Manure BMPs and Water Quality Protection

Founded 1997Founded 1997

Non-profit organization: agricultural, urban projectsNon-profit organization: agricultural, urban projects

Promote stewardship, Best Management Practices (BMPs) to Promote stewardship, Best Management Practices (BMPs) to

production agricultureproduction agriculture

Parry Klassen, Executive DirectorParry Klassen, Executive Director

Jim Markle, Assistant Projects ManagerJim Markle, Assistant Projects Manager

Tamara Taliaferro, Projects CoordinatorTamara Taliaferro, Projects Coordinator

www.curesworks.orgwww.curesworks.org

                     

                     

                     

                     

E coli Bacteria E coli Bacteria Most common exceedance Most common exceedance

SourcesSources BirdsBirds

Squirrels Squirrels

Other wild animalsOther wild animals

Leaky sewer lines or septic systemsLeaky sewer lines or septic systems

Dairy runoff Dairy runoff

Irrigated pastureIrrigated pasture

Domestic animals (dogs, cats)Domestic animals (dogs, cats)

Manure applied to residential yards or farmland.Manure applied to residential yards or farmland.

E coliE coli Bacteria Bacteria Is it from irrigated agriculture?Is it from irrigated agriculture?

Not all, but …Not all, but … Make sure our own house is in orderMake sure our own house is in order

- Proper manure storageProper manure storage

- Proper manure applicationProper manure application

- Drainage management in irrigated pasture Drainage management in irrigated pasture

Manure ProfileManure Profile

Non-composted or incompletely Non-composted or incompletely composted manure carries harmful composted manure carries harmful pathogens.pathogens.- PathogensPathogens are bacteria that may are bacteria that may

potentially cause human illnesses.potentially cause human illnesses.- PathogensPathogens can survive for several can survive for several

years after application years after application

Stacked and aged manure has less Stacked and aged manure has less potential to harbor surviving potential to harbor surviving pathogens.pathogens.

Manure and compost should be closely Manure and compost should be closely managedmanaged

Manure/CompostManure/Compost Best Management Practices (BMPs) Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Source: Almond Board of California, Good Agricultural PracticesSource: Almond Board of California, Good Agricultural Practices

Use only treated compost/manure that has undergone Use only treated compost/manure that has undergone pathogen reduction by decomposing and stabilizingpathogen reduction by decomposing and stabilizing

““The Almond Board of California does not support the use of manure as The Almond Board of California does not support the use of manure as fertilizer, but if use, the manure must be applied properly.”fertilizer, but if use, the manure must be applied properly.”

Composting PracticesComposting Practices

Maintain compost temperature between 131Maintain compost temperature between 131 ْْ F-141F-141 ْْF F for at least 15 days in a windrow composting system.for at least 15 days in a windrow composting system.

Rotate windrows at least 5 times over this period.Rotate windrows at least 5 times over this period.

If you buy compost:If you buy compost:- Ask for proof from compost producer that he has Ask for proof from compost producer that he has

followed proper procedures to reduce pathogens.followed proper procedures to reduce pathogens.

Raw manures that have not been composted must sit for at Raw manures that have not been composted must sit for at least 6 months prior to application.least 6 months prior to application.

Storing Storing Raw ManureRaw Manure

Develop physical barriers to Develop physical barriers to act as a buffer to help prevent act as a buffer to help prevent contamination from stacked contamination from stacked piles.piles.

Provide covers or other Provide covers or other barriers to minimize the barriers to minimize the particle drift that may be particle drift that may be caused by wind onto caused by wind onto unintended products or crops.unintended products or crops.

Storing Raw ManureStoring Raw Manure

Stacked manure should reach 131Stacked manure should reach 131 ْْ - 140- 140 ْْ for at for at least 3 days at a depth of 12-24” in order to kill least 3 days at a depth of 12-24” in order to kill harmful pathogensharmful pathogens

Don’t add fresh manure to an already Don’t add fresh manure to an already decomposing stack: this will only re-contaminate decomposing stack: this will only re-contaminate the stackthe stack

BMP Application ProceduresBMP Application Procedures

Apply manure when the soils are warm and not saturated Apply manure when the soils are warm and not saturated

Incorporate manure into soil immediately after application to Incorporate manure into soil immediately after application to prevent wind drift and runoff in storm waterprevent wind drift and runoff in storm water

If incorporation isn’t possible use adequately composted If incorporation isn’t possible use adequately composted materials to maximize pathogen elimination.materials to maximize pathogen elimination.

Almonds: never apply non-treated compost 120 days prior to Almonds: never apply non-treated compost 120 days prior to harvestharvest

BMP Application ProceduresBMP Application Procedures

Document compost/manure applicationsDocument compost/manure applications- Date, rate and locationDate, rate and location

Do not …Do not …- sidedress with fresh or slurry manuresidedress with fresh or slurry manure- use biosolids or municipal waste. use biosolids or municipal waste.

A pathogen reduction checklist to record this data included in handoutsA pathogen reduction checklist to record this data included in handouts

Parry KlassenParry Klassen

Executive DirectorExecutive Director

559-288-8125559-288-8125

pklassen@unwiredbb.compklassen@unwiredbb.com

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