Chapter 1. The Cost of Corn-Fed Beef
Introduction
In this activity you will watch a short video on beef production (3:29) produced by the Wall Street Journal digital network. In this report, journalist Matt Rivera visits two ranches in eastern Pennsylvania to learn more about their distinct approaches to raising beef cattle.
In the questions that follow, you will be asked to analyze the content and presentation of the video in relation to environmental literacy, as you learned about in Chapter 1 of your textbook. In addition, you will be asked to connect the video content to portions of Chapter 18 (pp. 321-323) and Chapter 5 (pp. 82-85), so be sure to have your textbook with you while completing this activity. If you are using the Extended version of the textbook, please instead refer to Chapters 21 and 4, respectively.
1.1 Section A: Analyzing The Video
Instructions
Watch the video and answer the following questions:
Question 1.1
The video touched on a number of benefits and drawbacks for both conventional (corn-fed) beef production and grass-fed beef production. For each of the listed benefit/drawbacks below, indicate (circle or underline) whether the statement best applies to “conventional” or “grass-fed” beef production:
| Benefit/Drawbacks | Conventional/Grass-Fed? |
|---|---|
| a. Can alter feed recipes easily to use cheaper inputs | MilrlFCr6r/HvQ+e5E3eTr0jjxJsq6RHT8PXSA/TvqJAlvoE |
| b. Requires a lot of land for grazing | MilrlFCr6r/HvQ+e5E3eTr0jjxJsq6RHT8PXSA/TvqJAlvoE |
| c. Requires petroleum fertilizer to grow feed | MilrlFCr6r/HvQ+e5E3eTr0jjxJsq6RHT8PXSA/TvqJAlvoE |
| d. Can raise more cattle on a single ranch | MilrlFCr6r/HvQ+e5E3eTr0jjxJsq6RHT8PXSA/TvqJAlvoE |
| e. Cattle fatten quickly and reach market weight faster | MilrlFCr6r/HvQ+e5E3eTr0jjxJsq6RHT8PXSA/TvqJAlvoE |
| f. Produces beef with richer vitamin content | MilrlFCr6r/HvQ+e5E3eTr0jjxJsq6RHT8PXSA/TvqJAlvoE |
| g. Produces beef with higher omega-3 fatty acid content | MilrlFCr6r/HvQ+e5E3eTr0jjxJsq6RHT8PXSA/TvqJAlvoE |
| h. Produces beef with higher saturated fat content | MilrlFCr6r/HvQ+e5E3eTr0jjxJsq6RHT8PXSA/TvqJAlvoE |
| i. Is considered a less efficient way of raising beef cattle | MilrlFCr6r/HvQ+e5E3eTr0jjxJsq6RHT8PXSA/TvqJAlvoE |
| j. Must charge consumers more to make a profit | MilrlFCr6r/HvQ+e5E3eTr0jjxJsq6RHT8PXSA/TvqJAlvoE |
| k. Cattle produce the fertilizer that helps grow their food | MilrlFCr6r/HvQ+e5E3eTr0jjxJsq6RHT8PXSA/TvqJAlvoE |
| l. Produces a more familiar taste for consumers | MilrlFCr6r/HvQ+e5E3eTr0jjxJsq6RHT8PXSA/TvqJAlvoE |
| m. The main input costs are connected to harvesting hay | MilrlFCr6r/HvQ+e5E3eTr0jjxJsq6RHT8PXSA/TvqJAlvoE |
| n. Rising fuel costs push slim profit margins to near zero | MilrlFCr6r/HvQ+e5E3eTr0jjxJsq6RHT8PXSA/TvqJAlvoE |
| o. Cattle eat things that are not part of their natural diet | xhJXgSn242MRnXYYBLNmstJBYMDKpM7pTl6PFUd8R5VXU2cO |
1.1.1 Section A: Analyzing The Video (Continued)
Based on the information presented in the video, what would you say is the main benefit and the main drawback of conventional beef production?
