The idea of looking at manure as a resource, not a waste, has been central to much of the more recent thinking on the whole subject of good farm management. That is also the central idea of the present study, which maintains that the lessons of international experience suggest that the development of biogas systems is important for farm waste management. Brazil is abundant in livestock waste resources, but its livestock production management is very inefficient, particularly in the small rural properties. The objective of this article is to study the environmental impact of intensive livestock production systems and how the use of biodigesters should be an option in waste treatment and management.