“Your enemy prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
While the apostle Peter may have written this more than 2,000 years ago, it aptly describes the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and their quest to rid the United States of animal agriculture.

HSUS leader Wayne Pacelle and his band of merry followers are now parading into Nebraska, kindly asking to simply open a dialogue about solutions to animal welfare in the state. He said, “We wanted to open dialogue with producers before considering any initiatives.” When he was met with opposition, Pacelle began to whine.

First of all, what kinds of solutions to animal welfare are needed in a state where agriculture is its number-one industry? Doesn’t profitability on any livestock enterprise begin with top-notch animal husbandry? Are you following me?

Secondly, who does he think he’s fooling? When HSUS comes into a state to address animal welfare, it doesn’t matter if they have tea with the ladies’ missionary union after church or protest at the University of Nebraska’s college rodeo event, they are single-minded with one purpose: To abolish animal agriculture.

And they won’t quit until they’ve gotten their big toe in the door because they know from experience, that’s all it takes.

Does he honestly think he can cover up his tactics with a town hall meeting hosted by an unknowing rancher? Is he under the assumption that a state with agriculture as its number-one industry would roll out the red carpet and welcome him in to open a dialogue, allowing his organization to have its way with Nebraska farmers and ranchers? Seriously?

His track record obviously proves he’s not that simple-minded; otherwise, he wouldn’t be operating on a multimillion-dollar budget with less than half a percent of its yearly receipts supporting local animal shelters from which he cunningly “borrowed” their sympathy-inducing name – “Humane Society.”

Mr. Pacelle will have to sharpen his cunning claws in order to even scratch the surface in Nebraska. Not only is the livestock industry well aware of this cowardly lion, they have the backing of a confident governor, Dave Heineman, who said to a Nebraska Cattlemen’s group, “The Humane Society of the United States is anti-agriculture and they’re out to destroy animal agriculture – and if they want to come to Nebraska, we’re going to fight them and we’re going to beat them.”

Heineman continued, “Agriculture is the number-one industry in this state. It’s what makes our economy so strong. I’m going to stand tall and this is a fight we won’t shy away from.

“In Nebraska, no deal, no compromise – we’re going to stand up, we’re going to beat them. They’d be better off going somewhere else, because they’re going to lose if they stay in Nebraska.”

While I’m elated to see a governor standing up with such courage, I also realize this kind of talk will only fan the flames of HSUS to torch animal agriculture in Nebraska.

Nebraska – be prepared for a fight and please stay strong not only for your state, but for the rest of animal agriculture in America. We are watching.

 The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Melissa Hart may write to her in care of this publication.