I have the privilege of writing stories every day that speak to the character of people in agriculture and specifically, the U.S. pork industry. If you can find a finer group of people who care more about what they do, I challenge you to show me.
Raising any kind of livestock isn’t easy. You have to possess a lot of drive and determination. Animals get sick. Market prices drop. Temperatures dip below freezing. Equipment breaks. Feed prices jump up.
Pig farming is not for the faint of heart.
I guess that’s why I didn’t want to share the story of Nolan DeWall, a 38-year-old man from Cedar Falls, Iowa, who was arrested on Jan. 10 for one count of livestock neglect. According to The Courier, a consultant found 800 pigs dead on his farm and others that were seriously neglected.
In my opinion, this man is not a pig farmer. I’ve lost count of the number of pig barns I’ve been in throughout my life and I’ve never seen a pig farmer treat animals like this.
After filing for bankruptcy earlier this year, was DeWall trying to find a way to get out of the hole?
Court records show he was hired to feed out 2,500 pigs. They were dropped off at his farm in Cedar Falls with 15 tons of feed in late December. By Dec. 30, a consultant discovered hundreds of dead pigs.
Although I can’t speak to this guy’s knowledge of raising pigs, investigators say the barn temperature was less than 50 degrees Fahrenheit, but more importantly the pigs did not have access to water and some didn’t have access to feed.
Iowa State University’s veterinary lab received tissue samples of the dead pigs and ruled the cause of death as malnutrition and dehydration. The samples showed no signs of disease.
Iowa law defines livestock neglect as depriving livestock of necessary sustenance and failing to provide livestock with proper care customary to animal husbandry practices.
The law states that committing an act of livestock neglect is a “simple misdemeanor” charge. However, if someone intentionally commits livestock neglect resulting in death or serious injury, then it’s a “serious misdemeanor.” Right now, he is facing one count of livestock neglect.
What’s a Pig Farmer?
A pig farmer does whatever it takes to protect and care for their pigs. Basic animal well-being and care is not optional, it’s a focus every day on the farm.
Of the principles pork producers commit to follow every day, animal well-being is critical.
- Pig farmers provide feed, water and an environment that promotes well-being.
- Pig farmers provide proper care, handling and transportation at each stage of life.
- Pig farmers protect pig health and provide appropriate treatment, including veterinary care when needed.
- Pig farmers use approved practices to euthanize, in a timely manner, sick or injured pigs that fail to respond to care and treatment.
These are the stories I want to tell. These are the pig farmers I know.
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