incoRporating AWA NEWSLETTER volume 2 | issue 2 | summer 2017 | $5

wrong target why a broad tax misses the point PLUS NEW agw merchandise safety on the farm slaughter plants needed the echo chamber dietary risks

As part of my job, Even if they wanted to, very few farms have Sustainable Farming Young children who follow an animal protein-free Professor Myriam Van Winckel, head of pediatric I am often invited to sufficient customers on their doorsteps or the Summer 2017 Experts diet without medical and dietary advice can risk a gastroenterology at the University Hospital Ghent, conferences about food additional skillsets, investment, infrastructure, Volume 2 / Issue 2 warn of number of nutrient deficiencies, including vitamin Belgium, also spoke at the conference: “The more and farming. While I am or extra time or staff so vital for success. That’s Cover price $5 B12, calcium, zinc and high quality protein—with restricted the diet of the child, the greater the risk honored to represent the before we even consider whether such models the health potentially devastating health effects. of deficiency—and this is by far highest in vegan sustainablefarming thousands of farmers can feed our cities. children. Vegan mothers who breastfeed also mag.com risks of a and ranchers who we Experts at the 50th Annual Meeting of the need to be aware that their children can develop work with, and to put The point I am (rather bluntly) making is that Editor: Peter Mundy diet without European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, vitamin B12 deficiency between 2 and 12 months forward our views on many of these “fix food and farming” events [email protected] animal Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) gathered because of the lack of reserves in their body at sustainable food production, the lack of diversity are far too removed from the average North Advertising in May in Prague, Czech Republic, warned that birth, even if the mother is not showing any signs at these events—and their growing disconnect American’s life experience. As a result, the advertise@ protein in research shows children who follow animal protein- of deficiency herself.” with wider society—concerns me. average consumer or farmer—arguably those agreenerworld.org very young free diets are generally leaner and smaller than with the most skin in the game—is absent from those who consume meat or have vegetarian diets. Infants on animal protein-free diets are also at risk The views expressed by children As a delegate at a recent food conference, the gulf most of these important conversations. It’s not contributors to Sustainable While such diets can be perfectly healthy, parents of protein and calcium malnutrition, a situation between the food movement and most Americans an intentional decision, I am sure, but the food Farming are not necessarily those who pursue animal protein-free diets for their child made worse because parents can be misled by of A Greener World. Every effort was plain to see. The very people who need our movement risks elitism almost by default. is made to check the factual were advised to follow medical and dietary advice milk supplements. Rice milk, almond milk and soy nutritious food the most—in other words, those accuracy of statements made in to ensure their infants receive adequate nutrition. milk are often presented as suitable substitutes the magazine, but no guarantees who have little choice about their diets—were We must find ways to involve consumers and are expressed or implied. for milk, but ESPGHAN experts said they should nowhere to be seen. (It hardly helps when tickets farmers to hear their stories and understand Material may not be reproduced “It is difficult to ensure a healthy and balanced be labelled as ‘drinks,’ because the nutritional for these events cost more than the monthly food their challenges and needs before we propose any without prior written permission. vegan diet in young infants, and parents should value is not comparable to milk. Maintaining budget of an average U.S. family.) blueprint for future farming and food systems. A Greener World understand the serious consequences of failing healthy levels of calcium is important for Failure to do so now will inevitably result in our PO Box 115 to follow advice regarding supplementation of the ensuring lifelong normal bone density. Similarly, there were no ‘real’ farmers or ranchers. own failure, and that is something we cannot Terrebonne diet,” advised Mary Fewtrell, professor of pediatric Yes, I saw the usual smattering of farmers who allow. OR 97760 nutrition at University College London and chair Varied lacto (ovo) vegetarian and semi-vegetarian can afford to buy a ticket and take three days of ESPGHAN’s Nutrition Committee. diets are generally safe, the ESPGHAN nutrition 800-373-8806 out from their farm to attend this kind of event. Finally, a gentle reminder to replace any old AWA committee advise: “Although long term follow-up But how representative are they? Yes, we heard logos on your packaging, website or social media @AGreenerWorld The biggest risk to children who do not eat animal studies are scarce, they do not show a detrimental from a well-known ‘visionary farmer’ about their with the new AWA logo by June 30, 2017. If you facebook.com/ protein is vitamin B12 deficiency, Professor Fewtrell effect of vegetarian diets in children but instead diversified farm and how they feed their local need any assistance please get in touch. agreenerworld warned. Foods derived from animals have been point to beneficial health outcomes compared community (and, of course, their latest book). shown to be “the only reliable source of vitamin to omnivore diets, such as favorable lipid profile, Sign up to our email list But while I recognize the important role of the B12” and a deficiency “can result in hematological antioxidant status, dietary fiber intake, as well agreenerworld.org direct sale model, try telling the average farmer and neurological disorders, causing irreversible as tendencies towards a lower risk of being that building a farm store or setting up at a Read our blog at damage in young,” she said. overweight.” farmers’ market is the answer to all their problems! agreenerworld.org/blog

In the Grassfed Research FACE TO FACEBOOK BLU-KoTE BAN NEW brochure

News … The Michigan State University (MSU) Extension AGW has set up a new Facebook group for Blu-Kote is now banned for use on all food AGW’s new consumer brochure is now available to is publishing findings of a five-year study into certified producers and those interested in producing animals. The topical antiseptic spray certified farmers and ranchers. Part of the growing grassfed beef production. The research follows certification, in response to requests from is labeled for use on non-food producing animals range of new AGW promotional merchandise, the a joint project between MSU and JNelson Farms farrmers and ranchers. “This is a space to meet only; however, until recently the Food and Drug tri-folded consumer brochure explains AGW’s in Midland, MI, and their six-year transition from other farmers and ranchers, forge new ventures and Administration (FDA) allowed its use on farmed third-party certifications using easy-to-understand a cash crop farming operation to low input share knowledge on what has worked—or not!” says livestock because the risk of residues in meat, milk information and eye-catching images, and is rotational, grassfed beef. The full research Emily Moose, AGW’s Director of Communications or eggs was considered low. FDA has now taken designed to show customers the true value of findings will be presented at MSU Agriculture and Outreach. “We hope it helps our farmers and a firmer stance after recalls of imported seafood your certification—whether it’s Animal Welfare Innovation Day on August 24, 2017, at the Lake ranchers make useful connections.” To join, enter products contaminated with gentian violet—the Approved, Certified Grassfed by AGW or Certified City Research Center, MI. For more information, ‘A Greener World Farmers and Ranchers’ in the main ingredient in Blu-Kote. The ban on using Blu- Non-GMO by AGW. Available to AWA farmers visit canr.msu.edu/lakecity Facebook search box. Kote in farmed livestock is effective immediately. and ranchers only. To order, see page 18.

