Nitschke's first problem was one the folks at Harris never face. There was no sign of any of the 75 cows that called the 1,acre ranch home. Near the stone foundation of an old forty-niner's shack, Nitschke cupped his hands to his mouth and issued an impressively authentic moo. A graduate of California Polytechnic, Nitschke is no stranger to the feedlot beef business. After graduating, he became cattle buyer for Excel Fresh Meats part of the agricultural giant Cargill , where he purchased , animals a year.
But when the time came to strike out on his own, he did an about-face. Cows eat it. They get fat, and I produce a better product. They aren't maxed out to all their livers can handle. We don't need hormones or antibiotics. Nitschke let out another bellow, and this time a few dozen stocky black and brown cows reluctantly emerged from the forest.
We get our beef from LaPlatte River Angus Farm, which raises a few hundred head a year on pastures near our Vermont home. Perhaps because of my British heritage via Canada , we faithfully observe Boxing Day, which wouldn't be Boxing Day without a standing rib roast and Yorkshire pudding.
Contributors to The CAFO Reader form a chorus of moral outrage against a system that they view as unfair, unjust and unhealthy to animals, humans and, in fact, all living creatures. Recently, prominent British-American philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah , a professor at Princeton University, even included industrial agriculture in a list of the top four things for which future generations will condemn us.
But does this mean that there are not benefits to industrial livestock farming? There must surely be rational reasons why the US, and increasingly other countries, are pursuing this model of production?
One of the advantages of the vertical integration approach where one or related companies control all stages of the supply chain of CAFOs is that protein can be produced cheaply. Industry supporters argue that economies of scale lead to lower food prices which benefit low-income families in particular.
Another argument is that CAFOs attract economic development and sustain rural communities through employment. Food can be cheaper, if it does not include the real cost to the environment and society of pollution, poor workplace conditions and health bills down the track; CAFOs decimate some rural communities while providing low paid jobs in others, often to easily-exploitable migrant workers.
So how could such a seemingly bad idea have taken hold in a society that supposedly has open discussion? The obvious political explanation is that industrial agricultural corporations wield disproportionate power in American legislative and executive bodies over farmers, environmentalists and animal rights activists.
Yet despite the foothold that CAFOs have in the American political, economic and cultural landscape, the book provides faint hope that the intertwined human, animal and environmental tragedies can be addressed in a future era where cheap energy is not so abundant. Progressive legislative changes like those made in the European Union look unlikely in the US for now. For the meat or dairy-eating reader for now, the inevitable question arises, what should one do? Support local farmers who produce high-quality sustainably produced meat from healthy and happy animals.
More importantly, ask your family, friends, food providers and local restauranteurs where they get their meat from. Animal Production Science Achieving good animal welfare for cattle in feedlots Good animal welfare goes beyond preventing pain, suffering or distress and minimising negative experiences, to ensuring animals can express their natural behaviour in an enriching environment, feel safe, have healthy positive experiences and a good quality of life.
For animal welfare to be good, feedlots should provide cattle with all the necessary elements to ensure their physical and mental health, including: Good health Sick or injured animals should be quickly identified and treated. Bovine respiratory disease, acidosis and heat stress are key health risks and should be addressed.
Good nutrition Feedlot diets are different to the pasture that cattle would normally eat and the transition to a feedlot diet a grain-based feed can result in digestive disorders, including acidosis, and other health problems. Feedlot diets should avoid digestive problems and allow cattle to ruminate and satisfy the need to chew, e.
Clean, fresh, potable water should be available at all times. This can happen during periods of several days of high temperature and humidity and minimal air movement. Heavy cattle i. Provision of shade, water and a summer nutrition program in addition to recognising heat stress e. Space — The space provided to animals in feedlots should not impede normal movement, normal behaviours or postures, or negatively affect the comfort of the animals.
Stocking density must be managed to avoid respiratory disorders. Generally, the more space per animal, the better their welfare. Drainage — To avoid foot problems, including lameness, good drainage and a suitable hard standing area are important.
Mud also discourages cattle to lie down. Air quality — Dust levels in feedlots should be controlled. Expertise — Management of the feedlot should follow the advice of veterinarians and nutritionists experienced with feedlot animals.
Good behaviour Rest — Cattle may rest lie down for up to 10 hours a day so the pen surface should be dry and provide a comfortable area to allow animals to rest. Sufficient space should be provided to allow all animals to lie down at the same time. Social interactions — Cattle arriving at a feedlot are mixed with unfamiliar animals and a new social hierarchy must be formed. Once the social hierarchy is established at the feedlot, further mixing should be avoided. Abnormal behaviour, such as steers mounting each other, will negatively impact the welfare of the subordinate animal.
This includes sufficient space at the feed bunk and water trough to avoid competition. Cattle brushes have been found to reduce the incidence of some abnormal behaviours in feedlot cattle such as self-grooming, bar licking and head butting.
Handling — Low-stress stock-handling methods and positive interactions with feedlot stockpeople reduces fear levels. Cattle must not be moved by yelling at them or using dogs or electric prodders. Before entering a feedlot, cattle have spent their lives in paddocks where they can walk long distances while foraging and grazing on pasture. Providing environmental enrichment, for example foraging devices for hay or some form of physical exercise within the feedlot environment, may go some way towards satisfying this behaviour.
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