module 1: managing manure for environmental protection

Certified Nutrient Management Planning 1-1Logo

Module 1: Managing Manure for Environmental Protection

By Mark Risse and Diana Rashash

Module Goals: Understand key environ-

mental issues Recognize principles of good

stewardship Understand why nutrient

balance is an important issue and strategies to address it on-farm

Review basic regulatory requirements

EPA’s Leading Sources of Water Quality ImpairmentRank Rivers Lakes Estuaries 1 Agriculture Agriculture Municipal 2 Municipal Urban Runoff Urban Runoff 3 Urban Runoff Utilities Agriculture 4 Mining Municipal Industry 5 Industry Septic Mining

Source: EPA National Water Quality Inventory Report to Congress, 1993

Sources of N and P To Watersheds in Northeast U.S.(1995 GAO report to U.S. Congress)

Atmos- Fertilizer Manure Pointphere Source

Nitrogen Phosphorus

Manure: Good or Bad Source of pathogens and oxygen-demanding

substances that harm water or source of organic matter that improves soil quality

Our largest source of water quality impairmentor a source of plant nutrients that can save energy and money

Source of odor and emissions that harm neighbors or a means to reduce carbon dioxide emissions that cause global warming.

Your management determines which it is!

An Environmental Steward:

#1 Is aware of farm’s environmental risks.#2 Has NO point source discharges.

An Environmental Steward (continued):

#3 Implements a nutrient management plan.#4 Is a good neighbor.#5 Knows the rules.

Manure Has Environmental Benefits

Manure Manure contains organic carbon. Organic carbon is key to soil health and

structure.

Commercial fertilizer

Environmental Benefits of Manure

Increases soil carbon Reduces soil erosion and

runoff Reduces nitrogen (N)

leaching potential Increases crop productivity Replaces energy-intensive

N fertilizer and limited resource phosphorus (P) fertilizer

Review of Historical Soil Conservation Experiment Data (Risse and Gilley 2000)

Manure reduced total runoff by 1%-68%. Manure reduced soil erosion by 13%-77%.

Water Quality IssuesAssociated with Animal Production

What are the Primary Water Quality Contaminants in Manure?

Pollutant Risk to: Common PathNitrate Human/Animal

HealthLeaching toGroundwater

Ammonia Fish Kills Surface Runoff

P Eutrophication Erosion/SurfaceRunoff

Pathogens Human Health Surface Runoff

OrganicMatter

Reducedoxygen-fish kills

Surface Runoff

Pollution from Nutrients Nitrogen

Limiting element for plant growth

Highly soluble and mobile in environment

Nitrates are health hazard Can be transferred through

atmosphere

Pollution from Nutrients (continued) Phosphorus

Often limiting to aquatic plant growth Less mobile, erosion control important Tends to buildup in soil

Pathogens Manure contains organisms that can

cause infection or disease. Concern for drinking

water Soil is an effective filter

for most pathogens. Land application, long-

term storage, and com-posting can reduce numbers.

Pathogens (continued) Fecal coliform is indicator measured for water

quality. Young stock generally has higher levels of

pathogen loads.

Point Source of Pollutiona single identifiable source of pollution, such as a pipe, through which wastewater is discharged into surface waters.

Nonpoint Source Pollutiontakes place over a broad area and results in the release of pollutants from many different locations. Runoff and soil erosion are often the driving force for nonpoint source pollution.

What are the Pathways by Which Manure Contaminates Water?

Septic Tank

PrivateWell

Unsaturated Zone

Water Table

Sand & Gravel Aquifer

Bedrock

Manure Storage

Precipitation

1. Surface runoff

Septic Tank

PrivateWell

Unsaturated Zone

Water Table

Bedrock

Manure Storage

Precipitation

1. Surface runoff2. Leaching to groundwater

Septic Tank

PrivateWell

Unsaturated Zone

Water Table

Bedrock

Manure Storage

Precipitation

1. Surface runoff 3. Well casings2. Leaching to groundwater

Septic Tank

PrivateWell

Unsaturated Zone

Water Table

Bedrock

Manure Storage

Precipitation

123 22

1. Surface runoff 3. Well casings2. Leaching to groundwater 4. Ammonia deposition

Septic Tank

PrivateWell

Unsaturated Zone

Water Table

Bedrock

Manure Storage

Precipitation

1. Surface runoff 3. Well casings2. Leaching to groundwater 4. Ammonia deposition 5. Macropore flow

Septic Tank

PrivateWell

Unsaturated Zone

Water Table

Bedrock

Manure Storage

Precipitation

Why the Focus on Nutrients?

