 percent-southern. Com silage harvest was 92 percent complete by week’s end, compared to 52 per
cent at this time last year, and a 69 percent five- year average.
SOYBEANS: Pennsylvania soybean condition was rated 3 percent excellent, 28 percent good, 30 percent
fair, 23 percent poor, and 16 percent very poor. Last year, soybeans were rated 20 percent excellent, 53 per
cent good, 22 percent fair, and 5 percent poor. Soybean harvest was 14 percent complete by week’s end, 3
percent of the soybean crop was harvested by this time last year. The five-year average was 15 percent.
BARLEY AND WHEAT: Eighty-seven percent of the barley planting in the state was complete by week’s
end. Eighty-one percent of the barley had been planted at this time last year. The five-year average was 85
percent Wheat planting was 74 percent complete. Sixty-one percent of the wheat had been planted by this
time in 1990. The five-year average for wheat planting was 66 percent.
POTATOES: Potato harvest was 86 percent complete by week’s end. A year ago, 76 percent of the state’s
potatoes had been harvested. The five-year average was 80 percent
PALL PLOWING: Fall plowing across Pennsylvania was 72 percent complete by week’s end. Last year at
this time, 72 percent of fall plowing was complete. The five-year average for fall plowing completion was 76
percent
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FRUIT: Apple harvest by week’s end was 73 percent complete. A year ago apple harvest was 71 percent
complete. Eighty-seven percent of Pennsylvania’s grapes were harvested by week’s end. Last year at this
time, 71 percent of the state’s grapes had been harvested.
HAY AND PASTURE: Ninety-two percent of third cutting alfalfa was complete by week’s end, compared
to 85 percent in 1990. Fourth cutting alfalfa was 70 percent complete by the end of the week. Fifty-five per
cent had been cut by this time last year. The quality of hay made during the past week was rated 9 percent
poor, 63 percent fair, and 28 percent good. The quality of feed being obtained from Pennsylvania’s pastures
was rated good by 4 percent, fair by 32 percent, poor by 31 percent, and very poor by 33 percent of our
respondents.
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