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Barnyard Buddies:  Humane processing for meat  |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 30 2009 : 12:17:08 PM
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So, here's the thing. I was a vegetarian for 8 years. And I started eating meat again about 10 years ago...I like meat. And the reason I began eating it again because people were becoming conscious about where their food was coming from--small farms were producing grass fed hormone free beef, free range chicken, etc...farmers who care about their animals, and care about providing a safe food source for their public. It's a win win. But what about after these animals leave the farm?
What prompted this post (and has consequently made me throw up my lunch, and reduce me to an alternating mess of tears and rage, is the HSUS email letter I received (of which I am a member) and what their factory farm investigation team uncovered unspeakable--seriously--I cannot even bring myself to rethink what I've read--atrocities to veal calves at a slaughterhouse in Vermont. Oddly enough, this particular slaughterhouse is referred to and listed on countless "organic farming" websites throughout this particular state as "reputable" and "preferred".
It just makes me think. And it should make you think, too. For me, it negates the WHOLE process of buying locally, organically or otherwise if, at the end of these poor creatures lives, they are treated cruelly. Slaughter is inevitable for food source, but if there is no monitoring for humane treatment, what good is a stupid "grass fed" or "organic" label at the market? I want to be able to TRUST my food source from the beginning to the end.
This is not an argumentative question or meant to be disrespectful, so please don't take it so--for those farmgirls who don't butcher their own animals, how do you pick your slaughterhouse? What is important to you in choosing one? Are you confident that your animals are treated humanely, or does it not matter in the end. I have read too many Temple Grandin books for me to think otherwise, but I am more curious about the method in which farmers approach the sale/slaughter of the animals they have taken the time and care to raise.
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
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Sarahpauline
True Blue Farmgirl
672 Posts
sarah
Ringgold
GA
USA
672 Posts |
Posted - Oct 30 2009 : 1:17:54 PM
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Im sorry, I had to stop reading your post halfway through, Ive been a vegetarian for 20 years now. I just wanted to jot a note of support to you. (((hugs))) I hear you.
Not all those who wander are lost...
www.SarahPauline.com
www.AbraxasBaroque.com |
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Lessie Louise
True Blue Farmgirl
1406 Posts
Carol
PECULIAR
MO
USA
1406 Posts |
Posted - Oct 30 2009 : 5:37:01 PM
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I think a majority of people just expect that a little bit of torture is ok if the end result is meat-that does not make it ok or even acceptable. It makes me sick to think of the millions of animals that are inhumanely treated, then killed. I cannot even listen to what happens at a slaughter house. I do not eat meat and part of that is due to what happens at the end to those poor animals. There are more humane ways, as usual it is just easier and quicker to mass produce, not enough people seem to care.
Forget buns of steel, I'd rather have buns of cinnamon!
Farmgirl #680! |
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simone947
Farmgirl in Training
34 Posts
sarah
peru
NY
34 Posts |
Posted - Oct 30 2009 : 6:43:35 PM
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| the video was awful and if you are concerned about the process your food goes through there are alternatives to large slaughter houses. I hope to God that the brushway slaughter house was not typical- I've toured one slaughter house and it was okay, pretty scary, but no abuse to the animals going on- they were scared to be someplace new, but they were killed quickly and moved through the plant okay with solid chutes. we often will shoot and hang any beef or pig ourselves and then transport it to a butcher, there are also mobile butcher places that will come to your place or to a farm and do everything right there. i don't think this would work to feed the world, but if you are concerned about what you feed your family its definitely a doable option. |
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prariehawk
True Blue Farmgirl
2914 Posts
Cindy
2914 Posts |
Posted - Oct 30 2009 : 9:10:55 PM
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I used to be a vegetarian too, but I stopped eating veal when I was in high school. There IS no humane way to raise veal. I still don't eat it, though I sometimes eat meat. I've never been to a slaughterhouse, but I've toured a hog confinement facility (and just about gagged from the fumes) and that night, I dreamed about hell, and it was one of those places where they imprison hogs. I feel guilty about eating bacon, so I've stopped eating it. There is a woman, Temple Grandin, who is designing "humane" slaughterhouses that lessen the animal's fear and suffering. But if the people who work there don't care, it's still going to be inhumane.
