As well as animal welfare concerns over rearing large numbers of farm animals in close proximity, the water use, farmland for animal feed, waste and greenhouse-gas emissions associated with meat production make it one of the most significant environmental problems in the world today.

CNN: Lab-grown meat gives food for thought

In Arkansas, where conditions are the driest they've been since 1925, according to one widely used measure of short-term drought, ranchers have been selling off cattle to avoid having to feed and water them, said Arkansas Department of Agriculture spokesman Zach Taylor.

CNN: U.S. drought biggest since 1956, climate agency says

Ideally, when a chick becomes a candidate to become an egg-laying hen, it is put in a clean environment with clean water and feed, he said.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Agricultural irrigation along with cattle feed lots located near the plants to take advantage of the co-product distillers grain add to local water demands.

FORBES: Biofuels: Fields Of Pipedreams