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TABLE OF

CONTENTS

WHY BMPS ARE

IMPORTANT TO LOUISIANA

In Louisiana we are blessed with beautiful and

abundant waters to enjoy fishing, hunting, boating or justrelaxing on the shore of a lake, river or bayou. Most ofthe water in Louisiana’s rivers and lakes comes fromrainfall runoff. As this runoff travels across the soil sur-face, it carries with it soil particles, organic matter andnutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Agriculturalactivities contribute to the amount of these materialsentering streams, lakes, estuaries and groundwater. Inaddition to assuring an abundant, affordable food supply,Louisiana farmers must strive to protect the environ-ment.

Research and educational programs on environ-mental issues related to the use and management ofnatural resources have always been an important part ofthe LSU AgCenter’s mission. Working with representa-tives from the agricultural commodity groups, the Natu-ral Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Louisi-ana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ), theLouisiana Farm Bureau Federation (LFBF) and the Loui-siana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF),the LSU AgCenter has taken the lead in assembling agroup of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for eachagricultural commodity in Louisiana.

BMPs are used by agricultural producers tocontrol the generation or delivery of pollutants fromagricultural activities to water resources of the state,thereby preventing degradation of surface and ground-water.

Introduction .......................... 3

Nutrient Management ........ 5

Pesticide Management ...... 14

Management of PoultryMortality .............................. 19

General Farm BMPs .......... 29

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poultryBMPs

INTRODUCTION

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Poultry production is thelargest animal industry in Louisi-ana. It consists of a verticallyintegrated broiler industry and acommercial egg industry. Thebroiler industry is the largest inboth numbers and income. Mostcommercial broiler production isin 10 of the northern parishes.

In poultry production, thereare issues of special concern tothe environment. Therefore, theseBest Management Practices(BMPs) focus on three mainareas: Nutrient Management,Pesticide Management andMortality Management. Eacharea is discussed and the environ-mental concerns associated withthem identified. Possible alterna-tive practices are introduced that,when implemented, reduce theimpact of poultry production onthe environment.

References are made tospecific NRCS production codesthat are explained in the text.More detailed information aboutthese practices can be found inthe NRCS Field Office TechnicalGuide (FOTG), which can befound in all Soil and WaterConservation District Offices, allNRCS field offices and on theNRCS web page. Additionally,under voluntary participation bythe producer, technical assistanceto develop and implement afarm-specific Conservation Planis available through the Conser-vation districts, NRCS fieldoffices and the LSU AgCenterparish offices.

POULTRY PRODUCTION BMPS 2000

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Filter Strips(NRCS Code 393)

These are strips or areas ofvegetation for removing sedi-ment and other pollutants fromrunoff. Areas are on the loweredge of fields or above conser-vation practices such as terracesor diversions or on fields adja-cent to streams, ponds andlakes.

Field Borders(NRCS Code 386)

These are strips of peren-nial vegetation established atthe edge of fields. They controlerosion and protect edges offields that are used as“turnrows” or travel lanes forfarm machinery.

The following additionalconservation practices applyto poultry production.The practices and the NRCSproduction codes are listed.

Grassed Waterways(NRCS Code 412)

These are natural or con-structed channels that are shapedor graded to required dimensionsand established in suitablevegetation for the stable convey-ance of runoff. They are designedto convey runoff without causingerosion or flooding and to im-prove water quality.

These production practicesare not covered in detail in thispublication, but they are impor-tant in poultry operations. Formore information on thesepractices and how to implementthem, contact your local NRCSor Conservation District Office.


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IntroductionA sound soil fertility pro-

gram is the foundation uponwhich a profitable farmingbusiness must be built. Agricul-tural fertilizers are a necessity forproducing abundant, high qualityfood, feed and fiber crops. Usingfertilizer nutrients in the properamounts and applying themcorrectly are both economicallyand environmentally important tothe long-term profitability andsustainability of crop production.The fertilizer nutrients that havepotential to become groundwateror surface water pollutants arenitrogen and phosphorus. Ingeneral, other commonly usedfertilizer nutrients do not causeconcern as pollutants.

Because erosion and runoffare the two major ways nonpoint-source pollutants move intosurface water resources, practicesthat reduce erosion or runoff areconsidered Best ManagementPractices (BMPs). Similarly,practices that limit the buildup ofnutrients in the soil, which canleach to groundwater or bepicked up in runoff, and practicesthat ensure the safe use of agri-cultural chemicals also areconsidered BMPs. In general,soil conservation and waterquality protection are mutuallybeneficial; therefore the BMPsdescribed here are the best meansof reducing agricultural nonpointsource pollution resulting fromfertilizer nutrients.

NitrogenNitrogen (N) is a part of all

plant and animal proteins. There-fore, human survival depends onan abundant supply of N innature. Approximately 80 percentof the atmosphere is nitrogengas. Most plants cannot use thisform of nitrogen, however, andsupplemental nitrogen must besupplied through the soil. A cropwell supplied with N can pro-duce substantially higher yields,on the same amount of water,than one deficient for N. Further-more, properly fertilized cropsuse both N and water moreefficiently, thus improvingenvironmental quality and profit-ability.

Supplemental N is neces-sary on almost all non-legumecrops in Louisiana for maximumprofits. Producers should followN recommendations based onLouisiana research. These recom-mendations take into accountmaximum economic yield poten-tials, crop variety, soil textureand area of the state. Nitrogenrecommendations from the LSUAgCenter are usually ample toprovide optimum economicyields.

Decomposition of organicmatter results in simpler inor-ganic N forms such as ammo-nium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3-).These forms of N are soluble in

soil water and readily availablefor plant uptake. The ammoniumform is attracted to and held bysoil particles, so it does notreadily leach through the soilwith rainfall or irrigation water.Nitrates, on the other hand, arenot attached to soil particles anddo move downward with soilwater and can be leached intogroundwater or run off intosurface waters.

Excessive nitrate concentra-tions in water can acceleratealgae and plant growth instreams and lakes, resulting inoxygen depletion. Nitrate con-centrations above a certain levelin drinking water may be hazard-ous to the health of some ani-mals or human infants.

PhosphorusPhosphorus (P), like nitro-

gen, is essential for plant growth.Naturally occurring P exists in aphosphate form either as solubleinorganic phosphate, solublephosphate, particulate phosphateor mineral phosphate. The min-eral forms of phosphorus (cal-cium, iron and aluminum phos-phates) are low in solubility. Theamount of these elements (cal-cium, iron and aluminum)present in reactive forms varieswith different soils and soilconditions.


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The immediate source of phosphorus for plants isthat which is dissolved in the soil solution. Phosphate isabsorbed from the soil solution and used by plants. Asoil solution containing only a few parts per million ofphosphate is usually considered adequate for plantgrowth. Phosphate used by plants is replaced in the soilsolution by soil minerals, soil organic matter decompo-sition or applied fertilizers.

Phosphate is not readily soluble. Most of the ionsare either used by living plants or adsorbed to sediment,so the potential of their leaching to groundwater is low.That portion of phosphate bound to sediment particlesis virtually unavailable to living organisms, but it becomes availableas it detaches from sediment. Only a small part of the phosphatemoved with sediment into surface water is immediately available toaquatic organisms. Additional phosphate can become availableslowly through biochemical reactions, however. The slow release oflarge amounts of phosphate from sediment layers in lakes andstreams could cause excessive algae blooms and excessive growth ofplants, thereby affecting water quality.

Nutrients will be used to obtain optimum crop yields whileminimizing the movement of nutrients to surface and groundwater(NRCS Production Code 590). A nutrient management plan shouldbe developed for the proposed crop by using soil analyses fromapproved laboratories.

