I hate to see animal cruelty of any kind. But without these industrial animal/meat production farms, we the public, will not be able to afford to purchase meat, eggs or dairy. There is not enough land to support these production animals in a "cage free" manner and as you have seen, Ann, in the valley of the sun, the land has been gobbled up by housing develepments. Of course, I would sell my land too if I was getting over 100,000 per acre. This valley used to be the alfalfa producing capital of the world. Now, within a short 15 years, you really have to look hard to find an alfalfa field. This valley used to come in a close second to California in crop production(broccoli, lettuce, corn,cotton,citrus etc) and now look at it. Almost all of the dairies are gone and have had to move further out of the area to keep in business. They now have to truck in hay from further distances which costs an arm and a leg now. Yes, pasture fed cattle, chickens, pork for meat and dairy is a nice, peaceful picture but is not cost effective for the farmer or the consumer. The end result is still the same for the animals involved. I am not advocating cruelty and I think that some changes can be made, but the public, in this economy, will not pay exorbant prices for meat. |