U.S. Factory Farmed Beef “Raising animals for food generates more greenhouse gases than all the cars and trucks in the world combined.” -The United Nations

What does beef come from? Beef cattle are cows that are raised for meat production.

Factory Farms Hold large number of animals in hopes of producing as much meat possible for the lowest possible cost “a system of large-scale industrialized and intensive agriculture that is focused on profit with animals kept indoors and restricted in mobility “ –dictionary.com

How much beef is produced on factory farms in the U.S.? 4 corporations produce over 80% of the 35 million beef cattle slaughtered annually in the U.S. Orr, Eric Factory Beef. Chattooga Quarterly. Winter 2005. Chattooga Conservancy Inc.

“Cow Calf” Operations The cattle spends their first 6-7 months here. The calves are raised on a pasture where they feed on their mothers milk and grass. This is where they are branded, castrated, and dehorned. Pollan, Michael. This Steers Life. New York Times Magazine March 31, 2002 Section 6

Stocker Operations Cattle are sent to a stocker farm if they’re not yet ready to be relocated to a feedlot. Here they’re fed forage until they are released as yearlings to a feedlot. Pollan, Michael. This Steers Life. New York Times Magazine March 31, 2002 Section 6

Feedlots This is where the weight is put on the cattle for slaughter through feed and antibiotics. Cows typically gain over 3 pounds a day here. Their stay here ranges from 120 to 300 days, whenever they reach the weight of 1,000 – 1,250 lbs. Pollan, Michael. This Steers Life. New York Times Magazine March 31, 2002 Section 6

Slaughter Once sold from the Feedlot, the cows are sent to slaughter houses According to the Humane Slaughter Act Animals must be deprived of consciousness and strength prior to slaughter. Lang, "U.S. Staggers Under Weight of Waste From Farm Animals," Scripps Howard News Service, 26 Apr. 1998.

Green House Gas Emissions Destruction of vast acres of forest to provide pasture land and to grow crops for food The burning of fossil fuels to run these factories Transportation of Cattle Manure produced by cattle It takes 54 calories of fuel to produce only one calorie of protein in beef. Robbins, John. The Food Revolution, Conari Press, 2001

Overgrazing of Pastures “The No. 1 cause of species being put on the endangered species list in the Southwest and fourth major cause nationwide” -US Forest Service Overgrazing leads to: The extinction of indigenous plant and animal species, Soil erosion Soil compaction Decrease in soil fertility Desertification that renders once-fertile land barren. -Mark Gold and Jonathon Porritt, "The Global Benefits of Eating Less Meat," Compassion in World Farming Trust, 2004, p. 22. -Paul Rogers et al, Cash Cows, San Jose Mercury News special report, 7 November 1999

Disposal of Manure Cow manure is typically placed in lagoons or are sprayed over crop fields Both result in runoff which contaminates soil and water. Lang, "U.S. Staggers Under Weight of Waste From Farm Animals," Scripps Howard News Service, 26 Apr. 1998.

High concentration of manure Pollutes ground water and soil with excessive levels of nitrates and hormones. 70-80 percent of dietary nitrogen fed to cattle is excreted in manure and urine Degrades water quality and threatens aquatic habitats. Releases large amounts of methane gas and ammonia content into the air. Acid rain Destruction of marginal landscapes and habitats’. Farming Animals For Food: Towards A Moral Menu, Food Ethics Council, 2001

Water Use More water is saved by not eating a pound of beef than by not showering for a year. Half the water consumed in the U.S. is used to grow grain for cattle feed. At least 800 gallons of water is required for ¼ lb. of beef It takes roughly 2,500-5,000 lbs of water to produce 1lb of meat: Watering crops that they are fed. Providing drinking water. Cleaning factories and transport trucks. Robbins, John.The Food Revolution, Conari Press: Boston, 2001, p. 256.

Sources of Greenhouse Gases on farms

Common Arguments We need meat for protein and other nutrients. Roughly one billion of the world’s human population is estimated to be vegetarian, or virtually vegetarian. It's natural for us to eat meat. Today's factory-raised beef are a lot different from the wild animals our ancestors hunted. But organic meat is too expensive! “We’re closer related to herbivores” -Cardiologist William C. Roberts -Geoffrey,Cannon.Feeding the World a Healthy Diet .The Meat Busines. Earthscan, 1999 -Deneen, Sally. Body of evidence. E Magazine.com.http://www.emagazine.com/view/?143

Cites Orr, Eric Factory Beef. Chattooga Quarterly. Winter 2005. Chattooga Conservancy Inc. Geoffrey,Cannon.Feeding the World a Healthy Diet .The Meat Busines. Earthscan, 1999 Deneen, Sally. Body of evidence. E Magazine.com. http://www.emagazine.com/view/?143 Robbins, John. The Food Revolution, Conari Press: Boston, 2001, p. 256. Lang, "U.S. Staggers Under Weight of Waste From Farm Animals," Scripps Howard News Service, 26 Apr. 1998. Farming Animals For Food: Towards A Moral Menu, Food Ethics Council, 2001 Pollan, Michael. This Steers Life. New York Times Magazine March 31, 2002 Section 6