With animals being raised on Indiana farms, farmers understand that, if not managed properly, livestock operations could have an impact on Indiana’s natural resources, particularly its waterways. 

In the past, waste from farm operations could run off into rivers and streams, causing contamination of natural resources.  Concern remains throughout the state about the safety of Indiana’s water sources, particularly in areas that are rich with livestock production.  Indiana’s livestock producers share these concerns.  Natural resources like clean water are crucial to the future success of Indiana’s livestock producers.  Today, livestock producers go to great lengths to ensure that Indiana’s rivers, streams and other waterways are protected.  

Why Raise Livestock?

Because the average American eats nearly 200 pounds of meat and poultry, 255 eggs, and 29 pounds of cheese each year.  Every day, Indiana’s livestock producers must balance the demand for high-quality meat and poultry products with the need to produce these products in a manner that is environmentally responsible.  

In 1972, the Clean Water Act was created, which established the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into U.S. waters.  New regulations have been added over the years that mandate the means in which animal waste is disposed.  Livestock operations, for example, are prohibited from discharging manure into streams and must follow strict guidelines on how manure is stored and used on farms.

Not only do our livestock producers follow mandated guidelines stringently, but they also proactively develop new ways to protect our resources.  Indiana’s livestock producers work with organizations like the National Resource Conservation Service to discover new technology for the storage and disposal of animal waste. 

Many modern livestock operations implement procedures such as manure and soil testing, careful planning of manure application, inspection of waste storage structures, and thorough well monitoring to maintain water quality. 

From managing animals’ access to waterways to implementing nutrient management plans to ensure manure is utilized in a way that benefits Indiana’s farmland, livestock producers take every step necessary to ensure the continued protection of our natural resources.

Indiana’s livestock producers are stewards of our environment and rely on Indiana’s natural resources for their business success.  Farmers understand that they must continue to work to make sure future generations of livestock producers, as well as all other Indiana residents, can continue to enjoy our state’s rich resources.