Grass Fed Farms Vs Organic Farms

The United States beef cattle industry is one of the most important national enterprises that exist in our economy today. Beef cattle production takes place in all 50 states and affects either directly or indirectly over 90% of our population. Though some American citizens may not understand or appreciate this industry, without it our nation would be the worse for it. However, there is always a positive and negative side to ever story. This industry has had some challenges which have affected our economy, and there are always new concerns arising that could potentially change the everyday life of the cattle producer and the soccer mom in the grocery store alike. The goal of this paper is to discuss the sheer size of this industry, the amount

The beef industry is an important asset to United States agriculture as a whole. Over a million agricultural entities benefited from the sales of cattle and calves in the year 2000. Gross totals from sales of cattle and calves in 2000 totaled $40.76 billion accounting of 21% of all agricultural receipts making the beef sector the largest single agricultural enterprise. Direct and indirect employment in or related to the production and processing of beef supports over 1.4 million full-time-equivalent jobs in the US as well. Cattle are produced in all 50 states and their economic impact contributes to nearly every county in the nation and they are a significant economic driver (Lawerance and Otto, 2000).

Industrialization has revolutionized America’s economy. Mass production allows products in demand to be easily available for purchase. But at what point does this system cross the line? It is one thing to mass produce electronics and clothing, for example, but applying mass production to the meat industry is entirely different. In order to generate the most profit, livestock are killed systematically at a massive scale on an assembly line. These animals are treated as nothing more than objects that can be processed, packaged, and sold to a consumer. For this business to take place with both time and cost efficiency, the welfare of the livestock is placed as one of the last priorities. Factory farming has gotten out of hand, and America is

Most of the animals under this condition will develop illnesses, abnormalities, go insane, or die before they make it to the slaughterhouse (Alfie, 2010). In the U.S., over 10 billion animals are raised and killed each year for food about 9 billion chickens, 250 million turkeys, 100 million pigs, 35 million cows. The vast majority of these are not raised on small family farms but, rather, in the major agricultural facilities called?factory farms, also known as Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). The idea of factory farming originated in the 1920s with the discovery of vitamins A and D. When mixed with feed; farm animals were capable of growing without sunlight or exercise, which enabled them to be raised more efficiently in barns throughout the year (Fieser, 2015). Factory farming is a form of capitalism. Capitalism is an economic system that is privately controlled by owners for profit and self-interest (Fieser, 2015). Many philosophers have proposed the principle of equal consideration of interests, in some form or other, as a primary moral value; but, we shall see in more element shortly, not many of them have documented that this principle applies to members of other species as well as to our own. (Singer, 1989). In today society the consumer is much more interested in knowing how the chickens are raised, what they?ve been eating

Factory farms having locked doors only reinforces what some of us already suspect. That they are engaging in activities appalling to the public. Their secrecy is seemingly sustaining their business. Consumers’ ignorance of the meat production business only encourages inhumane animal husbandry. Foer says, “the power brokers of factory farming know that their business model depends on consumers not being able to see (or hear about) what they do.” (pg. 87) This is why we need to educate ourselves on this matter extensively and start actively demanding where our meat is coming from. Advocating for animal welfare is one way we can begin the process of changing or ultimately ending factory farming.

For many Americans, the term “factory farming” conjures up images of mistreated livestock crowded into undersized cages while force fed large amounts of antibiotics and growth hormones. Yet for others, greatly reduced prices on meat and other animal by products, such as eggs and milk, helping to keep costs of food down for their families’, springs to mind. Factory farming has managed to reduce costs of meat, poultry and by products, making it more accessible to our citizens by increasing rate of production and efficiency, while reducing the space utilized to farm livestock. However, the ability to increase production relies heavily on the use of large amounts of growth hormones and antibiotics in livestock,

For the past two decades animal farming has developed into an industrial operation of raising animals for human consumption (Rise of Factory Farms, 2015 Edition). Factory farming confines livestock (cows, hogs, and chickens) in tightly packed facilities with the focus on maximizing economic return. Today there are four meat packers that monopolize the industry. These four companies, Tyson, Smitfield Foods, JBS, and Cargill, control about 85 percent of the American beef industry (How 4 companies control almost all the meat you eat, 2014). This dominance in the industry affects the pricing, production, laws, and quality of the meat that is consumed. Also, majority of small and medium farms are disappearing due to the dominance of these major corporations.

