American system

Intensive animal farming, often called factory farming, is a system designed to maximize livestock output while minimizing space and resources. This method is prevalent in the United States and the United Kingdom, and increasingly adopted globally.1

Key Characteristics:

• Scale: Operations house large numbers of a single species in confined spaces like warehouses or feedlots.1
• Specialization: Farms often focus on one stage of production, such as breeding or finishing animals for slaughter.1
• Automation: Mechanized systems for feeding and watering are common, with remote monitoring via computers.1
• Diet: Animals are fed prepared rations and do not typically graze or forage.1

This system aims for cost-effectiveness, leading to lower prices for consumers and an uninterrupted supply of animal products. However, it also raises concerns regarding antibiotic resistance, animal welfare, and environmental impacts.1