“Calories are calories…protein is protein,” as stated by Michael Pollen in his book, The Omnivores Dilemma, when discussing the industrial logic many factory farms associate with feeding cattle corn and rendered cow parts (Pollen, 2006, p.75). This is true at a molecular level; however, there are unwanted substances in corn fed beef. For example, there is an increased amount of saturated fat. “A growing body of research suggests that many of the health problems associated with eating beef are really problems with corn-fed beef” (Pollen p. 75). Adding in additional substances to the cows corn diet, such as remnant cow parts, has led to e-coli out breaks in humans and continued to spread mad cow disease.
Exploring new ways of shopping can be scary because it is breaking away from old habits and subjecting one’s self to change. Instead of buying meat from the local stores, when the meat comes from plants that feed the live stock corn, research the local area for small farmers who sell whole chickens, pigs, cows, goats and so on. When reaching out to these farmers do not be shy and directly ask, “Are you feeding your live stock industrial corn feed?” This might take a few times but eventually one famer will respond with, “No, I feed my live stock their natural food sources such as Alfa, for the cows.” This is a good sign that when buying from this famer an element of hidden corn will be eliminated from the diet. Every state has gun laws and hunting laws. Find out what these laws are and take action by hunting wild game and using the meat of animals who only serve off the land and surroundings, such wild game like, deer, elk, fish, duck, turkey and geese.
We are given a general idea about the history of the meat and produce mass production, by the two authors interviewed throughout the film. Corn growers, who are contracted with Tyson, are also interviewed for the shockumentary. The main purpose of these corn growers are to grow an excessive about of corn to keep it under market price so they feed the animals without breaking the bank so to speak. The film also explains to the viewers that naturally these animals would not consume corn in their everyday diet, however they are feed this product because it is cheap and hormones can be easily added to it allowing for the animal to grow at a faster rate and there for faster production. Sadly because corn is not in the normal diet for these animals it can and it is harmful not only to the environment but also on human health.
Chemicals in Foods—HFCS With the development of processing technology of food, food additives are commonly used in today's food products to either improve the taste or lower the difficulty of preservation. Though the purpose of using food additives all sound beneficial for customers, the effects of food additives have been among the controversial topics for many years in modern society. Actually, the effects of food additives are related to many aspects including quantity, the food itself, and how people eat it. This essay is going to explain High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS)'s effects on human bodies, and how they can be positive or negative. HFCS basically comes from glucose in genetically modified corns after a series of processes,
As for the growing end of the spectrum, Pollan then goes on to say that “It (corn) had to adapt itself not just to humans but to their machines” (30). Farmers eventually found inventive ways to mass produce this crop. Planting the crops in such a close proximity created not just more space, but also caused the plants to grow upward. This meant that it was easier for machines to come in and extract the corn, so this ushered in the use of fossil fuel. These machines were created not just to cultivate the land, but to also apply large quantities of chemicals to the crops to prevent insect infestations.
Are We Playing Genetic Roulette? Essay by Elisha Sherman, age 18 2012 Since the introduction of commercially grown genetically modi!ed (GM) foods in the 1990’s, there has been much debate about whether or not GM products are safe for the environment or the health of humans and animals. Some question whether or not the use of this technology destroys heirloom seeds, contributes to honeybee colony collapse and if its course can be stopped and reversed if it is determined to be harmful. In this essay I have attempted to take look at both perspectives and reach a personal conclusion. Advocates for GM seeds and products claim it is a way to raise healthy crops with little risk to the farmer.
RFD uses the best local ingredients available for their strict feeding regimen while abiding by all generally accepted sustainable and humane procedures. No growth hormones or antibiotics are used, which leads to a bacterial resistance of human medicine and no animal by-products are used when feeding the cattle (RFD.com). RFD’s products are produced under a stringent set of rules that results in products surpassing other brands in quality, and Callicrate proudly asserts, “Our beef is carefully monitored all the way from the farm gate to the
The use of fertilizers has become a big phenomenon throughout the world. This affects the fertility of the soil and quality of the crop. Cultivating corps like corn is a huge part of farming and our daily lives. “I believe that losing the ability and desire to grow corn sustainedly threatens our cultural identity and political and economic survival.”(Mt.Pleasant- Page 130) The audience that the author is trying to address is people who are interested in educating young Native Americans of the historical background; authors of the field of Native American studies, people interested in agronomists, educated farmers or farmers children. People who are more aware of this subject matter are the ones who would be interested to read this article.
If we primarily produce vegetables and grains, this will drive down prices, making the food cheaper and more attainable to the nations poor and the planet would be about to support the population. Environmentally, the livestock industry produces 18% if the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. In total this is more than the total of the world’s transportation system. This includes all cars, trains, and planes
Thirty percent of land bases are growing corn. Because of this excess supply of corn, many modifications have been made to it so that it can be used as an ingredient in almost every food. Corn creates products such as high fructose corn syrup. This creates foods that are harmful and unhealthy to the body. A great alternative to these products is organic or farm grown foods.