For Immediate Release
Contact: Monica Massey, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs
816-863-2640, [email protected]
DFA URGES ACTIVIST GROUPS TO REPORT ABUSE IMMEDIATELY
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (June 12, 2015) – Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) announced today the
completion of a third-party audit of one of its member farms, Cactus-Acre Holsteins. This
announcement comes two days after the Cooperative proactively released an undercover video,
shot by animal rights extremist group, Mercy For Animals (MFA), depicting animal abuse on the
farm owned by Jim and Marie Goedert in Fort Morgan, Colo. The video can be viewed at
www.dfamilk.com/animal-abuse-the-dairy-industry-not-tolerated.
The audit, conducted by Validus, is part of the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible
Management (FARM) Program’s Willful Animal Mistreatment Protocol. The protocol, which sets
forth a process of investigation, probation, if warranted, and corrective action, is founded on the
principles of continuous improvement. Based on the results of the investigative audit, CactusAcres Holsteins has been placed on probationary status pending the successful completion of a
corrective action plan.
DFA utilizes FARM as part of the Gold Standard Dairy Program, its on-farm evaluation program.
These programs, as well as DFA’s decision to publicly release the undercover video ahead of
MFA, demonstrate the Cooperative and industry’s ongoing commitment to the care and
wellness of the nation’s dairy herd.
The Goederts, who milk approximately 2,500 cows and employ more than 30 employees, were
shocked to learn of the allegations levied against them, particularly because they utilize a video
monitoring system on their dairy and had already terminated several employees over concerns
about poor performance and animal mistreatment in the preceding weeks.
“We couldn’t believe that someone who we hired as a milker and trusted to do the right thing
and care for our cows would act so contrary to our values,” said Marie Goedert of the
undercover activist, Jessica Buck. “Why not bring these concerns to our attention immediately?”
It is an ongoing tactic for animal rights extremist groups like Mercy For Animals to secretly
record footage on farms throughout the country for weeks, even months at a time before
reporting any allegations of abuse or mistreatment. In some states, this is a crime. DFA is
planning to work with the Goederts to press charges.
“It is extremely frustrating and ineffective to simply record activities that go against industry and
farm practices and protocols, rather than report it immediately,” said Monica Massey, DFA’s
senior vice president of corporate affairs. “For groups that claim to have animal care and welfare
as their sole mission, they seem to spend a lot of time simply observing what they think is the
inhumane treatment of animals instead of stopping it. Abuse should be reported, not recorded.”
Over the course of the two-month period Buck was employed at the Goederts’ dairy, she
secretly recorded incidents of abuse instead of reporting them to farm management. The
Cooperative is encouraging anyone who witnesses animal abuse to report it immediately and
has begun a social media campaign utilizing #ReportNotRecord.
“We take great pride in running a quality operation, and abuse is never tolerated,” Marie said.
“We are devastated that these acts were committed by employees on our dairy. We
acknowledge that there were mistakes made and take full responsibility for those. We
appreciate the feedback from the audit and will work to correct those areas that need
improvement immediately in order to be taken off probation.”
The Goederts, however, said they also question the role that Buck played in eliciting or inciting
other employees to commit abuse and intend to work with the local sheriff to ensure that all
those seen abusing animals are brought to justice for their crimes.
DFA acted proactively by not waiting for MFA to release the video, instead releasing it late
Tuesday night and taking full responsibility for its member farm.
“We denounce the actions of MFA and their deceptive and manipulative tactics,” Massey said.
“Animal abuse is never tolerated, and should be reported immediately, not recorded.”
NOTE: See attached statement from Monica Massey for more.
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Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) is a national dairy marketing cooperative that serves and is owned by more than 14,000 members
on more than 8,000 farms in 48 states. DFA also is one of the country’s most diversified manufacturers of dairy products, food
components and ingredients, and is a leader in formulating and packaging shelf-stable dairy products. For more information, call 1888-DFA-MILK (332-6455) or visit www.dfamilk.com.