Iowa-based Summit Carbon Solutions is planning a pipeline to connect 31 ethanol plants in five states to store carbon in western North Dakota and sell fuel at a premium on the low-carbon market. In the years since AWI founded the Animal Welfare Approved certification program, several other nonprofit programs have been launched to improve farm animal welfare. Farm Bill Sustainability Regulatory Reform Drought & Responsible Water Management Labor Tax Reform . A broad and dynamic definition of sustainability for animal agriculture describes a system of sufficient and profitable food production that is independent of scale and includes complex interactions between agriculture and society. January 10, 2022. Per the agreement, China agreed to purchase an additional $200 billion worth of U.S. products, including agricultural through 2021. California and Massachusetts, for example, ban the sale of veal, pork, and eggs from animals raised in intensive confinement, regardless of origin. Each year we challenge ourselves by reviewing the previous years top stories and pondering the biggest uncertainties, unknowns, and questions that the new year might have in store. 2023 Meredith Corporation. Raising livestock for human consumption generates nearly 15% of total global greenhouse gas emissions, which is greater than all the transportation emissions combined. In 2022, cattle production is forecast to represent about 17 percent of the $462 billion in total cash receipts for agricultural commodities. The current Farm Bill expires on Sept. 30, 2023, so congressional discussions on the next Farm Bill will likely begin early in 2022. Click here to subscribe to AEIs Weekly Insights email and receive our free, in-depth articles in your inbox every Monday morning. factory farms). Antibiotics Since the successful 2002 ballot initiative in Florida, more than a dozen prohibitions on extreme confinement have passed via state legislatures and ballot measures. Please enable javascript and refresh the page to continue reading local news. With pigs, nearly all males are castrated within a week of birth, and pigs of both sexes frequently undergo procedures that can cause chronic pain, such as tail docking and teeth clipping. The purpose of this publication is to explore the dangers of hydrogen sulfide, which is the most dangerous gas associated with manure, and safety precautions that should be taken when removing manure from pits. It appears to be another good news, bad news kind of year. Ending our meat and dairy production could pause the growth of greenhouse gas emissions for 30 years, new study suggests. The same is likely true for fixed expenses, such as machinery expenses, family living, and labor. If, as some forecasters are predicting, an economic crash or recession occurs in 2023 and these farmland values fall, landowners ability to borrow could significantly altered. You can see more of his work at the Boyce Group homepage. Instead, here are some things that everyone can begin to adhere to in their daily lives that can make all the difference in reducing your own personal greenhouse gas emissions! We plan to unpack this in a future post, but keep in mind that Farm Bill discussions will likely begin. These changes to the biology, in turn, influence the physical and chemical environment of the soil in ways that alter crop productivity. A lot of attention will be given to the Feds decision in 2022, but agriculture especially farmland will likely be more affected by longer-term rates, which can move higher or lower without changes in Fed policies. Over 50 companies, including McDonalds, Burger King, Kroger, Safeway, and Costco, have adopted policies to eliminate gestation crates from their supply chains over various timelines. All Rights Reserved. Federal incentives are giving carbon storage a boost. In short, there is not a shortage of things to monitor and watch with China in 2022. In addition to supporting legal reforms, individuals can play a role in achieving this transition by reducing their consumption of food from animals and avoiding any products from animals raised on CAFOs. With inflation comes the question of whats next for interest rates, and weve been asked versions of these questions at nearly every presentation this winter. U.S. unlikely to vaccinate against bird flu, Asian Longhorn tick remains a concern to cattle producers, Portable hydraulic press for in-field use. With the WTI hitting the highest prices since 2014, higher energy prices will be worth monitoring in 2022. Read Manure Effects on Soil Organisms and Soil Quality. How long with the informal economic cease-fire continue? In this article, I outline the two broad trends that I believe will revolutionize our food system. At this years FACES conference, the following key messages were shared by speakers: Through our undercover investigations work, in which our investigators put themselves on the front lines, we expose the truth of conditions and cruelty that animals are forced to endure on farms across the country, Animal agriculture is this goliath that is ravaging this planet and dragging down everyone who inhabits it in the process., Its super important, especially educating people why its so important to change to a plant-based diet because thats one of the easiest ways that you can help fight climate change., Our movement, its like a movement of walking trauma survivors right now, understandably because weve developed a traumatic response from basically