Feedlot

A feedlot is a device which is designed to slaughter animals, mainly cattle to fatten up.

This type of fattening farm is mainly operated in the United States, on the Great Plains above the Ogallala Aquifer. Here that a major part of the concentrated feedlots with more than 16 000 fattening places. Some of feedlots need a government permission because of the excessively high manure production in the area.

Vertically integrated agro-industrial company mainly conduct such operations. So the company Monfort of Colorado ( in the meantime, part of ConAgra Foods) three feedlots with a total investment of $ 800 million: In each 1 times 1 /2 miles large outdoor enclosures, which are designed for a total of 225 000 animals per year approximately 500 000 bulls ready for slaughter fattened in three to four months. These animals usually need three years to be ready for slaughter on pasture.

First, the calves are fattened on fields to about 300 kg until they come to get a special diet there in feedlots, a silage from hay, corn, sorghum and other grains, soybeans, sugar beet residues, cotton seed meal, minerals and waste products of the food industry there. This is preheated so that the animals consume as little calories. This density of energy can increase the cattle 180 kg in weight.

Word Meaning

In English, a feedlot is also called a feed yard. About the synonym the meaning is understandable: A lot is therefore a plot, a plot of land. A translation into the German language does not exist. Conceivable but translation would such as mast plot. The Merriam- Webster offers as an explanation "a plot of land on Which livestock are fattened for market". Again, it is clear that a lot of land says.

To lot also means allot in English in addition to the subdivision. It would also be conceivable that a to fatten allocated area (possibly for historical reasons ) is meant. Because of the synonym feed yard, however, the first explanation is closer.

Swell

Film

• Industrialized agriculture in the United States. Beef production in Colorado. FWU Institute for Film and Picture in Science and Education, 1994, 16 min.