Cindy
"Dog is my co-pilot"
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Oct 30 2009 : 9:14:47 PM
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I refuse to eat veal. I just can't handle the thought.
I prefer to buy my meat from a local slaughter/packing house. Especially if I know they do their own slaughter. Even better if they let me come see for myself.
When I was in Idaho I helped herd a cow away from the herd so she could start the journey to become the hamburger that fed us for almost 4 months (I got a cooler full). She died with a mouthful of grass in her mouth, looking over a valley and into the forest- calm, cool and collected. That is how I think it should be done. No stress, no worries, and painless.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Oct 31 2009 : 03:25:37 AM
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Ahh another Temple Grandin fan.
Very good
I thought she helped revolutionize the slaughter house process. But weather a company chooses to follow this is another matter I suppose.
And yes it is maddening when the supposed organic, free range bla, bla, bla is caught in a lie. Kind of takes the wind out of one's sails doesn't it?
This is why we are supposed to do the responsible thing and check it out! If this is the way we walk, then rather follow blindly, do the research.
In our home we also buy locally. As in , our buddy raises his cows and we get it processed down the street at the local butchering shop.
It's small and family operated.
They use bullets or stun plugs put to the head. It's quick and the animal feels nothing by the time it hits the ground
On the flip side, there are a lot of farm practices that would horrify anybody else having never seen such proceses. Such as de horning, cauterizing horn buds, castration w/o sedation all kinds of stuff.
For me if it's quick and relativley painless, it's fine. Get it over with quickly
I'm a die hard meat eater too, but draw the line at veal no question. I'm usually not an outright kind of activist like that, but I agree, that process is inhumane and cruel and very sad. Yes, it yields a tasty morsel in one's mouth, but to me it's not worth a young animal suffering like that. Same for the geese that are force fed to plump their livers. That's just gross.
And I find it to be not a happy coincidence that since we have been raising our own chicken for eggs, our processed chicken intake has decreased exponentially. Yes, chicken is healtheir for you, but I too get an ill and sad feeling every time I see a truck packed with chickens in crates barreling down the highway. |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Oct 31 2009 : 07:09:59 AM
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Anna- they don't factory farm chicken in my part of the country, but my sister visited New Orleans earlier this year and said the smell from one of those farms was horrific. I can't get past that. We have cut way down on all our meat consumption and I am looking forward to 3 years from now when we can buy our own land. At that point we will no longer eat any meat that is raised by anyone else. We will have the animals slaughtered at out place if at all possible and I am thinking of buying my husband a bone saw so he can do all the meat processing for us. He used to work in a meat department at a grocery store so he knows the basics. We will for-sure be buying a meat grinder.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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Sarahpauline
True Blue Farmgirl
672 Posts
sarah
Ringgold
GA
USA
672 Posts |
Posted - Oct 31 2009 : 07:41:29 AM
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Once when I was about 14 we had gone to this auction barn place, it was sort of a stop off for animals on their way to slaughter. They would have everything there, we were there to buy a horse out of the slaughter truck. While I was there, there was a full van of cattle, all making a lot of noise. The trucker guy was mad they were so noisy so he stuck a cattle prod to the bars on the side of the truck. It still makes my stomach turn to think about it.
