Environmental Management for the Beef Cattle Industry

State and EPA Considerations

Authors

  • John Sweeten Extension Agricultural Engineer - Waste Management, Texas Agricultural Extension Service, Texas A&M University System, College Station, Texas

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/aabppro19946198

Keywords:

environmental issues, Climate change, global warming, Carbon dioxide, methane gas, Water use efficiency

Abstract

The major environmental issues connected with livestock and poultry feeding operations are: water quality, air quality, and sustainability of land and soil. Climate change and global warming is another emerging issue. Carbon dioxide and methane gas are given off from animal feeding operations. It's by no means a significant amount when you look at all the other sources of CO2 and methane worldwide, but still it's a contributing factor being studied by the EPA Office of Global Warming as well as animal scientists at Texas A&M University.

Water use efficiency and availability are problems in many places -- it takes a well pumping at 70gpm continuously to supply each 10,000 head of feedlot cattle with no downtime or wastes.

Cover image of the 27th Conference Proceedings: A photo of Dr. and Mrs. Elmer Woelffer. Mrs. Woelffer is holding a statue of a bull. White background.

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Published

1994-09-22

Issue

1994

Section

General Sessions