effects on structure such as occurred roughly two to three decades
ago with the requirements for bulk tanks, milk houses and related
facilities. That is, we may see large numbers of dairy farm exits and
quantum leaps in dairy farm size over a relatively short time pe-
riod—making the results of our study appear inaccurate.
This study of dairy waste compliance has implications for all of an-
imal agriculture. In particular, EPA waste handling requirements
could be one of the factors that lead to structural change in both the
hog industry and the demise of the few farmer-feeders of beef cattle
that remain. That is, the most decisive effect may be those cases in
which farmers, as a result of the EPA requirements, decide to re-
structure their operations. As a result, U.S. agriculture could experi-
ence even more rapid structural change.
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