I think that it is our responsibility to know where our meat is raised and how it is treated. I give kudos to those who raise their own or make sure they know what has happened before they buy. We all make a choice, most people make the choice to never think about it, buying their meat in sterile plastic containers. I think that is where we go wrong. People are always giving me grief about being a vegetarian. They roll their eyes, "one of those puppy kitty types". Im sorry but right is right. I cant stomach what happens in slaughter houses, or even in feed lots. That is where my meat would come from. Perhaps if I had experienced what Alee had with her cow, I would have felt differently. My cousin who lives in Norway raises her own rabbits for meat. I commend her for being able to do it, she is a huge animal advocate and they are cared for immaculately. But I could not do it. For me participating in the financial gain of an organization that commits horrors and cruelty every day is out of the question and I will not do it. There is also the issue of the environmental impact of the earth groaning under tons of herd animals we use for meat, and the impact of all the fields used to produce food for our food. We gotta eat a little lower on the food chain, the impact is catastrophic. Now China is beginning to live a more western lifestyle, having meat as the center of a meal which historically has never been the case before. That population with cars and turning into meat eaters is causing even more trouble...but I digress.
I dont try to sway people from their path but I think the problem is that too many people dont think about it at all. I commend you ladies for the discussion.
Not all those who wander are lost...
www.SarahPauline.com
www.AbraxasBaroque.com |
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4HMom
True Blue Farmgirl
720 Posts
Kelly
Montana
720 Posts |
Posted - Oct 31 2009 : 11:30:32 AM
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Jonni,
Read the book "The Compassionate Carnivore". It's an excellent "essay" of how meat can be raised and buchered humanely. We raise our own pigs, hunt deer and elk, and I buy a locally grown lamb each year from an FFA member. These are animals that have had a good life and I know that the end of their life came in such a way that they didn't know it was ending. I don't buy industrialized meat, and consequently, I am totally ok with eating meat.
"Be the change you want to see in the world" -Gandhi |
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1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Oct 31 2009 : 3:12:59 PM
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The "ONLY" way you will know how the animal is handled and if it was humane, is to raise it, and slaughter yourself, or stand there when they do it. I do my absolute best to be as gentle and quick as possible, I try not to even let them know its coming, I do not abuse, torture or intentionaly hurt my livestock. I also beleive that the meat WILL taste differant in animals that have been. I have taught many over the yrs how to slaughter, butcher , cut and wrap everykind of animal there is, and I have had some complain I am too slow, when you go to fast, the animal suffers for it, your cuts of meat suffer, and thats how accidents happen to the butcher him/herself. I do the best I beleive I can, and I always do.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
1675 Posts |
Posted - Nov 01 2009 : 02:00:59 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by prariehawk
There IS no humane way to raise veal.
I would like to address that in particular. I have a friend whom I work with who raises organic, grass-fed veal. These veal calves are never tethered-NEVER! They are never fed hormones/animal by-products, and are only vaccinated with required by the government required vaccinations (blackleg, madcow, etc.). I assisted in helping him get involved with the program. It's a new program to him, and it's been a difficult road, as free-range veal is definitely not as tender as the cruelly treated veal calves. But he believes it's an alternative that's worth investing in personally. You can only buy it locally, from him and a few other farmers at this point, but I believe it's an idea that will catch on.
I do NOT eat veal, never have, but I do believe there is a cruelty-free way to raise and slaughter your meat, wether it's chicken, beef, or pork.
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com |
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N@n
True Blue Farmgirl
223 Posts
Hackett
Arkansas
USA
223 Posts |
Posted - Nov 01 2009 : 06:14:50 AM
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Good morning Februaryviolet and all,
I am a carnivore. But I certainly hear your words and share your concern. Since I live in Arkansas,I live amongst the "Tyson" chicken farms. Not a pretty sight at all. I too, refuse to eat veal. Never have,(to my knowlege) and never intend to. I might offer a suggestion to those of you who like to eat meat on occasion. If you purchase Kosher meat, that meat is inspected by Rabbis from the place where it is raised to where and how it is butchered. They see to it that the meat on the hoof is treated humanely as directed Biblically. I am not Jewish, but you would think I am by the contents of the freezer in my house.
