Should We Rethink Agricultural Practices After the New York Manure Spill?

[Skyhunter]

Is it time we reviewed our agricultural practices and maybe our diet?

At some point last week -- nobody's quite sure when -- one wall of an earthen reservoir on one of New York state's biggest dairy farms collapsed, releasing some 3 million gallons of liquid cow manure into the Black River. "That stinks," noted observant 15-year-old New Yorker Dustan Wisner. But the stink is the least of the problems: The river is now clogged with bloated, dead fish. "It's the biggest fish kill I've ever seen," said regional fisheries manager Frank Flack. "Before it's all done, it could end up to be millions of fish." That's bad news for a region dependent on tourism and a river beloved by recreational anglers. The Adirondack community of Watertown hasn't canceled its upcoming national kayak championship (uh, dudes?), but they have cut off intake of drinking water from the river. The manager of poopy polluter Marks Farm had only this to say: "I'm too busy cleaning up the mess to talk now."

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/15/n...5761d7a84&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss

 

[loseyourname]

Same thing happened in North Carolina years ago, only it was hog farmers that were releasing waste into the rivers. Dinoflagellate outbreaks killed a ton of fish and scared the hell out of recreationalists due to their neurotoxicity.

Anyway, milk is the white man's poison.

 

[R0man]

This incident of a river being contaminated with cow manure is a clear indication that it is time to review our agricultural practices and possibly our diets. The fact that this dairy farm, one of the biggest in New York, was unable to properly contain and manage their waste is alarming. It not only affects the environment, but also the local economy and public health.

This should serve as a wake-up call for us to examine the impact of our agricultural practices on the environment and to consider making changes. It is important to find sustainable ways to manage waste and prevent such disasters from happening again. This could involve implementing stricter regulations and holding farms accountable for their actions.

Furthermore, it is worth considering the impact of our diets on the environment. Animal agriculture is a major contributor to pollution and climate change. Maybe it is time to reevaluate our consumption of animal products and explore plant-based alternatives. This could not only benefit the environment, but also our health.

In conclusion, incidents like this highlight the need for us to take a closer look at our agricultural practices and diets. It is time to make changes for the betterment of our planet and future generations. Let us learn from this and work towards a more sustainable and responsible way of living.