Animal Manure Production and Utilization: Impact of Modern Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations

The total number of livestock and poultry animals being raised in the United States has shown some fluctuation over time. This chapter compares and discusses several terms used in animal manure management and research communities, then highlights the modern concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO) practices and their impacts on animal manure production and its utilization in the United States. Land application is the most economical way to reuse animal manure, although other possibilities are currently being investigated for manure reuse, including the use of manure for biochar and energy production. Production of livestock and poultry under CAFOs has proven to be an effective way to raise a very large number of animals in a small area. When manure is applied at agronomic rates, it can be considered a valuable nutrient source and a soil amendment that improves soil physical, chemical, and biological properties.