Livestock producers and farmers often get lumped together in terms such as, big ag, industrial farms and factory farming. These are not negative terms. In fact, industrial farms are good for the environment. Jayson Lusk, Oklahoma State University agricultural economics professor explains why in this well-researched op-ed.
Source: New York Times Sunday Review, September 25, 2016 (paywall, limited free views).
Today, that technology is a regular part of operations at large farms. Farmers watch the evolution of crop prices and track thunderstorms on their smartphones. They use livestock waste to create electricity. Drones monitor crop yields, insect infestations and the location and health of cattle. Innovators are moving high-value crops indoors to better control water use and pests.
INSIGHTS: This is one of the better summations available of how efficient and environmentally friendly modern livestock and crop product truly is. Note that Lusk shows we would need 15.3 million more beef cows and 30 million more dairy cows to meet the farm output of 2015 if we were using 1950s methods and technology. This piece gives those working with livestock producers proof with which you can affirm their good work. It also helps assure those working with companion animals or who may unfamiliar with modern food production that farmers, ranchers and yes, animal health pros, are doing so as responsibly as possible.
Note: This op-ed appears in print on page SR4 of the New York edition of The New York Times under the headline: Industrial Farms Have Gone Green. Lusk is also the author of the book, “Unnaturally Delicious: How Science and Technology are Serving Up Superfoods to Save the World.”