The Evolution of Cattle Welfare over the Past Few Decades

Fifty years ago, the US livestock industry associations were mainly concerned about reducing economic losses from bruises and deaths during handling and transport. Today it is essential to prevent cruelty, pain, and suffering, but it is also important for a farm animal to have a positive emotional experience. In the past, the ability of animals to feel fear was questioned and today, research clearly shows that animals have emotions. Another change is that animal activists groups altered their emphasis from reforming the livestock industry to advocating against eating meat.