Managing Manure

In my communications class we have discussed current issues in the agriculture world today. One topic that really stood out to me was the manure pollution caused by livestock animals. I guess this stood out to me just because I remember how awful it was to go scoop pig and goat manure on our farm back home. Although I loved raising animals, the manure was the worst part about them, but I knew it had to be done. Farms all over the world produce large amounts of wastes, such as manure and urine that have been polluting our environment. Even though animal manure is not something livestock farmers can help, it can cause pollution to our water and air quality if it is not being managed properly. As the livestock farms grow larger, human health can be put into danger. The reason why animal wastes can be such a pollutant is because there is so much of it being produced and not managed. The waste produced per day by a single dairy cow is far more than wastes produced by households of people (EPA, 2011). Even though our livestock farm back at home was not very big, I have been around some large farms that could definitely affect our water and air quality if they have not already. To the left is a picture of manure pollution.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency says,
“Animal waste has the potential to contribute pollutants such as nutrients (e.g., nitrate, phosphorous), organic matter, sediments, pathogens (e.g., giardia, cryptosporidium), heavy metals, hormones, antibiotics and ammonia to the waters we use for drinking, swimming and fishing.” For example, infants are more commonly born with blue baby syndrome, a blood disorder, due to the amount of nitrate in water (EPA, 2011).
The pollutants can affect people’s lungs, the water ecosystems, and ozone layer leading to diseases and global warming. Since I know farmers, such as my family’s farm, would never stop raising animals, I think they all need to manage animal wastes properly to avoid so much pollution. I have seen very clean farms that are taken care of, but I have also seen some farms that need a little work. The picture to the right shows a very clean, managed cow barn. In my opinion, nothing is worse than being to a farm that is not being taken care of properly. It smells bad and it attracts flies.
Manure can be very valuable in use toward nutrients and crops. Therefor, lives stockowners just need to learn how to mange it. Other than cleaning to prevent the build up, Healthy Landscapes, gives a great idea. They stated, “We need to safely store it for a certain amount of time and then properly recycle it on our own land or take it off the farm to sites that can use it” (“Healthy 2014). In that case it is being used to an advantage but not harming our air and water quality. You guys are probably thinking that I am being a total girl about this issue, but really, the facts are true. Farms can really pollute our ecosystem and some livestock farms need to clean up better. The picture above shows a person managing and cleaning his swine barn. If my family and this person can do it, so can yours.

"What's the Problem?" EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, 2 June 2011. Web. 18 Sept. 2014.

"Healthy Landscapes: How To Manage Manure." Healthy Landscapes: How To Manage Manure. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2014.

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