Ethanol Production Linked to Intensive Livestock Operations
When an ethanol plant is operated in conjunction with a feedlot, air quality and contamination of groundwater can become a significant issue. Manure spreading may also cause soil contamination. For more information, see Intensive Livestock Operations (ILO's).
An additional consideration is around the nutrient cycle, from crop to ethanol to feed by-products to manure. Ecological principles would indicate that manure should be used, wherever possible, on those lands supplying the feedstock in order to minimize the use of synthetic fertilizers in the production of the ethanol.
Manure must be managed properly to avoid soil and water contamination. Whether or not it is possible to do so depends upon the scale of the operation.