 Animal Production: Fact vs. Fiction Basic Animal Industry AFNR-BAS-9: Define major components of the animal industry and outline the development of the resulting products, services, and careers.

Economic Impact  U.S. farms sold nearly $395 billion in agricultural products. $97 billion, or 33%, more than in  Crops accounted for $69 billion of the increase.  $29 billion was from livestock. 2

Economic Impact  Top 5 Commodities (by sales) - these five alone total $260.7 billion for the year 1. Cattle 2. Corn 3. Poultry and Eggs 4. Soybeans 5. Milk 3

Economic Impact  There are over 619,000 farms and ranches specializing in beef cattle in the U.S.  That’s 29% of all farms, the largest category of operations in the U.S.  There are 8.5 billion broilers sold in the U.S. That’s more chickens than people in the world.  Dairy cattle and milk production is a $35.5 billion industry and 9% of U.S. agriculture sales. 4

Fact vs. Fiction - Perceptions and Practices  Factory Farms  Myth: Farming in the United States is controlled by large corporations that care about profits and not about animal welfare.  Fact: Just two percent of farms and ranches are owned by non- family corporations; the other 98% are owned and operated by families or family partnerships/corporations. 5

Fact vs. Fiction - Perceptions and Practices  Animals are Confined  Myth: Farm animals are raised confined and crowded in unventilated cages and sheds.  Fact: Housing is designed to allow the farmer to provide the best animal care. Animals are generally kept in barns and similar housing, with the exception of beef cattle, to protect the health and welfare of the animal. 6

Fact vs. Fiction - Perceptions and Practices  Animals are Confined  Housing protects animals from predators, disease, and bad weather or extreme climate.  Housing also makes breeding and birth less stressful, protects young animals and makes it easier for farmers to care for both healthy and sick animals.  Modern housing is well ventilated, warm, well-lighted, clean and scientifically designed for the specific needs of the animal, such as the regular availability of fresh water and a nutritionally balanced diet.  For instance, a hog barn wouldn't be used for cows, any more than an adult would sleep in a child's crib. 7

Fact vs. Fiction - Perceptions and Practices  Environmental Impact  Myth: Livestock production is bad for the environment because the animals use land and food resources that could be used to produce crops to feed the hungry while also emitting lots of harmful greenhouse gases and having a high carbon footprint.  Fact: Natural resources are best optimized by producing both animals and plants to meet human nutrient needs.  Example: About half the land area of the United States is strictly grazing land – not suitable for crop production. That land would not be of any use as a food resource if it were not for ruminant, grazing livestock. The United States has more than enough cropland to grow both feed grains and food crops. 8

Fact vs. Fiction - Perceptions and Practices  Environmental Impact  Fact: Producing livestock on a large scale is more efficient in terms of energy inputs, space used, transportation, and time to finished product.  Example: Since 1990, animal agriculture’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions has remained nearly constant. This is impressive considering that in that same time frame, the U.S. increased its meat production almost 50 percent, milk production by 16 percent and egg production by almost 33 percent.  The fact is, today’s more efficient production methods mean more meat and poultry are produced with a smaller environmental impact. 9

Fact vs. Fiction - Perceptions and Practices  Hormone Use  Myth: Hormone use in meat production is harmful to people and the environment.  Fact: Hormone use in some livestock production is regulated and monitored carefully and has been proven safe for people and reduces environmental impact. 10

Fact vs. Fiction - Perceptions and Practices  Hormone Use  Five hormones are approved for use in some beef production. Hormones are not used in veal, pig or poultry production.  Hormone use in cattle production has been found to be safe by scientists all over the world including the World Health Organization/Food and Agriculture Organization (WHO/FAO).  Hormone use in beef production means more beef can be produced from fewer cattle and less land. In fact, hormone use reduces the land required to produce a pound of beef by 67 percent.  Using fewer cattle to produce more beef reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent and allows producers to provide more beef using less grain at a lower cost. 11

Fact vs. Fiction - Perceptions and Practices  Antibiotic Use  Myth: Antibiotics in livestock production is bad for human health and causes antibiotic resistance.  Fact: USDA veterinarians in meat plants run tests to ensure that there are no illegal residues in meat products. This program has shown that the industry has a strong record of compliance. proven safe for people and reduces environmental impact. 12

Fact vs. Fiction - Perceptions and Practices  Antibiotic Use  Research points to the overuse and improper use of antibiotics in humans as the leading cause of human antibiotic resistance.  For more than 40 years, antibiotics approved by FDA have been used to treat sick animals, prevent illness and maintain livestock health.  Livestock and poultry producers treat their animals with antibiotics under the supervision of veterinarians. They also must follow careful withdrawal periods that ensure that antibiotics do not remain in their system when they are processed for food. 13

Fact vs. Fiction - Perceptions and Practices  Organic vs. Conventional Production  Myth: Organic food is safer and more nutritious.  Fact: Organic farming produces safe and wholesome foods and they are equal in safety and nutrition to conventional foods. However, experts also agree that organic farming is less productive and lacks the potential to feed our growing global population. 14

Fact vs. Fiction - Perceptions and Practices  Organic vs. Conventional Production  If consumers prefer organic food for personal reasons, they can take advantage of the abundant marketplace.World population is approaching 7 billion people.  “Even if you could use all the organic material you have – the animal manures, the human waste, and the plant residues – and get them back on the soil, you couldn’t feed more than four billion people.” - Norman Ernest Borlaug (the American plant geneticist who won a Nobel Peace Prize) 15

Alternative Livestock  alternative livestock can include goats, llamas and alpacas, rabbits, game birds, ostriches, bison, elk, deer, bees, and even earthworms  sometimes called exotic or non-conventional  some breeds of traditional livestock that are rare or “heritage” would fall into this category too 16

Alternative Livestock  gaining in popularity because they often require fewer land and equipment resources and many people begin by raising them as a hobby  the increasing trend for local farmers markets and more demand for locally-grown food has created a niche market for small specialty producers  disadvantages include the need for specialized equipment and care and fewer resources for feed and veterinary care but the internet is closing that information and availability gap 17

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