About the Map

Nitrogen Overload From Manure Plus Commercial Fertilizer

• EWG used computer modeling to simulate which fields get manure from the 23,725 active feedlots in the state. The model allocated manure to fields based on how much was needed to meet the amount of nitrogen recommended for growing crops. Beige signifies fields available to get manure.
• Orange show all fields the model projects would receive manure
• Counties outlined in black are hotspots where fields are likely overloaded with nitrogen from both manure and commercial fertilizer.

Click on a county to see details, including county name, number of feedlots, animal type responsible for the most manure production, and the number of acres that likely received manure.

The bar chart shows how much nitrogen applied in manure and sold in fertilizers meets or exceeds the amount recommended for crops. Overloading fields with more than the recommended amount of nitrogen seriously increases the risk of polluting drinking water with nitrate, a form of nitrogen associated with increased risk of cancer.

Click to view the full EWG Report and Detailed Results.