Compromise reached: Ohio signs agreement with HSUS

COLUMBUS — In a unexpected development, Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland held a news conference June 30 to announce an animal welfare deal between Ohio, major farm groups, and the Humane Society of the United States.

HSUS was spearheading a move to place a ballot initiative on the November ballot, which would have established a set of minimum regulations for livestock governed by the newly created Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board.

The agreement itself is unique from deals reached in other states because it also promises new legislation for dog breeding kennels, cock fighting and possession of exotic animals.

The deal has the support of the Ohioans for Livestock Care steering committee, which includes the state’s dairy, beef, poultry, pork, corn, and soybean associations, and the Ohio Farm Bureau.

Reaction was mixed, ranging from outrage and cries of betrayal to support for avoiding a costly ballot battle.

For a review of the top stories that graced the pages of the Farm and Dairy, click on the links below:

Conklin Farms: Horrific video leads to dairy farm employee conviction
http://www.farmanddairy.com/news/2010-year-in-r…yee-conviction/19435.html

Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board
http://www.farmanddairy.com/news/ohio-livestock…ly-though-2010/19438.html

Governor-elect appoints Zehringer to be ODA chief
http://www.farmanddairy.com/news/2010-year-in-r…er-appointment/19445.html

2010 Harvest: Early planting brought early harvest for many
http://www.farmanddairy.com/news/2010-harvest-e…rvest-for-many/19449.html

Eastern Livestock: The aftermath of bad checks continues to hit cattle market
http://www.farmanddairy.com/news/eastern-livest…-cattle-market/19453.html

Milk market to blame for bankruptcy at Vreba Hoff
http://www.farmanddairy.com/uncategorized/2010-milk-mark…-at-vreba-hoff/19459.html ‎

2010 brings more money woes to OSU Extension
http://www.farmanddairy.com/uncategorized/2010-brings-mo…-osu-extension/19467.html ‎

Ohio Farmers Union: $1.2 million lawsuit filed in embezzlement scheme
http://www.farmanddairy.com/news/ohio-farmers-u…zlement-scheme/19470.html

2010 tornado: OARDC rebuilding after tornado destroys research
http://www.farmanddairy.com/news/2010-tornado-o…troys-research/19475.html ‎

Marcellus Shale 2010: The year the gas boom came to the region
http://www.farmanddairy.com/news/marcellus-shal…-to-the-region/19478.html