Nutrient Application RatesNutrient application rates will be based on the results of a soil

analysis.You should select only those materials recommended for useby qualified individuals from the Louisiana Cooperative ExtensionService, Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, certified cropadvisors, and certified agricultural consultants and/or published LSUAgCenter data.

Soil testing is the foundation of a sound nutrient manage-ment program. A soil test is a series of chemical analyses thatdetermine the levels of essential plant nutrients in the soil. When nottaken up by a crop, some nutrients, particularly nitrogen, can be lostfrom the soil by leaching, runoff or mineralization. Others, likephosphorus, react with soil minerals over time to form compoundsthat are not available for uptake by plants. Soil testing can be used toestimate how much loss has occurred and to predict which nutrient(s)and how much of that nutrient(s) should be added to the soil toproduce a particular crop and yield. Soil tests should be taken atleast every three years or at the beginning of a different croppingrotation.


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1. Test soil for nutrientstatus and pH to:

• determine the amounts ofadditional nutrients needed toreach designated yield goals andthe amount of lime needed tocorrect soil acidity problems;

• optimize farm income byavoiding excessive fertilizationand reducing nutrient losses byleaching and runoff;

• identify other yield-limiting factors such as highlevels of salts or sodium that mayaffect soil structure, infiltrationrates, surface runoff and, ulti-mately, groundwater quality.

2. Base fertilizerapplications on:

• soil test results

• realistic yield goals andmoisture prospects

• crop nutrient requirements

• past fertilization practices

• previous cropping history

3. Manage low soil pHby liming according tothe soil test to:

• reduce soil acidity

• improve fertilizer useefficiency

• improve decomposition ofcrop residues

• enhance the effectivenessof certain soil-applied herbicides.

4. Time nitrogenapplications to:

• correspond closely withcrop uptake patterns

• increase nutrient useefficiency

• minimize leaching andrunoff losses

5. Inject fertilizers orincorporate surfaceapplications whenpossible to:

• increase accessibility offertilizer nutrients to plant roots

• reduce volatilization lossesof ammonia N sources

• reduce nutrient losses fromerosion and runoff

6. Use animal manuresand organic materials:

• when available and eco-nomically feasible

• to improve soil tilth, water-holding capacity and soil struc-tures

• to recycle nutrients andreduce the need for commercialinorganic fertilizers

7. Rotate crops whenfeasible to:

• improve total nutrientrecovery with different croprooting patterns

• reduce erosion and runoff

• reduce diseases, insectsand weeds

8. Use legumes whereadapted to:

• replace part or all of cropneeds for commercial N fertilizer

• reduce erosion and nutri-ent losses

• maintain residue cover onthe soil surface

9. Control nutrientlosses in erosion andrunoff by:

• using appropriate struc-tural controls

• adopting conservationtillage practices where appropri-ate

• properly managing cropresidues

• land leveling

• implementing other soiland water conservation practiceswhere possible

• using filter strips

10. Skillfully handle andapply fertilizer by:

• properly calibrating andmaintaining application equip-ment

• properly cleaning equip-ment and disposing of excessfertilizers, containers and washwater

• storing fertilizers in a safeplace


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is one that is matched to thefarming operation and the needsof the person implementing it.

The Parts of aCNMP

A CNMP takes into accounthow nutrients are used andmanaged throughout the farm. Itis more than a nutrient manage-ment plan that looks only atnutrient supply and needs for aparticular field. Nutrients arebrought to the farm throughfeeds, fertilizers, animal manuresand other off-farm inputs. Theseinputs are used, and some arerecycled, by plants and animalson the farm. Nutrients then leavethe farm in harvested crops andanimal products. These arenutrient removals. Ideally, theamount of nutrient inputs andremovals should be roughly thesame. But, when nutrient inputsto the farm greatly exceed nutri-ent removals from the farm, therisk of nutrient losses to ground-water and surface water isgreater. When you check nutrientinputs against nutrient removals,you are creating a mass balance.This nutrient mass balance isan important part of a CNMPand important to understandfor your individual farmingoperation.


Filter strip

Comprehensive NutrientManagement Plans(CNMP)

Both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and theU.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are encouraging a voluntaryapproach to handling nonpoint source pollution issues related toanimal agriculture. The implementation of Comprehensive NutrientManagement Plans (CNMP) by all poultry producers will ensure thatthe nutrient value of the poultry litter is managed in an environmen-tally friendly fashion by either (1) properly using litter on the landbased on its nutrient value or (2) transferring the litter to an alterna-tive use program.

Poultry litter is an excellent source of organic nutrients that canbe incorporated into most farming operations when properly man-aged. For poultry producers, the proper management of litter is amajor consideration in their daily operations. Whether the material isused as a nutrient source on land controlled by the producer, providedas a nutrient source on other lands or is offered as a material in analternative use process, the proper management of the litter is essen-tial. Storage, transportation, application, disease prevention andproper documentation are just a few items that need to be factoredinto the litter/manure management decision-making process.

Developing a Comprehensive NutrientManagement Plan

A CNMP is a strategy for using plant nutrients wisely to en-hance farm profits while protecting water resources. It is a plan thatlooks at every part of your farming operation and helps you make thebest use of manures, fertilizers and other nutrient sources. Successfulnutrient management requires thorough planning and recognizes that

every farm isdifferent. The typeof farming you doand the specifics ofyour operation willaffect your CNMP.For example,CNMPs on farmsthat do not haveanimals will notrequire as muchdetail as those thatdo. The best CNMP

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BMPs are also very important to a successful CNMP. BMPs,such as soil testing and manure analysis, help you select the rightnutrient rate and application strategy so that crops use nutrientsefficiently. This not only reduces nutrient losses and protects theenvironment, but it also increases farm profitability. BMPs mayinclude managing the farm to reduce soil erosion and improve soiltilth through conservation tillage, planting cover crops to use excessnutrients, or using filter strips and buffers to protect water quality.Preventive maintenance, record keeping, mortality management andemergency response plans also must be included in a CNMP forlivestock and poultry operations.

The Basic StepsCNMPs consist of six major parts: evaluation of nutrient

needs, inventory of nutrient supply, determination of nutrientbalance, mortality management, preventive maintenance andinspection, and an emergency response plan.

Evaluation of Nutrient NeedsMaps and Field Information

You will need a detailed map of your farm. The map shouldinclude:

farm property lines your fields with the field identification the location of all surface waters such as streams, rivers, pondsor lakes

direction of surface flows arrows showing the direction that streams or rivers flow a soils map, if available

This map will serve as the basis for the entire plan, so each fieldshould have a unique identification. In addition to the map, prepare alist of the crops to be grown in each field with a realistic yield goalfor each crop. Most of this information is available at your localUSDA Farm Service Center.

Locate Critical AreasCertain areas on your farm such

as streams and rivers, wellheads,lakes or ponds are sensitive to nutri-ent overload. You should createbuffer zones around these areas onyour map where nutrient use will bereduced or eliminated. By bufferingthese areas, you can reduce waterquality problems. Areas such asroads, off-site dwellings and areas ofpublic gatherings should also benoted on your map. To reduce odor

complaints, you may want tolimit the use of manures nearthese types of areas.

Soil TestingComplete and accurate soil

tests are important for asuccessful nutrient managementplan. You will need soil tests atleast every three years todeterminehow muchnutrientaddition isneeded. Theneedednutrients can be supplied fromcommercial fertilizer and/ororganic sources. Be sure to takerepresentative soil samples andhave them tested by a reputablelaboratory familiar withLouisiana soils and cropproduction. Your county agentcan help you submit samples tothe LSU Soil Testing Laboratory.

