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Cards’ LaRussa backs HSUS ballot issue

The St. Louis Cardinals have a presence in two issues important to agriculture – one on the side of producers and the other considered by most in agriculture as on the opposite side.

St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa is one of the voices supporting the initiative petition campaign to get a restrictive commercial dog breeding issue on the ballot in Missouri. LaRussa is co-founder of the Animal Rescue Foundation. HSUS lobbyist Barbara Schmitz, chairman of Missourians for the Protection of Dogs, says LaRussa is one of nine members of the newly formed Puppy Mill Reform Committee. In a news release, Schmitz says La Russa “certainly knows how to pick winners” and understands the importance of cracking down on dog breeders in Missouri, which is home to an estimated 3,000 so-called “puppy mills.”

Missourians for Animal Care, the coalition of state ag and dog breeding groups fighting the ballot issue, says the true HSUS goal is to start with dog breeders then restrict or eliminate responsible livestock practices in Missouri and other states.

Meanwhile, Cardinals left-fielder Matt Holliday is teaming up with Missouri corn, soybean, dairy and livestock producers in an advertising campaign to “increase consumer understanding” of how today’s farmers produce food. The campaign, called “Stepping up to the Plate” seeks to let people know how producers use the latest technologies to provide “safe, affordable and nutritious food” as well as feed and fuel. Six family farmers are featured in the campaign.