August 28, 2007
Purdue launches CAFO Web site to aid decision makers
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - A new Web site featuring scientific information about concentrated animal feeding operations was developed by Purdue University to help people who make decisions about CAFOs."We wanted to develop a source of information that is based on science, not sentiment," said Alan Grant, head of the Department of Animal Sciences. "We are excited because this Web site brings information from multiple disciplines together and is easy for people to access."
The information, written by Purdue experts, is targeted to zoning boards, planning commissions, agricultural Extension educators, as well as citizens and farmers.
The Web site, online at https://www.ansc.purdue.edu/CAFO, covers environmental issues, public health issues, social and economic issues, and general information. Additional content will be added in the coming weeks.
"It's designed to be a clearinghouse of unbiased scientific information covering different issues related to modern animal agriculture," said Paul Ebner, Purdue Extension expert in animal science and Web site operator.
"Let's say a zoning board has to make a decision about allowing a producer to build a CAFO within 5 miles of an elementary school," Ebner said. "That zoning board is receiving information from the producer, the local commodity group's organization, parents of schoolchildren, as well as neighbors of the producer and the school."
Much of the information zoning board members receive is biased and has strong emotions behind it, Ebner said.
"Now, the zoning board can visit the CAFO Web site and read about the environmental and public health issues of animal agriculture that could potentially affect children attending the school and sort myth from fact," he said.
Publications include information on:
* Insects found at or around livestock farms and how to manage them.
* Different manure storage systems and safety and odor control measures.
* Antibiotic use in food animal production and its potential affect on human health.
* Unabsorbed antibiotics in surface water, groundwater and plants.
* The economic impact of Indiana livestock industries.
Web site visitors also have the opportunity to ask questions relating to CAFOs. Each question will be assigned to the appropriate Purdue expert with an expected 24-hour turnaround time. Also included on the Web site is a news feed with other land-grant university information.
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management reported that the number of construction applications (permits) issued to CAFOs and confined feeding operations (CFOs) increased 26.7 percent over the last two years from the average number of permits issued between 2000 and 2004.
CAFO expansions are increasing in Indiana for many reasons.
"Indiana is well-suited for livestock production because of its resources and geographic location," Grant said. "There is an abundance of corn and soybeans for livestock feed, there are two major pork processing facilities in the state, and we have quick access to major cities, like Chicago, and the East Coast.
"In addition, agriculture and livestock production are seen as ways to improve economic activity in rural Indiana."
For questions and more information about the Purdue CAFO Web site, contact Ebner at (765) 494-4820, pebner@purdue.edu.
Writer: Julie Douglas, (765) 496-1050, douglajk@purdue.edu
Sources: Paul Ebner, (765) 494-4820, pebner@purdue.edu
Alan Grant, (765) 494-4808, agrant@purdue.edu
Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
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