Determine NutrientsNeeded for Each Field

Once you have set realisticyield goals and you have yoursoil test results, you can deter-mine the nutrients your cropswill need. The amount of nutri-ents needed should be based onyour local growing conditions.At a minimum, theamounts of lime,nitrogen, phospho-rus and potas-sium should belisted in theplan for eachfield. Mostsoil and plantanalysis labs will give yourecommended application ratesbased on the soil test results.Your county agent can help youwith this.


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Inventory of Nutrient SupplyMany of the nutrients needed to grow your crops are already

present on your farm in the soil, in animal manures or in crop resi-dues. Knowing the amounts of nutrients already present in thesesources is important so that you do not buy or apply more nutrientsthan needed.

Determine the Quantity of Nutrients Availableon Your Farm

Supply planning starts with an inventory of the nutrients pro-duced on the farm. Animal manure is an important source of nutri-ents. The quantity of manure collected and stored, either dry orliquid, should be determined. An inventory should be performed ofany other by-products available, such as mortality compost, lagoonsludge (if lagoon cleaning is planned), crop residue nutrients ornitrogen from legumes. This information will allow you to balanceyour nutrient purchases with what is available on your farm for therealistic production potential of your crops.

Nutrient AnalysisAnimal manure and other organic products are not all the same

as far as nutrient content is concerned. A nutrient analysis of theseproducts tells you their nutrient content so you can match this withsoil test recommendations and determine application rates. The labresults will help you determine how much of the nutrients in themanure will be available to your crops. The amount credited to thenutrient budget should be based on plant available nutrient levels,which may be substantially different from the total nutrient content.Your parish Extension office has information on manure and littertesting.

Determining Nutrient BalanceBalance Between Supply and Need

Once you have determined both the supply and need of nutrientsfor each of your fields, a critical aspect of CNMPs is balancing thetwo. This can be done in several ways. Most CNMPs are developedbased on nitrogen, but other factors such as phosphorus or metalscould control how much poultry litter or manure you can put outunder certain conditions. A phosphorus index is being developed tohelp producers determine when nutrient management based onphosphorus is advisable. If your crop acreage is small in relation tothe number of animals produced, the nutrient balance will allow youto evaluate how much manure or litter you may need to move offyour farm to avoid over-application of nutrients.

Can the Nutrient Supplyon Your Farm BeManaged or Changed?

After evaluation of thenutrient supply on your farm andthe nutrient needs of your crops,you may find that the balance ofnutrients is not ideal. You mayhave more of one or more nutri-ents (usually phosphorus) thanyou need. Many managementpractices can change the nutrientbalance. These include:

changes in storage practices

adjustments of animal feeds

modification of treatment methods

chemical amendments

For example, you may beable to reduce nutrient losses inyour manure treatment and/orstorage system. Sometimesreducing nitrogen losses canmake manures a better-balancedfertilizer for your crops. Inaddition, animal diets can some-times be changed to reducenutrient excretion in their ma-nure. Enzymes can be added tothe animal’s diet to reducenutrients in the manure. Phytaseis a supplemental enzyme thatallows better use of the phospho-rus already present in grains, soless phosphorus has to be addedto the animal’s diet.


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Manure storage is criticalsince it affects both the quantityand quality of nutrients that willneed to be land applied or ex-ported from the farm. The stor-age structures and design capaci-ties need to be identified as partof a CNMP. These structures alsoneed to be managed to preventnutrient losses and to protectwater quality.

At the time a litter/manureclean-out operation is conducted,the litter/manure is often requiredto be placed in storage. Althoughlitter storage does present anadditional expense, it is a usefultool in a comprehensive Litter/Manure Management Plan.Litter/manure storage facilitiescan be divided into two basiccategories, temporary structuresand permanent structures. It isdesirable to have a permanentstructure for litter/manure stor-age.

Whether the structure istemporary or permanent, thesiting of the facility is important.The following general guidelinesshould be implemented in sitingand construction of a litterstorage facility:

easy access and terrainthat keeps site grading to aminimum

a 100-foot buffer stripshould be maintained from wetareas, drainage ditches, streams,rivers, ponds, lakes or othersurface water bodies

permanent structuresshould have a base or floor ofconcrete or impermeable clay

permanent structures should be designed in accordance withthe USDA NRCS guidelines or the equivalent

temporary storage should be covered with plastic or similarmaterial to prevent runoff

Litter stored for three months or longer should be kept in apermanent storage facility. Litter that is used in a land applicationprogram and is applied directly from a poultry production houseduring a clean-out operation does not need a storage facility butshould be handled in an environmentally sound manner.

Manure Application to FieldsLand application is the most common, and usually the most

desirable, method of using manure because of the value of the nutri-ents and organic matter. Basic requirements of the manure manage-ment plan to ensure that material applied on the land does not causepollution include (1) calculations to determine the proper amount ofmanure to be applied to meet, but not exceed, crop nutrient needs and(2) land management practices to prevent runoff and erosion ofmaterial applied to crop or pasture lands.

Manures should be applied near the time when crops neednutrients by using calibrated spreaders or irrigation equipment. Solid


Manure Storage

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or slurry manure should beincorporated into the soil whenappropriate. Incorporation ormixing into the soil greatlyreduces losses of nitrogen to theair and keeps more in the soilwhere it is needed. This alsoreduces potential odor emissions.

Some nutrients applied inexcess of crop needs can accu-mulate in the soil and, at certainlevels, may cause water pollu-tion. High soil phosphorus levelshave been linked to negativewater quality impacts. On suchfields, application of manure mayneed to be reduced or stopped toremove excess phosphorus fromthe soils through crop uptake.

Proper land managementfollowing manure application canreduce runoff and loss of nutri-ents to overland flow. Conserva-tion practices that should beincluded as part of a land appli-cation plan are conservationtillage, grazing management,buffers and other practices thatwill prevent runoff, erosion andthe washing of organic matterand nutrients from fields. Takentogether with nutrient manage-ment, these practices will help toensure that the right amounts ofnutrients are applied to the field,that the nutrients stay on the fieldand that any potential pollutantsthat might be washed from the

field are captured before theyreach a stream or lake.

Poultry producers shouldkeep records of the amount ofmanure removed from poultryhouses, when the manure wasremoved and how it was used;the amount stored, the dates ofstorage and how it was used; and,when applied to fields under theproducer’s control, the amountapplied to each field, its nutrientcontent and the date of applica-tion. The amount of manuretransported to others should berecorded along with the date,amount and person receiving themanure.

Identify Alternative Uses for Excess ManuresIf your manure production

exceeds on-farm nutrient needs,you should identify alternativesto land application of yourmanure. Potential options in-clude selling manures to otherfarmers, composting manures foruse by homeowners or possiblyselling it to other off-farm users.

When transporting litter/manure to an alternative uselocation, to a land applicationsite or to any other location using public roads, trucks or othervehicles shall be covered and/or be contained well enough to

prevent loss ofmaterial.

MortalityManagement

A complete CNMP shouldidentify how livestock or poultrymortalities will be managed. Thisshould include:

estimated amounts ofnormal mortality

methods of disposal or use

plans for dealing withcatastrophic mortality events

The Louisiana Departmentof Agriculture and ForestryLivestock Sanitary Board regu-lates mortality disposal; all plansshould meet its requirements.Approved methods of disposalare discussed in the MortalityManagement section of thispublication.


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PreventiveMaintenance andInspections

Keeping good, detailedrecords that help you monitoryour progress are essential todetermine if your CNMP isaccomplishing your goals. Youshould keep all results from soil,plant and manure tests andexamine how they change withtime because of your manage-ment practices. Also, keeprecords on crop yields, manureproduction, manure exports,nutrient application rates, timingand application methods. Keepdetailed schedules and records oncalibration of spraying andspreading equipment, mainte-nance of pumps and other ma-chinery, and inspections andcurrent capacities on manurestorage facilities. When you havea major change in production,update your plan to reflect thesechanges.