2 • sustainable farming • summer 2017 summer 2017 • sustainable farming • 3 g r a z i n’ d in the news … i ner

AGW convenes meeting of top scientists GRASSFED A select group of multidisciplinary scientists “As an organization intimately involved in the DAIRY AWARDS from across the world gathered to discuss issues debate about sustainable food production—and Pure Éire Dairy surrounding the role of pasture-based livestock frequently called upon to comment in the media in Othello, WA, production and sustainable diets at a special and advise advocate groups about the positive (L to R) Meeting the Grazin’ team: Paul Rowley (line cook), Andrew Chiappinelli (owner/head chef), won three awards meeting hosted by AGW in early May. role of livestock—we want to ensure our activities Natalie Nicholson (server), Bill Clinton, Susan Gibson (owner), Hillary Clinton, Ashlee Babcock (server) —including Best are guided by the best available science,” said The two-day Retreat, held in in Class—for their Andrew Gunther, AGW’s Executive Director. Bristol, UK, sought to reach an agreed consensus Certified Grassfed around the published science on issues such as “Our objective at the Climate Change Retreat CLINTON family dines at Grazin’ by AGW cow’s carbon sequestration and pasture-based livestock was simply to facilitate a private and candid Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary Andrew ‘Chip’ Chiappinelli: “I was honored to cook milk yogurts at production, and sustainable diets, as well as to dialogue between a professionally and globally of State and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton for them and they ordered a big variety, including the recent U.S. identify gaps in knowledge or areas that urgently diverse group of scientists, and to record their 2016 IN REVIEW recently visited the Grazin’ Diner in Hudson, NY. ‘The Bob’, ‘The Susie’, a veggie burger, a couple Championship require further clarification. The event involved discussions. Moving forward, the outcomes of regular burgers and a grilled cheese and hot dog Cheese Contest As reported in The Register Star, the Clintons scientists from 10 countries, working in areas the event will influence our work and the work AGW’s 2016 in for the toddler—a perfect mix of everything.” in Wisconsin. stopped with their daughter, Chelsea, and family such as soil science, climate change, ecosystems of other organizations involved in sustainable Review report is Chelsea Clinton and her husband, Marc Mezvinsky, for lunch at Grazin’ Diner—the first restaurant “We couldn’t be ecology and food nutrition. food production.” now available. have been to the restaurant before, and Grazin’ in North America to serve meat, eggs and dairy prouder to bring Angus Acres farm in Ghent, NY, provided AWA The 20-page products sourced exclusively from local AWA home three awards meat for their wedding in 2010. document outlines farms. The Clintons’ visit came as a complete and are honored the major activities surprise, says head chef and Grazin’ owner, Visit grazinburger.com to showcase our researching consumer concerns of AGW and its Certified Grassfed New research ranks consumer concerns when The research also highlights continued consumer staff in 2016, as by AGW dairy buying beef, chicken, milk, and eggs—and it is confusion about the meaning of many food label well as the key products on a Red Apron Burger Bar in Dupont Circle, good news for AGW certifications. claims. “The biggest surprise in the study is that successes of more national stage,” Top-notch burgers Washington, D.C., is featured in the Washington ‘no growth hormones’ is the number one concern than 1,500 sustain- says Jill Smith of Published in the Agriculture and Human Values Post for its unique offering of sustainably and consumers have across the board on all of these able farmers and Pure Éire Dairy. journal, the University of Illinois (UI) study locally sourced ground beef—including AWA products,” says Brenna Ellison, UI food economist ranchers, respons- surveyed consumers about the importance of ancient White Park beef from Leaping Waters The event is the and lead researcher. “It’s odd because growth ible for managing common on-farm practices in their purchasing Farm (AWA beef cattle, pigs) in Shawsville, VA. largest technical hormones are already prohibited for poultry more than 3 million decisions when buying beef, chicken, milk and cheese, butter and products, for example. Ultimately, it means acres across 43 U.S. Nathan Anda is chef and partner behind Red

eggs. According to the findings, the top three N yogurt competition e

consumers are spending unnecessary time looking states and five ig Apron Butcher—the first butcher shop in the h

attributes overall were “no growth hormones,” bo in the U.S. Winners for labels that reflect this particular attribute.” Canadian provinces. U.S. to source 100 percent AWA hogs for its “non-GMO” and “humanely raised,” although the rh are selected by a oo butcher shops in the D.C. area. “Our customers researchers noted differences in importance based AGW’s Executive Director, Andrew Gunther Download your d R team of technical es appreciate the steps we’ve taken to ensure that on product type. Other highly ranked practices welcomed the findings: “The research highlights free copy at ta judges from over ur they’re getting the best, and they can taste the a

included “no routine antibiotics,” “free-range or again that AGW’s family of trusted certifications agreenerworld.org/ n t 2,300 entries from

Gr difference,” he says. cage-free,” and “grassfed.” Surprisingly, “organic” position farmers and food manufacturers as library 33 states. o was ranked as among the least important. market leaders in delivering real transparency.” u p Visit redapronburgerbar.com Ark a ns AWA FARMERS COOK WITH BROOKS temple GRANDIN enters hall of fame a s edu hunder at n

Two AWA farms were featured on AR Public pasture and range-based operations on both Dr. Temple Grandin has been added to the internationally on autism, animal behavior o j catio n Television’s Cook with Brooks cooking show. farms. Brooks used AWA pork from Hanna Family National Women’s Hall of Fame. She joins nine and handling, her masterly designs for livestock a l t Ranch to cook a not-to-miss pork tenderloin other women to be honored at the Hall’s biennial handling systems transformed the industry and ele Host Chef Steven Brooks (left) visited Will and

vi recipe in front of the camera. induction ceremony in September. are used worldwide today. s Waltina Hanna of Hanna Family Ranch (AWA io n ne pigs and Certified Grassfed by AGW sheep) The Arkansas Educational Television Network/ Diagnosed at age two with Autism Spectrum Grandin is a prolific author, having published 12 rk two in Bentonville and Sean and Carol Bansley at PBS show is dedicated to telling the whole story Disorder, Grandin (right) went on to apply insights books and several hundred publications on topics Bansley’s Berkshire Ridge (AWA pigs) in Harrison of food in Arkansas—where it’s from, how to make gained from her experience to conceptualize ranging from livestock handling, temperament and to learn about different pig breeds—including the it and who shares it. Visit cookwithbrooks.com/ equipment that reduced animal stress during fertility through to environmental enrichment and Large Black and Berkshire—and the sustainable, episode-9 the livestock handling process. Consulting animal safety.

4 • sustainable farming • summer 2017 summer 2017 • sustainable farming • 5 Opinion

• Intelligent self-adjust timer • Poultry-specific LEDs • AC Plug-in increases reliability Farming is already hard work, but you’ve managed After all, isn’t that why you got certified in the Emily Moose to make it even harder: you’ve chosen to produce first place? Receiving your hard-earned certificate • 40W Solar panel power offers tips for a market that is often dependent on reaching is just the beginning. Long-lasting LiFePo battery educated, urban consumers with disposable We get thousands of inquiries every year from • on making income, and is subject to competition from an people looking for Animal Welfare Approved, the most array of misleading labels and slick marketing Certified Grassfed and Certified Non-GMO Full System $480 campaigns from multinational agribusiness. It products. But we’re also getting more inquiries of your farm won’t be easy, but it can be more effective. Here about whether a given farm is really certified, FULL SYSTEM INCLUDES Plug in $340 certification are a few tips to help you. because people didn’t see the logo on their product. While we’re always happy to confirm LED ~ CONTROLS ~ BATTERY ~ SOLAR Consumer expectation if a farm is certified, asking customers to be Phone (530)-341-2263 According to a 2016 survey by Consumer Reports, detectives can cost you sales. 79 percent of people believe that a ‘humane’ label Email [email protected] claim should mean the animal went outside—and Use the new logo www.Henlight.com a whopping 88 percent believe that claim should With the launch of the new Animal Welfare be verified. As you probably know, neither of Approved logo last January—and the upcoming these is the case with most ‘humane’ labeled June 30 deadline to cease using the old logo— products. That means you are one of the very few now is the perfect time to update your product producers in the market that is meeting consumer labels, website, social media accounts, brochures expectations—so let them know it! and any other marketing materials, and make Your Animal Welfare Approved certification sure your certifications are loud and proud. In (or Certified Grassfed by AGW, or Certified Non- anticipation of this transition, we have trained two GMO by AGW certification) shows that you go the new labeling coordinators who are standing by to Our new guide offers extra mile to ensure sustainability and transparency help with our free label design service. Take a look guidance on using your —and that you’re proud of your farm. It also at the label gallery on our website for some great certification effectively demonstrates your commitment to environmental ideas from other certified farms and ranches, and stewardship, responsible use of antibiotics, no let us help you design one of your own. added hormones or animal by-products, and . All Rights Reserved. . ® high-welfare, pasture-based management. While Over to you Advertise here there is unfortunately a lot of negativity around We’ve done our part—now it’s your turn. We agriculture, you can share some good news. And offer a range of marketing support and materials

