Our world has become a specialized society, and with specialization there are new demands placed on farmers. In the past, farmers were not responsible for feeding the massive numbers of people that they do now. Consequently, the industrial process has resulted in the loss of the original morals of small farms. In the larger corporations the quality of the product starts to attain a lower standard, creating the cycle of quantity over quality. Swine farming has many effects on the environment, rivers, other grazing animals, human health and the economy. .
The environmental impact of mass farming is alarming. The main environmental effect of pig production is related to the large amount of waste that is produced. When free ranged pigs produce waste upon fields, it creates a natural environment; however, when it is commercialized, it produces excessive growth of many natural gasses and chemicals, which results in more harm than benefits. The resulting waste causes destruction to the ecosystem (Flan). There are three main gases and odors that are created from swine waste. The most toxic gas that seeps into the atmosphere is methane (Flan). When released, methane traps heat, which leads to global warming. The second most abundant gas is carbon dioxide. This gas is beneficial to a certain extent, but when the levels are too high, it also leads global warming (Flan). Carbon dioxide is often overlooked as a pollutant potential because it is odorless. One of the most destructive elements is ammonia in its liquid form, which produces a pungent smell that is derived from swine urine (Stone). Ammonia in liquid form is very corrosive and destructive to whatever it comes in contact with. The gas it produces damages the lungs and sinus cavities of the mammal that is breathing in the fumes (Flan). Another detrimental consequence that is associated with hog farming is land erosion. Pigs have a tendency to root in the dirt with their snouts.