Water Quality Contaminantsin Manure

PossibleEnvironmentalPollutants Risk

What are the top five components of manure that may cause water quality problems?

Water Quality Contaminantsin Manure (continued)

1. Nitrate-N Health

2. Ammonia-N Fish kills

3. Phosphorus Eutrophication

4. Pathogens Health

5. Organic matter Oxygen depletion

PossibleEnvironmentalPollutants Risk

Manure P vs. Cropland P Use

What is “Whole Farm” Nutrient Balance?

Nutrient Flows onLivestock Operations

FarmBoundary

Nutrient Inputs

FarmBoundary

Inputs

Animals

IrrigationWater

Fertilizer

Legume N

Managed Nutrient Outputs

FarmBoundary

Inputs

ManagedOutputs

Meat &Eggs

Manure

Recycling Of Nutrients

FarmBoundary

ManagedOutputs

Feed Manure

Inputs

Losses and Soil Storage

FarmBoundary

Losses or Soil Storage

ManagedOutputs

Inputs

Are Inputs and Outputs in Balance?Water

1 gal.

Waterout

Farm Pond

1 gal.

Are Inputs and Outputs in Balance?

Water in

2 gal.

1 gal.

Waterout

Farm Pond

Water in

2 gal.

1 gal.

Waterout

Farm Pond

Are Inputs and Outputs in Balance?

Are Inputs and Outputs in Balance? Water

Water in

2 gal.

Farm Pond1 gal.

1 gal.

What are Typical Nutrient Balances?

Ideally, should be near 1:1; whatever comes in should leave as managed outputs.

Most livestock operations have muchhigher ratios, at times up to 8:1.

Farm size is not a good indicator of nutrient balance.

Are Nutrients "Out Of Balance"on My Animal Feeding Operation?

Indicators of Nutrient Imbalance

___ ___ Soil P increasing with time?___ ___ Majority of feed protein and P comes from off-farm sources?___ ___ Feed rations exceed NRC or university recommendations?___ ___ No nutrient management plan for manure?

Yes No Indicator

What are Appropriate Strategiesfor Managing Nutrient Imbalances?

““Plug the Leaks” Approach:Plug the Leaks” Approach:Losses

FarmBoundary

Does thiscorrect a

nutrientImbalance

“Plug the Leaks” Approach:

Losses

FarmBoundary

Does this correct a

nutrientimbalance

Plugging the Leaks . . .Temporary Solution to Imbalance Water

Water in

2 gal.

Farm Pond1 gal.

SandBags

Sustainable Strategy No.1:Credit Manure Nutrients in Crops

Efficient use of manure nutrients means not purchasing fertilizer unless it is needed.

Nutrient management plans (NMPs) should help ensure this strategyis met.

Don’t purchase inputs you don’t need.

Sustainable Strategy No. 2:Reducing Feed Inputs

Reducing nutrients fed improves nutrient balance.

Try to avoid feeding more N and P than recommended.

Much current research on improved feeding strategies

Consult with animal scientist.

Sustainable Strategy No. 3:Move Manure Nutrients Off Farm

Moving manure off the farm as a product improves nutrient balance.

May require changes in treatment and marketing

Sustainable Strategy No. 3:Move Manure Nutrients Off Farm (Continued) Potential markets:

Compost for organic producers and homeowners

Erosion control Energy production Value-added fertilizer

Sustainable Strategy No. 4:Manure Treatment

Changes in treatment methods can improve nutrient balance but con-vert high impact losses to lower impact losses.

Treatment lagoons, com-posting, constructed wet-lands, and other methods can reduce N available for land application.

Sustainable Strategy No. 4:Manure Treatment (continued) Solids separation can reduce P in liquid waste

streams.

Managing Nutrients with NMPs

What is an NMP? NRCS has guidance on

comprehensive nutrient management plans (CNMP).

EPA requires NMPs on large farms.

These are similar plans but have slightly different goals.

Your state regulations should distinguish your requirements.

What is an NMP? (continued) Environmental “Operating Plan” for AFO Nutrient plan for “Whole Farm” Environmental record-

keeping system EPA requires 5 components

1. Manure handling andstorage

2. Land application3. Site management4. Record keeping5. Other utilization

Air Quality Issues

Associated with

Animal Production

Air Emissions from Livestock and Poultry Production

Volatile compounds (160+ gases)

Airborne micro-organisms

Dust (carrier of odors and micro-organisms)

Impacts of Odors Multiple gases contribute to

odor. Volatile fatty acids Nitrogen-containing

compounds (ammonia, amines, N heterocycles)

Phenols and cresols Sulfur-containing

compounds

Impacts of Odors (continued) Community nuisance Psychological impact on neighbors (anger,

depression, etc.) Physiological impact on neighbors (respiratory

problems, nausea, etc.)