Question 1.2
1IZfCmRvxPByuQAW6BoXjnMI7gHhnWCB 4rxaEJZPnQzgDtEU0DdNMCVT3371+O+WBased on the information presented in the video, what would you say is the main benefit and the main drawback of grass-fed beef production?
Question 1.3
1IZfCmRvxPByuQAW6BoXjnMI7gHhnWCB 4rxaEJZPnQzgDtEU0DdNMCVT3371+O+WQuestion 1.4
SjIyMWG7laZXCelDFqMd2O53NAOxX6iBY09kibBxNqUBikIKm1AzhBozd4rzkYn4U4WqpaImHRBKJ1N+Ygaz69CdL0aQ21XFGXqjaEzueFAqbKznnp+0n9u0HUrwJ7HcXE/JqzC2nPpDMgewSpxJn3fx01+EyAQYVj1QAAZ3H2yA8sHfQjuFuA==1.1.2 Section A: Analyzing The Video (Continued)
On page 4 of your textbook you will find an explanation and a definition for the concept of the triple bottom line. Drawing on this information, re-examine the list of benefits and drawbacks provided below and for each one indicate whether the focus is on environmental, social, or economic factors. (Note: you may select more than one answer where appropriate):
Question 1.5
| Benefit/Drawbacks | Environmental | Social | Economic |
|---|---|---|---|
| a. Can alter feed recipes easily to use cheaper inputs | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= |
| b. Requires a lot of land for grazing | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= |
| c. Requires petroleum fertilizer to grow feed | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= |
| d. Can raise more cattle on a single ranch | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= |
| e. Cattle fatten quickly and reach market weight faster | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= |
| f. Produces beef with richer vitamin content | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= |
| g. Produces beef with higher omega-3 fatty acid content | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= |
| h. Produces beef with higher saturated fat content | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= |
| i. Is considered a less efficient way of raising beef cattle | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= |
| j. Must charge consumers more to make a profit | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= |
| k. Cattle produce the fertilizer that helps grow their food | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= |
| l. Produces a more familiar taste for consumers | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= |
| m. The main input costs are connected to harvesting hay | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= |
| n. Rising fuel costs push slim profit margins to near zero | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= | 01HLZqArCGkUahtK5DGSdmest9U= |
| o. Cattle eat things that are not part of their natural diet | 5kH98pvC4n020ywme8UFOt42gk0= | 5kH98pvC4n020ywme8UFOt42gk0= | 5kH98pvC4n020ywme8UFOt42gk0= |
Question 1.6
Add up your responses from Question 5 and give your final tally for each component of the triple bottom line below.
| Factors | Final Tally |
|---|---|