and reach over © 2017 ASPCA the social scientists tell us that is what people alongside our certification services, but it’s up want to hear: actionable, positive information to you to make the most of them and take the Did you know the that allows consumers to be part of the solution. message to your customers—whether a shopper at a farmers’ market, a rep at a national distributor, ® 15,000 ASPCA lists AWA farmers Make the most of it! a meat buyer at a regional grocery store or an online A Greener World has just launched a new free customer three states away. Each relationship farm, ranch and on its website? guide, Make the Most of your Certification, to presents an opportunity to show your customers share ideas and guidance on using your certification why your product is the best that money can buy. From label guides to farmer listings, learn more effectively. Available through your regional Farmer Let your AGW certifications do the talking for you! about how the ASPCA is connecting AWA farmers food businesses and Market Outreach Coordinator (see below), to welfare-conscious consumers. Emily Moose is this guide is for everyone in the program—not just AGW’s Director of direct marketers. If you’re part of a producer group, For more information about our services— Communication and a wholesaler, or even just selling breeding stock, including free label design—contact your regional Find your farm at email [email protected] Outreach. Contact her everyone can better utilize their certification. The Farmer and Market Outreach Coordinator. Visit call 800-373-8806 aspca.org/farmsbystate at emily@ guide offers a range of tips, but the single most animalwelfareapproved.us/about/contact or agreenerworld.org important and impactful one is to use the logo! call 800-373-8806

6 • sustainable farming • summer 2017 summer 2017 • sustainable farming • 7 taxing meat Simon Fairlie looks at different ways of taxing meat, and concludes that the best way to reduce meat consumption to sustainable levels is to stop using fossil fuels

Meat should be taxed to help save the planet, message.” Introducing meat rationing would be proclaimed newspaper headlines just before highly unpopular and provoke a massive black the start of the United Nations Climate Change market. Meat rationing might one day become Conference in late 2015. They were referring to appropriate if meat production declined for other a report published by the mother of all think reasons. tanks, Chatham House, called Changing Climate Changing Diets: Pathways to Lower Meat Flat tax on meat Consumption. Slapping a straight federally imposed tax on meat, similar to that on alcohol and tobacco, seems to In fact, the Chatham House report devotes barely be what most meat tax advocates have in mind. half a page out of 70 to meat taxes—this was just However, usually they distinguish between different what much of the media latched on to. Mostly the species of animal, with the level of tax calibrated report is about prospects for persuading the public according to their supposed environmental impact. to reduce meat consumption: it is rich in the jargon For example, leading Swedish meat tax analysts of modern propaganda techniques, embracing propose a 28 percent tax on beef, a 26 percent tax concepts such as “choice architecture” and “nudge on pork and a 40 percent tax on poultry—figures strategy.” The report’s recommendation that “the which reflect the average level of emissions of issue is complex but the message must be simple” greenhouse gases, nitrogen and phosphates. is one that has been followed by propagandists throughout history. A simple message about a The main problem with this approach is that there complex matter is likely to be a wrong message, are far greater differences between the emissions and this is the case as regards of different management systems than there (GHG) emissions attributable to meat. are between different species of animal. For instance, nitrogen and phosphates are not always There is a growing body of research into the impact pollutants: on the contrary, they are essential for of meat taxes, much of it coming from Sweden food production; they are only pollutants when where the concept has made some political head- there is too much of them in one place. This occurs way. Until now, nearly all analysts foresee a flat when there is an excessive amount of livestock tax on meat, presumably because it is a message in one place—what the FAO’s Livestock’s Long which is simple. There are, however, other ways Shadow terms “nutrient loading” as a result of of taxing meat and it is illuminating to compare “the urbanization of livestock”—and because of an them. overall surplus of manure due to the manufacture of artificial fertilizers from fossil fuels. If artificials Rationing didn’t exist, farmers would be desperate for every Taxes on consumer goods are regressive—that scrap of animal manure they could get hold of. is to say they hurt the poor more than the rich. A cow fed on organic feed whose manure is used Rationing would be a much fairer way of reducing to fertilize grain or vegetable production is there- meat consumption to sustainable levels. It was fore performing a service, whereas a cow fed on the method used during World War II, when there artificially fertilized maize and rye grass, whose was a shortage. It would also benefit vegans and slurry is spread on pasture in excessive quantities vegetarians who could either sell their ration or and leaches away into watercourses, is causing withhold it for ethical reasons. problems. To tax them both at the same rate is t d l

ia perverse.

k med k However, there is no shortage of meat today, a re

b and the reasons for reducing meat consumption There are many other similar examples. A pig e

wav cannot be reduced to an incontestable “simple fed on food wastes and crop residues has a tiny

8 • sustainable farming • summer 2017 summer 2017 • sustainable farming • 9 fraction of the environmental impact of a pig fed feedcakes that are a co-product of vegetable on soy and grains. Beef animals born of dairy cows In short, fossil oil production? Why not maize silage, which is in have far lower emissions than those born into beef fuels are the some ways more problematic than feeding grain cow-calf herds: the dairy cross calf is a by-product root of the to animals? And what about the feedgrain buffer of the milk industry, whereas for every pure bred problem. —the 110 pounds or so of grain per person that beef calf, a mother cow has to be maintained for Focusing it is necessary to grow in the best year to ensure a year without producing anything other than her on livestock that there is enough food for everyone in the single calf. emissions is worst year? Do we really want to be taxing that? at best a short- Not only does it make no sense to tax different term measure, Artificial fertilizers management systems at the same rate, it is likely and more Artificial fertilizers are problematic not only to make standards of livestock management likely to be because they deplete the soil of organic matter worse. If the cost of meat goes up, many con- an unhelpful and are currently dependent upon fossil fuels for sumers are likely to seek out the cheapest meat diversion their manufacture, but also because their ready Synthetic nitrogen fertilizers require natural gas The application of artificial fertilizer results in they can find. And the cheapest meat (of any given availability creates a surplus of organic fertility as a feedstock and oil-dependent distribution significant nitrous oxide emissions from soils cut) is often that which has been reared using the (i.e. manure) which causes pollution and GHG least sustainable method. emissions. witness an increased divergence between a sales State sales tax An effective tax (see below) would rectify tax-exempt local food sector and the industrial Meat would be caught by wide-ranging carbon Imposing a selective state sales tax on meat these problems. However, in its absence, artificial food sector, with poor rural consumers having taxes, should these ever be implemented. A tax would be a flat tax under another name, except fertilizers benefit from financial advantages over better access to high quality fresh meat than poor on all GHG emissions would require the almost it could allow for flexibility in how it was imposed organic manures, which although not tax-based, urban consumers. It could also lead to veganism impossible task of reaching agreement on how in one respect. States could chose to exempt small have a similar effect. These advantages derive and being more widespread in cities great the emissions from livestock and meat farmers selling meat direct to the consumer at the from the fact that the burden of distinguishing than in the countryside—a trend that is already actually are. Some analysts have settled on figures farm gate or at farmers’ markets—but could still between organic agriculture and chemical agri- discernible. such as $1.03 per pound, which mostly appear levy a tax on grocery stores. culture falls entirely upon the organic sector to be based on the FAO’s contentious figure of who have to pay for the considerable cost of The problem with this model is that it is hugely 14.5 percent (see next page). If such a figure was Selective sales tax on meat could therefore give a certification and labelling. complicated. Exemptions will be hard to implement agreed upon for beef, pork, poultry and so on, the welcome boost to small scale, low-input livestock and monitor. In addition, to have an impact there tax would act exactly as the flat rate described farmers, to farmers’ markets and to other forms Since the excess fertility problem is due to a would need to be consistency across different above with all its perversities. of local distribution. Insofar as these small farmers superabundance of artificial fertilizers, it follows states in terms of the level and application of tax, are more ecologically benign (as they may well that it is the farmers who use these chemicals and states that currently have no sales tax are Fossil fuel tax be in respect of inputs of fertilizer and pesticide, who should be held responsible for their licensing likely to be very resistant to its introduction. A ratcheted annual increase in tax on oil and and manure accumulation) this will carry some and labelling, rather than organic farmers who other fossil fuels, including dyed diesel, would environmental benefits. don’t use them. If non-organic food for sale in Feed tax be simpler to apply since there would be no need Artificial supermarkets carried labels saying “grown with the It would be almost impossible to devise a system to assess the emissions of different kinds of meat. fertilizers are On the other hand, the industrial sector which is use of chemical fertilizers”, or pesticides or GMO that could successfully determine different levels To achieve climate targets, we have to stop using problematic: subject to selective sales taxes would be facing the seed, and organically produced food was regarded of tax for different meat products according to fossil fuels, so a fiscal measure of some kind (with not only same perverse incentives as under a flat tax, and as the norm, there would be a shift in patterns of the level of environmental impact caused by their compensatory measures for poor countries) is because they so might shift towards supplying cheaper, less well consumption that would lead to a reduction in manufacture. Any methodology would be too necessary anyway. deplete the farmed meat from bigger, more industrial farms, the use of artificial fertilizers and better manure

