OCGA and Ohio Livestock and Poultry
The majority of corn grown in Ohio is Yellow Number 2 Dent Corn used for animal feed.
OCGA is initiating and supporting an ongoing engagement with livestock groups and encourage open dialogue to show support for animal health, animal welfare, food safety, regulatory and environmental initiatives.
Animal welfare is the human responsibility that encompasses all aspects of animal well-being, including proper housing, management, nutrition, disease prevention and treatment, responsible care, human handling and, when necessary, humane euthanasia.
Representatives of the Ohio Corn Growers Association and Ohio Corn Marketing Program serve on boards with the United Meat Export Federation in order to advance all of agriculture.
Ohio farmers work each and every day to provide for the well-being of our flocks and herds – a practice we’ve had for generations of family farming.
· Animal care is a top priority for Ohio farmers – it’s the right thing to do and it keeps our animals safe, healthy and disease-free.
· The best care for most livestock animals means using enclosed housing that protects herds and flocks from predators, disease and extreme temperatures; feeding animals a balanced diet with a steady supply of fresh food and water; giving around-the-clock care; and providing prompt veterinary treatment when needed.
· Ohio livestock farmers are committed to responsible farm management and animal care – both on our farms and on those of our colleagues in the farm community. We actively support those who are doing things right, and we will not tolerate those farms that are unwilling to follow commonly accepted best management practices.
· Our consumers can be confident in the care that Ohio farmers are giving their livestock and assured of the safety and quality of the food we produce. It is our livelihood and our responsibility.
General Egg and Poultry Industry Facts
• More than 5,000 people work in the poultry industry, with payrolls of more
than $50 million. Annually, producers pay more than $825,000 in taxes.
• Most Ohio egg and poultry producers live near their farms, so it is in their
best interest to protect the environment within their own communities.
• All large egg and poultry operations in Ohio are regulated by the Ohio
Department of Agriculture, which sets strict guidelines for management of
manure and other environmental impacts, and requires regular
inspections.
• Poultry producers purchase more than $5.4 million in utilities and more
than $93.8 million in agricultural- and business-related services.
• Poultry producers use 20 percent of Ohio’s corn crop (84.6 million bushels
of corn a year) and 55 percent of the state’s soybean crop (soybean meal
equivalent to 90.7 million bushels of soybeans).
• More than 600 egg producers and farmers belong to the Ohio Poultry
Association, which takes an active role in educating the public and sharing
industry information among its members.
Beef Production Facts
Animal care and raising cattle go hand-in-hand. Producers know that giving animals the proper care, handling and nutrition they deserve is the right thing to do and it makes good business sense. Farmers and ranchers across the United States stand strongly against any form of animal abuse or cruelty.
The Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program was initiated in 1987 to provide cattle producers with the tools and training necessary to assure animal health and well-being as well as provide a safe, quality product. BQA principals influence the management practices of more than 90 percent of cattle.
The “Producer Code for Cattle Care,” first developed in 1996, reinforces the industry’s strong stance against animal cruelty or neglect. It contains a comprehensive set of sound production practices and states that “persons who willfully mistreat animals will not be tolerated.” In addition, producer leaders worked with animal health and wellbeing experts to develop the “Guidelines for Care and Handling of Beef Cattle,” which are endorsed by the Academy of Veterinary Consultants and the American Association of Bovine Practitioners as well as the Food Marketing Institute and National Council of Chain Restaurants.
Once cattle leave farms, ranches and feedlots across the country, beef producers have two expectations: that animals are treated humanely and that every step is taken to produce safe beef. Federal meat inspectors assure that meatpacking plants abide by the Humane Slaughter Act of 1958, which dictates strict animal handling and slaughtering standards.
Pork Production Facts
Pork producers recognize their obligation to build and maintain trust of customers and the public in their products and practices. Ohio and U.S. pork producers affirm the following ethical principles: to provide safe food; provide for and protect the well-being of animals.
· There are 4,000 pork farms in Ohio that produce more than three million hogs each year ranking Ohio 9th in pork production
· Gross income of hogs and pigs is $440 million
· Total impact on Ohio’s economy is more than $800,000,000
· 25% of the hogs raised in Ohio are exported to other countries
Why are pigs raised in barns?
Barns protect pigs from extreme temperatures and wild animals. In Ohio, cold, snowy and icy winters can be hard on animals. Heat can also be stressful in the summer. Barns are equipped with furnaces for cold weather and fans, misters and other cooling devices for hot weather. Having control over the temperature inside the barn enables farmers to maintain a consistent temperature range so the animals are always comfortable.
