By Andi Anderson
According to a recent analysis by Food & Water Watch, Iowa is ranked as the top state for producing animal manure from livestock feeding operations, with an estimated 109 billion pounds of waste generated each year.
This figure highlights Iowa’s significant role in the livestock industry, but also raises concerns about waste management.
Amanda Starbuck, research director at Food & Water Watch, emphasized that while manure can benefit farm fields by adding nutrients and organic matter, the current volume of waste produced is overwhelming the land’s capacity to absorb it.
The excessive amount of manure from large-scale livestock operations poses potential environmental risks, particularly when the land can no longer manage the waste effectively.
The group’s analysis was based on data from the latest U.S. Census of Agriculture, combined with the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) definition of medium-sized concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).
The report used this information to develop state rankings and create interactive maps showing manure production trends. Over the past 20 years, the data reveals a clear trend of fewer farms but larger and more intensive livestock operations across the country.
The findings underscore the growing need for better manure management practices to ensure that the environmental impacts of livestock farming remain sustainable.
As Iowa leads the nation in manure production, the state faces increasing pressure to find solutions that balance agricultural productivity with environmental protection.
The analysis provides a broader understanding of the challenges facing the livestock industry and highlights the importance of responsible waste management as operations continue to grow in size and output.
Categories: Iowa, General