Cattle
Table of Contents
Introduction
Cattle are the number industry driving deforestation. In some countries cattle outnumber humans, producing dangerous amounts of greenhouse gases and water pollution which has begun to cause devastating harm to newborns in places such as Wisconsin
Problems with Cattle
Air Pollution & Greenhouse Gases
Grass-Fed Cattle
Deforestation
Grass-Fed Cattle
Soil & Erosion
"A new study found multiple effects on soils from exposure to manure from cows administered antibiotics, including alteration of the soil microbiome and ecosystem functions, soil respiration and elemental cycling." - Multiple Effects on Soil from Manure from Cows Administered Antibiotics
Waterways
Cattle have a habit of congregating around and in waterways where their hooves dislodge the soil. Over time the soil and plant roots holding it together become so damaged the soil ends up being washed away, causing significant erosion over time. Nutrient loss on land coincides with waterway pollution from livestock allowed to roam too close. - Cattle Destroy Streams
Health Risks
Threat to Water Security
Africa
North America
"Researchers traced water in the western US throughout the domestic supply chain. They found that crops such as alfalfa and corn used in feed were associated with a lot of unsustainable water use.
Across the western US, one third of all consumed water is used to irrigate crops that are grown to feed beef and dairy cattle. And in the Colorado River basin, the amount of water used for cows’ feed crops is more than 50 percent. Water resource officials have said that some of the reservoirs fed by the river will never be full again." - Researchers Say American Rivers Are Getting Sucked Dry by Beef Industry
Water Use
Resources
Ecological Impacts
Scientific Data
Impacts from Manure
Multiple Effects on Soil from Manure from Cows Administered Antibiotics "A new study found multiple effects on soils from exposure to manure from cows administered antibiotics, including alteration of the soil microbiome and ecosystem functions, soil respiration and elemental cycling."