In this chapter, the author introduces us the major meat-production, especially beef-production, industry in the US. To better understand the industry, the author purchases a black steer from a feedlot in Kansas and follows the process the steer is bred.
The author argues that whereas cattle are traditionally raised on ranches feeding on grass, the system of the industry has dramatically changed since the end of WWII. Nowadays in the United States, cattle are mostly raised by CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation). This means that cattle are densely reared in confined places like the feedlot, and they are fed mostly on type 2 corns. The author says this makes economic sense since concentrated cattle raising lowers the expense while the price of type 2 corn is extremely low in the US. Since this kind of cattle raising also helps to consume the extreme surplus of corn, it is also supported by USDA policy.
Despite the seeming benefits, the author points out that there are many issues underlying this type of cattle raising system. First, it brings about environmental issues: whereas the cattle consume grass from the nature and produce manure as natural fertilizer back to the grass before, the cattle reared in the feedlot produce manure as toxic wastes, while the corn production rely heavily on chemical fertilizer which contaminates the water. Second, it brings about health-related issues to both the cattle and human being: just as feeding rendered cow parts back to cows caused the mad cow disease, feeding the grass-eating cattle with completely corns mixed with other man-made nutrients also threatens the health of the cattle. Bloat and acidosis are two noticeable diseases among the corn-fed cattle, and actually a vast majority of the cattle in the feedlot are sick to some extent. Consumers of these cattle meat, human beings are the ultimate sufferer of the modern meat-production industry. E. coli is all but one example of the bacteria contained in the meat of corn-fed cattle that is lethal to human beings. In this perspective, the author argues that even though the labeled price of the corn-fed cattle meat is low, the real price, taking all the harms above into account, is actually very high.
Some questions to consider:
1. Since the grass-fed cattle meat is healthier to people than the corn-fed cattle meat, is it possible to advertise such fact in the public so that more people are willing to buy the grass-fed cattle meat at a higher price? (Readers of this book: will you buy grass-fed cattle meat at a higher price given the fact that corn-fed cattle meat is so unhealthy?)
2. The author mentions in the book that in Argentina , cattle are still reared on the ranches feeding on grass. How do Argentinians do it? Are they on the way to change their system or is it possible for Americans to follow the example of their system?
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