“Death on a Factory Farm” to air on HBO
The animal rights activists are at it again, busy making another dramatic documentary to show consumers the “evils” of livestock production. The documentary is titled, “Death on a Factory Farm,” and this 87-minute documentary will air on HBO beginning March 16, 2009. This is the provided excerpt that describes this upcoming film…
A year ago, we were sickened by animal-cruelty allegations at the Hallmark/Westland meatpacking plant in Chino, Calif. Now, another undercover expose has occurred at an Ohio hog farm - and will be shown to viewers of Home Box Office repeatedly in March. The film originated with a group known as the Humane Farming Association. HFA turned to a young man named “Pete” who makes his living doing undercover investigations of suspected animal cruelty. Pete obtained a job at the farm, and the film shows his investigation over the course of six weeks, during which time he used a hidden camera to document numerous disturbing scenes: piglets being hurled across a room into a crate where they crash into each other or onto the floor; an unhealthy piglet being taken by the feet and slammed against a wall to euthanize it; impregnated sows crammed into pens that don’t allow them to move for up to 116 days, and finally, a sick hog being hung from a forklift by a chain, where it is seen convulsing for five minutes, according to a public-relations representative for the documentary.
For any of us the agriculture industry, this documentary sends shivers down our spines. It is reminiscent of those made in the past such as “Fast Food Nation” and “Super Size Me,” and this one will be no different as it has the power to reach a great number of people, influencing and shaping the thoughts of viewers. To put things into perspective, HBO has an estimated 35 million subscribers, and a premier program on HBO can reach between 1 to 3 percent of that audience, or about 500 thousand to 1.5 million people. For a single, low-budget documentary, that’s a lot of bang for their buck, and I’m worried about the effects this video may have on the future of livestock production. So, how should we respond to this documentary, “Death on a Factory Farm?”
I believe this is a perfect time for every one of us in agriculture to link arms and work together to stand up for the livestock industry. While the pork industry is the ones that will directly suffer from the impacts of this video, we all need to recognize that it could have easily been the beef industry taking the hit. For anyone that works in animal production, this documentary should be of a great concern. I encourage all of you to tune in to this documentary, and follow up with letters of response to the producers and to HBO. Then, start up some conversations with your friends and neighbors to hear their thoughts. Then, we need to work to correct the misguided information on this video. I will provide my thoughts once the video has aired. Until then, maybe we should start looking for the perfect candidate to start making our own documentary for each respective livestock group. It’s time we start telling our own story and quit letting city guys with cash to burn tell it for us.
March 2nd, 2009 at 11:39 am
Thanks Amanda - you are doing a great job here. Regarding your comment about someone telling our side of the story — Amen sister !!
March 2nd, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Dear Ms. Nolz,
Thank you for reporting on this issue and promoting the idea that everyone involved in all kinds of agriculture unite in countering this kind of propaganda. We’re all bound up in what is becoming a “death spiral” for, not to be overly dramatic, western civilization’s farming culture. The largely unintended consequences will severely impact our lives and economy - even that of the many of the soft-headed in our culture who support this kind of drivel. There are hardcore vegans, animal rights radicals and their supporters employed at the highest levels of our current governing party who will exploit the “wounds” inflicted by these biased, pseudo-scientific tales from the heart. Such devious abuses of the arts are simply covers and tools of manipulation for darker agendas. They are means to and end… the end of agriculture as we know it. Just as “political correctness” and “fairness doctrines” are being used to suppress free speech and punish anyone who disputes or is in opposition to global warming, business bailouts, population control, etc.; this film genre (Docu-dramas) will be used to paint ALL livestock farmers as cruel and evil exploiters of our “brothers”.
Publishers, farming support groups, producers associations, etc., should be actively promoting and financially supporting any film, TV, or other media artists who seek to tell a fair, honest story. Not by directly sponsoring or scripting such efforts, but establishing a awards, grants and competitions with significant amounts of money that would encourage and support dedicated, self-motivated and passionate advocates. Only by getting a competitive, and equally compassionate, message out will there be a chance to change perceptions… and perceptions are reality in our modern societies. We should take a lesson from ABC networks John Stossel who manages to ring a few bells for clear, logical and counter-cultural ideas in the heart of Liberal media.
Good luck to us all, and thanks again.
Michael Reed
March 2nd, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Hi Amanda- Thanks for so much info.
I wish HFA would come an film my livestock. They live a better life then some people. I have seen animals mistreated over the years, but as a whole I think the Amercian rancher does a very good job in caring for there animals.