being awake to the fact that we live in a mass traumatic event which is carnism. With crude oil at $114 per barrel, diesel fuel is running north of $5.35 per gallon. Thats something to watch for in 2022, as are local efforts to promote smaller meat lockers and direct marketing of meat to consumers. The American Veal Association now requires its members to house calves in groups after 10 weeks of age. The Democratic administration of President Joe Biden has taken a starkly different approach to agricultural policy than his predecessor, Republican Donald Trump, and the results of this Novembers election could be just as impactful to farmers as their harvest that same month. As members of the animal agriculture community, these quotes can be frustrating to hear. Climate Documentary: Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret. All 50 states have enacted some form of right-to-farm law to thwart lawsuits against operations engaged in standard farming practices that result in nuisance conditionsnoises, odors, pollutants, etc. The inflated prices for agricultural inputs and the demand for labor will be driving forces in 2022, but here are some other topics of note: The carbon credit market is gaining interest with co-ops and companies like Some laws require housing that allows hens to lie down, stand up, fully extend their wings, and turn around. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported consumer prices up 8.5 percent, a continuation of the lingering inflation attributed to the COVID pandemic. As of April 2022, 28 percent of laying hens were in cage-free housing, up from 10 percent just six years ago. Consumers have begun demanding more from companies in terms of animal welfare and sustainability, leading to the emergence and growth of alternative systems that aim to produce food more closely aligned with the values of conscientious consumers. In this article, AWI examines what progress has been made over the past two decades toward replacing factory farming with a more humane and sustainable food system. Painful Procedures Zero waste farming is NOT a new idea, in fact, this concept is what farmers typically in developing countries have done for centuries! Farmers use their land and resources to their full potential or their incomes will diminish. We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). With the WTI hitting the highest prices since 2014, higher energy prices will be worth monitoring in 2022. While soil quality may be easily defined, it is less easily described; soil quality depends on many different biological, physical, and chemical factors, all of which interact to influence soil function and productivity. With a total of 435 House and 34 Senate seats up this year, political pundits predict a swing back to a Republican-dominated legislature and simply creates more uncertainty yet. Instead, CAFOs are governed by a patchwork of state and local lawsmost often designed not to hold them accountable but to further entrench them in American society. 1719 N Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036, Neuroscientists decoded peoples thoughts using brain scans, Mouse hair turns gray when certain stem cells get stuck, Here are 5 cool findings from a massive project on 240 mammal genomes, Fentanyl deaths have spiked among U.S. children and teens, Satellite data reveal nearly 20,000 previously unknown deep-sea mountains, Thawing permafrost may unleash industrial pollution across the Arctic, Ultrasound reveals trees drought-survival secrets, Seismic waves crossing Mars core reveal details of the Red Planets heart, Rocky planets might have been able to form in the early universe, Cosmic antimatter hints at origins of huge bubbles in our galaxys center, Black holes resolve paradoxes by destroying quantum states, These worms can escape tangled blobs in an instant. Some state anti-confinement laws also ban the sale of animal products from any facility, in state or out, that engages in forms of confinement prohibited by the law. Growth promotants are another tool employed to facilitate intensive animal production by increasing the rate of weight gain or milk production. A bill with bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress must address incentives for both farmers and forest landowners. Since animal agricultures impact on the climate is so large and catastrophic, it is important to discuss this difficult topic, that a lot of times society does not want to be told they are doing something wrong, or should be doing something so personal, like food and eating differently. Will Pork Demand in 2023 Overcome Inflation's Impact on Consumption? While China frequently makes our annual lists, the specifics are unique in 2022. Hrs: 3 Identify, research, and interpret major issues impacting animal agriculture using creative problem solving and critical thinking skills. Science News was founded in 1921 as an independent, nonprofit source of accurate information on the latest news of science, medicine and technology. The USDA reports that just in the last year alone, the cost of urea is up 149 percent, liquid nitrogen up 192 percent, and anhydrous ammonia up 235 percent. Wild super pigs are rooting toward Minnesota. You know, this is an atrocity.. 