USDA Data Reveals California Mega-Dairy Herds Surge 72% in Two Decades
Source: The DairyNews
Recent analysis of the USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture data by Food & Water Watch, unveiled on February 21, highlights a significant surge in industrial animal agriculture across the United States, resulting in record-breaking levels of waste. California emerges as a focal point, with mega-dairies in the state producing 1.5 times the waste of its human population.
Key California findings include:
Rapid Growth in Confined Animals: California leads in the number of dairy cows on factory farms, with 1.7 million, more than double the count in the next highest state, Wisconsin.
Expansion of Mega-Dairy Herds: The average size of California mega-dairy herds increased by 72% from 2002 to 2022, reaching an average herd size of 2,300 animals today.
Decline in Small Dairies: As factory farms dominate, the number of small dairies operating outside the factory farm system in California plummeted by three-quarters from 2002 to 2022.
Excessive Waste Production: California factory farms generate 1.5 times the waste compared to the state's human population. Mega-dairies alone contribute 9.2 billion pounds of manure annually, surpassing the waste produced by the LA metro area.
This surge in industrial animal agriculture, particularly in mega-dairies, poses severe challenges to small farmers, rural communities, public health, and the environment. The analysis underscores the urgent need for regulatory measures to address pollution, water contamination, and the negative impact on California's air, water, health, and independent farmers. Advocates, including Food & Water Watch, are calling for a factory farm moratorium to mitigate the escalating crisis.
Rapid Growth in Confined Animals: California leads in the number of dairy cows on factory farms, with 1.7 million, more than double the count in the next highest state, Wisconsin.
Expansion of Mega-Dairy Herds: The average size of California mega-dairy herds increased by 72% from 2002 to 2022, reaching an average herd size of 2,300 animals today.
Decline in Small Dairies: As factory farms dominate, the number of small dairies operating outside the factory farm system in California plummeted by three-quarters from 2002 to 2022.
Excessive Waste Production: California factory farms generate 1.5 times the waste compared to the state's human population. Mega-dairies alone contribute 9.2 billion pounds of manure annually, surpassing the waste produced by the LA metro area.
This surge in industrial animal agriculture, particularly in mega-dairies, poses severe challenges to small farmers, rural communities, public health, and the environment. The analysis underscores the urgent need for regulatory measures to address pollution, water contamination, and the negative impact on California's air, water, health, and independent farmers. Advocates, including Food & Water Watch, are calling for a factory farm moratorium to mitigate the escalating crisis.