complex and too contentious. However, one way n soil of organic and perhaps with more of it imported. We might a management. to target certain extravagant management systems Advocates of a meat tax argue that such a tax matter and are tic dus would be to impose a tax on livestock feedgrains. s won’t do the job because it only targets the dependent on

): Ko 75 percent of global warming due to fossil fuels, fossil fuels for top

This would favor farmers feeding livestock on grass, t ( while the 25 percent due to agriculture and land their manu- ef L crop residues and food waste, and disadvantage | use change remains untaxed. s facture, but pig and poultry factory farms. It would also result c also because in increased sowing of clover, lucerne and other m): nr The Swedish Food and Environment Network their availability

legumes, which would have a benign affect upon botto takes the argument further by looking at what creates surplus t ( the quality of soils. However, a tax on feed grains h we could be doing with agricultural land instead: organic fertility Rig is unlikely to have much significant effect on the | ssus o

price or consumption of meat—the price of grain l Today grasslands and embankments are o

doubled after the 2008 economic crisis without ): C cultivated to feed cattle throughout Sweden, top

any massive effect upon meat prices. t ( but these areas could be used for creating ef L | biogas and fertilizers. This means we have S Plus, a precise definition of what constitutes feed- C the opportunity to produce a lot of bio-energy grains is elusive. Should spoiled and substandard m): NR if we reduce pure reliance upon animals. This

Animal waste stored in liquid form in open grain, which is only fit for animal consumption, botto Spreading manure: benign organic fertility or could be vital in making Sweden less dependent t ( ef air lagoons is a key source of nitrous oxide be taxed? What about soy protein and other L threat to the climate? upon fossil fuels in the long run.

10 • sustainable farming • summer 2017 summer 2017 • sustainable farming • 11 They no doubt have in mind a 2011 University On the other hand, if artificial fertilizers become Conclusion to be the intent behind the “cows cause more of Gothenburg research paper, which estimated scarce and expensive, there will be a greater need If a meat tax To reduce GHG emissions to a sustainable level, emissions than cars” rhetoric. If a meat tax does that a flat tax of 60 euros per tonne (around for organic fertility to grow food, and the best source does gain there has to be a tax or some other mechanism gain acceptance as a preliminary to an effective acceptance, $73/ton) of CO² equivalent on meat and dairy for this is grass and legumes, not the woody and that reduces fossil fuel consumption to a tiny mechanism to reduce fossil fuel consumption, would reduce Europe’s agricultural emissions by fibrous crops that supply energy most efficiently. then it is fraction of present levels. It is likely that as this then it is important to ensure that it favors just 7 percent; but if the land made available were Grass in outlying areas can be harvested, digested important to happens, the diminished availability of artificial forms of agricultural and livestock management used for bioenergy production, the decrease in and transported to arable land free of charge by ensure that it fertilizers and competition for grazing land from compatible with a low carbon society. An intensive emissions could be six times greater. ruminants, who also have the added bonus of favors forms energy crops will lead to a reduction in livestock system, which produces fewer methane emissions providing meat. of agricultural numbers without any need for a targeted meat tax. because of its reliance on artificial fertilizers and However, it is precisely this ability to convert and livestock feed grains, is not going to be of great help if, in a grazing land to biomass production which Which of these two requirements, biomass for heat management There is, however, an argument that it will take low carbon future, artificial fertilizers and energy suggests that if you have an effective fossil fuel or fertility for food, will be the more pressing in a compatible some time to reduce fossil fuel emissions to become scarce, while methane ceases to be a tax you may not need a meat tax at all. If bio- world without fossil fuels? One can only guess that with a low negligible proportions, and in the interim we can major problem. Simon Fairlie is the energy really is vital in making us less dependent it will be a bit of both. Putting aside other matters carbon society achieve considerable reductions in emissions by author of Meat: A upon fossil fuels, then as taxes on fossil fuels which might need to be regulated (such as the reducing meat consumption. This argument is If a robust fossil fuel tax is not immediately Benign Extravagance. increase, energy will become more expensive power of corporations and wealthy people to act reinforced by the fact that reductions in methane achievable, then we need to look more closely A version of this article and there will be increasing market pressure for outside the public interest, the safeguarding of bio- emissions have a more immediate effect on GHG at the fiscal mechanisms examined above and first appeared in The former grazing land to be used for woodland, diversity and so on), the best way to decide how emissions, whereas the effect of reductions in CO implement at least one—if not a combination—of ² Land magazine— coppice and other bioenergy crops, which will much of our non-arable land should be devoted are more long term. these suggestions. A licensing system that placed thelandmagazine. result in a reduction of ruminant grazing anyway. to energy and trees and how much to fertility the burden of certification and labeling upon org.uk Meanwhile, as fossil fuel scarcity makes artificial and ruminants might be to leave it to the market. There is some strength in this argument, but there chemical farmers rather than those sustainably fertilizers more expensive, there is also likely to is also the danger that focusing on the relatively producing food will also take us in the right be a reduction in the amount of grain available People and communities will decide with their small proportion of emissions attributable to direction. But ultimately we need to stop using for animal feed. An effective reduction in the use wallet which one they need most. Taxing one meat because it is “low hanging fruit” will eclipse fossil fuels, and when we do livestock numbers of fossil fuels would therefore result in a decline to favor the other would alter the balance and the more fundamental matter of dealing with the will decline and stabilize at a sustainable level in livestock numbers and meat consumption. perhaps give a wrong answer. 70 percent attributable to fossil fuels. That seems of their own accord.

