PAUSE & Listen Up, Colorado

In recent news across the state of Colorado, farmers, ranchers, and agriculturalists alike were hit with a major bombshell. Initially it was the proclamation of March twentieth being the statewide #MeatOutDay. This came as a huge shock to the livestock industry and Jared Polis, the Colorado governor, was called out for his brash decision for the declaration. Despite this, Coloradoans across the state, instead, participated in a “Meat In Day”. Almost anywhere, it could be found that locals were taking part in large cook offs and potlucks celebrating the hard work and dedication of livestock producers and really enjoying the company of other like-minded people, all in support of agriculture. While this was just an amazing thing to see, perhaps, it was a ploy for a larger agenda, one that could put an end to Colorado agriculture for good.

For those of you who have not heard about it, the new statute is officially called Proposition 16, also known as PAUSE and planned to hit the ballot in 2022. PAUSE, meaning the protection of animals from unnecessary harm and exploitation would put a halt to common, everyday livestock husbandry practices as well as meat animal production. There are two parts to this new statute and one is as disturbing as the next. First and foremost, there will be a minimum age at which livestock producers will be able to harvest an animal for human consumption. This is identified as being 25% of the expected life span of livestock animals including, but not limited to, cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, poultry, cats, dogs, and even fish. The expected lifespan is also outlined in this document for instance, giving cattle the average lifespan of twenty years. The second part of this statute goes to outlaw the common veterinary practices of artificial insemination, pregnancy checking, synchronization protocols and anything that requires a tool or a human body part entering the cavity of an animal, dubbing this with the title of sexual harassment. While the terminology the writers use for this is rather disturbing, it is also unsettling how this could affect much of what goes on in the animal industry here in the state.

There are far more things that will be harmed if this document passes than what meets the eye. Not only will the production livestock industry suffer, but so will organizations such as 4-H and FFA which include projects that lead youth through the steps of animal husbandry and food production. Furthermore, animal shelters and veterinary services will also be at risk of extinction.

Meat Production and Processing

With the passing of this legislation, many consumers may as well just say goodbye to lean, healthy, and cheap meat products that they once enjoyed on the grill and the plate. Currently in the beef cattle industry, fat cattle (term used to describe steers and heifers of optimum age and body composition for harvesting) are harvested at eighteen to twenty-four months of age. Many things went into deciding this as a time frame at which cattle are optimal for consumption. This is a point at which the product, coming from these animals, is of utmost quality as well as nutritional value. Hogs are harvested at roughly six to eight months of age for the same reasons, and in addition to this, there is also a cost factor that goes into the age of harvesting. It is rather expensive to feed these animals past these points and when that time is exceeded the producer will be at a loss where they will no longer be able to operate. With the new age restriction, the industry loses the edge on quality as well as consumer demand for lean meat products. In terms of animal quality of life, the animals will no longer be fulfilling a quality of life, but instead be rather miserable.There are reasons for everything here in the livestock industry and those reasons are for the animal themselves.

Youth Organizations

Perhaps one might be thinking how youth organizations could possibly be at danger with this new set of statutes. Here are the facts. The 4-H and FFA, particularly, are going to suffer with this passing of this potential legislation and it all starts with the livestock projects. There will be no more showing of livestock to be had. Members of these esteemed organizations will be forced to take the animals back and feed them until an age considered worthy of the statutes or they will be sent to feeders who will pay these young entrepreneurs pennies on the dollar for their prized animals and affording these invaluable projects would be impossible. A majority of the livestock sold to these youth for their exhibition are artificially inseminated and practices such as synchronization protocols and pregnancy checking are very valuable practices to this industry to ensure the highest quality genetics, livestock and health of these animals, putting those businesses to rest as well. These programs will be at a loss and thus the values that each have to teach will be as well.

Animal Shelters

Animal shelters, too, will be a thing of the past. Many are cultivators of animal rights and welfare.

In the grand scheme of this legislation, the average day-to-day duties of the animal shelter are to care for animals providing spay and neuter services to help minimize stray populations; but to also the safe euthanization of dangerous or suffering animals. There will be no one to pick up animals and give them the care that they need. Unfortunately, there are animals in the world that have gone too long without human attention and the best thing for them would be to put them to rest to save them the suffering and pain. However, they may never get that needed relief as soon as they could because they may not have reached 25% of their life expectancy.

Far-reaching Effects

If Proposition 16 were to make the ballot, so many things in Colorado Agricultural industry as well as the state’s economy will change. With meat production being all but outlawed, some of the largest meat processing facilities such as JBS and Cargill will be forced out of state. Along with that is a major increase in unemployment and a loss of annual revenue. Many of the state’s livestock producers will also be choked out of Colorado if they do not wish to give up the very thing that has fed their families for so long. Many will pack up and leave and Colorado will be nothing more than a ghost town. In 2018, agriculture in the state generated $7.1 Billion and the op of that list was cattle, calves and dairy products. How will Colorado even survive an economic deficit as massive as that?

What Can YOU Do

The single and most important thing for an individual,who is supportive of agricultural pursuits, to do is to just stay strong and stay true to the values of a hardworking and dedicated agriculturalist. Do not be afraid to speak up and share how your work is vital to the surrounding communities. Talk to representatives and county commissioners and see how this could affect you directly as well as see what else there is to do. Lastly, pray about it and have faith that no matter the final vote count, God has a plan for you.

To view Propositions 16: https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Initiatives/titleBoard/filings/2021-2022/16OriginalFinal.pdf