Intensive animal farming

– **History**:
– Intensive animal farming is a recent development in agriculture, leveraging scientific discoveries and technology to boost production.
– Innovations from the late 19th century align with mass production advancements during the Industrial Revolution.
– Discoveries of vitamins and antibiotics in the early 20th century revolutionized animal nutrition and disease control.
– Chemicals from World War II led to the creation of synthetic pesticides.
– Agricultural production worldwide quadrupled between 1820 and 1975 to feed a growing global population.

– **Types**:
– Intensive farms house large numbers of animals like cows, pigs, and chickens indoors at high densities for cost-effective meat, egg, or milk production.
– Various methods such as disinfectants, vaccines, and breeding programs are employed to maintain health and enhance production.
– Developed nations heavily rely on intensive production of livestock and poultry.
– Industrial production accounts for a significant percentage of global meat and egg production.
– In the US, a large proportion of pigs are raised in industrial settings.

– **Chickens**:
– Vitamin D discovery in the 20th century transformed poultry production by enabling year-round confinement.
– Scientific breeding and technological advancements significantly increased egg production and quality.
– Poultry production saw a shift towards large-scale operations and integration of the industry.
– Genetic selection and nutritional improvements have drastically reduced the time required for chickens to reach market weight.
– Environmental controls and practices like forced molting are common in modern egg production.

– **Pigs**:
– Intensive pig farming involves raising large numbers of pigs indoors for efficient meat production.
– Methods like antimicrobial agents, hormones, and breeding programs are utilized to enhance production.
– The US slaughters a significant percentage of its pigs from industrial settings.
– Industrial production contributes substantially to global pork production.
– Intensive pig farming has become a prevalent practice in many countries worldwide.

– **Cows**:
– Intensive cattle farming focuses on maximizing meat and dairy production through high-density farming methods.
– Various tools like vaccines, supplements, and climate-controlled facilities are used to ensure health and productivity.
– Industrial production plays a significant role in global beef and veal production.
– The US and other industrialized nations have adopted factory farming for beef and dairy cattle.
– Intensive cattle farming has become a global phenomenon, gradually replacing traditional stock rearing practices.