There is something for everyone to dislike about our country’s predominant industrial food and farm system.
Over 90% of animal foods sold in the U.S. come from animals raised in Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), aka factory farms. About 75% of U.S. cropland is used to grow livestock feed (mainly for CAFO animals) instead of human food.
A CAFO is a subtype of Animal Feeding Operation or AFO. AFOs congregate animals, feed, manure and urine, dead animals, and production operations on a small land area [USDA]. A large CAFO confines at least 1000 beef cattle, 700 dairy cows, 2500 swine weighing 55 pounds or more, 125,000 broiler chickens, or 82,000 laying hens for at least 45 days in any 12 months. The animals do not graze or forage. Instead, feed (usually corn or soy) is brought to them. They are confined in open feedlots or large covered structures in stalls, pens, or cages. They live, sleep, and eat where they urinate and defecate.
The proponents of industrial animal agriculture claim that CAFOs are an efficient way to produce relatively inexpensive animal protein, meet the demand for meat, and fulfill our country’s obligation to “feed the world.” In reality, cheap meat, dairy, and eggs come with a price.
A single CAFO generates more waste than the entire human population of some cities. Transporting massive amounts of heavy, wet manure is costly, so it is usually applied to farm fields within a few miles of the CAFO. Repeated land applications can result in pollution hotspots. Leaching and runoff of excess plant nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), pathogens (germs like Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7), and other harmful substances can contaminate groundwater and surface waters, making it unsafe to drink well water and recreate in lakes and rivers and causing harmful algal blooms and fish kills.
Industrial animal agriculture contributes substantially to total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Livestock accounts for 1/3 of methane emissions—1/4 from stored manure and 3/4 (mostly cow burps) from enteric fermentation, a digestive process unique to ruminant mammals. Agriculture is responsible for nearly 80% of nitrous oxide emissions, mainly from manure and chemical fertilizers applied to cropland. Methane and nitrous oxide have about 30 and 300 times more warming potential than carbon dioxide.
Capturing methane emitted from stored manure using anaerobic digesters to produce biogas is a false climate solution. Lucrative environmental credits created by commercial manure biogas production incentivize CAFOs, especially dairies. When herd sizes increase to capitalize on manure, so do enteric methane emissions. Digesters could worsen nutrient pollution, resulting in more frequent and severe harmful algal blooms. Manure biogas projects primarily benefit large corporate investors, including oil and gas companies and utilities.
Most people don’t want to live near a CAFO. CAFO air emissions can cause respiratory problems for neighbors. The odor makes it difficult for people to use and enjoy their yards. Homes within a quarter mile of a CAFO lose up to 88% of their value, and homes within three miles up to 26%. Toxic nitrate levels and high bacterial counts in drinking water wells endanger health. Michigan’s Right to Farm Act preempts local control over CAFO location, size, and density.
Widespread antibiotic usage in CAFO animals plays a substantial role in the rise and spread of superbugs (antibiotic-resistant bacteria), a dangerous and growing threat to humans. Seventy percent of antibiotics (by volume) important in human medicine sold in the U.S. are used “on the farm,” mainly in CAFO animals because of their sheer numbers and greater susceptibility to infections due to stress and crowding.
CAFOs have an unfair competitive advantage. Taxpayer-funded subsidies artificially lower the price of feed grains and defray the cost of anaerobic digesters, animal mortality disposal facilities, and much more. Taxpayer-backed low-interest loans help finance CAFO construction loans.
CAFOs are touted as independent family farms. Most individual CAFO owners contract with corporate ‘integrators,’ who supply and maintain ownership of the animals and control production. The contract grower owns the construction debt and the waste and dead animals. The integrators and higher-rung agribusinesses profit handsomely without being held financially liable or accountable for pollution.
The advertising shows idyllic farm scenes. Cattle on green pastures dotted with wildflowers, munching grass. Pigs lounging on hay beds in roomy outdoor pens, soaking up the sunshine. Chickens roaming the countryside, clucking and pecking. Mothers nurturing cute baby animals. A traditional red barn in the background. However, animals raised in CAFOs are barely able or unable to turn around, lie down, or spread their wings, let alone engage in natural behaviors. Animals are bred and fed to maximize and speed weight gain. For example, chickens and turkeys are genetically selected for meatier breasts, making it difficult to stand and walk. The more meat and the shorter the time to slaughter, the greater the profits.
Conscious eaters want to know where their food comes from and how it is grown or raised. Environmental and public health impacts and worker and animal welfare standards increasingly influence their purchasing decisions.
Your choices are more powerful than the influence mega-agricultural corporations wield over legislators and policymakers. The power of consumer choice is the key to transforming our country’s conventional, extractive, polluting, and greenhouse gas-emitting livestock production system. The power of consumer voice is the key to a better farm bill that prioritizes food security, health and nutrition, clean air and water, soil quality, climate, animal welfare, worker safety, and the rights of rural communities.
The next farm bill must help build resilient and fair local and regional food systems that make affordable healthy foods more accessible. It must increase support for smaller independent farmers and ranchers who grow and raise a wide array of nutritious foods harmoniously with nature.
Explore plant-based proteins. Consider eating a little less meat. Buy pasture-raised animal protein from local producers if possible. Eat better meat (better for people, the planet, animals, workers, and rural communities)! Know your farmer.