Spotlight on Factory Farming

Often, when there is a discussion of animal agriculture, the term factory far will come up but what does “Factory Farm” really mean? Activist groups opposed to animal agriculture introduced the term “factory farm” in an attempt to create the public misperception that animal agriculture is not as good as it was in the past. This inaccurate phrase is used to create the false image of today’s typical farmer as an uncaring corporation and indifferent to animal well-being. We know nothing could be further from the truth. On both large and small farms, Kansas farmers have a singular mission: produce safe, nutritious food in a responsible manner.

Across all sectors of agriculture in Kansas and the United States, the number of farms has decreased while the size of the typical farm has increased. Technology and market demand are driving this shift. Larger economies of scale make technological advancements more affordable and feasible. Many practices common on today’s farms and ranches — from diagnosis and treatment of sick animals to minimizing spread of pathogens and diseases — help keep the food supply safe.

Regulations at the federal, state and local levels address environmental concerns associated with farming and ranching, and farm or rancher operations are legally obligated to comply with applicable laws. Farmers/ranchers and our employees live very close to the farm, so we are naturally concerned with maintaining good air, soil and water quality, too. As with food safety, larger economies of scale make technological systems for addressing environmental issues more affordable and feasible.