Summarizes results from a survey of 600 adults to explore attitudes and opinions toward farmers, ranchers, and animal husbandry practices. Also mentions a subsequent survey of 1, 000 adults to determine public perceptions of animal care and environmental issues within the cattle industry.

This article summarizes an Animal Industry Foundation survey which shows that Americans generally retain a favorable opinion of farmers and ranchers.

Of the 600 adult respondents, 93% consider farmers and ranchers an essential part of American life.

89% feel that farmers and ranchers are doing a good job of producing healthy food at a reasonable price.

79% believe that farmers and ranchers are competent, efficient business people, while 17% feel that they should stay on the farm because they can’t compete elsewhere.

79% feel that it is good to have family owned and operated farms.

46% believe that factory farms are predominant in America, while 40% believe family farms are predominant.

79% feel that farmers and ranchers treat their animals humanely, 5% disagreed and 16% were unsure.

Given a list of practices, 24% considered them cruel, injurious or simply to make money, while 40% felt these practices were done for the animal’s health and safety and considered them non-injurious; 28% were unsure. 67% would be supportive of additional regulation to ensure the humane treatment of animal, while 20% stated they would vote against this type of regulation.