Torrington Livestock Markets hosts “Meat In Day”

Alicia Louters
Posted 3/26/21

A “Meat In Wednesday” lunch was hosted for beef producers by Torrington Livestock Markets during their feeder and calf special on Wednesday, March 24.

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Torrington Livestock Markets hosts “Meat In Day”

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TORRINGTON – A “Meat In Wednesday” lunch was hosted for beef producers by Torrington Livestock Markets during their feeder and calf special on Wednesday, March 24.

This lunch, according to Mindy Hartong of Torrington Livestock Markets, was in response to Colorado’s “Meat Out Day” and proposed Pause Act.

Throughout the lunch hours on Wednesday, Jody McKenzie, who also owns Cowboy Up Café and Cowboy Up Coffee, served a special of smoked tri-tip, mashed potatoes, corn and a dinner roll.

McKenzie said she and her team had prepared for about 130 servings and sold out around 1:15pm.

Torrington Livestock Markets paid for all of the tri-tip specials.

Earlier this year, Colorado Governor Jared Polis put out a statement declaring March 20 as Meat Out Day.

The governor’s proclamation states the following reasons for having a Meat Out Day: “removing animal products from our diets reduces the risk of various ailments, including heart disease, high-blood pressure, stroke, various cancers, and diabetes; and a plant-based diet helps protect the environment by reducing our carbon footprint…”

Seen as an attack on the industry, this proclamation has been met with outrage from Colorado’s agriculture community, prompting many producers to have a “Meat In Day” instead. Other states have decided join in to show their support.

Governor Polis has since put out another statement stating the importance of agriculture to Colorado.

The Pause Act, according to Hartong was another reason for the “Meat In” event. Also in Colorado, this initiative (only in its early stages) aims to make changes to existing animal cruelty laws.

The biggest change would be that ranchers could not legally butcher their cattle until at least five years old – a quarter of their estimated life span, according to the initiative.

Hartong said although these statements and policies aren’t directly in connection to the state of Wyoming, the organization wants to stand with their neighbors and locals who work with Colorado feed yards.

In her opinion, Hartong has noticed the situation is actually bringing in more support for meat. She noted Wyoming Governor’s “Hearty Meat Day” proclamation in support of Wyoming ranchers and farmers.