Factory Farming – Does It Have A Future?

When you mention factory farming to people, many immediately envision endless corridors of cattle, packed together or smaller animals jammed into cages with little to no freedom. Even though more people are paying attention to what they are consuming; purchasing organic and free-range goods, the inevitable lower price for factory-farmed produce is still a more important appeal for many people.

To combat factory farms, organisations are turning to food technology companies to assist in the development of lab grown meat. Producing sustainable, healthier food in the 21st century is stepping further away from the idea of ‘genetically modified’ goods and further towards creating food people find delicious.

There are a number of food technology companies working to revolutionise the way we consume our food in an effort to end factory farming once and for all. For any of these concepts to be truly successful, they will need to be produced in the capacity so that they are just as affordable, if not more so, than their factory-farmed counterparts.

Whilst the cost of factory-farmed goods might be less by the time it has reached the shelves, it is important to note that the cost of factory farming itself continues to rise. Smaller farmers are being relegated from the industry as they simply cannot afford to produce as much as the larger companies can, for the low cost prices they do.

Over the years, the number of people involved in the farming process has dropped, despite the need for food increasing. This is largely due to the automated processes now taking over the agricultural world, and the cost of equipment. As a small farmer this is a concern especially if you ask where can I find tractors for sale near me. With factory farms being one of the biggest contributors to pollution in terms of global emissions, it can make you wonder how they are still so popular.

One solution to the issue of factory farming and dealing with large numbers of livestock enmass, would be better utilisation of the land farmers own. One company that is blazing the trail for this type of development is Smart Shelters. Investing in affordable infrastructure for the animals to have more space and a better life, would allow livestock to not be as densely packed in on factory farms. Smart Shelters industrial farm buildings would achieve this whilst still maintaining the large capacity of animals in one area.

It would be safe to say that there is definitely a need for factory farming in the future, but the way it is done must be developed into a sustainable practice that is not as cruel on the animals, as the culture in place today. There also needs to be an adjustment in the public perception of what consuming ‘organic’ produce actually means, and the stigma attached to it.

When meat is produced in a lab, be it from plant or animal-based cells, no livestock are physically abused or treated poorly. Ultimately, is the way meat is produced in current factory farms, really any more absurd than eating something grown in a lab?