New York Legislature Considers Dairy Herd Size Limits Amid Environmental Concerns

Legislators in New York have proposed a bill to limit dairy farm herd sizes to under 700 cows, citing environmental concerns such as manure runoff and methane emissions from larger factory farms. However, some farmers, including Shane St. Cyr of Adirondack Farms, argue that large family-owned operations play a vital role in local food production and that such restrictions could negatively impact New York's dairy industry. Meanwhile, in South Africa, the Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen warned against buying cattle from high-risk areas to control the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease, which is disrupting the meat supply chain and impacting international trade. In Kansas, residents near large cattle feedlots have expressed concerns over environmental pollution and health risks due to manure waste, opposing expansions of mega-feedlot operations. In India, right-wing groups accused local police of failing to act against illegal cow slaughter, although police officials reported multiple rescues of cows and arrests related to slaughterhouse activities. These diverse issues reflect ongoing tensions between agricultural practices, environmental impacts, disease control, and local community concerns across different regions.