1281 Win Hentschel Blvd, West Lafayette, IN 47906, Terms of The latest Swine Disease Reporting System report has some people scratching their heads. A spoonful of sugars could help cooked mealworms go down more easily, a potential boon for the planet. Planting trees near crops and pumping water with solar power in India is reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. Brian Boyce is an award-winning writer living on a farm in west-central Indiana. Even bigger declines have been seen with the beta-agonist class of growth promotants used in pigs and cattle raised for meat. Today, the three largest certification programs verify the treatment of 1.5 billionone out of every sixfarm animals in the United States. Several groups recently convened annual conferences and events this summer, discussing new tactics and strategies they plan to use against animal agriculture to rally around their missions of total animal liberation. While animal rights proponents make up an incredibly small percentage of our population, they are loud and aggressive and can mislead consumers about the animal agriculture communitys commitment to animal welfare, sustainability, and other key topics. Reduces greenhouse gas emissions in landfills, Promotes uptake of carbon dioxide by vegetation, Makes our gardens and farms more sustainable and resilient against other effects of climate change, Compost breaks down organic matter and puts it to good use, benefiting the environment. light dark. The 2022 HSUS TAFA Conference was held in Washington, DC on July 16-17 and largely focused on the Big Cat Safety Act, however other sessions focused on legislative updates, specifically Californias Proposition 12, and campaigns targeting investor corporations. Apr. Even as large, industrial-scale farming has continued to expand over the past 20 years, awareness has grown over the detrimental impact of this type of production on animal welfare, the environment, and local communities. Media Contact: Rick Coker (301) 851-4091 richard.s.coker@usda.gov WASHINGTON, September 7, 2022 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has reviewed a new . From the Farm Bill to all things trade policy, all things agricultural hinge on this election between two increasingly hostile parties. Upon passage, Rep. Glenn "GT" Thompson (PA-15), Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, issued the following statement: "With today's passage of the Lower Energy Costs Act, House Republicans have delivered on our commitment to American energy independence. An extensive literature review found little information on the cost and comprehensive benefits of installing a manure storage structure cover. Animal agriculture produces 65% of the world's nitrous oxide emissions which has a global warming impact 296 times greater than carbon dioxide. Futures: at least 10 minute delayed. I want to remind everyone of their responsibility to speak up and be an informed voice for animal agriculture and sharing our story. A hallmark of industrialized animal agriculture is the extreme confinement of animals. Carbon emissions could be reduced by as much as 90% at Tharaldson Ethanol in Casselton,. Genome Spotlight: Desert Locust ( Schistocerca gregaria) Christie Wilcox, PhD | Jul 21, 2022 | 4 min read Agriculture and Farming Latest Search E.U. In the United States, there is virtually no use of anesthetics or analgesics for these procedures. Animal and environmental advocates have sometimes used environmental and zoning laws to slow down or even stop CAFOs from being built. And with supply chains still struggling to keep up from the COVID-19 pandemic, and the global supply of agricultural products from Ukraine and Russia in flux due to the wars, U.S. producers arent quite sure what to make of the mixed blessings of price. They say that for Californians, there is no such thing as a difference between an inhumanely raised and inhumanely created pork chop and a humanely created pork chop. The purpose of this publication is to help farmers sort through their options and make the best energy production choice for their farms. Alternative forms of animal agriculture have also grown in popularity. environmental degradation that is currently occurring. But most farm animals are still subjected to one or more painful physical alterations over the course of their lives, typically at a young age. Can we anticipate Chinas 2021 activity to be the new norm? But how and why do such amendments work? Biotechnology USDA supports the safe and appropriate use of science and technology, including biotechnology, to help meet agricultural challenges and consumer needs of the 21st century. 10) Energy. One of last year's big stories was the explosion of plant-based analogs to animal products. Farm Show 2020. offering programs to help farmers find their way to new revenue. We could go on with issues, but you get the point. To date, the animals most impacted by anti-confinement laws are hens. The Animal Agriculture Alliance works hard to safeguard the future of animal agriculture and its value to society by monitoring the activity of animal rights extremists. We see that you have javascript disabled. The egg and poultry industries show no interest in managing pain with medication, although industry guidelines now at least acknowledge that beak trimming (used to control cannibalism and other aggressive behaviors triggered by the crowded, unnatural conditions) does cause pain, and producers are encouraged to breed more docile birds to decrease reliance on beak trimming. While a surge of cases is underway with a new variant (Omicron) on everyones mind, it is worth noting conditions are very different than January 2021 and March 