Beyond Factory Farming Coalition

Sustainable livestock production

Ecologically sound, economically viable and socially just alternatives to factory farming

Sustainable, non-factory farmed livestock farmers often use rare breeds which provide for biodiversity as well as culinary variety. Rare breed turkey: Royal Palm. Photo courtesy of Jim Ferguson

• Certified organic meat raised according to strict third-party inspected standards.
• "Natural" livestock raised without using growth hormones or prophylactic antibiotics.
• Livestock raised on pastures - not in feedlots - such as grass fed beef and bison, and pastured pork and poultry.
• Humane labelling programs such as those in Manitoba and British Columbia that certify animals are humanely raised.
• Family farmers selling at the farm gate. Animals are slaughtered and butchered locally and farmers and customers make their own arrangements for buying and selling. Some larger retailers supply locally produced non-factory farmed meat.

Sustainable livestock links

Sustainable livestock production systems, and arguments in their favour:

• Real food for a change: how the simple act of eating can boost your health and energy, knock out stress, revive your community, and clean up the planet by Wayne Roberts, Rod MacRae and Lori Stahlbrand
• Land to Mouth, by Brewster Kneen
• National Farmers Union Policy on Sustainable Agriculture
• A Strategy for the Conservation of Wild Pacific Salmon by the Sierra Club of Canada

Sustainable hog production:

• As Industry Consolidates, New Opportunities for Family Farmer Niche Markets Open Up
• Swedish-Style Hog Production in Minnesota
• Adding Value for the Small Producers via Natural Production Methods and Direct Marketing
• Better Bacon: Sustainable pork producers challenge the meat factories
• Organic Livestock - Dairy, Meat and Poultry Production

Organizations that can help you participate in creating a sustainable livestock system

• Canadian Organic Livestock Association
• Canadian Organic Growers (check the chapter nearest you)
• Canadian Coalition for Farm Animals Directory of grocers

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