Inside D.C.

A Missouri Pork Farmer Will Lead Them — to Dominos!

I don’t think I’ve met Chris Chinn, a fifth generation Missouri pork farmer and self-styled “agvocat” – bless her – but I’ve decided she’s one of the great minds of the 21st Century. I’m thinking we should nominate Chris for the Nobel Peace Prize or one of those MacArthur Foundation awards that dumps a ton of money on geniuses. Maybe we can convince her to run for Congress. Lordy, we could use some great minds right about now.

Why is Chris my new hero? Because she blogged on “Just Farmers” that ag needs to pay it forward when retailers do the right and smart thing.

When Dominos Pizza – the world’s largest pizza delivery company with 6,450 outlets worldwide – recommended successfully to its shareholders they reject a Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS) stockholder resolution on gestation stalls, Chris blogged on “Truth About Agriculture” which spawned a Facebook Group – “Farmers Paying it Forward with Pizza” – where you can demonstrate your appreciation to Dominos by buying your family one or more of its pizza’s this weekend. It’s now called “the Ag Pizza Party.” My wife doesn’t know it yet, but Saturday night dinner is going to be an “Ag Pizza Party.”

Chris – who drove 45 minutes to pick up her Dominos pizzas – told Pork Network: “Dominos’ decision speaks volumes to me as a farmer. It shows they trust the experts I trust. It shows they trust me. I appreciate that.”

So, anyone reading this must forward these wise words to all friends and family, work and school colleagues, church congregations, the Elks, the Kiwanis, the Rotary, 4-H, FFA, everyone to whom you owe money to or who owes you money, the Chamber of Commerce and the folks down at the local watering hole or cafe, and tell them: Buy Dominos Pizza this weekend! And when you do, thank them for standing with U.S. farmers.

Over 80% of the Dominos shareholders rejected the HSUS propaganda, and while that’s a hefty percentage, I’d still like to see it closer to 99%. However, what I liked best about the Dominos show of backbone and solidarity is the following company statement: “We rely on animal experts to determine what is the best way to raise an animal that’s being used for food.”

The experts will tell anyone who asks or has the power to conduct a Google search – and that apparently doesn’t include the spineless retailers who have rolled over for HSUS on gestation stalls – there are as many good ways to raise pigs as there are pork producers, meaning each producer adapts systems to meet the farm’s needs and the needs of the animals. There are organic and conventional systems, free-range systems, stall systems, “family systems” and variations and combinations of those systems, often on the same farm. None of them is pig perfect, but professional farmers and their support teams determine which system best fits the needs and wellbeing of their animals.

And while I’m waxing effusive, another round of kudos goes to Tyson Foods – the target of another HSUS Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) complaint.  Tyson again quite deftly kicked HSUS to the curb.

When asked about the SEC complaint, a Tyson statement said the following: “We’ve not seen the complaint…so it’s difficult to provide a specific comment. However, we will note that according to a new Humane Watch survey, HSUS appears to be deceiving its donors. The survey of more than 1,000 donors to HSUS found that 90% were unaware the organization gives just 1% of its budget to local pet shelters. After learning HSUS did not spend a majority of its funds assisting local pet shelters, 80% of the HSUS donors polled believed the group engaged in deceptive funding raising practices.”

This is what me must do in all similar situations.   Instead of simply taking the abuse, we need to reward our allies and ignore those who refuse to support us.

So, this fine spring weekend should be celebrated just as Chris Chinn recommended, with at least one big ol’ Dominos pizza – with a thank you note saying why you love Dominos – and maybe a Tyson’s chicken or two.   And if you care, I’ve got a list of restaurants, fast-food chains and supermarkets maybe you should avoid.