Factory farms are an integral part of our nation’s food production system and generate significant amounts of animal waste, but what effects does this have on the environment? This article will explore the implications of factory farm animal waste seeping into the Mississippi River, and discuss issues such as the ecological and legal ramifications of this problem.
Animal waste on factory farms is primarily composed of manure, urine, and other organic matter that is collected in large, open waste ponds known as lagoons. The manure is typically applied to croplands, but when the volume of waste produced outpaces the capabilities of the land to adequately absorb it, the waste can seep into nearby bodies of water. This has been a growing problem in the United States, with numerous organizations and activists pointing to the Mississippi—the country’s longest river—as a particular example.
In 2010, a study conducted by the National Research Council determined that agricultural runoff was the most significant source of pollution in the Mississippi. It reported that nearly two-thirds of population-weighted nutrient loadings to the river system came from agricultural runoff. Most of that was from factory farms, although the report noted that smaller farms and natural sources also contributed.
In 2013, the United States Geological Survey released its own assessment, which indicated that total concentrations of phosphorus and nitrogen in the Mississippi have been on the rise since the 1980s. It concluded that these increases can largely be attributed to animal waste discharged from factory farms.
Environmental activists have long raised the alarm over this issue, advocating for stricter regulations on factory farm runoff. However, this isn’t an easy task due to the fact that livestock farming and animal waste products are also essential components of a healthy agricultural system.
In the past, factory farms have also argued that their waste can’t be directly linked to the increasing levels of pollutants in the Mississippi. But according to experts at the Environmental Protection Agency, there is a clear relationship between factory farm runoff and the high nitrate levels found in the river. Studies have found that the chemicals in animal waste, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, can lead to the creation of oxygen-depleting dead zones—large areas of water devoid of aquatic life. Such dead zones are harmful to fish, shellfish, and other creatures and can have a major effect on aquatic ecosystems.
The legal implications of this issue are equally concerning. In 2010, a Clean Water Act lawsuit was filed against a factory farm in Missouri—the first of its kind in the country. The case was dismissed, but it prompted numerous other lawsuits around the country in which state and local activists have sought to combat the environmental impacts of factory farm runoff.
The Impact on Local Communities
The environmental and legal effects of animal waste seeping into the Mississippi river have a devastating impact on local communities. Environmental organizations, such as Waterkeeper Alliance, warn that the pollution of waterways, due to animal waste, has a significant effect on local water quality, human health, and economic prosperity.
In recent years, campaigns to protect local sugarcane and aquaculture, both significant economic sources of income for the region, have seen results. Aquaculture production dropped from an all-time high of 16 million pounds of fish to an alarming 2 million. This not only hurts local communities, but it can destroy entire aquatic ecosystems which rely on sustained catches to maintain ecological balance and biodiversity.
Environmental experts urge local communities to take measures to protect the waterways from dangerous levels of agricultural pollutants. They emphasize that increased public awareness and education is the best weapon against the threat of animal waste seeping into the Mississippi river.
Risk Management in Livestock Operations
The increased awareness from local communities, agricultural producers and government bodies has also encouraged the development of new technologies, such as risk management, to help reduce the risk of animal waste contaminants entering water systems. While contaminated water in rivers may not be the main source of ingestion hazards for humans, the risk of other potential health issues has led to the introduction of this technology.
Risk management applies advanced surveillance techniques and methods of detection which can help identify potential sources of contamination by monitoring individual animal’s health and environment. By doing this, producers can take preemptive actions to reduce the amount of waste entering rivers and bodies of water.
Not only can this help to protect human health and minimize environmental damage, but it’s also good for business. Producers can reduce costs associated with improper use of water and prevent water shortages due to contaminated sources. Furthermore, they can avoid costly lawsuits and major fines associated with animal waste entering unregulated sources.
Legislation and Regulation
In addition to introducing new technology, legislative action has also been taken to address the problem of animal waste entering water systems. The U.S. Congress enacts the Clean Water Act periodically, which helps regulate the discharge of pollutants from factory farms. This Act encourages producers to create controlled feedlots and reduce the amount of waste entering water sources.
The law also sets limits on the amount of manure, urine, and other organic waste that can be discharged from animal sources. On top of this, the EPA and other state agencies continue to make progress in setting up systems for monitoring and controlling runoff from livestock operations.
Ultimately, producers, environmental organizations, and legislators all have a role to play in tackling the problem of animal waste seeping into the Mississippi River. The protection of this vital waterway is important to the health and livelihood of communities throughout the region and while there are still a lot of challenges ahead, more and more stakeholders are taking action to help redress the situation.
Animal Alternatives
The dramatic rise in the demand for animal products, along with the effects of factory farming on the environment, have driven a renewed effort to find alternative ways of producing animal-source foods. One promising alternative is the use of cell-cultured or lab-grown meat products.
Cell-cultured meat is produced without the need for raising and slaughtering animals. It utilizes micro-algae, recirculating bioreactors and other processes to create a variety of different types of flesh that is similar to that of naturally-sourced animal proteins. This novel technology is gaining traction from plant-based startups, with its primary benefit being the absence of animal waste residues entering water systems.
Cell-cultured meat also has a host of other advantages. It is more efficient than traditional livestock farming when it comes to producing edible proteins and requires a fraction of the land, water, and feed typically needed. Companies are already positioning it as a healthier and more ethical alternative to traditional animal-sourced proteins.
Public Opinion
Public opinion has a big influence on the efficacy of any action taken to combat this problem. Over the past few years, environmental organizations and activists have put animal welfare at the top of their priority list, with the public often citing factory farming and its associated pollutants as the main source of their concerns.
Furthermore, there’s evidence that people in the region are increasingly willing to take preventive measures to protect the environment from animal waste. Local governments are providing incentives for factory farms to upgrade their waste management practices, while individual consumers are opting for more sustainable and environmentally-friendly options, such as cell-cultured meat.
Educational campaigns have also helped to increase public awareness and potential for action. Organizations like Waterkeeper Alliance continue to provide communities with the facts and data needed to make informed decisions on the issue.
Looking to the Future
Although increased public awareness, technological advancement and legislative action have all been taken to tackle factory farm animal waste seeping into the Mississippi river, a much more urgent and comprehensive solution is still needed. The health and future of the environment are at stake, and it’s up to all of us to ensure that effective and sustainable regulations are put in place.
Ultimately, the risks associated with animal waste can only be reduced as long as we continue to advocate for better protection of our natural resources. Everyone from factory farm operators to local communities can play a role in helping to ensure that future generations have access to a clean and healthy Mississippi River.
