Manure Recycling

ACP Compost Solutions WorkshopFebruary 28, 2007

John GundlachManager of Organics Management

Inland Empire Utilities Agency

The Good

Dairy cattle manure contains significant amounts of the primary plant nutrients (N, P, and K)

As well as other essential plant nutrients, including Ca, S, Mg, and Cl.

Soil Health

More Good

Manure application, regardless of form, improves soil tilth

Increases water holding capacity Lessens wind and water erosion Improves aeration Promotes beneficial organisms When manure is applied to the soil surface, it

tends to help prevent soil crusting.

And

The application of dairy cattle manure to cropland increases the organic matter content of the soil which in turn improves long-term aggregate stability and decreases bulk density

For solid dairy cattle manure– N = 4.5 g/ kg– P = 0.7 g/ kg– K = 2.5 g/ kg

For liquid pit dairy cattle manure– N = 3.7 g/ L– P = 0.7 g/ L– K = 1.9 g/ L

For lagooned dairy cattle manure– N = 0.5 g/ L– P = 0.1 g/ L– K = 0.4 g/ L

Approximate fertilizer values for N, P, and K

There is ample evidence that properly managed dairy cattle manure can be

used to supply some or all of the nutrients to crops with economic

profitability and no environmental harm

The Bad

Possible contamination of surface waters and groundwaters with excess N, P and Salt (Na, Cl, TDS)

Heavy applications of dairy cattle manure have been linked to eutrophication of surface water bodies

Water Pollution

When application rates are greater than the assimilative capacity of the soil and crops

When manure is left on the soil surface rather than being incorporated and hence is subject to movement by surface runoff

When application rates may exceed assimilative capacity of the soil

When the land area is too small relative to the number of cattle or where manure is repeatedly applied

When applying commercial fertilizers without accounting for the nutrient value of the applied dairy manure

Water Pollution Can Occur:

Problems with dairy manure may occur from surface runoff and leaching in feedlot or land application areas, or by leakage from lagoons

Rain-fall-induced surface runoff may carry urine and feces into adjacent streams, rivers, or lakes.

And

Regulatory Controls

Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board - NPDES Permit General Order for Dairy Operators

Best Management Practices on the Dairy including an Engineered Waste Management Plan

Land application is allowed at agronomic rates because of mitigation of salt and other pollutants by the Chino Basin Groundwater Desalter and the IEUA Co-composting Facility

Regulatory Controls

Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board - NPDES Permit Tentative General Order for Dairy Operators

Best Management Practices on the Dairy including an Engineered Waste Management Plan

Land application is allowed at agronomic rates with an approved Nutrient Management Plan

– Budget and manage nutrients from all source– Site specific conditions, including groundwater monitoring, to

minimize nutrient movement on surface and through the root zone

Santa Ana Regional Water BoardTentative Revised General Order

Scheduled for adoption in April 2007 Wastewater Discharge is Prohibited Engineered Waste Management Plan Required Land Application of Manure is prohibited in

zones lacking assimilative capacity in March 2012 unless a Work Plan to offset impacts is approved

Land application at agronomic rates can continue if there is progress on the Work Plan

Additional mitigation measures will be necessary for Chino and San Jacinto areas

The Ugly

Dairy operations, manure composting operations and land application of manure can cause air pollution such as VOC’s, Ammonia, Methane, Hydrogen Sulfide, PM10

Air Pollution

Regulatory Controls

Dairies– South Coast AQMD Rule 1127

Must use digester, alternative composter or approved land application

Best Management PracticesComposting

– South Coast AQMD Rule 1133– Central Valley Tentative Rule 4565– CIMWB Operating Permit– Local CUP

Alternatives to Land Application -

Renewable Energy Generation !

CompostingLagoon DigestersAnaerobic DigestersGasifiersFluidized Bed Reactors