Industrial Animal Production System

Large-scale (peri-) urban dairy farming
Resource | Risks (-) and opportunities (+) | Underlying factors
Land | (-) Toxic levels of nutrient in soils | Poor management of animal wastes
(-) Chemical pollution of soils | Poor management of chemical inputs
(-) destruction of vegetation by acid rain | Poor management of animal wastes
(+) improved soil fertility | balanced application to the land of ruminant manure will lead to improved soil fertility (e.g. for peri-urban vegetable production)
Water | (-) pollution of surface and ground water | Poor management of animal wastes Poor management of chemical inputs
(-) depletion of fresh water resources | Increased use of fresh water
Air | (-)global warming: emissions of Carbon Dioxide, Methane and Nitrous Oxide | Increased greenhouse gas emissions
| (+) reduced Carbon Dioxide emissions | the manure could be used for biogas production, the production of renewable energy resources will reduce CO2 emissions
Biodiversity | (-) Loss of genetic diversity | Loss of local breeds

> > [Livestock & Environment Toolbox Home]