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'We have to harvest these animals or people will starve.' Pig farmers choke up while explaining they will be forced to euthanize thousands of hogs because pork processing plants are shutting down due to COVID-19
[Daily Mail, where America gets its news]
  • Pig farmers in rural Minnesota are in fear of losing their farms if the pork processing plants don't reopen in the coming weeks, they tell DailyMail.com

  • Randy Wiertsema, 56, a third generation farmer from Rushmore, Minnesota. told DailyMail.com he is weeks away from killing several of his healthy pigs

  • He said he cares for his animals, so 'the last thing I want to do is euthanize them. To kill a pig, not for food, is a financial, physical, emotional and mental strain'

  • The nearby processing plant JBS USA has been down since April 20, after more than 200 employees tested positive for COVID-19

  • Another farmer has already faced the same horrific decision, Brad Lonneman, 37, saying he had to euthanize 145 piglets, losing up to $20,000

  • 'I didn't have a choice,' he said choking up. 'We find no joy in euthanizing animals here, it's unethical'

  • Wiertsema said: 'Animal production needs to open back up or people will starve. It's a matter of national defense and security'

  • David Bullerman, 50, CEO of SON-D-FARMS, said the shutdown has been devastating to his family-run business that has more than 100 employees

  • He said: 'We have to destroy these animals... Just the mental aspect of it, we are going to have to put down a quality healthy pig for nothing'

Posted by: Skidmark 2020-05-06
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=570708