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Parents hold classThe value of the show ring has long been cussed, discussed and revered by farm families. But, after my weekend at the Nebraska State Fair, I must share my opinion. First and foremost, the most important resource produced on United States farms and ranches is not corn, cattle, cotton or goats. It is kids. Kids, who, at early ages, truly understand the cycle of life--that everything lives, everything dies and death with a purpose gives full meaning to life. I honestly believe that the farm provides the absolute best environment any parent could ever ask for in the classroom of life for teaching our kids how to become resourceful and not only to survive but to thrive in today's world. With all of the wonderful opportunities that I think farm life and 4-H or FFA projects offer to our kids, it only takes a few people lacking in ethics and integrity to eliminate the reward. It is nothing new for any person in competition to attempt to gain a competitive edge, but in the livestock business we have accomplished that through improving genetics, environments and nutrition. It has become glaringly apparent to me that the line has now been crossed way too many times, in an attempt just to win the show. A long time friend of mine from Michigan State University put on a clinic about how to judge a junior livestock event at the 4-H pig show on Labor Day in Lincoln, Neb. Don't misunderstand me, Al Snedegar was judging pigs and he did select the winners but, first and foremost, he sent those kids home with an important life lesson. As he selected the champion in each division, he asked the kids to come into a circle with him and forget about the pigs. Al stressed the importance of getting to know your fellow competitors as people, and drove home the point that what we really gain by participating in junior livestock events is not a ribbon or a trophy. I think the animals he selected were outstanding, but the manner in which he did it was unlike anything I have ever witnessed in my lifetime of being a part of this business. Okay, show parents, pay attention from here on out. If I need to tell you about the challenges that animal agriculture faces today and in the days to come from society as a whole, I suggest you choose another hobby for your kids to participate in. Animal agriculture has always been and will always be about providing the daily care for the animal so that, in turn, the animal provides for human lives. I have never been nor will I ever be a "well let's add another rule" kind of guy because all rules are made to be broken as I understand it. I will share with you the one unwritten rule of agriculture that will always be enforced by the majority: Do nothing to the animal that might jeopardize the end-value of the product to the consumer. Each species of animal has established quality assurance guidelines that ensure the safety of those products to our consumers. There is no reason not to understand the implications of what you are doing to the animal, unless you simply choose not to look at it as a source of food for another human being in your quest for glory. I actually have a certain level of fear that a growing minority of folks that are involved in show ring activities today have no idea what the compounds they use can potentially do to the meat products. These animals are not racecars into which we can add supplements to the fuel in order to win the race. We are teaching our kids about the cycle of life--once again the absolute most important lesson we as parents could possibly ever teach them, along with morals and ethics. I want to win as much as everyone else does. In fact, I came home from the Nebraska State Fair with more motivation to assist my girls toward the winner's circle than I have had for years. But believe me, they will accomplish winning without compromising the level of integrity in agriculture that was built by the generations of honest stockmen that came before us. The greatest bit of irony about this discussion is that suddenly everyone involved with animal agriculture seems to finally be aware of the dangers imposed by the animal rights community. Even in the most general conversations, the topic will come up at a county or state fair. The truth of the matter is that no animal rights organization or activist poses the same level of threat to the future of the industry as does the person who owns livestock and crosses the line of moral and ethical treatment in their quest for a championship. All of us who care about the future of the industry have no choice but to make the hard decisions and be vigilant against anyone in the neighboring pen who is not adhering to the tradition of excellence that this industry represents. If you don't believe me that using illegal substances will generate negative sentiment with the general public and your peers, call Barry Bonds and ask him how well his choices have been received. Editor's note: Trent Loos is a sixth generation United States farmer, host of the daily radio show, Loos Tales, and founder of Faces of Agriculture, a non-profit organization putting the human element back into the production of food. Get more information at www.FacesOfAg.com, or e-mail Trent at trent@loostales.com.
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