Explainer
What Is the Horse Protection Act?
In 1970, the public began to voice their outrage to Congress over the treatment of Tennessee walking horses for the show ring. There was a call for politicians to ban…
Factory Farms•1 min read
Explainer
Explainer
What Is the Twenty-Eight Hour Law?
Vladimir Morozov/akxmedia This federal law set standards for animals being raised for food and transported across state lines. It states: animals that fit into this criteria cannot be transported by "rail…
Factory Farms•1 min read
Explainer
What Is the Health Research Extension Act of 1985?
IAEA/Flickr This legislative mandate directed the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create and enforce guidelines for the care and treatment of animals used in research. It's important to…
Factory Farms•1 min read
Explainer
What Is the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act?
Originally passed in 1958, the law was amended in 1978, then again in 2002. It requires USDA inspected slaughterhouses maintain the proper handling and humane treatment of all animals slaughtered…
Factory Farms•1 min read
Explainer
What Is Manure Runoff?
Manure from agricultural operations and livestock farms is the main source from which phosphorus and nitrogen enter surface and groundwater. Rainwater and over-irrigation cause these elements to seep into waterways…
Climate•1 min read
Explainer
What Is the Animal Welfare Act of 1966?
The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) was preceded in the 1960’s by a public outcry about the growing theft of cats and dogs to be sold for laboratory research. Life and…
Factory Farms•2 min read
Explainer
What Is a Hatchery?
A hatchery is used to raise eggs under controlled conditions. Most poultry hatcheries in the United States operate under a vertically integrated system, where the company that owns or supplies…
Food•1 min read
Explainer
What Is a Nuisance Lawsuit?
A major point of contention over the last 20 years between residents and farmers has been nuisance lawsuits. These claims come in two forms, private and public. A public lawsuit…
Factory Farms•1 min read
Explainer
What Are Ag-Gag Laws?
Ag-gag laws is a name given to a set of bills by former New York Times columnist Mark Bittman that began gaining traction in several states around 2011. The laws…
Factory Farms•1 min read
Explainer
What Does It Mean to Be Vegetarian or Vegan?
Many different forms of vegetarianism exists but at its core it is defined as a choice to not eat or otherwise exploit (in clothing, entertainment, etc.) chickens, cows, fish, or…
Diet•1 min read
Explainer
What Is a CAFO? The Truth About Animal Agriculture
For the last century farming practices have shifted with the growth of technology from a family-oriented model to an industrialized setup that maximizes profits and output. Today most of the…
Food•1 min read
Explainer
How Do Hog Farms Operate?
Hog producers are often contracted by corporate pork producers to raise hogs for processing. The farm and equipment are generally owned by the farmer, while the pigs themselves belong to…
Food•2 min read
Donate
You have read 0 articles.
Independent Journalism Relies on You
As a fiercely independent, reader-supported news outlet, we’re unswayed by advertisers and profit margins. Your support funds investigative journalism, fact-checked explainers, resources for journalists and partnerships with publishers to boost reporting on the most pressing issues of our time. Read more
Most Read Today
•- SNAP Cuts in the Megabill, Explained
- Inside the Fight to Stop Riverview Mega-Dairies From Being Built
- How Much Protein You Need to Be Healthy, Explained
- Is Veganism Really Growing? Using Data to Track the Trend
- Fourth of July Fireworks Can Terrify Animals. Here’s How to Help.
- Trump Administration Withdraws Salmonella Testing Plan for Poultry
- What Are Hot Dogs Made Of?
- How Overconsumption Affects the Environment and Health, Explained
Topics
Sentient investigates and explains factory farms and their effect on climate, the environment, animals, health, politics and rural communities.