This week, THE AMERICAN RANCHER again takes up the issue of Beef Cattle Welfare Decisions with Dr. Dan Thomson of Kanasas State University. The program will center on the proactive steps that stockmen and those in animal agriculture are taking to maintain a vigilant position in this current debate. Previously, Dr. Thomson defined the conflict of those who advocate Animal Rights versus those who carry out Animal Welfare as they provide food for the nation and the world. Likely, the biggest message of the first program is the fact that Animal Rights and Animal Welfare DO NOT mean the same thing. Animal Rights is a position held by less than 2% of the American public which advocates that animals have the same rights as humans and must not be raised for food. Animal Welfare is engaging in proper care and raising of animals, especially those that fulfill the noble purpose of supplying edible protein to support life.

Coming next week, THE AMERICAN RANCHER visits the Hill family who works together in their southwestern Colorado ranching endeavors. At the Saguache location, Gary and Alice, Corey and Aubrey, Tate and Kelly and Kristi and Josh all own land and cattle. Their land is divided into sections of range and meadows that are set among mountain peaks. To the south and west, 100's of thousands of acres of forest country of steadily increasing elevation contrasts the lower country about the home place.