I Care and Quality Assurance Program Presented by Mary Beth Bennett WVU Berkeley County Extension Agent

How we see things differs from person to person

How many faces do you see?

How many faces did you see? Compare notes with your neighbor. Compare notes with your neighbor. Did everybody see the same thing? Did everybody see the same thing? What do you think you saw? What do you think you saw? Is what you saw similar? Is what you saw similar? Is what you saw different? Is what you saw different? Everybody is entitled to their own opinion Everybody is entitled to their own opinion

What is Animal Welfare? Animal welfare deals primarily with the proper care of animals. Animal welfare deals primarily with the proper care of animals. Farmers and ranchers have historically been strong supporters of this concept Farmers and ranchers have historically been strong supporters of this concept Farmers believe animals raised under humane conditions and practices will be the most productive and profitable. Farmers believe animals raised under humane conditions and practices will be the most productive and profitable.

What is Animals Rights? It is a philosophy that goes beyond the promise of protecting the physical well-being of animals It is a philosophy that goes beyond the promise of protecting the physical well-being of animals It seeks to establish that animals have inherent legal and ethical rights like those of humans. It seeks to establish that animals have inherent legal and ethical rights like those of humans. In order to follow this directive means the complete elimination of all uses of animals for food, clothing, leisure or research. In order to follow this directive means the complete elimination of all uses of animals for food, clothing, leisure or research.

Quality Assurance is another way of showing that we care about our animals and are doing what is needed to provide a safe food product for consumers

Why the concern? If Animals rights is carried to completion, it would lead to the total abolition of animal agriculture If Animals rights is carried to completion, it would lead to the total abolition of animal agriculture Could you imagine life without animals? Could you imagine life without animals?

14 WHY Quality Assurance? Improves food quality Improves food quality Improves care and management Improves care and management Avoids drug residues Avoids drug residues Increases product value Increases product value

15 Packer Requirements Mandatory Pork Quality Assurance Feed Records and other requirements

Why did you select an animal project?

What do you do to take care of your animal? Feed Feed Water Water Brush/groom Brush/groom Wash Wash Play Play Learn about it Learn about it Train it Train it Etc. Etc.

Husbandry is raising livestock Good husbandry must be practiced at all times Good husbandry must be practiced at all times You need to look after animals the first thing in the morning and the last thing in the evening You need to look after animals the first thing in the morning and the last thing in the evening In a sense farmers place a greater emphasis on their animals than themselves In a sense farmers place a greater emphasis on their animals than themselves

Why is proper care important for animals?

Not only is proper care important for the farm animals, but it helps present a good image to the fairgoer

How should you get ready for the fair? Prepare animals for the fair by proper training, fitting and grooming. Keep the needs of the animals a number one priority Prepare animals for the fair by proper training, fitting and grooming. Keep the needs of the animals a number one priority

Provide safe, clean transportation for the animals. Use care when loading and unloading the animals to minimize stress. Provide safe, clean transportation for the animals. Use care when loading and unloading the animals to minimize stress.

Tie or house the animals with enough space to prevent crowding, fighting, or strangulation. Tie or house the animals with enough space to prevent crowding, fighting, or strangulation. Keep fresh bedding around the animals and remove soiled bedding regularly. Keep fresh bedding around the animals and remove soiled bedding regularly. Provide fresh, clean water and the right amount of feed to meet the animals’ needs. Provide fresh, clean water and the right amount of feed to meet the animals’ needs.

Good manners and a courteous disposition go a long way in presenting a favorable impression to fairgoers.

What do you do if you are asked a question? If you do not feel knowledgeable enough to talk on an issue, refer it to another person who is. If you do not feel knowledgeable enough to talk on an issue, refer it to another person who is.

What if a question is related to my animal experience? Speak with authority Speak with authority Remember that no one is more knowledgeable about your project than you are. Remember that no one is more knowledgeable about your project than you are.

Preparation for Questions Have a positive attitude. It’s your chance to impress the public Have a positive attitude. It’s your chance to impress the public Listen carefully to the question, pause to think before you respond Listen carefully to the question, pause to think before you respond Respond only in the positive Respond only in the positive Never make up an answer. If you don’t know the answer, say so, and offer to find out. Then, get back to the person if possible. Never make up an answer. If you don’t know the answer, say so, and offer to find out. Then, get back to the person if possible.

More tips for questions Avoid technical jargon. Use “neutering” instead of “castrating,” for example. Avoid technical jargon. Use “neutering” instead of “castrating,” for example. Speak in terms the public will understand. Speak in terms the public will understand. Don’t feel obligated to accept unfamiliar facts and figures; If they are sprung on you just say “I’m sorry I’m not familiar with those figures,” and proceed with what you do know. Don’t feel obligated to accept unfamiliar facts and figures; If they are sprung on you just say “I’m sorry I’m not familiar with those figures,” and proceed with what you do know.

If asked several questions at once, you might say, “You’ve just asked me several questions. Let me respond to your points one at a time…” Then pick a question you feel comfortable with. If asked several questions at once, you might say, “You’ve just asked me several questions. Let me respond to your points one at a time…” Then pick a question you feel comfortable with.

When dealing with reporters Remember everything is “on the record.” If you don’t want a statement quoted, don’t make it. Remember everything is “on the record.” If you don’t want a statement quoted, don’t make it. Don’t feel obligated to respond to hypothetical questions. These usually begin with “What if…” Don’t feel obligated to respond to hypothetical questions. These usually begin with “What if…”

What are some questions you might be asked related to your animals?

Learn to identify the parts of your animal

I Care About My Animals

What do you see?

You are all Blue Ribbon Winners Please continue to Care About Your Animals

The End Thank you