Thanks
John R. Harbison
March 2nd, 2009 at 4:47 pm
We are considered a small farm, but I love a good steak too. I would, in my dreams like to see someone do an expose on HSUS and their practices. I am sure that government official are a bit richer who sponsor these bills or do not realize that HSUS and PETA are the same. The fact is HSUS will lie to make their point, especially when it comes to statistics. It is not only the beef industry but all animals. They do not feel that animals should be eaten, enjoyed for personal pleasure or worn in any form, even down to wool or leather. No hunting or fishing. They object to circus’ and zoos and acquariams. So that we can be vegetarians and animals can all run free one day. They have waged a compaign built on lies or at the least misreprepsentation, to steal money from citizens who actually believe they are an animal welfare corporation when in actually they are an animal rights lobbying agency and spend the greatest part of their donations on lobbying efforts for oppressive animal laws and advertisement. Maybe it is time to turn the tables and let the public know about HSUS and their true agenda, but it would take a super FBI to find the money trail I am sure and maybe we can dream HBO do a story on HSUS! At what cost have they caused in any animal you can name and the industries of pets and farm animals. It really is an American shame.
March 3rd, 2009 at 12:44 am
As the saying goes “one bad looking apple in the basket makes the whole bushel look bad”. In the different conversations I have with people concerning these types of animal treatment that is shown, I will quickly agree that it is wrong! Even if the show is biased, those people treating animals with that form of cruelty should not be allowed around animals.
I give examples of how I take care of my animals and also give them a website, Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers that is sponsored by Iowa’s Farm Bureau, Pork Producers Association, Cattlemen’s Association, Corn Growers Association, Poultry Association, Soybean Association, and Turkey Federation. For those who are unfamiliar, it’s a site that gives accurate video and information about farming practices with farmers that care about the environment and their animals. There are probably many other good websites in other states too and maybe it would help to know about one or two that we can point out for people we talk to go check out.
Modern technology can be wonderful if we use it to our advantage…..I have been surprise at how many people know about your blog site Amanda so the word does get around - keep it up.
If it makes anybody feel better, let it be known that many of these animal rights activist come from urban areas who still have homeless and hungry people right in their own backyards. Maybe a documentary needs to be done on how the ag-industry feeds them. Steve
March 3rd, 2009 at 10:32 am
The Ohio Farmer who is being used as an example lives not far from me. When this story first aired on the local news, I watched the video and listened to what the they said about the incident. After the segment was over, I contacted the news station letting them know that although this was unacceptable behavior from the workers this isnt usual animal handling techniques. I received a reponse back from the reporter on the segment and he was very adament that I was wrong in contacting him about it. Then on the website it said that the “local pig farmer was receiving support” but the reporter did not elaborate on what was being said by the supporters. I was not supporting his actions but supporting the animal industry, however, the news never reported that. I wish that person reporting the abuse would have been at my house yesterday when I was taking care of a sickly calf in 10 below zero weather. Anyway, I am sure the local news will try to get ratings again with these horror stories and I am sure producers will repond again with their support of the industry. I know I will!
March 3rd, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Given that there are animal rights groups with a clear agenda to eliminate animal agriculture, any misrepresentation needs to be corrected promptly and clearly.
However, this documentary should be of great concern for additional reasons. What happens in our production facilities is no longer out of the public eye. What has been routine (e.g., euthanasia of young pigs by blunt trauma) might not be acceptable in the public’s eye, just as inattention to employee handling of down cows was not acceptable. The initial industry response, that Westland/Hallmark was an isolated incident by a rouge employee, was clearly dispelled by subsequent footage at additional facilities, and we lose some credibility by fighting the wrong fights.
I was doing some soul-searching the other day while dehorning a couple of dairy calves. Both went exceptionally smoothly and with, in my view, minimal trauma to the animals. However, I would not have liked the local cable-TV company’s camera to be there to document it. My solution in my beef herd is to use polled bulls, but the beef industry as a whole is not ready to do the same.
Still, we need to have the honest conversation - how will each particular practice be viewed by the non-farm public, and can we really bank on convincing them it is reasonable and necessary? In most cases I believe we can, but in some we don’t have a leg to stand on. Focusing on the former while not addressing the later will result in a continual stream of video making its way to the news and into documentaries.
Sam Comstock
University of Vermont Extension
March 8th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Unfortunately this is just going to be one of the first of several videos and other propaganda that we see over the next two years as HSUS wages its battle to pass legislation simmilar to prop 2 in California. The organization HFA raized $100,000.00 to put this farmer out of business, and HBO gave several more dollars and helped in assistance with help from its local media stations like WKYC. HSUS has a budget of around $320,000,000.00 annualy that they can use at its disposal for lobbying, stock purchases, and propaganda for ballot initiatives…Think about this as they use their funds to tell us how we can handle our animals, with the ultimate goal to put us out of eating meat.
