Factory Farming
Survey of Retail Milk Composition as Affected by Label Claims Regarding Farm-Management Practices
Submitted on Jul 21, 2008 Diet and Nutrition | Farmed Animals
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A trend in food labeling is to make claims related to
agricultural management, and this is occurring with
dairy labels. A survey study was conducted to compare
retail milk for quality (antibiotics and bacterial counts),
nutritional value (fat, protein, and solids-not-fat), and
hormonal composition (somatotropin, insulin-like growth
factor-1 [IGF-1], estradiol, and progesterone) as affected
by three label claims related to dairy-cow management:
conventional, recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST)-
free (processor-certified not from cows supplemented with
rbST), or organic (follows US Department of Agriculture
organic practices). [Excerpted from article]
Gas Stunning Reduces Rejects in Spent Hen Processing
Submitted on Jul 14, 2008 Farmed Animals
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According to research conducted by the University of Georgia, the use of controlled atmosphere stunning for so-called spent hens (those no longer laying enough eggs to be considered profitable) will decrease the number of rejects and improve hen welfare.
Antibiotic-Free Pigs Carry More Bacteria
Submitted on Jul 12, 2008 Farmed Animals
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An Ohio State University study of pigs raised in antibiotic-free and conventional settings revealed that pigs raised outdoors without antibiotics had higher rates of three foodborne pathogens compared with pigs raised on conventional farms, which remain indoors and receive preventive doses of antimicrobial drugs.
OIE Adopts Rules for Animal Welfare
Submitted on Jul 11, 2008 Farmed Animals | General Animal Protection
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The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) adopted a definition of animal welfare at its meeting in Paris, France, stating that "animal welfare means how an animal is coping with the conditions in which it lives."
Live Hog Handling and its Effect on Product Quality
Submitted on Jul 10, 2008 Farmed Animals
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Research studies have shown that stress exhibited by pigs prior to being slaughtered can have a significant impact on the end product quality ("without even considering humane or ethical aspects of animal handling"). Major stress factors include poor handling, transport, and housing.
From Label to Liable: Scams, Scandals and Secrecy; Lifting the Veil on Animal-Derived Food Product Labelling in Australia
Submitted on Jul 08, 2008 Diet and Nutrition | Farmed Animals | Vegetarianism and Veganism
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From Label to Liable is the second in-depth report from Voiceless, an Australian animal protection organisation. The report has been endorsed by leading animal protection organisations, Animals Australia, Compassion in World Farming and the World Society for Protection of Animals, and is intended to lift the veil on animal-derived food product labelling. It reveals that millions of animals across Australia today are raised in factory farms, in cages of steel and cement, to satisfy the demands of consumers who are mostly unaware of the pain and suffering behind their food choices. [Summary provided by author]
The Animal Tracker (Wave 1 - June 2008)
Submitted on Jul 07, 2008 Animal Experimentation | Companion Animals | Diet and Nutrition | Entertainment Animals | Farmed Animals | General Animal Protection | Research Tools and Methods | Vegetarianism and Veganism | Wildlife and Exotics
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This report summarizes results from Wave 1 of the Humane Research Council's "Animal Tracker" survey of U.S. adults regarding their attitudes and behavior toward animals. This inaugural survey of 16 core questions shows strong support for the protection of all animals. The strength of that support varies by situation and species, however, and actual behavior does not always reflect the favorable attitudes identified.
From Paddocks to Prisons: Pigs in New South Wales, Australia; Current Practices, Future Directions
Submitted on Jul 04, 2008 Farmed Animals
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From Paddocks to Prisons is the first major report published by Voiceless, an Australian animal protection organisation. The report has been endorsed by leading animal protection groups: Animals Australia, Compassion in World Farming, Humane Society International, and World Society for Protection of Animals. The report is intended to encourage consumers to reject factory farmed pigmeat and politicians to introduce new laws to reduce the suffering of pigs.
Fatty Acid & Fat-Soluble Antioxidant Concentrations in Milk from High and Low Input Conventional & Organic Systems
Submitted on Jul 02, 2008 Farmed Animals
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This research shows that that organic farmers who let their cows graze as nature intended are producing higher quality milk. This Newcastle University study of milk quality is an effort towards minimizing the use of antibiotics in dairy production.
Why Population Growth is Animal Enemy #1
Submitted by Che on Jun 23, 2008 Advocacy Strategies | Diet and Nutrition | Farmed Animals | General Animal Protection | Vegetarianism and VeganismThe so-called "developing" world is growing quickly and in most cases adopting Western lifestyles and diets as they do so. Feeding a global population of more than 9.3 billion (by 2050) will therefore mean the consumption of billions more animals. With references to Thomas Malthus and a recent study by David and Marcia Pimentel, we take a closer look at this population problem.