In 2006, United Nations Food and Agriculture environmental impact; but there is no reliable from fossil fuels are not directly comparable. the pool. Fossil-fuel derived methane therefore has Livestock Organization (FAO) issued a press release, scientific basis for the FAO’s figure of 14.5 per- The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change a greater and a more permanent impact, weight emissions: publicizing its Livestock’s Long Shadow report, cent of GHG emissions cited by many respected (IPCC) overcomes this difficulty by imposing a for weight, than methane generated by livestock, 14.5 percent that stated, “Which causes more greenhouse gas organizations without question. Estimates of mathematical relationship—currently 1 gram of which doesn’t cause a net increase in carbon. emissions, rearing cattle or driving cars. Surprise! the contributions of different sectors to global methane equals 25 grams of CO²—but this is an hot air The livestock sector generates more greenhouse warming remain uncertain, particularly in respect artificial concept based on an arbitrarily chosen Thirty percent gases than transport.” of methane, the principal gas emitted by livestock. discount rate. Methane is a sort of temporarily Approximately the same amounts of methane are turbo-charged version of CO². It has higher global released into the atmosphere by livestock and by While the FAO has now reduced the percentage of The FAO’s 14.5 percent is also misleading warming potential, but once in the atmosphere fossil fuel extraction every year—estimates for both all man-made global warming caused by livestock because it includes the amount of methane and it degrades back into CO much faster than CO lie around 25—35 percent of all human-sourced ² ² from 18 percent to 14.5 percent, this lower figure nitrous oxide emissions currently being emitted disappears from the atmosphere, so the higher methane emissions. By happy coincidence, IPCC is still used to suggest that the global livestock by livestock, but does not consider potential you rate methane against CO², the more you value calculates a reduction of less than 30 percent in industry generates more greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions of these gases from alternative land uses the short term. Moreover, methane emissions methane emissions would stabilize atmospheric Livestock’s Long than all cars, planes, trains and ships combined. if we dispensed with domestic livestock. In the case from livestock and CO² from fossil fuels are methane levels within two decades. To stabilize Shadow: The UN has of methane, there could be replacement emissions qualitatively different because they come from methane concentrations we can either stop using admitted its 2006 Uncertainty from increased numbers of wild animals, termites, different places. Fossil fuel carbon is released from fossil fuels or stop keeping livestock. report exaggerated the Before we examine emissions from livestock, rice paddies, wetlands and grass fires (though a reserves of hydrocarbons locked under the earth’s impact of eating meat it is worth noting that this comparison with widespread program of biomass crops might limit crust for millions of years, and is therefore adding There is no question which we should focus on. on climate change livestock and transport includes only “tailpipe this rebound effect). In the case of nitrous oxide, to the total pool of carbon circulating within the It would be more reliable to eliminate the methane emissions”, i.e. fuel. All other emissions generated there would be replacement emissions from the earth’s atmosphere and biosphere. The larger this emissions caused by fossil fuel extraction since this by the transport sector—those relating to the green manure or artificial fertilizers necessary to pool of carbon, the more raw material there is that methane would stay safely underground. We must manufacture of vehicles, building of roads, service grow the extra grains and vegetables needed can potentially be turned into methane. Livestock stop using fossil fuels anyway because they cause stations, harbors and airports, methane released to replace the meat and dairy foregone. methane emissions are only temporarily extracted about 70 percent of all GHG emissions. And when through oil extraction and so on (not to mention from this pool and do not add to it, just as the we do stop using fossil fuels, livestock numbers will the wars fought to secure the oil)—are accounted Comparing apples and oranges CO² that livestock exhale does not add to it. almost certainly go down of their own accord (see for under different sectors. A further problem inherent in any attempt main article). In short, fossil fuels are the root of the to equate livestock emissions with transport Fossil fuel extraction also causes methane problem: Focusing attention on livestock emissions It is incontestable that burgeoning numbers emissions is that methane emissions from emissions. When this methane degrades into is at best a short-term measure, and more likely to of cattle and other livestock have a serious livestock and carbon dioxide (CO ) emissions CO it represents a net addition of carbon into be an unhelpful diversion. ² ²

12 • sustainable farming • summer 2017 summer 2017 • sustainable farming • 13 Farming is not just a job: it is a way of life that seasons are especially dangerous as farmers move Elderly farmers most people involved truly love. Unfortunately, tractors and equipment to fields. Thousands of Unlike all other industries, there is no real retire- there are many associated dangers … roadway incidents occur each year between ment age in farming. Farmers generally work for Farming according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, agricultural machinery and other motor vehicles. as long as they are physically able. In fact, the in 2016, agriculture had a fatality rate of 25.6 deaths Agricultural equipment tends to be large and average age of U.S. farmers is close to 60 years per 100,000 workers—more than 7.5 times the rate moves slowly, usually less than 25 mph. A hazard old. While this strong work ethic is commendable, for all industries, and far exceeding other industries exists when fast moving traffic quickly approaches older farmers also experience higher injury rates. can be considered hazardous like mining. There are many slow moving agricultural machinery. Proper Senior farmers may have to take medications, unique aspects about agriculture that have led lighting of machinery and use of Slow Moving work with physical disabilities or have poorer to these alarming statistics. Farm families and Vehicle emblems help to reduce these hazards. eyesight and slower reflexes. All of these factors workers are exposed to a host of mechanical and contribute to older farmers having a higher risk A dump truck crosses dangerous environmental hazards every day that increase Children for work-related injuries. traffic in an attempt to the risk of injury or death. There is no other industry where families live pass a tractor right in the middle of a busy, 24-7 workplace. Health and safety on small farms Tractor related incidents And there is no other industry where young Federal safety and health regulations are not work Approximately half to a third of all farmer fatalities children often perform work with large equipment always enforced on farm owners and their are tractor-related incidents. Tractor rollovers are or live around large animals and other dangerous immediate family members, or on small farms James Carrabba looks at the major the single most common type of tractor fatality. environments. According to the National Children’s (10 or less employees) because of special causes of injuries on farms—and how Some tractors have a safety feature called ROPS Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety, enforcement exemptions granted to agriculture. (rollover protective structures) that will protect a child dies in an agricultural-related incident Therefore, it is up to each small farm to make to prevent them the tractor operator in the event of a tractor every three days, while 33 children are injured in sure it provides a safe work environment for rollover, limiting the rollover and creating a safe agriculture related incidents every day. The leading all family members and workers. area around the operator’s seat. sources of fatalities among youth on farms were ROPS are 99 percent effective if the operator machinery (25 percent), motor vehicles including Other hazards wears the seatbelt. But while all tractors manu- ATV’s (17 percent) and drowning (16 percent). For Weather, terrain and atmospheric conditions factured after 1985 come equipped with a ROPS youth working on farms, tractors are the leading all present daily risks to farmers. Farmers often Most PTO accidents and seatbelts, current research reveals that source of fatalities. work long hours in all types of weather and terrain occur when clothing approximately 40 percent of the tractors in the conditions. Floods, and other severe becomes entangled U.S. are still not equipped with ROPS. Hundreds weather cause significant impacts to farms. Did you know that Every three days, of lives could be saved each year if farmers had Many farmers find it necessary to work at a full a child dies in an agricultural- ROPS-equipped tractors and wore seatbelts or part-time job off the farm, which can further related incident? when operating them. The National ROPS Rebate lead to fatigue. Large animals, such as bulls, cows Program helps farmers install these life-saving For information and safety resources, such or horses have caused many injuries and fatalities, devices by providing a 70 percent rebate toward as personal protective equipment, retrofit and learning how to work around large animals the cost of the ROPS kit, shipping and installation. PTO shields and SMV emblems for sale, safely is essential. visit the NYCAMH website, nycamh.com, Farm machinery or call 800-343-7527. Planning for safety Just about every type of farm uses large, heavy For more information about the National As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention machinery. Common types of machinery-related ROPS Rebate Program, visit ROPSr4u.com is worth a pound of cure. Potential hazards on incidents include runovers, struck-by and crushing or call 1-877-767-7748 farms could include older tractors without ROPS incidents, power-take-off (PTO) entanglements, and seatbelts, missing or damaged PTO shielding A bright safety triangle other machinery entanglements and roadway The U.S. Agricultural Safety and Health or missing shielding on other types of rotating

lks mounted on the back collisions. Farm machinery incidents (other than o Centers (10 regional centers) host a YouTube machinery, unprotected drop-offs or fall hazards.

