Animal and the Environment

Question 1

What is sustainability?

Answer 1

-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
-in agriculture, conflicts between demand and resource scarcity
-social media often fails to reflect complexity

Question 2

What are the primary polluting risks from livestock in manure (water)

Answer 2

-Nitrogen (N)
-Phosphorus (P)

Question 3

Water

Answer 3

-manure stored until applied to field
-excess N and P in water stimulates eutrophication
-eutrophication: increase in algae and small plants
-cloudy water
-depletes beneficial plants, fish, other aquatic species

Question 4

Clean water act

Answer 4

-environmental protection agency has power to protect water
-regulations vary by state

Question 5

Best water practices

Answer 5

-maintain manure holding structures to minimize runoff
-don’t apply manure when ground is wet or frozen
-apply manure carefully to avoid over fertilizing
-keep livestock out of water
-prevent overgrazing

Question 6

What about water use?

Answer 6

-1 pound beef: 1,847 gal. water, 97% “green” rainwater
-livestock: 1% water use in US, does not include water for irrigating crops
-thermoelectric power uses the most water

Question 7

Land Use

Answer 7

-1/4 all land
-2/3 of all land is “marginal” agricultural land used for livestock (ruminants)
-1/3 of agricultural land is arable agricultural land used for crops

Question 8

Crop allocation in US

Answer 8

-57% of crops produced in US utilized for animal feed
-38% of corn and 90% soybeans grown in US used for animals
-But, also by-products, ethanol, biodiesel, crop residues

Question 9

Air quality

Answer 9

-increased dust
-odors: can travel up to 3 miles, permit process and public comment periods

Question 10

Climate Change

Answer 10

-manure, rumination, feed production, transport=gas emissions
-contribute to greenhouse gases and climate change

Question 11

How does climate change work?

Answer 11

Greenhouse effect
-light from sun passes through atmosphere
-radiated as heat
-greenhouse gases trap this heat in the atmosphere, warming the surface of the earth

Question 12

What are the primary greenhouse gases?

Answer 12

-carbon dioxide
-methane
-nitrous oxide

Question 13

Animal Agriculture and Emissions

Answer 13

-According to EPA agriculture accounts for 10% US emissions
-methane and manure emissions account for around 1/3 of this
-rest soil and fertilization related
-fossil fuels regarded as the main contribution to climate change

Question 14

Sources of livestock emissions

Answer 14

The main sources are feed production, fermentation, and manure management

Question 15

Reducing livestock

Answer 15

-Enteric fermentation: increase fermentation efficiency, diet manipulation
-Manure: change storage techniques, biogas production
-Animal management/selection

Question 16

Increased efficiency improves sustainability

Answer 16

-in 1950 there were 25 million dairy cows, today there are 9 million dairy cows
-60% more milk
-2/3 reduction in carbon footprint

Question 17

Using manure for fuel

Answer 17

-in some species manure collected and held
-bacterial breakdown of this manure produces gases (methane)
-can cover tank to encourage anerobic bacteria and capture methane
-clean and use methane for fuel
-mostly dairy, some pigs

Question 18

Would reducing meat consumption help?

Answer 18

-35% reduction in dietary greenhouse gas emissions if animal product consumption decreased 50%
-more if decrease global emissions
-only accounts for diet emissions
-Average American consumes 50.1lbs meat/year
-similar reductions achieved if everyone drove 10% less

Question 19

Food Waste

Answer 19

-in the US, nearly 40% of food wasted
-Also waste 32% fresh water, 4% energy, 20% land
-25% increase methane
-nearly all of this is at the consumer level (44% residential, 33% restaurants)

Question 20

Improving sustainability of agriculture

Answer 20

-crop rotation
-rotational grazing
-feed animals less human food
-raise regionally appropriate animals
-keep animals healthy
-improving efficiency: breeding, nutrition, management
-manure treatment and management