What public scrutiny of livestock treatment means for farmers

Increasingly, consumers are concerned about the treatment and well-being of livestock, and this concern is informing their spending habits. Here’s what this increase in public scrutiny means for farmers.

What consumers want to know
Conscientious consumers who purchase meat are typically concerned about three things: how much space the animals were given, how natural their diet was and whether or not hormones and antibiotics were used.

Because of this, meat from free-range and grass-fed animals commands a premium price on the market.

A silver lining for small producers
The bottom line is that many consumers want to know how the food they eat is produced. This is why a number of them seek out farmers’ markets, product labels and other ways of getting information about where their food comes from.

Small farm operators should view this trend as an opportunity to expand their offerings. These producers can profit from setting up agro-tourism attractions like food stands and farm visits. They can also benefit from expanding into local markets by taking part in farmer’s markets and by working closely with regional food service providers.

Some industry experts worry about the economic impact of changing production practices. However, small producers are in a unique position to take advantage of the public’s growing demand for transparency.