ry f ry alerts other road users tractor related) account for another third of farm channel with over 90 videos covering personal take the time to work safely on your farm, work fatalities. un t protective equipment, needlestick prevention, encourage all of your family members and any When working with farm machinery, always co nd livestock safety, tractor and machinery safety, workers to follow safe work routines. Conduct

pay attention to the task. Keep young children and a ers and more. Visit youtube.com/USagCenters or

av a safety audit of your farm to identify any w e other bystanders out of the area where machinery | call 800-232-4636 potential hazards. Some organizations, such as s is being used. Always shut off the machinery and o

df the NYCAMH, can offer on-farm safety surveys

o The U.S. Department of Labor website offers m wait until it comes to a complete stop before | and on-farm safety training at no cost to farms.

n plenty of advice and resources on farm safety performing any maintenance or repairs. If you ato and health. Visit osha.gov/dsg/topics/ A number of farm safety audit tools are also have to work under any raised equipment, make he w agriculturaloperations/hazards_controls.html available on the internet. Your regional Agricultural sure it is properly locked out or blocked up with he Safety and Health Center may be able to provide att m appropriate jackstands. | In Canada, the Canadian Agricultural Safety further advice and support (see box). s o

df Association website is a very useful resource. o m Motor vehicle crashes | Visit at casa-acsa.ca or call 877-452-2272 m s t f Road travel with farm machinery presents James Carrabba is Safety Agricultural Safety A demonstration of otog Look out for National Farm Safety and Health a serious occupational hazard for agricultural botto Specialist at the New York Center for Agricultural the rollover protective to r Week 2017, September 17–23. a f

workers. The busy spring planting and fall harvest T op Medicine and Health (NYCAMH) structures (ROPS)

14 • sustainable farming • summer 2017 summer 2017 • sustainable farming • 15 rk ovic ci

SLaughter MILOS plants needed

Applying to A Greener World’s Animal Welfare as the usual challenges encountered by any Finally, as the AWA program continues to Complete confidentiality: The AWA program is Opening Approved (AWA) program is normally a straight- business, plants are faced with Food Safety grow, more and more farmers will actively seek AWA completely independent and impartial. Everything the doors forward decision for farmers and ranchers. After Audits, Hazardous Critical Control Point (HACCP) participating plants so they can use the AWA cerTification we do is confidential. We accept no money from reading the AWA standards, most are excited documentation, state environmental and logo on their meat products. and your the industry or government, and have no links of your about the opportunity to prove to customers employment laws, daily operational and meat slaughter whatsoever to any animal rights organizations. slaughter their commitment to high-welfare management. inspection by the USDA or state programs, not More than USDA: Slaughter plant owners will plant The outcome of the slaughter plant review is plant for an However, slaughter plant owners can have the to mention public and media scrutiny. As a result, often say, “I am already USDA Inspected and Explain that you shared with the plant management only. AWA opposite reaction. From experience, we know many owners won’t necessarily want another the inspector is in my plant every day. Why do need the plant to staff will work behind the scenes with the plant AWA review some plant owners wrongly assume AWA is some inspection or recognize the added benefit of I need someone else looking around?” While undergo a basic owner to find a resolution to any animal welfare- is critical kind of ‘animal rights’ group who want to record being an AWA plant—especially if they already USDA is to be commended on recent progress review to sell your related issue. the killing of lovable animals for their next social have misconceptions about the AWA program! towards higher welfare handling at slaughter, products using the to your media campaign. Of course, nothing could be so how do you persuade or encourage your USDA inspection standards are generally geared AWA logo AWA has real expertise: To get the job, every further from the truth. But this misconception slaughter plant to agree to an AWA review? more toward preventing the next E.coli outbreak SPS must have many years’ experience in success, can be a major stumbling block for farmers and and whether the plant is complying with basic Talk about AWA slaughter operations, as well as familiarity with says Charlie ranchers who want to use the AWA logo. What’s in it for me? Most plant owners rightly food safety regulations than maximizing animal and help dispel any farming and ranching. Once in position, every want to know what’s in it for them—other than welfare at slaughter and improving meat quality. myths that AWA is SPS receives world-class training in animal Hester an ‘animal rights’ Get your plant onboard earning or keeping your business! First, the behavior and welfare at slaughter, with annual AWA review process can save plants money by Meat quality and stress: Farmers and ranchers group. Highlight our updates. Every SPS is also internationally If you are thinking of joining AWA it is absolutely improving operational performance. Remember: expend a huge amount of time, talent, effort industry expertise recognized and certified as an Animal Welfare essential to get your slaughter plant involved as AWA’s Slaughter Plant Specialist (SPS) team has and, most importantly, money to produce a and experience Officer and Poultry Welfare Officer. early as possible—ideally before you even apply. reviewed hundreds of plants since 2006. Our consistently high-quality product. Yet all this AWA is a birth-to-slaughter certification and Explain that the SPS team has observed countless common can be adversely affected during the last day getting your chosen slaughter plant to allow an AWA review is free What happens during the review? sense solutions to improved animal handling and —or even hours—of the animals’ life by activities AWA review is critical to your farm certification and confidential, What should a slaughter plant expect during the movement, and one helpful suggestion could at the slaughter plant. Animal welfare at slaughter and your ability to market meat using the AWA and could improve review? For a well-run plant, the review will simply save the plant many labor hours. If it takes five cannot be ignored, as it directly affects product logo. Since you already have a positive relationship operational confirm that best practice handling, stunning and Some slaughter extra minutes to load an animal due to balking, quality, as well as consumer perception of the end with your plant, we highly recommend the initial performance slaughter is taking place, examining holding pens, plant owners and the SPS can help improve movement with product. Aside from the obvious risks of bruising request to participate comes directly from —and profits alleyways, stunbox and stunning procedures. just 12 animals per day, that already equates to from poor handling or poor design/maintenance wrongly assume you, rather than AWA. The process generally takes a couple of hours, eliminating 60 minutes of balking per day. With at the plant, numerous studies have shown un- Give them AWA’s AWA is some depending on the number of animals and species, three employees on the killfloor, that’s three labor necessary stress immediately before slaughter will Slaughter kind of ‘animal k Guidelines for with a short meeting afterwards to discuss the hours’ per day saved simply by improving animal toc adversely affect meat quality. There are several

The plant owner’s perspective s i rights’ group / Red Meat/Poultry. SPS findings. Plant owners can review the AWA

