Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs)

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) are large-scale facilities where livestock, such as cattle, pigs, and poultry, are raised in high-density conditions. These operations focus on maximizing production and efficiency, often confining animals in small spaces with limited access to pasture. While CAFOs can produce food more economically, they raise concerns about animal welfare, environmental impacts—such as water pollution from waste runoff—and public health risks related to antibiotic use and disease spread. As a result, CAFOs are a topic of significant debate in agriculture and food policy.