The farming of livestock has changed dramatically over the past century. Many people think of a farm as a rural collection of barns and fields run by one farming family. But in reality this whole concept is changed, some farms are massive industrial type facilities owned and operated by large corporations. These are called factory farms and they make up a small percentage of American farms. Each farm handle a large percentage of the animals killed for food in the United States.
Factory farming began in the 1920`s soon after the discovery of vitamins A and D, when these vitamins are added to feed, animals no longer require exercise and sunlight for growth. This allowed large numbers of animals to be raised indoors year round. The greatest problem that was faced in raising these animals indoors was the spread of disease, which was resolved in the 1940s with the development of antibiotics. Farmers found they could increase production and reduce the operating costs by using machines and assembly line working techniques. But, this process of mass production has resulted in incredible pain and suffering for the animals.
Factory farming began in the 1920`s soon after the discovery of vitamins A and D, when these vitamins are added to feed, animals no longer require exercise and sunlight for growth. This allowed large numbers of animals to be raised indoors year round. The greatest problem that was faced in raising these animals indoors was the spread of disease, which was resolved in the 1940s with the development of antibiotics. Farmers found they could increase production and reduce the operating costs by using machines and assembly line working techniques. But, this process of mass production has resulted in incredible pain and suffering for the animals.
The most visible symbol of factory farming is the animal feeding operation (AFO) or concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO).Animal feeding operations (AFOs) or (CAFO) are farms where animals are kept and raised in confined areas for at least 45 days over a 12 month period. AFOs cluster animals, feed, manure and urine, wastewater, dead animals, and production operations on a small land area. Feeding is brought to the animals rather than the animals grazing in pastures, fields, or on rangeland this means, the animals are housed under one roof during a large portion of the year. The facility, depending on size, must also meet the state water quality standards and may be required to obtain a permit in order to operate. The difference between an AFO and a CAFO is based in part on how many animals are involved. Both feature highly concentrated confinement areas with no pasture or grazing land.
The advantage of the factory farming system to society is economic satisfaction of the demand for meat at acceptable prices. Factory farming provides the United States with a continuous and relatively inexpensive meat supply. But, animal rights activists blame the factory farming system for many animal abuses. They believe that the industry's emphasis on profits, efficiency, and productivity has contributed greatly to inhumane treatment and sloppy slaughtering of farm animals. There is no doubt that industrial methods have changed the way in which farmers and animals interact. Traditionally, farmers had a lot of personal interaction with their animals during feeding and handling. While this did not change the ultimate usage of the animals, many people believe that it built a bond that led farmers to care more about the welfare of individual animals. Certainly sick or injured animals were more likely to be noticed and cared for in this system. Many small farms, particularly in communities that use traditional methods (such as Amish farms) still achieve this level of human animal contact.
The advantage of the factory farming system to society is economic satisfaction of the demand for meat at acceptable prices. Factory farming provides the United States with a continuous and relatively inexpensive meat supply. But, animal rights activists blame the factory farming system for many animal abuses. They believe that the industry's emphasis on profits, efficiency, and productivity has contributed greatly to inhumane treatment and sloppy slaughtering of farm animals. There is no doubt that industrial methods have changed the way in which farmers and animals interact. Traditionally, farmers had a lot of personal interaction with their animals during feeding and handling. While this did not change the ultimate usage of the animals, many people believe that it built a bond that led farmers to care more about the welfare of individual animals. Certainly sick or injured animals were more likely to be noticed and cared for in this system. Many small farms, particularly in communities that use traditional methods (such as Amish farms) still achieve this level of human animal contact.
Farms are engaged in raising swine, poultry, sheep, goats, aquatic animals as fish. Animals now days raised on factory farms have had their genes manipulated and are given antibiotics, hormones and other chemicals for higher productivity. In the factory farms animals are not considered as animals at all, they are just food products. The animals are confined to small cages with metal bars, ammonia filled air and artificial lighting. They are subjected to horrible mutilations like beak searing, tail docking, ear cutting and castration.
Factory farming involves the raising of animals for meat, eggs and milk. Animals are confined into overcrowded cages or restrictive pens or stalls. Factory farming has good and bad effects on the environment. Factory farming is good to the environment because animals like cattle produce manure which is useful to plant growth. If plants, trees and flowers grow well due to manure from animals we are assured of surplus oxygen to sustain our breathing. Factory farming is good to the environment in the sense that animals assist in the formation of food chains and food webs.
But factory farming has negative effects on the environment too. Factory farming causes pollution also. A pig can produce two or more times more waste than a human. A cow can produce 23 times more. Factory farming generates toxic pollution that can contaminate lakes, streams and rivers. This can contaminate water supplies with pathogens and chemicals which are detrimental to health. Phosphorous and nitrogen compounds, arsenic, zinc and copper can be released in to rivers. Manure though useful can emit hundreds of types of gases such as hydrogen sulfide which can cause eye, nose and throat irritation. Ammonia can also cause death at high levels. The air around factory farms is contaminated with dust particles which are linked to asthma and bronchitis. Chemical spraying during rain or wind can cause pollution to the environment. Fertilizers used to promote quick growth of crops affect the environment by changing land use and harms bio diversity through habitat loss and ecosystem. The trucks which carry animals from factory farms to shops need mention. Some of these trucks have high levels of carbon emission hence they pollute the environment also causing global warming issues.
Factory farming process is needed to be summarized, as the growth of factory farming increases so does its effects of inhumane treatment towards animals and neglect towards earth pollution.
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Mukichi, Masimba. "The Effect of Factory Farming on the Environment." The Effect of Factory Farming on the Environment. Web. <http://www.helium.com/items/1186236-the-effect-of-factory-farming-on-the-environment>.
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