Like our farm certification, AWA’s third- movement. d ia scientific reasons, including the formation of ATP standards online or call the office to arrange an party slaughter review is completely free second, the AWA slaughter plant review shows aca (adenosine triopate) or muscle glycogen levels See animalwelfare : m :

t informal and confidential chat with our SPS team. to participating slaughter plants. As a result, existing—and potential—customers the plant is related to stress. approved.us/

k lef k it makes sense for farmers and ranchers to get some farmers assume their plant will throw committed to animal welfare. This is particularly as an independent third-party reviewer, standards/ toc s

i involved and talk to the slaughter plant about the open their doors, welcoming the opportunity important when it comes to the general public. / the SPS can provide valuable insight on animal list-of-standards AWA review as early as possible. Let’s partner to set them apart from the competition. Most consumers have no knowledge of the ovic movement and can identify possible cause and rk Plant owners can ci together! s

But most slaughter plants already undergo USDA or state program regarding animal welfare. o effect of animal welfare on meat quality, offering l

i also call AWA for

intense inspection, often involving substantial Displaying the trusted AWA credentials clearly m e: practical solutions to cut down on animal stress an informal chat at ag

paperwork. Many already feel they are over communicates the plant’s commitment to m at unloading, holding, movement and stunning Charlie Hester is Slaughter Plant Specialist with

n i n 800-373-8806 ai

regulated—and with some justification. As well high-welfare handling and slaughter. m to help maintain meat quality. Animal Welfare Approved

16 • sustainable farming • summer 2017 summer 2017 • sustainable farming • 17 A greener world From advice on how to apply, to professional labeling design services and technical support, we’re here to help

AGW is proud to offer a new range of low cost Services Programs branded promotional Need advice? Animal Welfare Approved materials to help If you have a question about our farm standards Acknowledged by Consumer Reports as the only raise awareness of or certification procedures, just get in touch! We “highly meaningful” food label for farm animal your certification and also offer a range of Technical Advice Factsheets, welfare, outdoor access and sustainability, Animal better communicate packed with practical information on numerous Welfare Approved (AWA) is an independent, non- the wider benefits of topics—from record keeping and biosecurity to profit farm certification program—and one of the your farming practices. best practice castration or avoiding tail docking. top 5 fastest growing certifications and label claims Every purchase also Cotton apron $25 Jute Tote Bag $12 Cotton Bandana Ladies Bling Hat in North America. supports our work to • Perfect for farmers’ • Made from $10 $17 Marketing support educate and inform market or the kitchen environmentally • High quality cotton • Organic cotton twill Let our label design team create a high impact, A Greener World’s flagship certification, AWA is consumers—and helps • 8oz organic cotton/ responsible jute 22" x 22" • Self fabric closure professional food label—at no charge! We also the only farm certification that guarantees animals keep your certifications recycled polyester • 14½" x 14¾" x 5½" • Off-white fabric with with brass slider and offer a variety of low cost marketing materials to are raised outdoors on pasture or range for their affordable! • Two front pockets • Available in black dark green imprint hidden tuck in farmers, ranchers and food businesses—including entire lives on an independent family farm using Find more promotional • Adjustable neckline or green ink • Shipping fee $2 • Available in stone quality metal signs, food labels, vinyl banners sustainable agriculture methods, and is one of materials and place • Cotton-webbing ties • Shipping fee $3 first class with USPS colored fabric with (good for farmers’ market stalls), point-of-sale only two certifiers in the U.S. to require audited, your orders at animal • Available in black first class with USPS light blue rhinestones; brochures and more! high-welfare transport and slaughter practices. welfareapproved.us/ or stone or dark green fabric merchandise • Shipping fee $3.50 with clear rhinestones Is your farm profile up to date? Certified Grassfed by AGW first class with USPS • Shipping fee $4 To help raise awareness about your business, The only grassfed certification and logo in the Or call 541-526-1119 first class with USPS we upload a short profile about every farm U.S. and Canada that guarantees meat and milk and ranch on our website. If you are new to the products come from animals fed a 100 percent program the outreach team will be in touch. And grass and forage diet, raised outdoors on pasture if you ever feel your profile needs updating, just or range, and managed according to the highest contact your regional coordinator. welfare and environmental standards on an independent family farm. Got some news? Share it! We write a dedicated press release for every farm Certified Grassfed by AGW is an optional, or ranch that joins our programs. But if you’re additional accreditation for farmers and ranchers launching a new product or hosting a farm event, who are meeting AWA standards, and enables we’ll do our best to spread the word through our businesses to clearly differentiate themselves in social media and communications networks. the marketplace. Hydro Flask® $35 Animal welfare certified grassfed Consumer metal sign $12 Online directory Certified Non-GMO by AGW • Stainless steel water approved Sticker by agw Sticker Brochures $5 • 10" x 15" rectangle Our searchable online directory is the single most Certified Non-GMO by AGW is the only food label bottle Labels $5.70 Labels $4.60 • Explains the benefits • Embossed imprint popular area on our website, helping thousands of in North America that helps consumers identify • The world’s premier • 1" x 1" high-quality • 1” x 1” high-quality of certification on white aluminum visitors find suppliers of Animal Welfare Approved, non-GMO (or genetically engineered) products and company for insulated stickers stickers • Ideal for farmers’ • Ideal for farm gate Certified Grassfed by AGW and Certified Non- support high-welfare, environmentally sustainable products • Long-life adhesive • Long-life adhesive markets, farm stores or barn GMO by AGW products every year. food animal production. • Holds 18 oz keeps • 1,000 stickers per roll • 1,000 stickers per roll and other events • Shipping fee $3 liquids cold for 24 • Shipping fee $2 a roll • Shipping fee $2 a roll • 50 brochures per pack first class with USPS Sign up for monthly e-news Available to farmers, ranchers and food producers, hours/hot for 6 hours first class with USPS first class with USPS • Shipping fee $2 a pack Only available to Our monthly Focus on Farming email keeps you the Certified Non-GMO by AGW label guarantees • Food-grade non- first class with USPS Only available to Only available to Certified Animal up to date with relevant news and information, food products are not only produced without GMO toxic BPA-free plastic Certified Animal Certified Grassfed Only available to Welfare Approved as well as our program of activities and events. feed, supplements or ingredients, but is the only with limited lifetime Welfare Approved by AGW producers Certified Animal producers non-GMO label to offer further assurances about warranty producers Welfare Approved For more information about our services—including animal welfare and environmental sustainability. • Shipping fee $4 producers free label design—visit animalwelfareapproved.us The Certified Non-GMO by AGW label is an first class with USPS or call 800-373-8806 optional addition for AWA businesses.

