Animal Agriculture & the Soybean Checkoff

Want some quick tidbits on animal agriculture? Check out the fact sheets below. Just click on the icon to download the file.

For more information, contact mheth@unitedsoybean.org.

FACTS

Animal Ag Fast Facts

U.S. Farming and Food Consumption

The average U.S. farmer raises enough food to feed 144 other people. In 1940, that number was 19.

Animal Agriculture Production

Animal agriculture consumed more than 31 million tons of soybean meal in 2005.

Economics

In 2005 animal agriculture in the United States accounted for nearly $17 billion in income and sales tax.

Food Safety

Safe food handling techniques can help stop harmful bacteria. Steps include:
- Keeping food and surfaces clean — Wash hands and surfaces often.
- Separating raw foods — Don’t cross-contaminate.
- Proper cooking — Cook to proper temperature.
- Proper refrigeration — Keep meat cold and limit exposure.

Antibiotics

Animals raised without antibiotics are more likely to carry pathogenic bacteria that can make people sick.

Download Animal Ag Fast Facts
in Microsoft Word format

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) FAQs

Q: What is an animal feeding operation (AFO)?
A: Livestock and poultry facilities are considered AFOs if they feed or maintain animals for 45 days or more a year in a place that has no vegetation during a normal growing season.

Q: Are all livestock and poultry facilities AFOs?
A: No. Pasture and rangeland operations are not considered AFOs because the animals are not confined in a concentrated area.

Q: How does an AFO become a concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO)?
A: CAFOs are AFOs that have a specified number of animals and/or meets one of two discharge criteria established by the EPA.

Q: Is there a difference in the types of CAFOs?
A: Yes. CAFOs are categorized into Large, Medium and Small operations. The requirements for each category are different and the requirements for compliance vary.

Download CAFO FAQs
in Microsoft Word format

Want to learn more?
Download this brochure.

Click on the icon to download this animal agriculture brochure produced by soybean farmers through their soybean checkoff. The brochure highlights the importance of animal ag to our communities, our economy and our way of life.

The soybean checkoff.

Supporting local livestock producers is a top priority for U.S. soybean farmers. That’s because livestock and poultry are the #1 customer of U.S. soybean meal. So when animal agriculture succeeds, so do soybean farmers.

Every soybean farmer in the United States contributes to the soybean checkoff at a rate of 0.5 percent of the market price per bushel sold. Half of this money is invested at the national level, funding important demand-enhancing programs such as new uses, exports and this animal ag media site. The other half works at the state level, supporting marketing and research programs right where the soybeans were grown.

Other checkoff-funded projects include:

• promoting soy biodiesel
• increasing awareness of the importance of soybean oil and protein
• developing action plans for soybean rust

For more information on activities funded by the soybean checkoff, visit unitedsoybean.org or contact Mandy Heth.