Emergency ResponsePlans

The final aspect of yourplan should include the proce-dures to be followed in an emer-gency. This should includeactions taken to contain ormanage any unauthorized dis-charge of manure or wastewater,a list of the proper authorities tonotify when certain events occurand any authorizations necessaryto obtain essential equipment oraccess to neighboring propertiesduring these events. It shouldalso outline a plan for trainingnew employees in these proce-dures.

Where Can You ObtainInformation Needed for YourCNMP?

The LSU AgCenter, the USDA NaturalResources Conservation Service, the LouisianaDepartment of Agriculture and Forestry,certified crop advisors or other private consult-ants can help you in developing parts of acomprehensive nutrient management plan.

A CNMP is a good tool to help you useon- and off-farm resources more efficientlyand to prevent future problems. A successfulCNMP will help you obtain the maximumprofit while protecting the environment.


Pesticides can directly entergroundwater by spills around poorlyconstructed or sealed wells, or wellswith improper casting, or by back-siphoning during spray tank filling.

PESTICIDE MANAGEMENT

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IntroductionTo preserve the availability

of clean and environmentallysafe water in Louisiana, contami-nation of surface and ground-water by all agricultural andindustrial chemicals must beprevented. Some sources ofcontamination are easily recog-nizable from a single, specificlocation. Other sources are moredifficult to pinpoint. Nonpointsource pollution of water withpesticides is caused by rainfallrunoff, particle drift or percola-tion of water through the soil.Pest management practices willbe based on current research andextension recommendations. Byusing these recommendations,you will follow environmentallysound guidelines for usingpesticides.

Pesticides will be appliedonly when they are necessary forthe protection of the crop. Thepesticide will be chosen follow-ing guidelines to assure that theone chosen will give the mosteffective pest control with theleast potential adverse effects onthe environment.

Water quality, both surfaceand ground, will be protected byfollowing all of the label recom-mendations and guidelinesdealing with water quality.

All label statements anduse directions designed specifi-cally to protect groundwater willbe closely followed.

Specific Best Manage-ment Practices designed toprotect surface water will beclosely followed.

Erosion control practices(such as pipe drops, etc.) will beused to minimize runoff thatcould carry soil particles withadsorbed pesticides and/ordissolved pesticides into surfacewaters.

Soil-incorporatedsystemic pesticide

Rain or irrigationstarts pesticidesmoving into andthrough soil.

Pesticide is taken upby plants, brokendown by organisms,sunlight or chemicalreactions.

Rainfall runoffwill also movepesticides acrossthe soil surface.

Pesticides can directly entergroundwater by spills around poorlyconstructed or sealed wells, or wellswith improper casting, or by back-siphoning during spray tank filling.

Pesticide is carriedinto and throughsoil. Movementthrough soil isaffected by soil andpesticide propertiesand amount andtiming of water.Pesticide residueand by-productsnot absorbed arebroken down intothe groundwater.

Groundwater flow

WATER TABLE Movement withgroundwater –additionalbreakdowngenerally slowed,but depends onchemical natureand groundwater.


Pest Management Procedures

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PesticideApplication

Management practices suchas the pesticide selected, theapplication method, the pesticiderate used and the applicationtiming influence pesticide move-ment. Pesticides should beapplied only when needed toprevent economic loss of a crop.

In pesticide application,“the label is the law.” Usingchemicals at rates higher thanspecified by the label is ILLE-GAL as well as an environmentalhazard because more pesticide isexposed to erosion, runoff orleaching. Poor timing of a pesti-cide application also can result inpesticide movement into watersources, as well as give littlecontrol of the targeted pest.

Certain areas on your farmsuch as streams and rivers,wellheads, lakes or ponds aresensitive to pesticides. Youshould create buffer zonesaround these areas where pesti-cide use will be reduced oreliminated. By buffering theseareas, you can reduce waterquality problems. Areas such asroads, off-site dwellings andareas of public gatherings shouldbe identified. You may want tolimit the use of pesticides nearthese types of areas.

The following practices willbe followed:

Select the pesticide to givethe best results with the leastpotential environmental impactoutside the spray area.

Application equipment willbe selected with care and carefullymaintained.

The application equipmentwill be carefully calibrated at thebeginning of the spray season andperiodically thereafter. Spray ac-cording to recommendations.

Spray drift will be minimized by following the label in-structions and all rules and regulations developed to minimizespray drift (the physical movement of spray particles at the time ofor shortly after application).

Before a pesticide application is made, an assessment willbe made of all of the environmental factors in-volved in all of the area surrounding the applica-tion site.

Records will be carefully maintained ofall pesticide applications, not just a record ofRestricted Use Pesticides.

Pesticide SelectionWhen selecting pesticides, farmers should consider

chemical solubility, adsorption, volatility and degradationcharacteristics. Chemicals that dissolve in water readily canleach through soil to groundwater or be carried to surfacewaters in rainfall or irrigation runoff. Some chemicals holdtightly to, or are adsorbed on, soil particles and do not leach asmuch. But even these chemicals can move with sediment whensoil erodes during heavy rainfall. Runoff entering surfacewaters may ultimately recharge groundwater reserves. Chemi-cals that are bound to soil particles and organic matter aresubject to the forces of leaching, erosion or runoff over alonger period, thus increasing the potential for water pollution.

Unsaturated zone

WATER TABLEGroundwaterSaturated zone

Rainfall runoff

The water tableseparates theunsaturated zonefrom the saturatedzone (groundwater)

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The following practices will be followed:

Selection will be based upon recommendations by qualifiedconsultants, crop advisors and on the published recommendations ofthe LSU AgCenter.

The selection of the pesticide to be used will be based upon itsregistered uses and its ability to give the quality of pest controlrequired.

The selection will also be based upon its impact onbeneficials, other non-target organisms and on the general environ-ment.

Pesticide Storage andSafety

Farmers and commercialpesticide applicators are subjectto penalties if they fail to store ordispose of pesticides and pesti-cide containers properly. Eachregistered pesticide product,whether general or restricted use,contains instructions aboutstorage and disposal in its label-ing. The Louisiana Pesticide Lawaddresses specific requirementsfor storage and disposal. Theapplicator must follow theserequirements carefully andensure that employees followthem as well.

The recommended proce-dures do not apply to the disposalof single containers of pesticidesregistered for use in the homeand garden. These containersmay be disposed of duringmunicipal waste collection ifwrapped according to recommen-dations.

Storage sites should bechosen carefully to minimize thechance of pesticides escaping

into the environment. Pesticidesshould not be stored in an areasusceptible to flooding or wherethe characteristics of the soil atthe site would allow escapedchemicals to percolate intogroundwater. Storage facilitiesshould be dry and well venti-lated, and they should be pro-vided with fire protection equip-ment. All stored pesticidesshould be carefully labeled andsegregated and stored off of theground. Pesticides should not bestored in the same area as animalfeed. The facility should be keptlocked when not in use. Furtherprecautions include appropriatewarning signs and regular in-spection of containers for corro-sion or leakage. Protectiveclothing should be stored closeby but not in the same room asthe pesticides because they maybecome contaminated. Decon-tamination equipment should bepresent where highly toxicpesticides are stored.

Exceptions forFarmers

Farmers disposing of usedpesticidecontainers fortheir own useare not requiredto comply withthe require-ments of thehazardouswaste regulations provided thatthey triple rinse or pressure washeach container and dispose of theresidues on their own farms in amanner consistent with thedisposal in-structions onthe pesticidelabel. Note thatdisposal ofpesticideresidues intowater or wherethey are likelyto reach surface or groundwatermay be considered a source ofpollution under the Clean WaterAct or the Safe Drinking WaterAct and therefore is illegal.