This video hits home to me as this family hog farm also purchases most of my corn each year. As you watch this video, and talk to friends and neighbors please remember a few things. First: this farmer was cleared on all charges (one of the employees got charged with tossing a pig about 4 feet). Second: What we do on our farms to protect our animals may look inhumane to the missinformed public. Third: If there was undercover cameras on your operation for 2 years would there be video to make you look bad in the public eyes? Fourth: even though this farm was found not to be in the wrong he as changed most of his practices including the way he euthenates his hogs, training all his emplyees in PQA, TQA and has registered to take the advanced classes in PQA. Finnaly: This farmer is and always has been willing to listen to concerns about his farming practices (recently he has been overwelmed with coments and threats).
Please keep an open mind and spread agricultures word about how well we strive to keep our animals healty!
Mike
concerned farmer
March 17th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
We have been involved and supported 4-H for more than 30 years and have tried to teach good animal husbandry. We’ve calved, vetted, AI’d, castrated and polled. We’ve reviewed “news” concerning production farming, and admit, it is complicated at best. Bottom line farming has become dictated by supply and demand because we have as a Nation become a “Fast Food Nation. The problem (as a viewer and consumer) of news related shows regarding milk production and specifically Death on a Factory Farm on HBO last night, 3-16-2009, even with some ag background, the Wiles case raised a red flag as to how the commercial farming industry “could do it better.”
Why not contest the wasting of millions of unused acres? Lobby congressmen for paying millions to (often wealthy) land owners to NOT use their land. Lobby instead for all land to be used by farmers who could benefit from raising livestock the way generations did before us. Agreed, it was not the same demand, but nor was the use of pharmaceuticals creating animals too large for their legs to support them. We used to hang human beings as a common practice for crimes against humanity. Hanging went out of favor for more humane methods, without trying to bring into the mix another argument for or against the death penalty. But, because Wiles himself made the comment, so there it is.
As a consumer who viewed Death on a Factory Farm on HBO last night, 3-16-2009, the hanging euthanasia scene was not the most appalling segment. The unjustifiable over crowding, containment and unprecedented mortality was. It was the sheer number of carcases’ and death, not that the throwing of young pigs in bins raised any less angst. How can we call this humane farming practice? Every time Wiles stated he couldn’t afford to loose even one pig (much less productive sows)the raw footage of the dead and dying on his farm along with the unacceptable numbers of dead in his pit made us sit up and smell the horror, complicated supply and demand food industry or not.
Where lies the real problem here? PETA? HFA? Would there be any need for a group to form such as the ASPCA or an HFA if the actual real practices of the care of animals or lack of it needed to be addressed? And a sleezy so called Veterinarian like Paul Armbrecht only made the issues worse and raised the bloodly flags even higher.
The Wiles “realities” should make every farmer look at themselves honestly. How can you watch the Wiles video and not see and more importantly ask yourselves, how long did those animals suffer before a decision was made to even attempt to put them out of their misery? Are you engaged in anything that causes pain and suffering to an animal?This question alone should create at least some pause for the conscience of all commercial farmers. Educate yourselves and take a few minutes to view just some of hundreds of video’s posted on You-Tube of over crowded and confined conditions from poultry to sows. There has to be another way folks and getting together with our State Veterinary schools and livestock associations to come up with better ideas and practices should be what you care about and post to each other.
As a couple, we used to help a neighbor with calving nearly 30 years ago, (Wooster Ohio which brought the Wiles case close to home) and because of similar practices could not justify eating veal after what the owners did to the male and weak calves. Geeeez… is it beyond a reasonable decision to deliver the weak or deformed to the local butcher for stew or fresh dog food? Even so, we are meat consumers, educated, from agricultural backgrounds, but the Wiles case appalled us to a degree that prompted this writing and makes us question if our own consumption is not in fact a contribution to the problem.
I personally can never look at a honey baked ham, breakfast sausage baby back ribs or bacon ever again. We will not eat veal for the same reason…. and we are no where near the “don’t know where food comes from” public. Farms are in danger if everyone felt the way we after watching the Wiles case, given as estimated audience of “1.5 million people… “low-budget documentary” or not, every farmer should be “worried about the effects this video may have on the future of livestock production.”
There are better management practices.
Also… concerned.
March 17th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Why doesn’t Beef Daily and its readers work to make the industry more humane and stop protecting and defending criminals like those in the recent HBO movie? Take a close look at yourself…while you may not be judged now you eventually will be judged by whatever God you worship, who intended mankind to be a kind steward to animals…even those that end up being Sunday dinner.
