One rancher outrightly rejects the use of mRNA vaccines for personal reasons
Polyface Farms' Minimal Approach to Vaccines in Livestock
Polyface Farms, established in 1961 by William and Lucille Salatin in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, has been a pioneer in non-industrial food production for over six decades. The farm is renowned globally for its environmentally friendly farming practices, which are considered the gold standard in the industry.
In line with its philosophy, Polyface Farms has historically adopted a very selective and minimal approach to vaccines in livestock. The farm prioritises natural animal health through pasture-based, rotational grazing systems, fresh air, sunshine, and biodiversity over routine use of pharmaceuticals such as vaccines.
This approach was evident in the past when the farm vaccinated its chicks against Marek's disease and its herd of cattle against blackleg, both incidents happening approximately 20 years ago. However, the farm has since stopped vaccinating cattle and has not encountered any problems since mowing the brambles. The discovery that many diseases for which vaccines were used were often due to anaerobic puncture wounds caused by thorns and brambles led to this change in practice.
Regarding the use of modern mRNA vaccines in livestock, farms associated with Polyface-style or regenerative, real organic farming explicitly avoid these vaccines. One source states that these farms raise their livestock without mRNA vaccines, antibiotics, GMOs, or hormones, indicating a rejection of this new biotechnology in animals on such farms.
The chicks the farm buys for broilers come from parents who were vaccinated, but this is one generation removed. The calves born to the farm's cows, lambs, and chickens do not receive any vaccines. The farm's young animals, purchased from other ranchers, also do not use mRNA vaccines.
In conclusion, Polyface Farms' stance on vaccines in livestock is clear - they prioritise natural health and ecological farming techniques over routine pharmaceutical interventions. This philosophy is reflected in their historical use of vaccines and their current rejection of mRNA vaccines in their livestock practices.
- In line with its focus on natural health and ecological farming techniques, Polyface Farms espouses articles detailing the benefits of science-backed lifestyle choices, including food-and-drink products and fitness-and-exercise routines, for overall health-and-wellness.
- The truth about the efficacy of modern mRNA vaccines in livestock is still being debated among the scientific community, with some arguing for their potential to revolutionize disease prevention in animals, while others argue that they might introduce risks to long-term health-and-wellness that are not yet fully understood.
- As part of their holistic approach to health-and-wellness, farms associated with Polyface-style or regenerative, real organic farming prioritize health-promoting activities such as fresh air, sunshine, pasture-based rotational grazing systems, and biodiversity, which can contribute to the overall fitness-and-exercise of their livestock while minimizing the need for pharmaceutical interventions like vaccines.