After the triple rinse proce-dure, the containers are then“empty” and the farmer candiscard them in a sanitary wastesite without further regard to thehazardous waste regulations. Theempty containers are still subjectto any disposal instructionscontained within the labeling ofthe product, however. Disposal ina manner “inconsistent with thelabeling instructions” is a viola-tion of EPA guidelines and couldlead to contamination of water,soil or persons and legal liability.


Pesticidestorage shed

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Emergency Planningand CommunityRight-to-Know

Farms that use pesticides may be “facilities” subject to thenotification requirements of the law. Notification is also required foremergency releases of hazardous chemicals. Proper application ofpesticides is not covered under this law. The community right-to-know provisions of the act require that material safety data sheetsrequired under OSHA, as well as documents showing the locationand amount of chemicals present at the facility (if the quantity ex-ceeds the “reportable quantity”), be provided to the state and localemergency planning bodies and to the local fire department.

Agricultural Chemicals and Worker Safety

The EPA has general author-ity to regulate pesticide use inorder to minimize risks to humanhealth and to the environment.This author-ity extends tothe protec-tion of farmworkersexposed topesticides. All employers mustcomply with ALL instructions ofthe Worker Protection Standardconcerning worker safety or besubject to penalties. Labels mayinclude, for example, instructionsrequiring the wearing of protec-tive clothing, handling instruc-tions and instructions setting a

period oftime beforeworkers areallowed to re-enter fieldsafter theapplication

of pesticides (Restricted EntryInterval).

Employers should read theWorker Protection Standardregulations governing the use ofand exposure to pesticides. Theregulations set forth minimumstandards for the protection offarm workers and pesticide

handlers that must be followed.The regulations include stan-dards requiring oral warningsand posting of areas wherepesticides have been used,training forall handlersand early re-entry work-ers, personalprotectiveequipment,emergency transportation anddecontamination equipment.

The EPA regulations holdthe producer of the agriculturalplant on a farm, forest, nursery orgreenhouse ultimately respon-sible for compliance with theworker safety standards. Thismeans the landowner mustensure compliance by all em-ployees and by all independentcontractors working on theproperty. Contractors and em-ployees also may be held respon-sible for failure to follow theregulations.

TheOccupationalSafety andHealth Act(OSHA)

The federal govern-ment also regulates farmemployee safety under theOccupational Safety andHealth Act (OSHA). OSHAapplies to all persons(employers) engaged inbusiness affecting interstatecommerce. The federalcourts have decided that allfarming and ranchingoperations affect interstatecommerce in some respect,regardless of where goodsare produced, sold orconsumed, and thus aresubject to OSHA’s require-ments. In general, everyemployer has a duty toprovide employees with anenvironment free fromhazards that cause or arelikely to cause death orserious injury.


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In summary:A. All label directions will be

read, understood and followed.

B. The Louisiana Departmentof Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF)is responsible for the certification ofpesticide applicators. All pesticideapplicators in Louisiana mustsuccessfully complete a certificationtest administered by the LDAF. TheLSU AgCenter conducts trainingsessions and publishes study guidesin various categories covered by thetest. Contact your county agent fordates and times.

C. All requirements of theWorker Protection Standard (WPS)will be followed, including, but notlimited, to:

• Notifying workers of apesticide application (either oral orposting of the field), abiding by therestricted entry interval (REI).

• Maintaining a centralnotification area containing thesafety poster; the name, address andtelephone number of the nearestemergency medical facility; and alist of the pesticide applicationsmade within the last 30 days thathave an REI.

• Maintaining a decontami-nation site for workers and han-dlers.

• Furnishing the appropriatepersonal protective equipment(PPE) to all handlers and earlyentry workers and ensuring that theyunderstand how and why theyshould use it.

• Assuring that all employ-ees required to be trained under theWorker Protection Standard haveundergone the required training.

D. Pesticides will be stored ina secure, locked enclosure and in acontainer free of leaks, abiding byany specific recommendations on thelabel. The storage area must bemaintained in good condition,

without unnecessary debris. Thisenclosure will be at least 150 feetaway and down slope from anywater wells.

E. All uncontained pesticidespills of more than one gallon liquidor four pounds dry weight will bereported to the director of Pesticideand Environmental Programs,Louisiana Department of Agricultureand Forestry, within 24 hours bytelephone (225-925-3763) and bywritten notice within three days.Spills on public roadways will bereported to the Louisiana Depart-ment of Transportation and Develop-ment. Spills into navigable waterswill be reported to DEQ, CoastGuard, USEPA.

F. Empty metal, glass orplastic pesticide containers will beeither triple rinsed or pressurewashed, and the rinsate will beadded to the spray solution to dilutethe solution at the time or storedaccording to the LDAF rules to beused later. Rinsed pesticide contain-ers will be punctured, crushed orotherwise rendered unusable anddisposed of in a sanitary landfill.(Plastic containers may be taken tospecific pesticide container recyclingevents. Contact your county agentfor dates and locations in your area.)

G. All pesticides will beremoved from paper and plastic bagsto the fullest extent possible. Thesides of the container will be cut andopened fully, without folds or

crevices, on a flat surface; anypesticides remaining in the openedcontainer will be transferred into thespray mix. After this procedure, thecontainers will be disposed of in asanitary landfill.

H. Application equipment willbe triple rinsed and the rinsateapplied to the original applicationsite or stored for later use to dilute aspray solution.

I. Mix/load or wash pads(NRCS production code Interim)will be located at least 150 feet awayand down slope from any waterwells and away from surface watersources such as ponds, streams, etc.

The pads will be constructed of animpervious material, and there willbe a system for collecting and/orstoring the runoff.

J. Empty containers will notbe kept for more than 90 days afterthe end of the spray season.

K. Air gaps will be maintainedwhile filling the spray tank toprevent back-siphoning.

This...backflowprotection

...Not Thischemicals siphonedback into water supply

Air gap

Wash pad with collection pond


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MANAGEMENT OF POULTRY MORTALITY

Dead broilers, from normal mortality alone, result in more than200,000 pounds of carcasses to be disposed of weekly. A satisfactorysystem for disposal of dead birds and farm animals is necessary forsanitation, disease and odor prevention, and for environmental pro-tection. Moreover, the Louisiana Livestock Sanitary Board requiresthat poultry producers have an approved method for disposing ofdead birds. Poultry carcasses cannot be legally fed to hogs or alliga-tors in Louisiana unless they are first cooked or rendered. A com-plaint to the Livestock Sanitary Board, the Department of Health andHospitals (DHH) or the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)concerning non-compliance with these regulations will result in aninspection by the enforcement staff and possible fines and/or penal-ties.


Commercial poultry producersshall be required to dispose ofdead poultry by one of thefollowing methods:

CompostingThe design, construction

and use of compost units must beapproved by an authorizedrepresentative of the LivestockSanitary Board. Design criteriafor composting structures shallmeet or exceed standards andspecifications for compostingstructures contained in the USDANatural Resources ConservationService (NRCS) Field OfficeTechnical Guide (FOTG).Composting of dead poultry andlitter will be completed in accor-dance with management prac-tices contained in the FOTG.

IncineratorsIncinerators shall be con-

structed in a manner and designcapable of providing a method ofdisposal of dead poultry thatprevents the spread of diseases.Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry

(LDAF) regulations, specifically LAC 7:11771, state thatdead poultry shall be disposed in the following manner:

All commercial poultry producers are required to obtain acertification of approval for disposing of dead poultry from the StateVeterinarian’s Office, LDAF. Failure to obtain a certificate shall beconsidered a violation of the regulation. Certificates of approval arecontinuous, but subject to review and cancellation should the poultryproducer fail to dispose of dead poultry in accordance with theregulation. The LDAF will be responsible for follow-up to ensure thatall conditions and requirements are met.