Another paramount importance concerning food safety is how many U.S. rural communities within the last few decades since the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906. They have found themselves face-to-face with enormous industrial livestock factories which include farm and rural community associations and environmental organizations. Heather claims several these communities delve into fighting against the corporate livestock factories that include farms, community, associations, and environmental organizations. She studies how anti-factory farm battles primarily in the mid-west U.S. deal with underlying struggles against emerging opposing organizations who invest heavily in livestock productions. Heather mentions what livestock corporations forget to mention openly to the public, however, was dealing with cost revenue and a confinement of animal production and slaughter. “In Sullivan County, Missouri, as in hundreds of rural counties across the country, concentrated and vertically integrated swine production brought problems of unanticipated proportions. The “hog hotels,” (Williams, 370)

No industry has seen the level of dramatic, exponential growth and change over the past three decades as animal agriculture. The present day global society and its accompanying hunger for flesh and other animal derived products has forced the production and husbandry of animals to adapt in order to satisfy this high demand. Modern farming practices are far from the idealized, picturesque image that is frequently portrayed in American media and advertising. Animal production in the United States has been industrialized, and consequently the adverse effects of large scale production and industry are taking their toll in new and devastating ways. A nation which was once saturated with small farms and farmers who supplied to the local

In the modern era, large corporations are holding feedlots without respect for ethics or safety. They don’t consider the magnitude of the effects of their actions, and are heedless of the safety of the environment, the animals, and the public. In the end, these large corporations get away with it because of the lack of regulations and penalties that deter them from such practices. In essence, these problems have, and will continue, to persist due to the lack of funding for federal regulatory agencies, as well as the lack of public knowledge and outreach upon the issue. It’s important to note that the food industry must adapt to the demands of the market. If the public calls for safe and wholesome food, then it is the responsibility of producers

Factory farms are an inhumane processes in which animals are mass produced for the sale and consumption of the increasing human population. These animals are put on a diet of GMO grains, artificial hormones, and antibiotics. Animals are crammed, neglected, and abused as safety and comfort are not the top priority of this industry. Factory farmed cows are treated as nothing more than products used to generate income.

Throughout history, new farming methods have popped up to keep up with the food demands of the growing United States population. Such farming methods strived to make food production cheaper and more efficient. Hence, the birth of the modern factory farm. Now, nearly two thirds of U.S. agricultural output is from three percent of its farms (“Factory”). Though factory farms have been very good for the efficiency of food-production, animals in the farms are often victims of mistreatment. By examining these different theories, one can form an educated stance on the economic side of factory farms.

When we think or the term ‘organic’ in reference to produce we think of food grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers. We also think of animals that produce meat and dairy products that don’t take growth hormones, antibiotics, or corn but rather fed their natural food like forage/grass in the case of ruminants. Upon Michael Pollan’s trip to Whole Foods, a well-known supermarket known for its organic products, he stumbles upon the labels of milk and compares each brand to one another. The common denominator between all the labels is that all of the companies falsely advertise their products and drown their labels with words such as “certified organic,” humanely raised,” or “free range.” Big organic companies

Food is one of the major parts of American culture. Food is needed for survival and is one of the largest industries in the world. Although many Americans enjoy eating their meals, many have no clue what it takes to arrive on to their plate. In watching the movie Food Inc. I realize the dark truth of the food industry and learned how industrial agriculture is a very efficient system that has dangerous flaws. The information provided from the documentary Food Inc the topic of discussion will be animal’s rights, health and immigration. The discussion will also include how industrial agriculture shapes American society.

The cattle industry produces vast amounts of strain in the environment. It is energy inefficient, pollutes water, occupies many acres of land, and deteriorates the health of the people who abuse its consumption. The government subsidizes this industry. Therefore, the price paid for meat doesn’t reflect the environmental hazards involved in the process. In order to protect our health and the health of the environment we should pay close attention to our food choices and make sure we don’t support industries that degrade it.