A concerned citizen.
March 19th, 2009 at 6:15 am
Sorry but ‘Death in Factory farm’ is reality in factory farms, and I am outraged!
My guess is most people who deny about this documentary are abusing their animals in very similar ways because if people are honest, there is no way for them to deny reality in factory farms.
I get so sick of livestock farmers who proudly speaking about how they cared for calf in below zero weather.
If you care about calf, you don’t expose a new born calf to below zero weather first place.
I read about dairy farmers throwing newborn male calves in dead pile alive and let them freeze to death or starve to death because male calves are worthless to dairy farmers.
www.buzzle.com/editorials/10-1-2003-46048.asp
Robert Cohen has his site to expose cruelty in dairy farms
www.notmilk.com
I am not saying all livestock farmers are cold blooded barbarians but who can stand to raise farm animals for slaughter if they truly love animals??
I think people who love animals don’t get involved in raising farm animals for slaughter in the first place.
I am sure people who are torturing farm animals to death will face God sooner or later and must answer their shameful, sadistic, barbaric activities against HIS creatures.
March 19th, 2009 at 6:48 am
I am outraged knowing pigs were strangled to death and sadistic men were enjoying their cold blooded barbaric act!
Pigs are killed after life long torture in miserable factory farms where they even could not walk few steps.
They beat baby pigs by beating again steel bar to kill them.
Hideous criminals who tortured pigs to death are sadists and we all know that people who abuse animals are danger to our society and capable of murdering people also.
There is clear connection between animal killing and murder of people.
Sadly, what I saw on documentary is reality of many livestoke farms if not all livestock farms.
It is laughable for livestock farmers to brag about how they cared for newborn calf in subzero weather.
If they care about animals, there is no way for them to expose newborn calves in subzero weather first place.
I bet if it was male calves and worthless, they don’t mind to throw him in dead pile alive and let them freeze to death or starve to death.
In my opinion, if people truly care about animals, there is no way for them to get involved in livestock business to raise farm animals for slaughter.
Think about John Robbins.
Did you read his book ‘Diet for New America’?
It is about time for livestock farmers to be honest and repent their torture of God’s creature and start treating farm animals with respect.
How animal killers and abusers can face death without fear?
What kind of thought are you going to have in death bed knowing your shameful animal torture and death?
March 19th, 2009 at 10:06 am
Thanks everyone for your comments. Whether we agree or disagree, I firmly believe in open and honest discussions. I wasn’t able to view the HBO documentary, as I don’t have that in my cable package. For those that saw it, what did you think? I’m hoping it was a flop. There is no reason for such dramatized lies to be spread around to consumers. Thanks again for a good discussion!
Sue, I wanted to answer your comments directly. I’m sorry for a clashing differences in opinions, but I want you to understand that I truly do care about my cattle. Probably more than you could ever know. As a livestock producer, I understand the circle of life, and I treat those animals with the best respect I can while also keeping prospective that these animals will be going to good use…to feed people and to produce important byproducts like clothing, pharmeceutical items, crayons, deodarant, paint brushes, stearic acid for our tires, and even to help create asphalt! Wow, what a cow is capable of is truly astonishing to me! A great spokesperson for agriculture once said, “death with a purpose gives meaning to life,” and for me, if I can know that my livestock will help feed and clothe the world, it makes me feel better about having to let them go.
Cattle aren’t wildlife. They wouldn’t survive without our help. We provide them ample nutrition, adequate water, proper shelter and medical treatment in case of illness. We put their needs before our own. You say that you are frustrated with those that help a calf in below zero temps, and you suggest that animals should never be exposed to those things. While most ranchers try to get a cow in the barn before she calves, sometimes surprises sneak up on us. Have you ever seen a cow give birth? Sometimes, she will drop the calf in the mud or in the snow. Sometimes she won’t let it suck. Sometimes she will kick it when it tries. That’s what ranchers are there for. We get up in the middle of the night, take cow calf pairs to a warm, dry place in the barn, clean off the mud and snow, milk out the cow if necessary and help get the calf on the right start in its first 24 hours. If cows roamed in nature, as I think you would like, they would never get that care in the first place.
I apologize for the sickening stories of ranchers that don’t believe in those ideals. Keep in mind that some of the books and documentaries you consume are dramatized to show the worst. I know that those of us that truly care for the land and the livestock do not support the actions that are taken by the “bad apples” in our industry, and we can agree that those practices are wrong. Please give those of us that truly care a chance.