Dead poultry must be removed from the presence of the livepoultry without delay. The carcasses, parts of carcasses and offal mustbe held in covered containment until disposal is made by one of theapproved methods. In no instance, however, will the storage of deadpoultry be allowed to create sanitary problems.

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The design and construction must be approved by an authorizedrepresentative of the Livestock Sanitary Board and shall meet stateand federal air emission standards. Incinerators are subject toLAC33:III.2521 and LAC33:III.2531 discharge regulations. An airemission permit is required from DEQ for all incinerators. Prior toplacing an incinerator into operation or using an existing incinerator,a permit must be on file with DEQ Permit Division. For questionsabout permitting of incinerators, contact Dick Lehr (225) 765-2723or Annette Sharp (225) 765-0288 with the DEQ Small BusinessAssistance Program.

Rendering PlantDead poultry, parts of carcasses and poultry offal may be trans-

ported in covered containers to approved rendering plants. Poultrycarcasses may be held on the premises of commercial poultry produc-ers as long as the storage does not create a sanitary problem. All suchmethods of storage, modes of transportation and location of render-ing plants shall be submitted to and approved by an authorizedrepresentative of the Livestock Sanitary Board.

DigestersPoultry digesters may be used if the following conditions are

met:

A. The design, construction, location and use of digesters mustbe approved by an authorized representative of the Livestock SanitaryBoard.

B. The bacteria being used in the digester must be approved byan authorized representative of the Livestock Sanitary Board.

C. The digester must be maintained according to recommenda-tions of an authorized representative of the Livestock Sanitary Board.

For more information about the disposal of dead poultry,contact the LDAF’s Livestock Sanitary Board.

ManagementFrom a management stand-

point, the disposal method needsto meet several criteria. It shouldbe convenient, sanitary, economi-cal, practical, legal and sociallyacceptable. Place tightly coveredcontainers for carcass accumula-tion at the entrance of eachproduction house. Dead animalsand birds should be removedfrom production facilities at leastonce each day, preferably morefrequently, especially whendisease conditions are presentand/or temperatures are high.Empty these containers intodisposal facilities at least every24 hours to prevent dead birdsfrom becoming a problem.

Improper methods of dis-posal include dumping carcassesin the woods, in a creek orfeeding them to other livestockon the farm. These unacceptablepractices cannot be permitted andare illegal.

Modern farm businessmenrecognize the importance ofhaving a sanitary means fordisposal of dead birds and ani-mals. They know that convenient,sanitary and fast disposal isimperative if they are to preventdiseases from spreading. Goodwaste management practices areessential if the poultry industry isto grow and thrive under today’senvironmental conditions.Properly used poultry wastes area resource with minimal environ-mental effects. Improperlyhandled or used poultry wastescan degrade the environment,spread diseases and damage thefavorable image developed bypoultry producers.


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When properly adjusted andoperated, cost of incinerationwill vary with weight, moisturecontent, loading density and fatcontent. It is important not tooverload the incinerator,because this will lead toincomplete incineration of thecarcasses. An incinerator can beexpected to last from five toseven years.

RenderingGrowers who live near a

rendering plant could use thismethod. There are only a fewrendering plants in Louisiana,and they are not generallyavailable to growers. Some out-of-state firms also pick upcarcasses for rendering. Render-ing cost is estimated to be from3.5 to 5.0 cents per pound.Assuming the plant is reason-ably close, this method may bethe most cost-effective. Besidesthe cost of fuel for delivery,there is a risk of picking updisease organisms on the vehicleat or near the plant and trans-porting them back to the flock.This disease risk is of greatconcern to the poultry industry.

Central drop-off facilitiesfor rendering are being tried inother states. The central-facilityapproach may have real promise

Table I.Expected Disposal Requirements For Poultry Flocks

Type of Poultry Flock Size for

100 pounds/day

Egg Production-type Layers

Egg Production-type Breeders

Broilers

Broiler Breeders

1% per month

1% per month

3% per cycle

1% per month 3-3.5

3-3.5

3-3.5

1

6

100,000

100,000

200,000

50,000

AverageMortality

Rate

CarcassWeight(Pounds)

IncinerationIncineration of

dead birds andanimals may be thequickest and mostsanitary method ofdisposal. Wastes canbe disposed of as fastas they accumulate,and the resultingstabilized residuedoes not attractscavengers or insects. Commercial units are available with oil or gasburners and are usually equipped with automatic timers. Barrels,stoves or homemade incinerators seldom meet air pollution controlstandards.

Incineration may be a problem with larger animals, dependingon the size and availability of DEQ-approved incinerators.

Management recommendations include:

1. Purchase only approved incinerators.2. Locate incinerators downwind from poultry houses and populated

areas.3. Remove ashes before each firing to assure proper performance,

reduce maintenance and maximize incinerator life.4. Clean grates, check burner jets and adjust the timer regularly to

get a complete burn.5. Protect the unit from the weather when not in use, if mobile, or

construct a simple open metal structure to extend its life.6. Maintain a distance of at least 4 feet or provide heat protection

between smokestacks and wooden structures or trees becauseof the intense heat generated.

Incinerator manufacturers specify capacities of their equipment,usually in pounds per day to be incinerated. Refer to Table I below todetermine the incinerator size to meet your specific needs.


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if the disease transmission andsanitation problems can beovercome. Between pickups,dead birds must be secured in aclosed area or container toprevent animals such as dogs orcoyotes from removing them.Depending on frequency ofpickup, they may need to befrozen to prevent decompositionand odors. Researchers andintegrators are actively workingto develop systems for the safestorage and transport of poultrycarcasses for rendering.

DigestingThe Louisiana Department

of Agriculture and Forestryregulates the construction andoperation of digesters in Louisi-ana through the Livestock Sani-tary Board. To use this method ofmortality management, a permitis required. Contact the Live-stock Sanitary Board for currentregulations on the constructionand operation of digesters.

CompostingComposting converts or-

ganic matter, such as dry poultrywaste or dead chickens, into amore uniform and relativelyodorless substance called humusor compost. Active composting isthe controlled version of naturaldecay. By creating the rightconditions, organic breakdown isaccelerated, producing hightemperatures that kill pathogens.It is receiving increased attentionas more people search for lessexpensive alternatives to solidwaste management.

Composting is a naturalprocess in which beneficialmicroorganisms — bacteria andfungi — reduce and transform orchange organic wastes into auseful end product — compost.Composting is considered anaerobic (oxygen-requiring)process. It will normally reducethe volume by 50 percent ormore.

Dead poultry managementis one example of an appropriate

use of composting for prepara-tion of a waste material for landapplication. The universities ofMaryland and Delaware havebeen conducting research ondead bird composting since1987. Their studies have shownthat properly constructed andoperated two-stage composterscan destroy both heat-resistantand heat-sensitive poultry patho-gens in less than two weeks.They have assisted in the con-struction and operation of deadbird composters on broiler farmsin Delaware, Maryland andVirginia without disease orperformance problems. Otherstates such as Alabama, Arkansasand Mississippi have had goodresults with composting. Louisi-ana has recommended andapproved composting of deadbirds since 1994.

In dead bird compostingoperations, a prescribed mixtureof dead chickens, manure, litter,straw, hay or rice hulls and waterprovide the necessary ingredientsfor speeding the process andchanging the mixture to compost.The key factors for successfulaerobic composting are a propercarbon to nitrogen ratio (about23:1), the proper moisture con-tent (about 55 percent) and anadequate supply of oxygen forthe bacteria. Acceptable carbonto nitrogen ratios (C:N) arebetween 15:1 and 35:1. Accept-able moisture content ranges arebetween 40 percent and 60percent. The carbon source maybe rice hulls, wood shavings,straw, litter or similar material.

