I would like to comment on your editorial regarding immunity and vaccinations. (Published in the June 30 issue of Ozarks Farm & Neighbor.)
I raise chickens and so does my neighbor, but for a competing company. His company boasts all naturally grown and I would have to agree, poor guy. His last flock came down sick with just a typical illness something safely treatable. Yet his company, rather than treat the illness, let them die by the hundreds, while said grower could only watch. Companies preach about the humane way to raise poultry yet they themselves are in gross violation of their own policies. I wonder what a consumer would do if they knew the chicken they bought at the market was sick as a dog at slaughter time, hmm? This topic needs addressed by this newspaper, but probably won't be. When a person gets sick they cry and cry for antibiotics or some other form of medication and usually get it. When an animal is sick it is inhumane not to treat it don't you think? Antibiotics have a withdrawal time before slaughter, this is something I think his company has forgotten. I know what his company is trying to sell, all natural means bigger profits, greed at the expense of the grower. When a grower's own business is at risk and with a company that bites the hand that supports them, it makes me wonder why this has gone unchecked and unnoticed. So if you're an independent contract grower, just remember this, "What they don't know won't hurt them." They meaning the company. I'm sure the consumer would appreciate you caring for your flock, raising a healthy product for an unappreciative company.
Also, Mr. Hunton's profile caught my eye. From the beginning I was already finding myself disagreeing with some of its content, first being that farmers are historically stubborn. Being in the business myself for years I've found that if you are stubborn you're in the wrong business. You have to be open-minded and to listen to all those around you who do the same. Another point I would like to make is this, poultry farming is by no means a science. If anything it's an art or something aquired over many years. Hold on, let me back track! Back to the field man, for one listening to your field man is important. Don't get me wrong, but like farmers, every field man is different, VERY different. What may work for one grower may not work for you. I have found this out quite often. I have always finished in the top five for the week's catch and first for the last three flocks. The company I grow for wanted to know how I was doing this and other growers were asking me when I was going to finish, hoping they would not have to place with me. Here's what I said, "I listen to everything my service man tells me and then do it the way I want to." When I was introduced to my new service man my old one told him to "leave him alone," Now that's good advice. I have found that being in the business on your own, hence the word, "independent" means alot to me. Only a fool would do this line of work from a desk or truck seat. I can't be in it for the money by no means, I profitted between $4,000 and $5,000 last year, having grossed over $100,000. It's because I love what I do plain and simple. I know the banker is happy… Thanks, William Casto, Atkins, Ark.