I invite you to visit my ranch at anytime. Where are you from? I live in South Dakota, and we are in calving season now. You could come help assist a cow in the birth process, feed bulls or help give vaccines to heifers for reproductive health. I want you to see food production as I see it, and I will give you the opportunity to do just that. Give us a chance, please. Listen to us. New anti-agriculture legislation is being introduced to make our jobs harder than ever before. Most of us in cattle production are already struggling to make ends meet. Many cattlemen are losing money, but we haven’t quit. This is in our blood. It is a family tradition. Some of us will always be in livestock production because it is our true passion.
I hope you will start thinking of ranchers as stewards of the land and shepards of animals instead of barbarian monsters. Please respond with your thoughts. Thanks for your bravery in commenting today.
Amanda
March 19th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Oh here we go..the big bad animal rights movement is at it again! I don’t think after seeing this documentary there is any doubt who the “evil” ones are. Defend your farming practices all you want, but common sense goes a long way on this issue there are approximately 350 million people in the United States alone the vast majority of that number eats meat! 10 billion food animals are killed in the United States food the mass meat consumption of Americans! It is impossible with the supply & demand of meat that humane practices exist for it is impossible to feed that many people large sums of meat a day while looking out for the well being of animals!!!!!! So no matter how “humane” you people pretend to be it is a lie made up within your heads to justify your business of animal torture.
No, I don’t assume that all “farms” hang pigs with logging chains, but the sad part here is the practices that are considered not animal abuse are just as bad. The wake up call is coming for you folks like it or not..FARM pollution is a problem to our new go green mission!!!! Factory farms can’t hide behind a “good old farm boy from Texas” any longer a new day has arrived, and people will be held accountable for their actions of polluting the world we live in with GREED!
You have the right just as we do to express your views, but farm after farm keeps feeding our movement with evidence so if you really want to blame someone for the animal rights movement look no further than your fellow farmers who keep getting caught torturing animals beyond the “normal” torture that goes on every day! HOW can you take a pig that has feelings/emotions (I know most of you deny they do) and place her in a gestation crate allowing no movement at all for her to have babies, and then rip those babies away from her? Then watch the mother pig die from grief? I just don’t understand how a human can live with that lack of empathy, and compassion..scares me actual for it seems to me it breeds violence, and murderers in society!
You farms don’t like us AR’s??? Well, we don’t much care for you either so the feeling is mutual!!! We’re not going any where, and we will continue to speak for animals who can’t speak for themselves to go against the evil people that think of them as objects/money makers to be beaten, abused, and tortured!
March 20th, 2009 at 1:00 am
I lasted less then 5 minutes into this documentary and I will never eat meat, at all ever again. Having a debate with my self for some time now, the decision as been make. There is no way I can possibly consume another living thing ever again. Thank you for doing the work that is so needed to be done and having the courage to do so.
April 28th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
We are a family farm, a fourth generation here in Noethwest Missouri. Our farm is certified organic, certified humane and well loved by the whole family. We have a rotational grazing program, a nutrient management plan, and between the following state offices (USDA Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Services, Department of Natural Resources) we have learned to raise our cattle and forage lands in a beneficial way. By allowing cattle, or livestock in general the ability to roam from area to area, guided by us benefits the entire cycle. We have in turn had many of our neighbors turn to these methods. In becoming involved with making the changes in not only the way it was done, but being able to survive as well in a well known challenge in agriculture. When we progressed to far away from supporting local versus ship in from where ever we want, we let down the agriculture stability in our country. We made our farming and livestock industry our latest conqured race. In order to survive the world was taught that bigger is better and you have no choice. But, you do. We are expanding our farm with a slaught and processing facility. It also will be certified organic and certified humane. This will not be your mega plant that puts through thousands of animals per hour. In fact, if the greed of factory farming (and truly by now we all know what these are) had not de-humanized the whole process, our country would still be dotted with small local plants that would have no problem providing our country with meat. Bringing back to the rural area employment, stability and more local success for the labor they have performed. In the old days you had wealth if you had a cow to milk and chickens for eggs! Now, nobody wants to really work for what they want. “whine, whine, whine, Isn’t there a machine that can do that? You mean I have to get up? Can’t you just bring it to me? Please help America grow the way it should, clean air, clean water, and non toxic food.
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BEEF Daily is your online news source for today’s beef industry updates, every Monday through Thursday morning. BEEF’s Web Editor, Amanda Nolz, captures the essence of life as a South Dakota cattle producer and college student, as well as top headlines of the day. YOU can also weigh in your thoughts. Don’t miss a minute of the action; subscribe to the BEEF Daily e-newsletter today!Article Proposal
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