Meat Production Methods (College Board AP® Environmental Science) : Study Guide

Alistair Marjot

Written by: Alistair Marjot

Reviewed by: Jacque Cartwright

Updated on

Meat production

  • Meat production involves raising animals for food

  • Meat production uses different farming techniques that impact:

    • efficiency

    • cost

    • environmental effects

  • The two primary methods of meat production are:

    • concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs)

    • free-range grazing

Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs)

  • Also known as feedlots

  • These are intensive livestock farming systems where animals are confined in small spaces and rapidly fattened for slaughter

  • Animals are typically fed grains and processed feeds rather than natural diets like grass

  • CAFOs are designed to maximize meat production in a short period

Free-range grazing

  • In free-range systems, animals roam freely and graze on natural vegetation

  • This method mimics natural feeding behaviors, leading to less reliance on processed feeds

  • Free-range meat production is often seen as more ethical and environmentally friendly

Efficiency of meat production

Meat vs. plant-based food production

  • Meat production is significantly less efficient than plant-based agriculture

  • Producing meat requires more land, water, and energy compared to growing crops for direct human consumption

  • It takes approximately 20 times more land to produce the same number of calories from meat as from plants

Reasons for lower efficiency of meat production

Land use

  • Livestock require grazing land or feed crops, which could otherwise be used for direct food production

Energy and resource consumption

  • Feeding livestock is inefficient: Calories are lost as energy moves up the food chain

    • Only about 10% of energy is transferred between trophic levels, with the rest lost through heat and metabolism

    • Livestock use energy for movement, digestion, and bodily functions, reducing the amount of energy available for human consumption

  • Water-intensive: Raising animals requires significantly more water for drinking and irrigating animal feed crops

  • Fossil fuel use: Transporting, feeding, and processing livestock contributes to higher carbon emissions

Comparison of meat-based and plant-based diets showing trophic levels. Meat-based diet includes livestock. Plant-based diet shows more efficient energy use.
Efficiency of meat-based vs plant-based terrestrial food production systems

Concentrated animal feeding operations

  • CAFOs are commonly used for cattle, pigs, and poultry

Advantages of CAFOs

Cost efficiency

  • Lower production costs: CAFOs allow for mass production of meat at a lower cost per animal

  • Affordable meat prices: Reduced costs are passed on to consumers, making meat more accessible

  • Efficient land use: CAFOs require less land per animal compared to free-range grazing

Increased productivity

  • Faster growth rates: Livestock are fed high-calorie, grain-based diets to promote rapid weight gain

  • Year-round production: Unlike free-range grazing, CAFOs allow for continuous meat production regardless of season or climate

Disadvantages of CAFOs

Animal welfare concerns

  • High stocking densities: Animals are often housed in crowded conditions, leading to stress and disease

  • Limited natural behaviors: Confinement restricts animals from engaging in their normal activities, such as grazing or foraging

  • Increased antibiotic use: Due to high disease risk, animals are frequently given antibiotics, contributing to antibiotic resistance

Environmental impacts

  • Large-scale waste production: CAFOs generate massive amounts of manure, which can lead to:

    • Water pollution: Runoff from waste storage lagoons contaminates groundwater and local water sources

    • Air pollution: Methane and ammonia emissions contribute to climate change and poor air quality

  • High water and grain consumption: Raising livestock in CAFOs requires large amounts of feed and water, increasing agricultural resource demands

Free-range grazing

Advantages of free range grazing

Better animal welfare

  • Animals can express natural behaviors, such as grazing and roaming

  • Reduces stress, overcrowding, and disease outbreaks compared to CAFOs

  • Animals are less likely to require antibiotics since they are not kept in confined, high-density conditions

Environmental benefits

  • Organic waste acts as a natural fertilizer, improving soil quality

  • Less reliance on grain-based feed, reducing agricultural demand for crops like corn and soy

  • Can help maintain biodiversity and healthy grassland ecosystems when managed properly

Healthier meat production

  • Meat from free range animals tends to be free from growth hormones and antibiotics

  • Some studies suggest free-range meat contains higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids compared to feedlot meat

Disadvantages of free-range grazing

Higher land requirements

  • Requires large areas of land, which may not be available in all regions

  • Overgrazing can degrade soil and lead to desertification if not managed properly

Higher production costs

  • More expensive to maintain, leading to higher consumer prices for free-range meat

  • Less efficient than CAFOs in terms of meat production per acre

Potential environmental concerns

  • Overgrazing can lead to loss of vegetation, soil compaction, and erosion

  • In some cases, livestock can damage natural habitats if stocking rates are too high

Examiner Tips and Tricks

In your exam, be ready to compare free range grazing with CAFOs, focusing on factors like efficiency, cost, environmental impact, and animal welfare.

Consider trade-offs: Free-range grazing may improve animal welfare and reduce antibiotic use, but it also requires more land and has higher costs, meaning that many consumers may not be able to afford meat produced via this method.

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Alistair Marjot

Author: Alistair Marjot

Expertise: Biology & Environmental Systems and Societies Content Creator

Alistair graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Biological Sciences. He has taught GCSE/IGCSE Biology, as well as Biology and Environmental Systems & Societies for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. While teaching in Oxford, Alistair completed his MA Education as Head of Department for Environmental Systems & Societies. Alistair has continued to pursue his interests in ecology and environmental science, recently gaining an MSc in Wildlife Biology & Conservation with Edinburgh Napier University.

Jacque Cartwright

Reviewer: Jacque Cartwright

Expertise: Geography Content Creator

Jacque graduated from the Open University with a BSc in Environmental Science and Geography before doing her PGCE with the University of St David’s, Swansea. Teaching is her passion and has taught across a wide range of specifications – GCSE/IGCSE and IB but particularly loves teaching the A-level Geography. For the past 5 years Jacque has been teaching online for international schools, and she knows what is needed to get the top scores on those pesky geography exams.

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