In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays continues his conversation with Hannah Thompson-Weeman, president and CEO of the Animal Agriculture Alliance, who emphasizes the importance of being seen in a positive light before controversy arrives. Weeman stresses that producers cannot afford to be passive or reactive when criticism surfaces. Instead, she urges livestock operators to get ahead of misinformation and build trust early within their communities.
Weeman says, “One of the most important things that we can do is be proactive… so that people know who you are, they understand your perspective on the issue, and they know to call you when it comes up.” She encourages producers to engage through social media, local organizations, farm tours, and conversations with media—anything that builds relationships before issues take root. “It’s a lot harder to defend than it is to be proactive,” she adds.
When it comes to staying ahead of activist pressure, Weeman underscores the value of unified efforts. “There’s strength in numbers,” she says, advising producers to lean on strong state associations like those in Oklahoma. She notes, “If you’re not at the table, you’re not part of the conversation,” urging livestock operators to amplify their voices through commodity groups and Farm Bureau engagement.
Weeman also warns that animal-rights organizations try to divide animal agriculture by claiming they only target certain sectors. She points out, “They’re trying to pit the industry against itself… but trust me, if you are producing animals for food… they’re going to get to you eventually.” She explains that activist groups openly strategize about portraying “all animal agriculture as cruel and wrong,” regardless of farm size or management style.
Hays and Weeman also discuss a tactic that has been used in recent years- efforts to influence faith-based communities. Weeman says that has been one area that anti animal ag groups like PETA and HSUS (now the Humane World for Animals) have tried to exploit- hoping to have church goers believe that eating meat does not line up with their spiritual beliefs. Up to to this point- Weeman says they have not gained much traction with such arguments.
She also encourages livestock producers to safeguard their operations through strong farm security protocols. “The number one thing is to be beyond reproach,” she says—doing the right thing in animal welfare, sustainability, and community relations. Still, she cautions producers to protect themselves: “You need to make yourself a harder target… applying a level of scrutiny to anyone who could access information or physically access your facility.”
The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR for today’s show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.