Nancy in Ark
keep searchin'-it's out there somewhere. |
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N@n
True Blue Farmgirl
223 Posts
Hackett
Arkansas
USA
223 Posts |
Posted - Nov 01 2009 : 06:36:21 AM
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I didn't make it clear but the Rabbis also see that the animals are humanely butchered in the most sanitary of conditions.
keep searchin'-it's out there somewhere. |
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simone947
Farmgirl in Training
34 Posts
sarah
peru
NY
34 Posts |
Posted - Nov 01 2009 : 08:25:21 AM
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| there are alot of pasture raised veal opportunities around here- the meat is pink not as white as commercial veal. the calves in the video were not veal calves- they were wet calves- probably 1-5 days old. i've been trying to figure out what they make out of bob calves- must be by-products and fillers. i've been thinking alot about other options for our bull calves (we send them at 3-7 days old to auction and i would imagine that some could have ended up at bushway- its only 1 hour away) the dairy industry is impossible to cash flow as it is. we used to raise steers and sell them to a beef place in vt, but we were just losing money. another thing i was thinking about was the people working in the slaughter houses. I think it would be hard to be a compassionate person and kill animals day in day out for 12 hours straight. the men in the video were disgusting but how would that job attract anyone different? I'm definitely a meat eater and don't plan on changing- we raise a lot of our own meat (chicken and beef), we also hunt and trap, but i am concerned about the industry of beef and dairy production. things have to be changed and made more transparent. our dairy is getting welfare certified next week and i'm wondering if they made welfare certification mandatory instead of voluntary it would help prices to the farmers and increase the quality of life for the animal and the quality of the meat product. |
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prariehawk
True Blue Farmgirl
2914 Posts
Cindy
2914 Posts |
Posted - Nov 01 2009 : 7:05:59 PM
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Megan--that is the first I've ever heard of humanely raised veal. But I wonder--if the meat isn't as tender, will people still want to buy it? Most people I know who eat veal eat it because the meat is so tender. It sounds good in practice, but I wonder if it will be financially feasible in the long run.
"Dog is my co-pilot"
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
1675 Posts |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2009 : 06:40:20 AM
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I want to thank everyone for their honest responses. I wasn't clear in my initial post, but I have never eaten veal in my life--my mother wouldn't allow it in our home. The video just happend to be about veal, and it sent my mind spinning--I know that veal calves are not the only animals that suffer cruelly before slaughter. And Meagan, I'm glad to know someone in our state is taking responsibility for their animals--I couldn't be a customer, but I value what he's accomplished very much.
The issue of humane slaughtering has bothered me for a very long time, but I have been somewhat apathetic about it. I've worked with autistic children and adults, and that was how I became interested in Temple Grandin and her work to reevaluate slaughtering, but I agree with another poster who said it's only going to work if a slaughterhouse adopts the principals and monitors the employees to maintain that standard.
Kelly, I will get the book you mentioned, thanks for the reference.
Teresa, I agree with you and your approach to slaughter--thank you for making a difference for these animals. I wish you could write your reasonings out and hand it out at your classes. It's the most logical thing in the world when you read it out loud!!! Another poster was right--the approach won't work when feeding the world, but it makes one heck of a difference right here on our plates, at home.
These posts just add more fuel to my fire--my appetite for meat was pretty dampened over the weekend, but it will come back, and when it does, I would like to be ready for it. I am bound and determined to contact local farms around my area, and even counties beyond me to find a food source I can live with.
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
1675 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2009 : 07:14:40 AM
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Very true.
I'd also like to state that every farm girl, farm boy, farm FAMILY who chooses to slaughter their own meat, HUMANELY, is doing their part. I for one know that instead of spending, what would you estimate, maybe, $1,000 a year at least on beef & chicken, supporting these inhumane ways? I can rest easy knowing these things:
1. I'm not helping further the abuse and depravity.
2. I know WHERE, HOW, and WHEN my meat was slaughtered, and how it was treated before hand.
3. I know WHAT went into my meat.
4. And above all, and this might sound sick to some, but I know that my steers were loved with hugs, snuggles, for as long as we had them, which is quite a bit of peace of mind for me.
These things are what helped me in my decision to slaughter my own cattle instead of buying at the grocery store.