| Environmental Factors | jGfOy7c+hqo4oXSHbZJv5m5Y1Il10Bet4C10f1RoHe8b/tW0N6kmvNmCBMNEGYVeKcOmRg== |
| Social Factors | jGfOy7c+hqo4oXSHbZJv5m5Y1Il10Bet4C10f1RoHe8b/tW0N6kmvNmCBMNEGYVeKcOmRg== |
| Economic Factors | jGfOy7c+hqo4oXSHbZJv5m5Y1Il10Bet4C10f1RoHe8b/tW0N6kmvNmCBMNEGYVeKcOmRg== |
Question 1.7
D8FxLSbqoGABeOLLz2+8yAk4weWQfRQPH+PD5o0aUJgaZpb3rrTx8oXcT8UzUuLg5JhhB3mk2z845fL6JZs7mfh0woC+H3XWGxaldo3MTvV3D3yWlQw7TbOAQAnfkRqibG7JaN5RjQLXMUmo+BLu2fQS9Gzla7Hs5EDI+cFzpmW5fwHTOZaa6baRMklU3Vpdv9A5nxyC1j8FK1AiGIRt4H4+Xm+bMIZbOr4hd0KzERo5U6rPPaMp3t7yMw0jcEHUDaV77wkQzSKuvOVKc4Z2IXnldzCLCh2FoBLjUYqei1kFLr5IwVVj3ix5jTpg7h6h5FqQtiR3XGc=Question 1.8
RvF3ZWzpWUdDcgd9jqzWqNtQ+yZl1fXSIb2JVWuupfxPROm+JZ2XeIwlzD9KZnN05NM9I5NzFRtmM6CwU3YVuXGbGr7Tb9J5SvR3fuDz+u9XlDKNxUAlIUT8svtng1tvNe8VznNbkhJ22MQ8RBMIYS3xk4TrKq2l1.2 Section B: Taking A Second Look At Beef Production
For this part of the assignment please read Chapter 18, pages 321-323 of your textbook ("Some Industrial Agricultural Practices Have Significant Drawbacks"). (If you are using the Extended version of the textbook, please read Chapter 21, pages 366-373). After doing so, watch the video a second time and answer the following questions:
Question 1.9
PKv14J75ImsmV62aDpMmcO8BhIm+afhmoW26CBuq5l8sKa9mQIKyW2YUxC8bOamK0VcBGX0oK1xLHa2isj0TKLoR8j8VafdkBBfcUARfkjACgmSLevMpSysNP13PbwxC+yXAydDjbKfr1RSg5ycLnGpiDZG1GaUPvo2S/6TNFHTE2LsCYJvi6t+d3g3tyH5z0HQOfs2/wDvq9C0TaEIj9i5eDkoY3/G6qP8jLveS7ybTXY5A8wF36NByGXyLzcikAgbxoKqoprLJW/F4mdlJ+m/61XMaNHPT6RKO7d/t8TiaREPQF6AK0JuAEwQmqA9Jin/Da/JbsIlipTIGZ4/COT7EjVT/Nz0uVqDvUu8z+SVDSIgJvrm5zDTByuBA7werPbf9mXqTKtk7biwftzW9TOaUOl3BfkmZF252crAqiq14IiNbpRcnv+GZn0XM7cgpB82H8A==Question 1.10
According to your textbook, using CAFOs to produce beef has a number of disadvantages. Examine the list below and circle all of the disadvantages mentioned by your textbook:
| Disadvantages | |
|---|---|
| CAFOs contribute significantly to global warming | nSRXwWCMH2bgm6Ceeuj70rJnPSk= |
| The grain-intensive diets fed to CAFO cattle are bad for their health | nSRXwWCMH2bgm6Ceeuj70rJnPSk= |
| Subjecting CAFO cattle to such crowded living conditions is inhumane | nSRXwWCMH2bgm6Ceeuj70rJnPSk= |
| Health problems for CAFO cattle lead farmers to administer heavy doses of antibiotics, which can result in antibiotic resistance for both animals and humans | nSRXwWCMH2bgm6Ceeuj70rJnPSk= |
| Compared to CAFO pigs and CAFO chickens, CAFO beef cattle use considerably more feed and water to produce a pound of meat or dairy product | nSRXwWCMH2bgm6Ceeuj70rJnPSk= |
| The grains used to feed CAFO cattle could be more efficiently used to feed human populations because cattle are inefficient at turning feed into milk and beef | hAuIL6ipgxOdOeeWPw4/2WV5cCk= |
1.2.1 Section B: Taking A Second Look At Beef Production (Continued)
Based on the information presented in the video, what would you say is the main benefit and the main drawback of conventional beef production?