Air Emissions–Hydrogen Sulfide Toxic at high levels

(workplace limits set at 10 ppm)

Possible chronic health impact from low, long-term exposure (Some states limit property line levels to 0.05 to 0.1 ppm.)

Air Emissions–Methane and Carbon Dioxide

End products of anaerobic and aerobic decomposition of manure

Contributors to greenhouse gas effect

Net increase in greenhouse gas is probably negligible; manure is part of the carbon cycle.

Air Emissions–Ammonia

Large quantities of ammonia are released in many livestock systems.

Ammonia is re-deposited. In U.S., largest negative impact is

eutrophication of coastal waters.

Federal Regulations EPA regulates

concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) as part of the Clean Water Act of 1972 under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).

Federal Regulations (continued) The EPA requires states to meet their rules

or lose the ability to permit anything under NPDES.

States may be more stringent.

DefinitionsConfined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) are agricultural enterprises where animals are kept and raised in confined situations without vegetation more than 45 days.

Definitions (continued)AFOs congregate animals, feed, manure and urine, dead animals, and production operations on a small land area. Feed is brought to the animals.

The Federal approach is designed to target large CAFOs.

Animal Type # of Animals Equal to a CAFO

Large Medium Cattle and heifers

Veal calves 1,000 300 Dairy cattle 700 200 Swine >55 lbs 2,500 750 Swine 55 lbs 10,000 3,000 Turkeys 55,000 16,500 Chickens (liquid manure)

30,000 9,000

Chickens (dry manure)

125,000 37,500

Laying hens (Dry) 82,000 25,000 Horses 500 150

EPA Requirements for CAFOs Apply for NPDES permit No discharge to waters of

the United States except in extreme events

Must develop and implement nutrient management plansto address N and P

EPA Requirements for CAFOs (continued) Soil and manure testing Buffers/setbacks to water Record keeping and annual report

Minimum Standards to Protect Water Quality in NPDES Permitsfor CAFOs1. Buffers or equivalent practices2. Divert clean water3. Prevent direct contact of animals with the

waters of the United States4. Animal mortality5. Chemical disposal

Minimum Standards to Protect Water Quality in NPDES Permitsfor CAFOs (continued)6. Proper operation and maintenance7. Record keeping and testing8. Maintain proper storage capacity9. Rates and timing of land application of manure

and waste water

www.epa.gov/ost/guide/cafo/rule.html

Record Keeping Required: EPA requires annual reports

Number of animals Manure generated Manure transported Number of acres land

applied Acres in NMP Any discharges

Agencies That Regulate Environmental Issues for Animal ProductionFederal U.S. EPA Region 5 http://www.epa.gov/region5

State Indiana Department of Environmental

Management http://www.in/gov/idem

Agencies That Regulate Environmental Issues for Animal Production (continued)County Contact Purdue Cooperative Extension Service

for information on county regulations. http://www.ces.purdue.edu

Permit Requirements for Livestock and Poultry ProducersFederal Yes, NPDES permit is required of all open

lot systems only. Proposed change to include all livestock and poultry systems.

State IDEM CFO Permitting Program

County IN counties require a local building permit in addition to receiving a state permit.

TakeHome

Message

Take Home Message

The EPA lists agriculture as the leading impairment to rivers and streams.

Risk of manure components to water and air is real.

Manure can be a benefit or liability depending on how it is managed.

Take Home Message (continued) Seven principles of environmental stewardship

should guide livestock and poultry producers.

Point vs. nonpoint source pollution, runoff, and erosion are nonpoint sources.

Nutrients, pathogens, and organic matter in manure can impact water quality.

Take Home Message (continued) Pathogens are disease-causing organisms.

Excess nutrients can cause fish kills, health problems, or algal blooms.

An NMP helps you manage nutrients.

Increases in soil P indicate excess nutrients.

Take Home Message (continued) Many AFOs exhibit nutrient imbalance.

Strategies for improving nutrient balance include more efficient use of manure nutrients, improved feeding programs, marketing manure off the farm, and changing the treatment method.

All operations are subject to the Clean Water Act and cannot discharge manure.

Take Home Message (continued) EPA requires large CAFOs to get NPDES and

comply with certain Federal standards.

Thank you

module 1: managing manure for environmental protection

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