The microorganisms in thecomposting process are heat-generating. They may cause thetemperature of the mixture to rise


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as high as 170 degrees F. Typicaltemperatures are between 140and 160 degrees F. Temperatureshigher than 160 degrees F posethe risk of fire and should beavoided by turning the compostpile. The producer should moni-tor the temperature daily to makesure the composting process isproceeding properly.

The nitrogen content andthe crude protein value of thematerial can be reduced as muchas 40 percent throughcomposting. This can be anadvantage if the owner has alimited land area for spreadingwastes and needs a way to reducenitrogen application rates.

Composter size is based onbroiler farm capacity, overallbird size at the end of theproduction cycle and mortality.The NRCS has recommendeddesign specifications for deadbird composters.


Table II.Number of first stage composter bins required based on

number of broilers on hand (NRCS Specifications).

Farm capacity Required cubic feetfor first stage bins

No. of first stage bins(5' x 6' x 8')

Required cubic feet forsecond stage bins

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

Composting reduces the weight, volume and moisture content ofthe original material. If the material is properly managed during thecomposting process, the final product will be a rich, uniform mixturesuitable for pasture/field application or use in gardening and nurseries.

480

720

960

1200

1440

1680

2

3

4

5

6

7

480

720

960

1200

1440

1680

A simple mixture of strawor hay, dead chickens, poultrylitter, water and oxygen willproduce the beneficial bacteriaand fungi needed to convert thesematerials into an inoffensive,useful compost. Odors andinsects have not been a problemin research studies whencomposters are properly oper-ated. Tests on certain pathogens(such as E. coli) and on Gumboroand New Castle disease virusesprove that these pathogens do notsurvive the pasteurizing effectsof composting. Once the weightand volume relationships of oneday’s dead poultry are deter-mined, the other elements can beweighed according to the for-mula in Table III. Weigh theelements in buckets on scales thefirst day. On subsequent days, aloader can be used once theweight of a full loader/bucket isdetermined for each elementexcept water. One gallon of waterweighs about 8 pounds. Or, use ahose to deliver the correctamount of water based on apercolation test (the time neces-sary to deliver the requiredgallons through the hose). Somegrowers in Mississippi havefound that no additional water isneeded when litter is wet.


The mixture is placed in a primary bin in layers. A 1-foot layer ofmanure cake (litter) is first placed on the concrete floor of the bin.Then a 6-inch layer of straw/hay is added to aid in aeration and toprovide a source of carbon. After these two layers, ingredients areadded according to the formula, beginning with a layer of carcasses, alayer of litter, a layer of straw, then water (typically, 1 pound of water/2 pounds of carcass). This completes one batch. The second and allsubsequent batches begin with a layer of carcasses, litter, straw andwater, in that order. After the last batch is added, the final cover cap isa double layer of litter. Do not add water to this final cap. A smallamount of fly bait may be added to each layer daily if flies become aproblem. See Figure 1 for details on layering the ingredients.

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Table III.Formula for dead poultry composting

Materials Parts by weight

Poultry carcasses

Chicken manure, litter cake

Straw (hay) or litter

Water (add sparingly)

1

1.2

.1

.75


During the compostingprocess, the volume of the masswill reduce 25 percent to 30percent, enabling the operator toadd more material to the top ofthe bin.

Ideally, the composter willbe sized so that the average day’smortality will equal one layer ofdead chickens in the primary bin.Each subsequent day, layer thedead chickens and the otherelements in the bin (manure,chickens, straw; manure, chick-ens, straw. See Figure 1). If thebin is too large to make a fulllayer in one day (when chicks areyoung, for example), a half orquarter layer can be formed,using extra litter to cover theexposed edge of the partial layer.Use only one layer of dead birds(over 1/2 pound/carcass) perlayer.

Monitor the temperature inthe compost pile with a 36-inchmetal probe thermometer. Thepile should reach 140 to 160degrees F within a day or so,which pasteurizes the compost.After a week or so when thetemperature starts to drop, movethe material to the second stagebin or secondary alley for aera-tion and reheating. A skid loaderboth mixes and aerates thecompost as additional compostfrom primary bins is added to theolder compost in the secondarybin or alley. The temperature inthe secondary bin will begin torise as beneficial bacterial activ-ity begins and will peak in five to10 days. Monitor the temperaturein Stage 2 just as in the primarystage. Be sure to check themoisture content of the pile iftemperatures fail to rise.

The final step is to store thepasteurized compost. Poultrycarcass compost should beallowed to cure for approxi-mately 30 days before applyingto land. After removal from thesecondary composting bin, stackor pile the compost no more than7 feet high in a dry stack facilityor pole barn or under a water-proof cover, and do not allow the

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Figure 1. Dead poultry composter bin layering

compost to come into contactwith any fresh manure, litter ordrainage water. Curing allowsfurther drying and aerobic de-composition. As a result, the pHof finished compost is generallyaround neutral, the C:N ratiodecreases, the cation exchangecapacity increases, the concentra-tion of humus increases andnitrate-nitrogen formation takes

place. The pile is alsorecolonized by soilmicroorganisms. Thisgives the compost somedisease-suppressingqualities. Curing may beconsidered completewhen the pile tempera-ture falls to near thetemperature of surround-ing air. At the appropriate time during the growingseason, apply compost directly to the land. Work itinto the soil, using the same guidelines as appliedto poultry manure.

Loading and managing a composter sized fora broiler farm with a 100,000 to 130,000-birdcapacity takes about 20 minutes a day over andabove the time necessary to pick up the deadchickens.

Composter design can vary considerablyand still perform well, but experience teachesthat all good composters have certain commonfeatures:

Roof: Although some materials may becomposted in the open, this does not work wellwith dead bird composting. A roof ensures year-round operation and controls rainwater and perco-lation, which can be major problems. Stormwaterregulations will probably require roofs in thefuture.

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Foundation: An impervi-ous, weight-bearing foundation(preferably concrete) is criticalto all-weather operation becausethe bottom of the compost pilemay get wet and soggy andcause traction problems forequipment. A concrete founda-tion secures the composteragainst rodents, dogs, etc., and

reduces contamination of the surrounding area.

Building Materials: Specify pressure-treatedlumber or other rot-resistant materials because theyresist rotting caused by alternative wet-dry cyclesand will extend the life of the facility.

Composter Size: Capacity of the compostermust be sufficient to handle average mortality. TheNRCS recommendations for composter size areshown in Table II.

Thermometer: Monitoring the compostingtemperatures is very important in good manage-ment of a composting unit. A 36-inch probe ther-mometer is effective for monitoring temperature intypical composting bins.

The cost of materials for the composter,including the concrete pad, will range from $1,500to $5,000 for a 40,000-bird operation. Total costwill depend on composter size, design and the costof labor to construct the unit. Researchers in Ala-bama estimate the cost of composting dead birds at2.1 cents per pound. The estimated useful life of acomposting unit is 10 to 15 years. Detailed

composter recommendations areavailable from the local NRCS,Extension Service office or Soiland Water Conservation District.

The nutrient content of thecompost will vary, depending onthe amount and nutrient content ofthe manure and litter, the age ofthe compost and the method ofstorage. Compost samples ana-lyzed by the University of Dela-ware had the following averageanalysis on an “as-sampled basis”:

Moisture 28%

Nitrogen (total) 1.85% ammonium nitrogen 0.15% organic nitrogen 1.70%

P2O5 2.29%

K2O 1.56%

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POULTRY PRODUCTION BMPS 2000 27

A ton of compost with theabove analysis would provide 37pounds of nitrogen (N), 46pounds of phosphate (P

2O

5) and

31 pounds of potash (K2O).

