Although factory farming is cheaper for farmers and consumers, it has a negative effect on the environment and human health.
A factory farm is a large scale industrial operation that houses thousands of animals raised from food. Factory farms are preferred by farmers because they produce more products at a cheaper price for both the farmer and the consumer. They are also very efficient and can provide jobs for people. However, factory farms spread disease, pollution, and harm animals.
"Over 99% of farm animals in the U.S. are raised in factory farms, which focus on profit, and efficiency at the expense of the animals' welfare" ("What is a Factory Farm"). The animals on these farms are so crowded together they can't lie down comfortably. They are even fed drugs to make them grow faster so that the farmers make more profit. They don't get any exercise and some don't even have access to the outdoors.
In addition to harming the animals, factory farms also cause pollution. Farm animals, like pigs, cows, and chickens, produce a lot of manure, which is usually mixed with water and sprayed into a manure lagoon to use as fertilizer. Sometimes these lagoons have leaks or spills. "One study conducted by North Carolina State University in 1995 estimated that as many as 55% of the manure lagoons on hog farms in that state were leaking" ("Stop Factory Farms"). The waste runoff can then pollute nearby lakes or rivers.
In addition to harming the animals, factory farms also cause pollution. Farm animals, like pigs, cows, and chickens, produce a lot of manure, which is usually mixed with water and sprayed into a manure lagoon to use as fertilizer. Sometimes these lagoons have leaks or spills. "One study conducted by North Carolina State University in 1995 estimated that as many as 55% of the manure lagoons on hog farms in that state were leaking" ("Stop Factory Farms"). The waste runoff can then pollute nearby lakes or rivers.
Another negative effect that factory farms has is on humans. With all the animals in a close space, it is easier for disease to spread. These diseases are then passed on to humans that eat the food. People are getting diseases like salmonella, and E coli. Also, the animals on these farms are being fed antibiotics. About 80% of antibiotics are put into animal feed to speed livestock growth.The bacteria can then grow resistant to the antibiotics, so when humans get sick, they can't get better by taking the antibiotics.
This topic is connected to AP Human Geography because it is explained in chapter 10, agriculture. I chose this topic because I wanted to learn more about why factory farms were preferred by farmers even though they were harmful to animals. I also wanted to know how they affected not only the animals, but the health of humans as well. The thing that I found most interesting were all of the causes of pollution. I have learned a lot more about this topic, and about chapter 10 in agriculture.
Sources Cited:
"How Factory Farms Impact You." Factory Farm Map. Food & Water Watch, n.d. Web. 23 May 2014.
http://www.factoryfarmmap.org/problems/
"Stop Factory Farms." Stop Factory Farms. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 May 2014. http://www.stopfactoryfarms.org/environmental-effects-of-factory-farming/
"What Is a Factory Farm?" ASPCA. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 May 2014.
http://www.aspca.org/fight-cruelty/farm-animal-cruelty/what-factory-farm
Images:
http://act.foodandwaterwatch.org/images/content/pagebuilder/80percentABs.jpg
http://media.treehugger.com/assets/images/2011/10/factory-farm-water.jpg
http://sumsc.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/20090507-factory-farm-chickens.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yGBc0zx015c/Ts64VfJ4GCI/AAAAAAAABT0/dXhqJjn2tsE/s1600/wazteFactory_Farm_Map.png
"How Factory Farms Impact You." Factory Farm Map. Food & Water Watch, n.d. Web. 23 May 2014.
http://www.factoryfarmmap.org/problems/
"Stop Factory Farms." Stop Factory Farms. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 May 2014. http://www.stopfactoryfarms.org/environmental-effects-of-factory-farming/
"What Is a Factory Farm?" ASPCA. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 May 2014.
http://www.aspca.org/fight-cruelty/farm-animal-cruelty/what-factory-farm
Images:
http://act.foodandwaterwatch.org/images/content/pagebuilder/80percentABs.jpg
http://media.treehugger.com/assets/images/2011/10/factory-farm-water.jpg
http://sumsc.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/20090507-factory-farm-chickens.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yGBc0zx015c/Ts64VfJ4GCI/AAAAAAAABT0/dXhqJjn2tsE/s1600/wazteFactory_Farm_Map.png