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Livestock and the Environment

Livestock and the Environment. Environmental Problems of Livestock Production. 1. Changes in Livestock Production. Trend toward larger livestock operations Use of large livestock confinement systems such as feedlots. 2. Changing Environment of Agriculture.

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Livestock and the Environment

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  1. Livestock and the Environment

  2. Environmental Problems of Livestock Production

  3. 1. Changes in Livestock Production • Trend toward larger livestock operations • Use of large livestock confinement systems such as feedlots

  4. 2. Changing Environment of Agriculture • Migration of city dwellers to agricultural areas. • Why? • Escape problems of city life • Attracted to recreational developments

  5. Changing Environment of Agriculture, cont • Attitudes • Find odors offensive • Unaware of byproducts of livestock production

  6. 3. Livestock Waste Disposal Concerns • Communities share the cost of waste disposal in cities • Cost of facility – several million dollars • Cost to individual in city - $100 to $200

  7. Livestock Waste Disposal Concerns, cont • Individuals responsible for cost for livestock enterprises • 200,000 hens, 1,200 head of cattle in a feedlot, 10,500 hogs may produce as much waste as 20,000 people.

  8. C. Agricultural Disposal Systems • Must be part of the total management plan • Must be affordable • Must meet the expectations of the non farming people who live nearby • Must meet environmental regulations

  9. D. Federal Regulations • Federal Water Quality Act of 1965 • Refuse Act of 1899 • Solid Waste Disposal Act of 1965 • Federal Clean Air Act

  10. E. State Regulations • Most states have some type of environmental protection agency • Enforce State & Federal regulations • Nuisance Laws • May include odors, dust, chemicals, water pollution, animal noises, carcass disposal, etc

  11. F. Water Pollutants • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) • EPA monitors • Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) • Fecal Coliform • Fecal Streptococcus • Suspended Solids • Phosphorus • Ammonia

  12. G. Handling Livestock Wastes • Objective is to control • Prevent surface & groundwater pollution • other Nuisances • Odors • Dust • Flies • Rodents

  13. Handling Livestock Wastes, cont. • Amount of Manure Produced • Species • Age of Animal • Ration Fed

  14. Handling Livestock Wastes, cont. • Fertilizer Usage– Nutrient Content Factors • Length of time in storage • Method of treatment • Amount and type of bedding used • Amount of dilution by water entering the system

  15. F. Manure Handling Systems • Factors to consider • EPA Regulations • Kind of Animal Being Raised • Kind of Housing and Management • Size and Type of Operation • Climate • Characteristics of Operation

  16. Manure Handling Systems, cont. • Classification of Facilities • Confined • Open Lot • Lot and Shelter • Enclosed Shelter • Unconfined • Pasture • Range

  17. Manure Handling Systems, cont. • Types of Systems • Liquid • Pits • Lagoon • Storage Basins • Solid

  18. G. Determining the Amount of Livestock Waste to Apply on the Land

  19. Determining the Amount of Livestock Waste to Apply on the Land • Agronomic Nitrogen Rate • Available Nitrogen per unit of yield necessary to produce a given crop • Varies with species • Varies with ration fed • Varies with method of collection and storage • Phosphorus Requirements

  20. H. Disposing of Manure • Spread on land • All solid systems • All liquid systems except lagoons • Valuable as fertilizers

  21. Disposing of Manure, cont. • Environmental Considerations • Must be incorporated or injected in the soils • Do not apply to frozen or snow cover land • Do not apply immediately before or after a rainstorm to to saturated land

  22. . Disposing of Manure, cont. • Do not apply to grass waterways • Do not apply within 200 feet of surface waters or within 150 feet of a well • Reduce the amount applied if there is a high water table present or if soil is highly permeable

  23. I. Preventing Feedlot Runoff • Diversion – prevent surface water from entering • Drainage – channel runoff from feedlot

  24. Preventing Feedlot Runoff, cont • Debris basins – catch run off from pens • Holding ponds – temporary storage for runoff • Disposal – collect and use for irrigation or allow to evaporate

  25. J. Gases and Odors from Livestock Wastes • Caused by anaerobic bacteria breaking down the organic components • Occurs when no Oxygen is present

  26. Gases and Odors from Livestock Wastes, cont • Gases dangerous to people and livestock in poorly ventilated or confinement areas • Odors may cause neighbors to take legal action against the farmer

  27. Gases and Odors from Livestock Wastes, cont • Control Methods • Reduced by mixing air with manure • Mix manure in soil as soon as possible after hauling/spreading

  28. Gases and Odors from Livestock Wastes, cont • Chemical and Bacterial culture • Masking agents • Cover up odors • Counteractants • Attempt to neutralize odors

  29. Gases and Odors from Livestock Wastes, cont Chemical and Bacterial culture, cont • Deodorants • Chemicals that kill the bacteria that cause odor • Digestive deodorants • Create a digestive process to eliminate odor

  30. K. Disposal of Dead Animals • Responsibility of owner • Many states require within 24 to 48 hrs • Done so as not to cause health hazard • Diseases may spread to other animals/humans • Treat any dead animal as though diseased • Eliminate environmental threats

  31. Disposal of Dead Animals, cont • Transport in a covered, metal, leak proof vehicle • Approved Methods • Licensed disposal plant • Burying • Disposal pits • Burning • Composting

  32. Agriculture Waste Management System • Putting it all together • Production – amount and nature of waste generated • Collection – initial capture and gathering of the waste • Transfer – movement of waste through the system • Storage – temporary containment of waste • Treatment – function designed to reduce pollution potential • Utilization – reusing or recycling waste

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