Steer 534: The purpose

Michael Pollen's purpose for introducing Steer 534 was to give an example of how cows are being treated just so that people could get the best meat. Cows were being fed artificial food just so that the cow could create the best product. The only food the cows ate were corn. Even though the main thing they were supposed to eat, they were only allowed to eat corn so that they can make the best kind of product. The text states, "Like all beef cattle, 534 is the product of artificial insemination" (Pg 50, paragraph 3) Michael Pollen wanted to show us, the readers, that Steer 534, like all the other cows, were fed food that they weren't supposed to eat so that they can make artificial products. Another quote the text states is, "Yet, after a few months at Porky my steer will never have the opportunity to eat green grass again." (Pg 50, paragraph 5) Michael Pollen's purpose for introducing Steer 534 was to show the readers that the cows are not being cared for properly because the corn is not doing anything good for the cows and for the people who eat it: US!!!!!