There is a long tradition behind the dairy industry. As I am sure you are aware, it’s a way of life for farmers. There is no doubt that dairy farmers care for their animals and have a strong commitment to them. However, the growing disconnect between food producers and food consumers has led to an increasing number of questions about how farmers care for their animals. It is important that milk producers take an active role in sharing with consumers how they rely on both tradition and modern technology to ensure animal care and proper handling.

Consumers need to know how today’s farmers ensure the well-being of farm animals and the safety of their food. As a farmer, it is your responsibility to be proactive to ensure that all of your employees follow proper animal care and handling procedures. Not only is it important for your business, but it is the right thing to do and demonstrates the respect that you have for your animals.

There are several programs that can help you implement best practices. The National Dairy FARM program from the National Milk Producers Federation is a great example. The program works to educate the farmer on the best animal care practices, to evaluate the farm and offer advice for improvements if needed, and to guarantee the integrity through third party verification.

Participation in programs like the National Dairy FARM Program is one way to enhance consumer’s trust in milk production and to showcase your commitment to animal care.

It is also essential to ensure that your farm has the right kind of culture - one that makes animal care and welfare as its top priority. The first step to cultivating a good farm culture is to hire employees that not only understand and respect a zero tolerance policy toward mistreating animals but also un have a dedication to animal care equal to yours.

Once you have guaranteed the welfare on your farm, it is time to show consumers the efforts that ranchers and farmers across the nation take to ensure that their animals are properly taken care of.

The Animal Agriculture Alliance provides tips about how to showcase your farm to the community and the public. Since 1987, the Alliance has effectively spoke out on behalf of farmers and ranchers to help the public understand the role that animal agriculture plays in providing a safe, abundant food supply to a hungry world.

Here are three great ways to get started:

1. Host an event.
Pick different times of the year to invite members from your community to your farm. Opening up your farm to schools or curious consumers is a great way to show the public that livestock producers have nothing to hide. Show kids how cheese is made or even let them milk one of your cows!

2. Share videos.
Capture moments on your farm that demonstrate the respect that farmers have for their animals. Share videos on your farm website about day-to-day activities, new births, or a vet visits. What may not seem all that interesting to you can help show the public what milk production is all about. Remember – many people will never actually visit a farm in real life. The Internet helps them learn about agriculture.

3. Use social media.
Get started by choosing one type of social media to keep the public and your community informed. Facebook, YouTube and Twitter are the most popular options, and are quite easy to get started on. Through social media, you can have a much bigger reach and a larger voice than ever before. Social media allows you to showcase your farm to people that you may never meet.

Farmers and ranchers today have a great opportunity, as well as a great responsibility, to guarantee and showcase animal care on their farm. PD