So, I normally do not get into any kind of debate on anything. But, some things do hit a nerve enough with me that I feel the need to let my opinion be known. In this case, the Chipotle cup regarding cows and farming.
I completely understand that people have opinions. I also completely understand that many many many people in this country are so vastly uneducated when it comes to agriculture and the people that grow our food and raise animals for the food industry. However, I do not feel it is at all acceptable for a company as large as Chipotle to, one, bash the people who work so hard to feed this great nation and many others and show complete ignorance towards the hard work, dedication, and care that these people have and put into their work daily. Two, to not do your own research. So much of what this cup says is so completely incorrect. (I'll get to that in a minute.) Three, to stoop so low to put this kind of thing on your cups to get to a certain group of people to walk in your door instead of educating yourself and your consumer to better the stigma around farming and agriculture.
Here's the cup...
I work in the agriculture industry. I am on 3-15 farms a day. I work closely with the cows and farmers of many dairy farms. These people care very very much about their animals. These animals have feed in front of them to keep them full, allow them to grow. They have clean water at all times whenever they want it. The stalls (or beds) that they sleep in allow plenty of room for them to lay comfortably curled up or flat out. (yes they do lay flat out.) In the hot summer months, they have large fans blowing on them all day to help keep them cool. In some areas they even get cool water sprinkled on them to help keep them cool as well. Just like you when you're outside in the summer and warm weather where there are bugs they get sprayed so flies don't bother them. Many farms have automatic cleaners on the floor that remove the waste these cows produce. Waste can spread disease and sickness. So, it needs to be cleaned up quickly.
As far as the whole antibiotics thing (which I could write a whole LONG blog about) I will just say a few things. When you get sick you go to the Dr. They give you antibiotics to help you feel better. If an animal isn't treated, depending on the reason for treatment, they could DIE. They could DIE because people are worried about antibiotics in their dairy products and meat. They are separated from the others and put in a pen where they can get the proper treatment to get them better. This is a point that drives me crazy. ANY animal that is treated with antibiotics has what is called a withholding period. This means while the animal is on antibiotics and for a certain amount of time after they are on antibiotics their milk does not go into the main tank with the other milk. The animal (if used for meat) cannot be used for consumption if they have been treated with antibiotics. The milk from an animal is tested before it is allowed back in the tank to ensure that all the antibiotics are out of their system. Every time a milk truck comes to pick up milk from a farm the batch is tested for antibiotics in the milk. If it does have a trace of antibiotics it's called a "hot batch" and the entire tank is dumped at the farmers expense with no pay. That's all I'm going to say about that...
As far as the pasture thing, I get that being outside looks nice. But, I can guarantee with the summer we have been having in the north east, cows would starve. We have not had enough rain to grow he grass enough for them to have enough to eat. Even if there was enough, the quality of the nutrients in the grass would not be enough to sustain such a large animal and their needs. Even when shelter is provided the cows will stay under it and not eat because of the heat. On hot days, those shelters can get as warm has a hot car and as humid as the air right before a thunderstorm. Heat stroke is a very real thing for these animals as well, even with shelter and water.
In the end, I wish the people, especially people who have the ability, the power, and the reach would educate themselves and their customers. People on farms care very much for their animals. They are their livelihood and way of life. Many farms, even large ones, have been in families for years. Generations look after their animals and land to help feed people all over our nation and in the world. We should stand behind these people, educate the general population, and show support for the people who work day and night, rain or shine, weekends and week days to feed us.
I'm sorry, but I cannot support a company that does not support the American farmer.
(I do not want to start controversy. I am just stating what I know to be true and what I see daily.)
