No excuse: Ag groups must act now.

I was at three of the four public auctions of "Turn 3 Ranch" horses held in 2007, after seeing photos from the first one. I was absolutely appalled at the condition of the horses that had been in Jackson County's care for at least six months:

• There was NO EXCUSE for the horses to be long overdue for hoof care, with the dollar amount that Animal Control demanded for their basic needs.
  
  
• There was NO EXCUSE for the weanlings—born after the farm was seized—to be bloated from an obvious parasite infestation, with their bones sticking out through dull, fuzzy coats a clear indication that those distended bellies were not "fat" by any means.
  
  
• There was NO EXCUSE for yearlings and two-year-old fillies to be bred for spring 2008 foals, which also clearly happened during the months that the county was "in charge" of the herd.

Fecal tests done by new owners showed that the horses suffered from as many as three different kinds of intestinal parasite, in numbers great enough to kill the horse if not dewormed with the utmost care. This indicates that regular deworming did NOT occur under the county's watch.

I didn't trust what I was hearing when this case first went public—didn't know anyone on either side—so I read the pre-trial hearing transcripts for myself. While conditions at the farm were truly not ideal, neither were they abuse.

To see abuse, you need to look at what the county's actions did to the defendants' lives. Read what the media reported based on what county officials told them.

• What manner of animal lives for six months without food or water?
  
  
• Who claims there are 30 pregnant mares, when only a month or two before foaling, it is clear to any knowledgeable farmer what is a developing foal and what is a "hay belly"? (Only about a dozen mares were actually pregnant, and the fact that they carried to term indicates they received adequate care during their pregnancy.)
  
  
• Who perjures themselves and says there was no food or water available, in order to seize the property, when their own photographs and testimony later entered prove that food and water WAS available?

This case is a nightmare for farmers. The agricultural community better wake up, and quick.

• How would it affect YOU if keeping livestock in muddy spring fields was considered animal cruelty? Does every cow in your herd need an individual stall and a clean blanket?
  
  
• How would it affect YOU if every scratch, cut or cough had to be appraised and treated by a veterinarian or you could be considered guilty of a felony?
  
  
• How would it affect YOU if wire fencing were banned for large animals? If a neighbor with a vendetta opens your gate at night, should you lose the right to own animals?

Think about it. National case law could be made in Michigan in January 2009. Are you ready?

More on Right to Farm.

What is Right to Farm?
from michigan.gov/mda

The Right to Farm Act affects everyone. Michigan agriculture is a $37.5 billion industry involving every county of the state. A wide variety of crop and livestock production strengthens our farm economy and helps to enhance the natural environment.

The Michigan Right to Farm Act, P.A. 93, was enacted in 1981 to provide farmers with protection from nuisance lawsuits. This state statute authorizes the Michigan Commission of Agriculture to develop and adopt Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices (GAAMPs) for farms and farm operations in Michigan. These voluntary practices are based on available technology and scientific research to promote sound environmental stewardship and help maintain a farmer's right to farm.

View the Right to Farm Act.


Why is this important?

According to the act, if a farm is found to be the subject of complaints, they should only have to show evidence that they are complying with GAAMPs, or if they are found to not be in compliance, they should be given thirty (30) days to comply.

From P.A. 93:

Sec. 4.

(1) ... the director shall investigate all complaints involving a farm or farm operation, including, but not limited to, complaints involving the use of manure and other nutrients, agricultural waste products, dust, noise, odor, fumes, air pollution, surface water or groundwater pollution, food and agricultural processing by-products, care of farm animals and pest infestations. Within 7 business days of receipt of the complaint, the director shall conduct an on-site inspection of the farm or farm operation.

(3) If the director finds ... that the person responsible for a farm or farm operation is using generally accepted agricultural and management practices, the director shall notify, in writing, that person, the complainant, and the city, village, or township and the county in which the farm or farm operation is located of this finding. If the director identifies that the source or potential sources of the problem were caused by the use of other than generally accepted agricultural and management practices, the director shall advise the person responsible for the farm or farm operation that necessary changes should be made to resolve or abate the problem and to conform with generally accepted agricultural and management practices and that if those changes cannot be implemented within 30 days, the person responsible for the farm or farm operation shall submit to the director an implementation plan including a schedule for completion of the necessary changes.

What are the GAAMPs for equines in Michigan?

You can view the full Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices document at michigan.gov/mda under Care of Farm Animals.

A few excerpts:

Horses need to be adequately fed to maintain their body weight and health; however, idleness, overfeeding and obesity are undesirable and often harmful... Nutritional demands are usually met with good quality, properly harvested forages and pastures... Horses utilize hay or other roughages more efficiently than do other non-ruminants...

As a rule, horse owners can obtain adequate housing for their horses with uninsulated buildings. Healthy horses with adequate diet and good body condition only require protection from the wind. Pastures should have adequate shelter where horses can get out of the sun, wind, rain, and other inclement weather. These may include, but are not limited to, open barns, lean-to's, constructed windbreaks and woodlots.

Common fencing materials are wood, pipe, PVC, electrical wire or tape, smooth, non-electrical wire, rubber belt and woven wire. Bands of horses may be housed in open sheds.