Manure and the environment: A study of Iowa's livestock production

Recent concerns about the intensiveness of lowa's livestock industry and the subsequent high levels of manure production have led to major changes in the policy which governs animal producers. The policy changes specifically target ground and surface water contamination caused by manure spills. Because of the current focus on water quality degradation caused by manure leaks and spills, it would be useful to develop an economic model which could distinguish between those producers more likely to pollute and those producers less likely to pollute based on producer characteristics (e.g. type of animals produced, size of facility, and location of facility) and based on regulatory characteristics (e.g. regional jurisdictions, penalties, and enforcement). A theoretical model developed from a household model is useful in determining which variables are most likely to identify violators. Once these variables are determined, empirical data are used to test the theoretical model. Two empirical models are run based on the original theoretical model. The first model uses the population of facilities who have committed a violation between 1983 and mid-1998 combined with a random sample of non-violators. Three significant variables are found: population density, age of the facility, and whether or not the facility produces hogs. The second model focuses only on those facilities which have committed a violation. The model attempts to distinguish between those facilities with only one violation and those with more than one violation. Two significant variables are found: penalty and whether or not the facility produces beef. Overall, the models developed were not as successful as hoped. Inconsistent and incomplete data as well as a small sample size are likely to blame. The author recommends further study in this area. The implications of increasing regulation as well as increasing pollution are serious and deserve adequate study before conclusions are drawn

The Pork Industry: Environmental Regulations and Competitiveness

Because of pork production\u27s increasing importance to the U.S. and world economies, questions concerning the relationship among environmental regulations, manure management practices, and production costs have arisen. The goal of this report is to discern whether competitive advantages exist in particular U.S. regions or countries. The current levels other rapidly changing environmental regulations in five key hog producing states are discussed in addition to possible geophysical and legal considerations producers have when selecting a site and deciding on a manure management practice. Existing data on production costs and manure management practices, along with a regions regulatory environment, are used to determine whether a region has a competitive advantage. The data indicates that he historical advantage of the North in hog production has diminished in recent years

The Pork Industry: Environmental Regulations and Competitiveness

Because of pork production's increasing importance to the U.S. and world economies, questions concerning the relationship among environmental regulations, manure management practices, and production costs have arisen. The goal of this report is to discern whether competitive advantages exist in particular U.S. regions or countries. The current levels other rapidly changing environmental regulations in five key hog producing states are discussed in addition to possible geophysical and legal considerations producers have when selecting a site and deciding on a manure management practice. Existing data on production costs and manure management practices, along with a regions regulatory environment, are used to determine whether a region has a competitive advantage. The data indicates that he historical advantage of the North in hog production has diminished in recent years.</p