HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Fontenot, J. P. Articles by Webb, K. E. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Fontenot, J. P. Articles by Webb, K. E., Jr.

Health Aspects of Recycling Animal Wastes by Feeding¹

Abstract

Approximately 1.6 billion tons of animal wastes are produced annually in the United States. Since a large portion of the wastes is from animals managed under intensive systems, the wastes must be handled in a manner which will cause minimum risk to human health and comfort. The wastes possess substantial nutritional value. Satisfactory performance was obtained when these were fed to farm animals and the taste of meat, milk and eggs has not been adversely affected.

Recycling by feeding the wastes is not sanctioned by F.D.A. due to potential hazards from pathogens and drug residues. No indication has been obtained of harmful effects in humans consuming meat, milk and eggs from animals fed waste. The only documented evidence of deleterious effect on animal health from feeding animal wastes was copper toxicity in sheep fed broiler litter containing high levels of copper. This is not a serious problem with other farm animals since they are not as sensitive to high dietary copper.

¹ Presented as part of a Symposium, The Use of Antimicrobials and Hormones for Livestock Production, at the 66th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Animal Science at the University of Maryland, College Park, July 30, 1974.

² Department of Animal Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061.