Vast factory farms a step closer after ministers order research into ‘sustainable ...

[ktlight]

... into ‘sustainable intensification’ of the livestock industry

FYI:


A new generation of vast pig and dairy factory farms look set be built.

Ministers have ordered a research project on how to pursue what they call ‘sustainable intensification’ of the livestock industry.

In practice this will mean the building of mega dairy farms, or units, populated by as many as 8,000 cows that are milked around the clock and spend most of their lives inside.

A new generation of vast pig and dairy factory farms look set be built.

Ministers have ordered a research project on how to pursue what they call ‘sustainable intensification’ of the livestock industry.

In practice this will mean the building of mega dairy farms, or units, populated by as many as 8,000 cows that are milked around the clock and spend most of their lives inside.

‘We have a Government that committed itself to promoting “high standards of farm animal welfare” now encouraging a growth of factory farming,’ he added.

Details of the approach emerged in a tender document calling for organisations to bid to carry out research on how large factory farms should operate. The document states:

‘Government policy supports “sustainable intensification” of the livestock industry.

Evidence is needed to assess the potential of mega scale units to meet the challenge of improving productivity and efficiency, while minimising environmental impacts and maintaining animal health and welfare.’

Separately, the Government is changing planning rules that will make it easier for farm businesses to get permission for the vast complexes.

The idea that factory farms can operate in a way that is sustainable and protects animal welfare is rejected by critics.

Mr Stevenson said: ‘Cows are zero-grazed, never or rarely being allowed out to graze on grass.

Pigs kept in mega units are generally packed into barren pens, never enjoying fresh air or daylight and unable to perform their natural behaviours.’

A spokesman for Defra said the study would ‘investigate the pros and cons of sustainable intensive farming’.

source
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1388176/Factory-farms-Ministers-order-research-sustainable-intensification-livestock.html

[Carmen]

That is sick!! This is Britain? Large scale dairy farms are failures!! They are detrimental to livestock, stock workers, environment. And more importantly, they are not profitable. My husband is a dairy farmer, he started small, went to large and has now decided that small is better. Small meaning three hundred cows (New Zealand), all grassfed, not housed. One couple,(owners) and possibly one worker can manage this size easily. Its better for stock, people and environment

What really seemed to change his mind was a dairy tour of America and his observation of large scale indoor dairy systems. The cows were huge, could barely walk (They didnt have to because they went no where!) They were considered old at three because they could not breed after age three. They were pumped full of drugs, and God knows what quality of milk they produced.

My husband also only milks his herd once a day. Cows are happy, no problems breeding, good production, no stressed workers, good profit margin. Everybody happy. Small is best.

[ktlight]

That is sick!! This is Britain? Large scale dairy farms are failures!! They are detrimental to livestock, stock workers, environment. And more importantly, they are not profitable. My husband is a dairy farmer, he started small, went to large and has now decided that small is better. Small meaning three hundred cows (New Zealand), all grassfed, not housed. One couple,(owners) and possibly one worker can manage this size easily. Its better for stock, people and environment

What really seemed to change his mind was a dairy tour of America and his observation of large scale indoor dairy systems. The cows were huge, could barely walk (They didnt have to because they went no where!) They were considered old at three because they could not breed after age three. They were pumped full of drugs, and God knows what quality of milk they produced.

My husband also only milks his herd once a day. Cows are happy, no problems breeding, good production, no stressed workers, good profit margin. Everybody happy. Small is best.

Grazing grass and not caged up is definitely better.

[Carmen]

Cows are such characters, and have definitely personalities. On the old Avalon I wrote about my house cow Carmen, and her idiosyncracies. She was quite a character and a wonderful pet, as well as supplying us with milk. If she had been human she would have been an overweight housewife,lovely mother, very opinionated, great cook, and someone not to be messed with.