Because of variation in nutrientcomposition of composts, regularanalyses for nitrogen, phospho-rus, potassium, sulfur and micro-nutrients are desirable.

The value of applying thiscompost to agricultural land ascompared to commercial fertil-izer is about $23.40 per ton. Thisfigure is based on 37 pounds ofN at $0.20 per pound, 46 poundsof P

2O

5 at $0.24 per pound and

31 pounds of K2O at $0.16 per

pound.

As with any organic soilamendment, actual nitrogenavailability to plants depends onmethod of application. If thecompost is spread on the surface,most of the ammonia willvolatize and pass off as a gas. Ifincorporated, most of the ammo-nia will be available for plantuse. Phosphorus, potassium andmicro-nutrients will remain forplant use.

Compost may be applied using conventional rear-delivery orside-delivery manure spreaders for covering large acreage. For appli-cation of compost as a top-dressing, broadcast cyclone-type applica-tors are used. To obtain maximum uniformity of application andreduce handling problems, compost should contain less than 40percent moisture.

Land application of compost or any poultry waste, like applica-tion of fertilizer, must balance nutrient content with the crop nutrientneeds based on regular soil tests and realistic yield goals. The biggestproblem is over-application. This is not only wasteful, but it also canresult in excessive levels of salts, nitrogen and phosphorus. Nutrientsnot taken up by plants can be lost to groundwater by leaching or tosurface water through runoff.

To avoid excessive nutrient application, apply compost based onthe nitrogen or phosphorus need of the crop and soil test results.Nitrogen in compost is not as readily available as nitrogen in freshpoultry litter because more is in the organic form and less in theammonium and urea form. In general, 50 percent to 65 percent of thetotal nitrogen will be available during the growing season in which itis applied. Assume 75 percent of the phosphate and potash will beavailable. The rest will be available in following years.

Apply compost as close to planting as possible for row cropsand annual crops, and incorporate with normal soil tillage operations.For perennial summer grass pastures and hayfields (bermudagrassand bahiagrass), apply in early spring and again in early summer ifadditional growth is needed. For cool-season perennial grass pasturesand hayfields (fescue and ryegrass), make early fall and early springapplications. Based on the average analysis given earlier, and assum-ing 65 percent of the nitrogen will be available during the season, thefollowing application rates may be appropriate. Contact your countyagent for current recommendations.

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Abnormal Death LossIf a large number of poultry carcasses need to be

disposed of because of weather-induced death (heat stress,etc.), flooding or condemnation, normal disposal measures arelikely to be inadequate. In the event of the death of more than1 percent of broilers or 0.5 percent of pullets or breedersover four weeks of age on the same premises within a 24-hourperiod (the death of which is not known to be caused by acontagious or infectious disease), the dead poultry may bedisposed of by on-site burial. The State Veterinarian’s Officemust be notified immediately by telephone or facsimile ifexcessive mortality requires on-site burial.


Table IV. Suggested application rates of dead bird compost

Crop Time of application Tons ofcompostper acre

Corn 1-2 mos. before planting 7.5

Cotton 1-2 mos. before planting 3.2

Small grains (forage) & before fall planting 3.6 temporary winter grazing top-dressing in late winter 2.2

Summer pasture (bermuda, bahia) early spring 2.5a

early summer 2.5a

Cool-season pasture early fall 2.5 (fescue, ryegrass) late winter 2.5

aDouble this rate for hay production.

GEN

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RM BM

PS

GENERAL FARM BMPS

A. Water wellprotection -

Farm*A*Syst/Home*A*Systshould be usedevery three yearsto determinepotentialthreats to waterwells. Threatsidentified will beranked andmeasured tocorrect the mostserious.

B. Used engine oil,grease, batteries,tires, etc.

1. Used engine oil shouldbe stored in a waste oil container(tank or drum) until recycled.

2. Empty paint cans, anti-freeze containers, used tires, oldbatteries, etc., will be stored in asecure area until they can bedisposed of properly.

C. Irrigation waterquality

Irrigation water (surfaceand/or well) should be tested inthe spring to determine thesalinity (salt) level before flood-ing rice fields. Take samples toan approved laboratory foranalysis.

D. Fuel storage tanksAbove-ground fuel storage tanks in Louisiana are regulated by

the State Fire Marshal and by the EPA if surface water is at risk.Above-ground tanks containing 660 gallons or more require second-ary containment. The State Fire Marshal recommends that some sortof secondary containment be used with all fuel storage tanks. Thiscould include the use of double-walled tanks, diking aroundthe tank for impoundment or remote impoundment facilities.

These practices are to be followed:

• Any existing above-ground fuel storage tank of 660gallons or more (1320 gallons if more than one) must have acontainment wall surrounding the tank capable of holding 100percent of the tank’s capacity (or the largest tank’s capacity ifmore than one) in case of spillage.

• The tank and storage area should be located at least 40feet from any building. Fuel storage tanks should be placed150 feet and downslope from surface water and water wells.

29POULTRY PRODUCTION BMPS 2000

• It is recommended that thestorage tank be on a concreteslab to prevent any spillage fromentering surface and groundwater.

• The storage area should bekept free of weeds and othercombustible materials.

• The tank should be con-spicuously marked with the nameof the product that it containsand “FLAMMABLE — KEEPFIRE AND FLAME AWAY.”

• The bottom of the tankshould be supported by concreteblocks approximately 6 inchesabove the ground surface toprotect the bottom of the tankfrom corrosion.

• If a pumping device isused, it should be tightly andpermanently attached and meetNFPA approval. Gravity dis-charge tanks are acceptable, butthey must be equipped with avalve that will automaticallyclose in the event of a fire.

• Plans for the installation ofall storage tanks that will containmore than 60 gallons of liquidmust be submitted to the StateFire Marshal for approval.

• All tanks that catch on firemust be reported to the State FireMarshal within 72 hours of thefire.

GEN

ERA

L FA

RM B

MPS

• Underground storage tanksare defined as containing morethan 10 percent of their totalvolume beneath the soil surface.Underground tanks representmore of a problem than above-ground tanks, because leaks canoften go for long periods withoutbeing detected. This poses aserious threat to groundwatersources in the vicinity of thetank. If you have an undergroundfuel storage tank, you need tocontact the State Fire Marshal’sOffice for regulations affectingthese storage tanks.

30

This tank would be classified as anunderground fuel tank.

10 % of tank is belowground level


Information in this publicationwas compiled by

Fred S. Sanders, Ph.D.,Environmental Sciences.

Other LSU AgCentercontributors were

Theresia Lavergne, Ph.D.;John Hebert, Ph.D.;

Eddie Funderburg, Ph.D.;and Mary L. Grodner, Ph.D.


The complex nature of nonpoint pollution means programs designed toreduce its impact on the environment will not be easy to establish ormaintain. Controlling these contaminants will require solutions as diverseas the pollutants themselves. Through a multi-agency effort, led by theLSU AgCenter, these BMP manuals are targeted at reducing the impactof agricultural production on Louisiana’s environment. Agriculturalproducers in Louisiana, through voluntary implementation of theseBMPs, are taking the lead in efforts to protect the waters of Louisiana.The quality of Louisiana’s environment depends on each of us.

Visit our website:www.lsuagcenter.com

Produced by LSU AgCenter Communications

Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, William B. Richardson, ChancellorLouisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, R. Larry Rogers, Vice Chancellor and Director

Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, Jack L. Bagent, Vice Chancellor and Director

Pub. 2806 (2M) 7/00

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with theUnited States Department of Agriculture. The Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service provides equal opportunities in

programs and employment.

Funded through a cooperative agreement with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, Contract 522100.

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