APES 5.7 & 5

CAFOs

Concentrated animal-feeding operations, also known as feedlots, where animals are densely crowded and fed grain to expedite growth.

Pros of CAFOs

Maximizes land use and profit, minimizes the cost of meat for consumers.

Cons of CAFOs

Use of antibiotics and hormones, large waste production that contaminates groundwater, generates significant greenhouse gases.

Manure lagoons

Large, open storage pits for animal waste.

Cons of manure lagoons

Contain harmful substances, risk of contamination from flooding, and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

Solution to manure lagoon spills

Emptying and burying them in landfills or turning dried manure into fertilizer pellets.

Free range grazing

Method where animals graze on grass and grow without growth hormones.

Pros of free range grazing

No need for antibiotics, utilizes land unsuitable for crops, and disperses animal waste naturally.

Cons of free range grazing

Requires more land per pound of meat produced and is more expensive for consumers.

Effect of overgrazing

Leads to soil erosion, decreased water holding capacity, and desertification.

Solution to overgrazing

Rotational grazing, which involves moving animals periodically.

Benefit of rotational grazing

Increases grass growth by distributing manure and managing grass length.

Energy needed for meat production

Planting, growing, harvesting feed, providing water, housing, and slaughtering animals.

Land needed for meat production

Land for growing feed crops and space for the animals.

Water used for meat production

Water for crops consumed by animals and for the animals to drink.

Soil conservation

Agricultural techniques that minimize soil erosion.

What soil conservation prevents

Loss of nutrients, moisture, decomposers, and organic matter in topsoil.

Contour plowing

Plowing along the natural slopes to reduce water runoff.

How contour plowing conserves soil

Forms mini terraces that capture water and reduce erosion.

Terracing

Creating flat platforms on steep slopes to prevent soil erosion.

How terracing prevents soil erosion

Flatness of terraces captures water and minimizes runoff.

Perennial crops

Crops that live for multiple years and can be harvested many times.

Benefits of perennial crops

Longer roots anchor topsoil and prevent runoff.

Benefits of windbreaks

Provide firewood, fruit, and habitat for wildlife.

Benefits of no-till farming

Increases organic matter in soil and reduces erosion.

Strip cropping

Alternating rows of dense and less dense crops to prevent soil erosion.

Effect of continuous cropping

Depletes soil nutrients.

Benefit of crop rotation

Allows soil to recover nutrient levels.

Green manure

Leftover plant matter from cover crops.

Benefits of green manure

Stabilizes soil and releases nutrients when decomposed.

Benefit of limestone in agriculture

Neutralizes acidic soil by releasing calcium carbonate.

Why is acidic soil bad?

High H+ concentration displaces essential nutrients and increases soil solubility of toxic metals.

Six soil conservation methods

Contour plowing, terracing, perennial crops, windbreaks, no-till, strip cropping.

Three methods of restoring soil nutrients

Crop rotation, green manure, and adding limestone.