18 • sustainable farming • summer 2017 summer 2017 • sustainable farming • 19 Key points Certification news Mild winters and Pigs in space moderate rainfall (>30 inches) will What are the key considerations when looking to avoid exposure, STandards integrate pigs into a crop rotation? stress and poor underfoot condition Choose light, free- review Raising pigs outdoors on pasture or range offers nitrogen and about 180 pounds/acre phosphate. draining soils, free a great opportunity to integrate the operation of sharp stones within a crop rotation on diversified farms or While the main concerns about site selection Sloping ground within an agro-sylvo-pastoral system. However, are probably environmental, it is important to for farrowing risks AWA’s Since 2006, the AWA standards have been Similarly, standard 5.0.9 currently recommends site selection is important—not only to minimize consider any potential associated health and piglet death from written and developed by scientists, farmers and that: potential environmental impacts, but also for pig welfare impacts. Pigs kept outdoors tend to have farm animal welfare experts from around the nest gravitation standards All plans for animal management should be health and welfare. a relatively high health status as long as they are globe. Every year, the standards are reviewed and reviewed at least annually or whenever changes kept at low stocking density (so reducing disease Hut entrances must constantly updated by the Standards Board. to farm management practices occur, whichever Overstocking with pigs for long periods on the challenges). When integrating pigs within a crop point away from evolve is most frequent. same area can cause environmental problems rotation, adequate access to clean ground (for prevailing winds to reflect How does it work? associated with nitrate leaching and soil erosion. example, ground that has been rested for at A water supply is Throughout the year, we collate and examine any While this standard is recommended, it will likely Integrating the operation into a cropping system least four years) within the crop rotation system vital for drinking current new science regarding the different species AWA become required within the next year or two, can help alleviate problems, particularly where pigs is recommended to minimize disease risks. water and wallows certifies to ensure the standards reflect scientific based on feedback and evidence given in this are mobile and the stocking rate is appropriate to Lameness can be a problem on some stony soils, science and consensus on best practice. The Standards Board latest standards review process. land type and potential manure produced. The site especially flinty soils or thin soils over rock where Wallows and shade farming also looks at any suggestions received during and paddock rotation should be frequent enough damage to legs and feet can become infected. are essential to the year regarding possible changes, as well as A good example of how the review process helps to prevent total destruction of ground cover and While windy sites are not necessarily inappropriate, avoid heat stress reality, says any Applications for Standard Amendment or to clear up any confusion is the new note in excessive contamination of soil with pathogens. remember that piglets are particularly susceptible Pigs must have Tim Holmes Modification forms submitted. (Anyone associated standard 2.1.5: Ideally, outdoor pigs should be followed as soon to chilling and hypothermia from wet bedding, with the program can submit a suggestion or daily roughage, Embryo transfer and knowingly using the semen as possible by grass pasture mix or other suitable increasing their susceptibility to disease. Standard Amendment form during the year.) Finally, fresh or dried or progeny of animals produced by embryo crops to ensure soil protection and structure is we also examine our auditing process and review fodder or silage, transfer is prohibited. Note: The prohibition on use restored. This also allows the following crop to Article adapted from Farm Health Online. For how standards were scored throughout the year and access to of embryo transfer extends to a single generation. rapidly utilize residual nitrogen, minimizing nitrate more information about practical, science-based to identify any trends or possible problems on the

growing green rez

a In other words, if the sire or dam of an animal was leaching. Typical annual nutrient loadings from advice on high-welfare livestock management, food on the range ground. This also lets us know if we need to clarify

ke su ke produced by embryo transfer then that animal i outdoor pig units are about 350 pounds/acre visit farmhealthonline.com m any standards to ensure the intent and meaning is cannot be bought into an AWA herd or flock. New clear for farmers and ranchers in the program. farms with existing livestock produced by embryo Farmer consultation transfer should contact the AWA office for further advice. Once this initial review process is complete, farmers or groups who have been accepted into The addition of this new note makes it clear what the program are notified of the possible changes, the program is looking for—and how far back— and details are uploaded on the website with a when determining compliance with this standard. timeframe for reasonable consultation. The Board then looks at that feedback and changes may be Get in touch made based upon it. The final updated standards These are only a few examples of the different are then made available on the website. changes that have been incorporated into the 2017 standards. The program is constantly Standards Updates: Examples evolving and we encourage you to read the 2017 Last year’s review process resulted in some new standards on the website for the species you have standards, as well as clarifications to many others. certified. If you are interested in certification and The previous standard 1.0.6 used to specify have any questions, please get in touch. We are competence when dealing with specific tasks like here to help. castration, for example. However, the updated standard now requires competence for all tasks: The 2017 AWA standards are available at All those working with animals must be animalwelfareapproved.us/standards competent to carry out the tasks required of them. Note: This standard applies to contract and temporary workers as well as full time employees Tim Holmes is Director of Compliance with and family members. A Greener World

20 • sustainable farming • summer 2017 summer 2017 • sustainable farming • 21 Meet the farmer We make honest, wholesome organic animal feed products with the most heartfelt regard for our planet Diversity rules and fellow living creatures.

Greg, Laurie, Bradley and Lisha Newhall, with Sustainable farming principles: why do they their business partners and longtime friends, matter? Gary and Nancy Jones, raise AWA beef cattle, We believe that factory farming takes an incredibly pigs, turkeys, ducks for eggs, chickens for meat devastating toll on the land, the quality of air and and eggs, and Certified Grassfed by AGW meat the animals. Sustainability for us means staying sheep and meat goats—making Windy N Ranch in diverse and utilizing our animals’ natural grazing Ellensburg, WA, the first farm in the AWA program patterns to help renew the soil and pasture year approved for eight separate livestock species! after year.

Bradley, tell us about your family’s farm … What’s the main benefit of being AWA? at a glance Whole grain feeds for My dad and mom, Greg and Laurie, bought Food labeling in the commercial Farm: Windy N chickens, ducks, turkeys, Windy N Ranch back in 2004 as a retirement has gotten very disingenuous, and people are Ranch, Ellensburg, venture with business partners and longtime becoming more aware. AWA is a label they can goats, and pigs WA friends, Gary and Nancy Jones. First it was beeves trust. It also keeps us ranchers accountable and Use of this product is compliant with the AWA program Certification/date: to help “mow” and fertilize the grass, then a few helps us stay in the know with the most up-to- when used in accordance with the AWA standards. AWA 2011 laying hens … As the animals came and business date methods for raising and dispatching our Size: 800 acres picked up, my Dad realized he needed more help. animals in the most humane way possible. Soil type: rocky So he asked if my wife, Lisha, and I would like to loam make a go of ranching. We jumped at the chance How can the market for sustainable products WWW.SCRATCHANDPECK.COM/OUR-COMMITMENT Altitude: 2,000 ft to get out of the city and start a new life. be improved? Annual rainfall: Our AWA certification is one of our best selling 9 inches Why did you choose AWA? points, but only after we explain what it means Enterprises: After researching various ranching practices, and what’s involved. Educating consumers through AWA Wagyu, Kobe we realized we had an obligation to respect the programs, workshops and general dialogue would and Angus beeves; animals and environment that provided so much dramatically improve the market. Most people Berkshire pigs; for us, our families and our customers. We sought simply don’t understand the consequences of Texel/Coopworth AWA certification to assure our discerning customers unsustainable practices. We find that explaining lambs; Boer goats; they really are buying meat and eggs from animals these concepts to people who are open to learning Freedom Ranger raised naturally and humanely. turns potential buyers into long time customers. meat chickens; Barred Rock/ What do you love most about what you do? Black Star Laying Fresh air, being my own boss and that, at the end Hens; Cayuga of the day, I feel good about what I’m doing and laying ducks; what I’m providing for my family. Narragansett turkeys Who or what is your biggest inspiration? Find out more at My Dad. He still pushes harder than windynranch.com anybody I know, even beyond the or find them on age at which most people wish to Facebook retire. I wouldn’t be doing this if not for him, so I am forever grateful that he brought this opportunity to me.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you? (L to R): Bradley Just because somebody (holding Amelia), hasn’t done it before doesn’t Lisha (and Lenora mean you shouldn’t do it. in front), Laurie and You can always come up with Greg a better way to do something.

22 • sustainable farming • summer 2017 summer 2017 • sustainable farming • 23 Non-Profit ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID Bend OR PERMIT NO. 12 PO Box 115, Terrebonne OR 97760 k toc s i

“AWA certification is expanding the market opportunities available to us by putting our eggs a step above ne/ Mago er: cov

the competition, helping us get into bigger and higher-end restaurants.” t

TYLER GORDON, Gordon Family Farms, Indiana o n fr

Practical, Down-to-Earth, Respected A Greener World farming is our business visit agreenerworld.org call 800-373-8806 A Greener World | PO Box 115 | Terrebonne OR 97760 | 800-373-8806 | [email protected] @AGreenerWorld | facebook.com/agreenerworld