Question

1. feedlots with 30 000 or more head of cattle present massive challenges to the ecosystem. cattle can be cared for humanely by specialist in properly run feedlots. here are some regulations and practices that are necessary for environmentally acceptable operations:

• reasonable methods for storage and disposal of animal wastes must be in place. some operations have their own sewage-treatment lagoons.
• there must be systematic, scientific, and effective control program for pests.
• there must be adequate drainage for storm water.
• feedlots must be located in areas that are not subject to periodic flooding.
• there must be adequate and efficient means to detect and treat animal diseases.
• there must be adequate equipment capable of scraping, cleaning and grading feedlots.
• the operation must meet all federal and local regulations for air and water quality.
• some feedlots have lined their sewage-treatment lagoons with clay to ensure that leakage does not occur. leakage would result in the pollution of ground waters. the water from the treated sewage evaporates from the lagoon as part of the natural water cycle.

an example of a feedlot in south dakota. (image)
a. explain why a large feedlot would employ one or more full-time veterinarians. (2 marks)
b. state one positive, one negative for all three aspects of sustainability – like we did with logging and oil industry. (3 marks)
c. which would be more sustainable:
i. one feedlot with 10 000 head of cattle
ii. 100 farms with 100 head of cattle each
give your opinion and include reasoning (from part b) using all three aspects of sustainability. (2 marks)
*hint: you will need the backside of this page to answer this question!

Explanation:

Part a

Step1: Identify the need for disease control

Large feedlots have many cattle, so disease spread risk is high. A veterinarian can detect and treat diseases early to prevent outbreaks, which protects the herd and reduces economic losses from sick animals.

Step2: Ensure compliance with regulations

Regulations require adequate disease detection/treatment. A full - time vet ensures the feedlot meets these legal requirements, avoiding penalties and maintaining environmental/animal health standards.

Step1: Define the three aspects of sustainability

The three aspects are environmental, social, and economic.

Step2: Analyze environmental sustainability

• Positive: Some feedlots have proper waste disposal (e.g., sewage - treatment lagoons) which can reduce pollution compared to unregulated operations.
• Negative: Large - scale cattle farming can lead to water pollution (e.g., if waste disposal fails) and land degradation from over - use.

Step3: Analyze social sustainability

• Positive: Feedlots can provide jobs (e.g., for veterinarians, farm workers), contributing to local employment.
• Negative: Odor and pollution from feedlots can negatively impact the quality of life of nearby residents.

Step4: Analyze economic sustainability

• Positive: Economies of scale in large feedlots can lead to lower production costs per animal, increasing profitability.
• Negative: Initial investment for setting up a large feedlot (e.g., for waste management systems) is high, and there is a risk of financial loss from disease outbreaks.

Step1: Analyze environmental aspect

• For 100 farms with 100 cattle each: Smaller operations may have less concentrated waste, so lower risk of large - scale pollution. They may also be more likely to use traditional, less - polluting farming methods.
• For one feedlot with 10,000 cattle: It can have more advanced waste management systems (due to economies of scale) but also has a higher risk of large - scale pollution if systems fail.

Step2: Analyze social aspect

• For 100 farms: More widespread employment in local communities, but less job specialization (e.g., fewer vet jobs per farm).
• For one feedlot: Provides fewer, but more specialized jobs (e.g., full - time vets), but may negatively impact nearby residents more due to concentration of operations.

Step3: Analyze economic aspect

• For 100 farms: Higher production costs per animal (no economies of scale), but less financial risk from a single disease outbreak.
• For one feedlot: Lower production costs per animal (economies of scale), but higher initial investment and higher risk of financial loss from a single disease outbreak.

Step4: Form an opinion

100 farms with 100 head of cattle each may be more sustainable overall. Environmentally, the spread - out nature reduces the risk of large - scale pollution. Socially, it provides more widespread employment and less negative impact on any one community. Economically, while production costs per animal are higher, the risk of total financial collapse from a single event (like a disease outbreak) is lower.

Answer:

A large feedlot employs full - time veterinarians to 1) control and treat animal diseases promptly to prevent large - scale outbreaks (which would cause economic loss and animal suffering) and 2) ensure the feedlot meets regulatory requirements for animal health, thus maintaining legal compliance and environmental/animal welfare standards.

Part b