Ethical Issues

Ethical Issues of Cattlemen

Raean Thrasher

June 7, 2010

MGT/216

Michael Baney

Business ethics is a set of values and morals that a company applies to individuals and the company as a whole in order to implement how the company is ran and how each individual functions within their specific role. The basic goal of the applied ethics within each business is meant to produce a quality outcome for the consumer, whether it is involves goods and services or the assurance a customer has in the performance of the company and the goods or services it produces. In order for a business to succeed they must have a set of respectable ethics in order to gain the trust of the consumer. One particular association I would like to point out is the Arizona Cattlemen’s Association.

The Arizona Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) compasses both the Arizona Cattle Feeders Association (ACFA) and the Arizona Cattle Growers Association (ACGA). “ACA is the only professional organization solely dedicated to representing, educating, communicating, and providing services to Arizona's beef-producing families” (Arizona Cattlemen’s Association, 2010 para 1). This particular association has countless ethical standards that affect how the cattlemen operate within their industry. The ACA has conventions yearly that educate cattlemen on numerous issues that include ethical procedure. One of these ethical issues includes the untruthful representation of calves sold at auction as having been fully vaccinated. Two issues that exist under animal welfare policies is the handling of cattle during processing and the dwellings these animals reside in during part or most of their lives.

Calves sold at auctions such as the Superior Livestock Auction are given higher premiums, also known as VAC (valued-added-calves) for meeting different criteria, such as being vaccinated. Vaccinations are a necessity for the calves’ health, but there is a price tag and also time to make sure every calf has been...