New York Democrats Want to Limit Cows on Farms
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New York State Democrats are pushing legislation to rein in massive cattle farms by strictly limiting the number of permits for industrial-scale livestock operations, known as Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), in the state.
Newsweek reached out to the bill's sponsors and New York State's Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) via email for comment.
Why It Matters
Currently, New York State has around 500 CAFOs, with the vast majority dairy farms with 300 or more cows and associated livestock operations, according to the DEC.
A large CAFO is defined as a farm with over 700 mature dairy cows; smaller farms typically do not require a permit unless specific environmental factors are present, such as the farm being a significant contributor of pollutants. Over 1,000 cattle or calf pairs also qualify as a large CAFO.
The dairy industry is the largest sector of the state's agricultural industry and is the country's fifth-largest producer of milk, as well as the largest producer of yogurt and cottage cheese, according to the state's agricultural department.
What To Know
The bill, introduced by representatives from New York City, Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal and Senator Jabari Brisport, seeks to limit the number of CAFOs that can exist in the state by lowering the number of permits available.
The bill, S.6530 and A.6928, states that "The department shall not issue a license or permit or approval for the operation of a new large concentrated animal feeding operation, or an addition to, or expansion of, an existing animal feeding operation if the addition or expansion would cause the animal feeding operation to become a large concentrated animal feeding operation or increase the animal stabling or confinement capacity of an existing large concentrated animal feeding operation."
Cows stand at a milking station at Twin Birch Dairy in Skaneateles, New York, on March 21, 2025.
Cows stand at a milking station at Twin Birch Dairy in Skaneateles, New York, on March 21, 2025.
Caitlyn Daproza via AP
The bill won't suspend current CAFOs, but it will not allow more to gain permits. It is unclear what will happen to permits that expire.
Mass farms have been criticized for environmental issues, notably the release of methane gas and the contamination of waterways by manure. Methane is one of the most significant gases contributing to global warming, and it traps approximately 80 times more heat than carbon dioxide over a 20-year time scale, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Livestock account for around 32 percent of human-caused methane emissions, according to the United Nations Environment Programme.
Dairy cows produce around six to seven gallons of milk a day. On average, since 2018, the price of milk per gallon in the United States has increased, with a notable dip in May 2024.
The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis reports that the average cost of milk in U.S. cities is around $4 per gallon as of April 2025.
What People Are Saying
Jefferson County Agricultural Coordinator Jay Matteson told 7 News: "They haven't done their research. They've never been on dairy farms. How dare they try to regulate something they know nothing about. Even though we may think they're really big by Jefferson County standards, in the grand scheme of things, those are small businesses and very critical to the communities."
New York GOP spokesperson David Laska, in a statement: "The whiff of manure from Albany Democrats is stronger than usual this week. Dairy farmers should not be the villains in an imaginary climate change narrative - they should be respected as part of the backbone of our state's rural economy and heritage.
"Senator Brisport and Assemblywoman Rosenthal should accept the invitation from Jefferson County Agricultural Coordinator Jay Matteson and trade in their soy lattes for a day on the farm - maybe then they'll stop micromanaging rural life without understanding its realities."
State Senator Jabari Brisport, a Brooklyn Democrat, said: "These factory farms wreak havoc on the environment, they are also pretty much always in direct impact marginalized communities, especially with the runoff, fumes, and the way they affect local waterways, and also the way they affect local economies."
What Happens Next
The bill, which was introduced in mid-March, has been referred to the respective environmental conservation committees in both chambers.
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