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com |
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4HMom
True Blue Farmgirl
720 Posts
Kelly
Montana
720 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2009 : 08:51:29 AM
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Megan, I totally get what you're saying. I tell people we like to "play" with our food. Our pigs are the most spoiled critters! They're loved on, played with, and yes, even cuddled. You're right, there's a lot of peace of mind.
"Be the change you want to see in the world" -Gandhi |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2009 : 10:23:37 AM
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Meghan and Kelly...
I completely understand what you mean by saying that they are loved, cuddled, snuggled, etc before...well, you know...
I worked at a high volume rural animal shelter for 2 years, 4 days a week and that was the motto: give em' lots of love and hugs and kisses while in our care, because they won't all get homes. It was still very tough when the time came, but knowing that we did our best by them made it seem less senseless.
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Nov 03 2009 : 03:20:06 AM
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I remember eating veal one time.....just one time at a wedding reception when I was around 12 or so.
Back then I still knew somewhat what veal really was and a little bit about the process.
I can still recall the brief conflict going on in my head too. Yes it was REALLY good, but not at the price for being cruel. So I too have never eaten it again.
Even in the fanciest of restaurants, I'd prefer a cut of prime rib or some kind of really great fish. Both of which are fork tender. |
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
1675 Posts |
Posted - Nov 03 2009 : 08:28:37 AM
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Yeah, honestly, I can say that I tried veal once when I was young, I went to some fancy-dancy thing with my parents...and I didn't like it. Even back then, when I probably didn't know what the whole process was, in the back of my mind when I think back to it, I remember it tasting like liver. Who knows, I might've had liver and not known it, and maybe someone told me it was veal...but I remember being like "EW. This is mushy and GROSS."
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2009 : 7:28:57 PM
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I will only eat what I have raised anymore. I cannot stand the thought of "store bought" meat. Just thinking about what those poor animals have been through turns my stomach.
I have butchered chickens, turkeys and rabbits here. In January we will butcher 3 bucks here. I wanted to butcher my steer here but couldn't find anyone to do it. After lots of thinking and talking to people I decided to take him to the local butcher. I talked to him before I made up my mind. I have had this cow since he was just a few hours old. Bottle fed him and my little heifer all my goat milk til they were weaned. Then on pasture and hay. He was a big ole baby. We took him a few weeks ago. He was only in the holding area a few hours before it was over. So I know he had a good life and was very happy here. I don't feel bad at all about the whole process.
I have read this post and all the comments. I have never eaten veal because of the way the poor little calves are treated. It's so sad. Since living on this little farm I have changed alot. It's so important to know where my food comes from. So I grow as much of our food as I can. I am very fortunate to be able to do this. Lots of people can't. But there are so many places to get good food now.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Celticheart
True Blue Farmgirl
811 Posts
Marcia
WA
USA
811 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2009 : 8:44:12 PM
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We have been so lucky to have a mobile butcher who has taken care of our hogs(when we raised them) and now our steers. He understands the way things are to be done here and our animals are treated with respect. These are our 'babies". They were born here, they have a very good life here and they die here. It's a cycle. And the meat is wonderful. We've even converted my ex-vegetarian, ex-Californian DIL. She said the clincher for her was seeing how they were raised. I made my DH promise we would never have so many at a time that it stopped being personal.
It's not about being perfect, but enjoying what you do. Set aside time to be creative.
Robyn Pandolph
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Nov 05 2009 : 05:42:44 AM
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Thanks Kris, and Marcia, for your thoughtful responses. I really appreciate what you do--the most important thing for me is knowing where my meat comes from. From beginning to end. And, that what I consume was treated with respect and dignity, and love.
Kris, you mentioned that there are so many places to get good meat now. How do you suggest I begin? When I do a search locally for "humanely processed meat" I get nothing in return. There are ample sites that boast humane, grass fed, etc while on the farm. And how would you suggest I ask my questions in communicating with a farm about humane processing? I don't want to be impertinent, or come across as some whacko animal rights activist. I'm just plain sensible, and I believe in this to my bones.
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
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Barnyard Buddies: Humane processing for meat |
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Humane processing for meat