Question 1.11
/VHTTePrKbsiiyZub+BSoKHi3EQRWTVWWs1VN8I0o5O6R2+ojPUtnSXP67XmocAGDTzYwISPJKbJ0JWVLVettOsRAeBAsDGbLf65fjf/dEnxQqis9zpu789+ZIZme5E6tTHWqbLwSCUDthRWdowzpV5+LcLF3NNOHHbgBcozBtJT8OIQJYUGTRkWhqW6uhNZ29IkHLoGppQGlltrZRruTuwRibwmKZzOEqaVhEKmSDv+OmjEVYjWHts9jTdSNt81KKwD9giDw2b7pyTJWZ0JZz8y4gaSLgqwi4ZJcmBRLXDxPNzK/zvkJP28tqKu/EmOtekzWhHadgY=Looking at the disadvantages you circled in Question 2, how many were mentioned in the video during its discussion of conventional beef production?
Question 1.12
c44JjAG1+IHJmRsapHk9tA==In your opinion, should the video have done more to discuss other aspects of the triple bottom line in its comparison of conventional and grass-fed beef production?
Question 1.13
H22iDwyvBixSXCz/U7Y1ZsatpNqCItLgBGk57y2+NuiuRhWb8ftVTQ==1.3 Section C: Assessing the Costs of Producing Beef
For this part of the assignment please read Chapter 5, pages 82-83 of your textbook ("Mainstream Economics Supports Some Actions That Are Not Sustainable"), focusing on the discussion of internal costs, external costs and true costs. (If you are using the Extendd version of the textbook, please read Chapter 4, pages 64-65.) After doing so, watch the video a third time if necessary and answer the following questions:
Question 1.14
The statements below highlight a number of environmental and social problems associated with conventional beef production, which you read about in Chapter 18 (Chapter 21 Extended). As Chapter 5 (Chapter 4 Extended) explains, such problems generate additional costs that are not always factored into the price of beef. For each statement below, indicate whether we are dealing with an internal cost or an external cost in relation to conventional beef production:
| Type of Cost | Internal/External |
|---|---|
| a. Costs associated with the damages and disruptions caused by industrial agriculture’s numerous contributions to global warming | lJTj4ccAHPuApb1FUWfpKIaxhcTYCmQJOuNrSuiDXrU= |
| b. Costs associated with water depletion and soil erosion caused by the monocrop agricultural practices used to grow feed for CAFO cattle | lJTj4ccAHPuApb1FUWfpKIaxhcTYCmQJOuNrSuiDXrU= |
| c. Costs associated with addressing health problems in cattle caused by high grain diets and confinement | lJTj4ccAHPuApb1FUWfpKIaxhcTYCmQJOuNrSuiDXrU= |
| d. Costs associated with addressing health problems in humans caused by antibiotic resistant microbes and diets rich in fatty beef | lJTj4ccAHPuApb1FUWfpKIaxhcTYCmQJOuNrSuiDXrU= |
| e. Costs associated with safely containing the high volumes of animal manure produced by CAFOs | lJTj4ccAHPuApb1FUWfpKIaxhcTYCmQJOuNrSuiDXrU= |
1.3.1 Section C: Assessing the Costs of Producing Beef (Continued)
Question 1.15
Add up your responses from Question 1 and give your final tally for each component of the triple bottom line below.
| Costs | Final Tally |
|---|---|
| Internal Costs | LNW3QNNUvnd3l6o7CnCl2r4XiVHEUa0w |
| External Costs | LNW3QNNUvnd3l6o7CnCl2r4XiVHEUa0w |
Question 1.16
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Question 1.17
++Bbj6Ahm0CDE2ipCii7REfQWplb+JZ1JwiMoEbISqxa4LTzXPxZlmt1f2ogy5jdL5+/NtLk5PpdWlG/uXpZFJul+YW0mdB1pkNt8ic18tgnoaCjaTWCCODESR9t+BfxowkrDsLzR15Z3hc7p/01SO2N37fO/GnyBoS6f5DpWp6SZU8rpt1KC3u1o+5MPd9q1ZxrlkHLSyZd0KGB+ktFOQIboa2H51JMLmhZwIwZXH4v1WCaMtTlfwGTXwp05sVf1.4 Activity Completed!
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