An issue of rising concern in Idaho, and especially within the Treasure Valley, is the disappearance of farmland as urban areas continue to dominate the landscape. However, in the face of this encroachment, the number of Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO’s) continues to increase. The Treasure Valley is home to the second largest concentration of CAFO’s in Idaho. Currently, land occupied by CAFO’s is considered to be farmland. However, the environmental, economic, and aesthetic implications of landscapes used for dairy and beef production vary significantly from other agricultural operations. In this paper, I review the role that CAFO’s play in the culture, economy, and ecology of the Treasure Valley in comparison to other forms of large-scale farming. For my research, I reviewed a number of scientific papers as well as formal reports published by the United States Department of Agriculture and industry groups such as United Dairymen of Idaho. Ultimately, I suggest that, although the beef and dairy industries have a significant influence on Idaho’s economy and identity, land dedicated to the use of CAFO’s should not be considered farmland, and may even be distorting our perspective on farmland disappearance within the valley.

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations and Disappearing Farmland