Animals and the Environment

sustainability

• systems that balance social acceptability, economic viability, and environmental responsibility

• too complex for 1 blanket, global solution

• focus on providing for today without inhibiting the ability to provide for tomorrow

What are the primary pollutants of our water ways?

manure

• Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P)

eutrophication

increase in algae and small plants

• caused by excess N and P in water

clean water act

• environmental protection agency has the power to protect water

• regulation varies by state

what percentage of water use comes from “green” rainwater?

97%

What uses the most water?

Thermoelectric power

What percentage of crops produced in the US are utilized for animal feed?

57%

• 38% corn

• 90% soybeans

What are some by-products of crops?

ethanol, biodiesel, crop residue

air quality

• increased dust

• odors

  • can travel up to 3 miles

  • permit process and public comment periods

climate change

manure, rumination, feed production, transport = gas emissions

• contribute to greenhouse gases and climate change

greenhouse effect

• light from the sun passes through the atmosphere

• radiated as heat

• greenhouse gases trap this heat in the atmosphere, warming the surface of the earth

primary greenhouse gases

carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide

fossil fuels

are regarded as the main contribution to climate change

What percentage of emissions come from agriculture according to the EPA?

~ 10%

main sources of livestock emissions

• feed production

• fermentation

• manure management

reducing livestock emissions- enteric fermentation

• increase fermentation efficiency

• diet manipulation

reducing livestock emissions- manure

change storage techniques

biogas production

increased efficiency improves sustainability (t/f)

true

using manure for fuel

• manure is collected and held

• bacterial breakdown of this manure produces gases (methane)

• can cover the tank to encourage anaerobic bacteria and capture methane

• clean and use methane for fuel

• mostly dairy and some pigs

What percentage of food is wasted in the US?

40%

Other wastes in the US

• 32% fresh water

• 4% energy

• 20% land

CAFO- confined animal feeding operation

• “factory farms”

• feeding operation that sustains no vegetation over the facility where animals are confined

• exceeds the threshold for number of animals confined

CAFO regulated by Clean Water Act

• must meet state water quality standards

• can only discharge pollutants with permits

grass-fed vs grain-fed (conventional) meat

grass-fed takes longer to grow, less efficient

• more land, water, and energy use

improving sustainability of livestock

crop rotation, rotational grazing, feeding animals less human food, raising regionally appropriate animals, keeping animals healthy, improving efficiency, manure treatment, and management

Welfare and CAFOs

most relate to housing

death loss

economics of CAFOs

many owned by family farmers

consolidation to fewer, larger farms

CAFOs allow for increased efficiency

pay taxes that benefit local and national economies

CAFOs and the environment

manure storage regulated to prevent runoff

generally, larger operations are more modern than small, local farms