I received this message back from Cyrta...read on for both sides of the story.
Thank you for your response Amanda.
When you say "cattle touch our lives on an everyday basis", that may be true, but not because of the product list you supplied. Cattle and other animals do affect me almost daily as I am saddened by the cruelty and massive waste of life and resources spent to, as you say, "feed the world", with animals. I do not eat animals, yet I live and breathe.
Please realize that people like me who choose to be informed about the products we use, must constantly question and research for answers regarding the products we consume. I and many others do not think that people reign over other species of the world and that they are our property with which to do as we choose.
The earth belongs to all it's inhabitants. The business of breeding and torturing millions of cattle and other "livestock" (that word is appalling) to feed with grain fields, which could be produce vegetation for human consumption, is wasteful, egotistical, and environmentally unsound. And the fact that you point to products that use animal-based ingredients, only proves the issue at hand, that there is too much "production" of animals for food, so using byproducts makes more sense than researching alternatives. But that does not mean that alternatives are not feasible or readily available.
I can think of much more noble callings in life than to exploit animals in the way that your life dedication does. I cannot imagine your position, however and realize it must be impossible to face the facts when so many animals have suffered as a result.
Cyrta,
I hope you don't mind I use your comments as blog posts, I just really feel that the points you make are valid and I want others to read them, really read them, and then hear my side of the story as well to make their own conclusions.
I don't doubt that you put a great deal of research into the foods you consume, and I respect that. In that aspect, I feel quite researched and intelligent about my confidence in consuming meat. I truly believe it is produced with respect for animal life. No, I don't believe as PETA's Ingrid Newkirk believes that, "a rat, is a pig, is a horse, is a child."
I believe God made humans with emotions, with feelings, with intellect, with decision making abilities, with reasoning skills that animals do not have. Of course, I become friends with my cattle, and of course, its hard to say goodbye; but the edible and inedible byproducts we receive from cattle are used to give meaning to their life.
Would cattle really exist were they set free to search for their own food and water? Would they be able to take care of themselves in a blizzard? Would they be able to order a load of water in the summer heat when the stock dam goes dry? Would they be able to receive their antibiotics to maintain optimal health? Would they be able to give themselves straw to lay in and shelter to stand behind? I truly believe the answer is no. I dedicate my entire life not only to the beef industry, but to the cattle industry because I truly love them. Of course, its hard to think about ending the life of an animal, but while alive, cattlemen provide the best life possible to these animals.
I'm sorry you feel the way you do about the word livestock. To me the word means, animals kept on a farm such as horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, turkeys, and chicken. It is a term that applies to all of the species in which I represent in agriculture.
Also, you point out that corn should be planted for human consumption instead of livestock production. I ask, what else do we feed cattle? Is there enough grass to sustain these animals to which you care so much about? I don't believe we have a food shortage in this world, I believe we have a money shortage and the means to distribute this food to people that need it most.
Anyway Cyrta, I really appreciate this dialogue and I hope you will keep an open mind as we discuss this further. Please know that I'm giving my best to understand your point of view as well. I think understanding is the most important thing we can give to one another. Thanks again! :)
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Comments (9)
This got me all sorts of fired up. I am an editor at the Angus Journal. I think that is very important for the agricultural industry to realize the importance of blogging and what it can do to be a healthy promoter of beef. Cyrta -- agree to disagree. Country folk are hard headed. We won't give up our beef that easily. You may have to try to get a stronger argument. I doubt that works too.
Posted by AngelVoice | March 11, 2008 3:45 PM
Posted on March 11, 2008 15:45
Thanks for the comment. I don't know if we have ever met, but I'm sure we will cross paths someday soon. I appreciate you reading the blog and your input.
However, I also appreciate Cyrta's point of view. I want to hear her perspectives and her voice of reason. How else am I to understand if I don't listen?
Cyrta, you are more than welcome to continue this discussion.
Thanks to everyone for their input, many emails, and comments.
Posted by Amanda Nolz | March 12, 2008 10:01 AM
Posted on March 12, 2008 10:01
While I may not agree with Cyrta's point of view, I do have to commend her on her dedication to making informed decisions. As to whether the information she's drawing from to make her decisions is one thing, but I do appreciate the fact that she is trying to make informed decisions and not base her choices on whimsical instances. Thank you Amanda for keeping this discussion going so that you not only can see Cyrta's point of view, but also provide an example for others to look at in this constant struggle for understanding of our industry.
Posted by Michelle | March 12, 2008 12:49 PM
Posted on March 12, 2008 12:49
Amanda, I fully stand behind your statements and agree with your beliefs about the cattle industry. I too care for cattle each day at home and I have witnessed the humane processing of cattle at a packing plant. I also realize that there are people like Cyrta who may not change their minds about the beef industry, not matter how many times we tell them our stories. My hope and prayer is that people like Cyrta and I will be able to respect each other's opinions.
Posted by Jennifer | March 14, 2008 9:25 PM
Posted on March 14, 2008 21:25
Beef producers and vegetarians would have more in commmon if Cattle were finished on pasture instead of in a feed lot. Over 50% of the grain grown in the U.S. is for feeding animals. Convert this high producing land to pasture and we would use less fossil fuel, produce a much healthier product, and our cattle would be treated humanley their whole lives.
Posted by Jeff | March 21, 2008 7:57 AM
Posted on March 21, 2008 07:57
Jennifer is right; we all need to respect the opinions of others. We also need to view a packing plan ourselves to see what really goes on. Because most people from the pasture to the plate are doing the right thing. I do believe that there are isolated cases of abuse in animals in any segment of the industry including plenty of pets. An absorbent amount of money is spent fighting animal agriculture. Imagine the impact we could have if we spent even a fraction of this time, money and resources standing up for the over 3 million children who are abused in the United States each year. 4 to 5 children die EVERY DAY from abuse and maltreatment. Perhaps we need to step back and reanalyze our priorities.
Posted by Carol Abrahamzon | March 24, 2008 8:45 AM
Posted on March 24, 2008 08:45
Great dialogue! Another point I would like to tell Cyrta about is the difference in lands growing ability. We live in western South Dakota and we farm and ranch. We use the land that is fertile and flat to plant wheat, sunflowers, peas, oats, barley, corn and millet on it. We also have land that is not very fertile, in fact it is fragile. If we tried to plant a crop on it, we would risk losing what little topsoil is there and cause more erosion. This is where cattle really play their role in food production they have the amazing ability to use native vegetation, (grass) and turn it into high quality protein our bodies can use.
My husband would love to be able to plant all of our land to vegetables or wheat, but it is not what is best for the land.
If you want to find out more about the differences in land use on our ranch/farm, we’ve started a blog at www.myspace.com/beerranch
Posted by Beer Ranch | March 25, 2008 10:12 PM
Posted on March 25, 2008 22:12
Thanks everyone for your feedback! Your support truly means the world to me! :)
Posted by Amanda Nolz | March 25, 2008 11:35 PM
Posted on March 25, 2008 23:35
I'd have to say that the vegetarian lifestyle is something that is modern and relatively new. Humans have been eating meat since the earliest civilizations and it is only due to historically recent technology that vegetables and fruits could be grown and bought year round. The argument can be made that without meat, civilizations could never have advanced to the point that one can live as a vegetarian.
Posted by Alan | April 5, 2008 3:18 PM
Posted on April 5, 2008 15:18