Animal Waste Management

Animal waste mismanagement is quite common in animal feedlots throughout the world. While manure can be a valuable resource when used for fertilizer, or even electricity (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2013), if not properly managed, it can become a major pollutant – especially in water. Consequences of waste mismanagement include pollution of rivers and underground aquifers, contributing to the distribution of pathogens, hormones, and antibiotics into water used for drinking (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2013). In addition to pollution of water, air pollutants such as methane gas (a prevalent greenhouse gas) are released from animal waste. When animals’ manure is stored in lagoons, for example, methane gas is produced, causing for 9% of all US methane emissions (Cow Power, 2014).

Facts, Issues, and Solutions