The United States Livestock Industry

The United States’ livestock industry is one of the largest components of U.S. agriculture. However, its massive size did not happen quickly. Livestock producers kept revolutionizing their methods to produce meat by making it more economical for the consumer. This allowed for them to hold a larger share in the agriculture market thus making them a large component. Although their revolutionary methods were beneficial for the consumer, they were negative for the livestock. The livestock were subjected to unnatural environments and raising techniques such as growth hormones, harsh environments, and unhealthy feed. To counteract these negatives, farmers began to produce livestock using organic methods instead of the conventional methods used by factory farms. According the USDA, livestock raised by organic farmers is any livestock “raised in a way that accommodates their health and natural behavior for an livestock year round” (“Organic Livestock Requirements”). Organic livestock is better than factory farm livestock, because organic farmers subject livestock to a natural life while factory farmers subject livestock to an industrialized way of life.

In order for a farm to receive organic certification, they must abide by rigorous regulations enlisted by the United States Department of Agriculture. The certification regulations pertain to: living conditions and feed. By a farmer upholding these regulations, they are allowed to label and sell their food as organic. Contrastingly, “local regulations regarding factory farms vary”, depending on the county (“Legislation”). Counties that do not have regulations for factory farms have very little control over the farms. The farmers are able to raise livestock in whatever way the meat produce...

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...by Congress.

Even though organic livestock is better than livestock grown up factory farms, there has not been a significant change in the buying habits of the consumer. Yes, the organic industry is growing, but the factory farm industry has not declined significantly. Consumers are still purchasing vast amounts of inorganic fast food hamburgers and chicken. In order for consumers to provide a better quality of life for livestock and for themselves, they must change their spending habits and get the attention of our legislature. Society must “vote with their forks” and let our legislatures know that the meat industry needs to be reformed, one animal at a time. As Mahatma Ghandi said best, “Be the change you want to see.” If we want to see a change for the better, we must speak up now and not stay silent like we have done for so long. I leave the choice up to you.