2020. Challenging hog production market conditions compounded by sow herd health issues are resulting in the reported closure of 37 sow farms owned by Smithfield Foods Inc., in Missouri. As we move forward, it will be important to stay up to date, update your forecasts and assessment of the conditions, and be proactive in managing risks. Agricultural practices are often defined as either sustainable or unsustainable. Will ARC and PLC remain? With land values and commodity prices strong, some landowners will be thinking that its time to raise the rent. We clearly missed the timing, but supply chain disruptions were everywhere in 2021. It was never clear what would happen at the end of Phase One (regardless of the outcomes), but here we are, and China didnt meet all of the stretch goals. Its worth noting the availability bias is often in full force with supply chain problems. While humans started gathering grains at least 105,000 years ago, nascent farmers only . Agriculture and similar land-use generates more greenhouse gas emissions than all power generation! Nine states have prohibited the extreme confinement of egg-laying hens. Researchers discovered startling soil erosion rates in the Midwest. Today four companies control approximately 55%-85% of beef, pork, and poultry processing. Theres nothing wrong with boosters but the bigger priority is reaching the unvaccinated. 207 UCB, UMC 355, Boulder, CO 80309-0207 We share the world with a wide range of living organisms, from microscopic bacteria togigantic whales. Although the specific language differs, these laws generally ban the confinement of animals in cages and crates. 82% of the world's starving children live in countries where food is fed to animals in livestock and then sold to wealthier and developed countries. The animal agriculture industry is the leading cause of most environmental degradation that is currently occurring. Subscribers, enter your e-mail address for full access to the Science News archives and digital editions. After a 26 percent increase in the agricultural use of medically important antibiotics from 2009 to 2015, such use declined by 38 percent from 2015 to 2020 (resulting in a net decline of 22 percent from 2009 to 2020). Waste in the meat industry, too, is a major problem in of itself. Vandals struck a livestock farm in northeast Iowa this winter, attempting to burn two barns full of piglets in late December and early January with molotov cocktails. After the passage of Public Act 261 in 1999, two substantial changes were made inMichigans Right-to-Farm Act. Finally, China has faced several headwinds in recent years: the Trade War, African Swine Fever, COVID, and now a looming financial crisis. Sector at a Glance. Plant-based diet! Technology Alone Won't Fix the Food System. State legislative measures dictating animal care are often lobbied for by activist organizations and have the potential to impact farmers' and ranchers' ability to provide safe, nutritious and affordable animal products for all. Another ongoing storyline will be the development of the worlds biggest carbon capture pipeline, the Midwest Carbon Express. If you are a professional engaged in animal agriculture as a producer, a veterinarian, scientist, government or allied industry representative, then membership in NIAA is for you. These statutes and their beneficiaries have been challenged extensively in southeastern states, where massive pig and chicken operations contaminate community water and foul the air with their waste and stench. This section covers updates on livestock diseases, exports, new facilities, and mergers and acquisitions. Prior research by our team has documented that calves arrive to calf-raising facilities in poor condition. Is the Spike in PCV2 Cases in Sows a Concern? At Elanco, Katie Cook is finding sustainable solutions that keep livestock healthier and reduce the livestock sector's carbon footprint. Those are historic numbers for sure, unfortunately the cost of inputs has risen to match. Sem. For example, only 3 percent of pigs in the United States are covered by gestation crate bans (and there are no bans on farrowing crates, which confine sows from late pregnancy until weaning of the piglets). On the other, the duration has been short, and conditions are nowhere near the levels observed in the 1970s. U.S. unlikely to vaccinate against bird flu The government will stamp out bird flu through aggressive culling of infected flocks and is unlikely to turn to vaccines as a tool against the disease, said Agriculture Undersecretary Jenny Moffitt. Farmers will need to resist the temptation caused by green grass, hold off on grazing pressure and manage their grazing eco-system of soil, plants and cattle for optimum, long-term benefit. Even poor-quality land values increased by 12.1 percent to $6,441. Depending on the state, however, the calves may be confined individually for those first weeks. Suffice it to say conditions have gotten tense around the world. That last component will undoubtedly affect every single element within the agricultural industry as lending is key to not only crop production and business operations, but the financing of equipment, which has become significantly pricier the last two years. Challenging Market, Sow Health Issues Cause Reported Closure of 37 Sow Farms, Water pH and Cool Cells: Understanding the Relationship, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information.
current issues in animal agriculture 2022