Module 3: Animal Manure Storage Facilities

1. Module 3: Animal Manure Storage Facilities Sizing and Operating Manure Storages By Don D. Jones

2. Objectives • Discuss why manure storage is needed. • Learn the location, design, construction and management principles that are good for your operation and for the environment. • Increase awareness of the dangers associated with manure storages and the safeguards to protect workers and animals. Certified Nutrient Management Planning

3. Topics to Discuss • Reasons for storing manure • Types of storages used • Siting manure storages • Size of storage needed • Managing a storage • Safety concerns • Closing an unused storage Certified Nutrient Management Planning

4. Reasons to Store Manure • Neighbors, regulations • Allows application flexibility • Allows application when crop, site, climate, and soils can best accommodate and utilize manure nutrients Photo Courtesy of the Lafayette (IN) Journal and Courier Certified Nutrient Management Planning

5. Proper management of manure storage and treatment facilities can prevent accidents that jeopardize an entire operation. Certified Nutrient Management Planning

6. Removing Manure from Storage • Contact neighbors BEFORE agitating or pumping–schedule to avoid neighborhood activities. • Choose a breezy day to agitate lagoon–with wind blowing away from neighbors. Certified Nutrient Management Planning

7. Conditions and Characteristics Warm climate, no long periods of frozen or saturated soil. Pasture, grass, and hay land available. Equipment and labor available for frequent spreading. Length of Storage (3 mo. or less) Certified Nutrient Management Planning

8. Conditions and Characteristics Accommodates short periods of frozen, snow-covered, or saturated soil. May not work with traditional crop rotations. Pasture, grass, or hay land needed for spreading during growing season. Length of Storage (3-6 mo.) Certified Nutrient Management Planning

9. Conditions and Characteristics Accommodates long winter seasons and fits most cropping schedules. Provides storage until growing season. Maximum flexibility for scheduling custom spreading operations. If irrigating, allows application when moisture benefits crop. Length of Storage (6-12 mo.) Certified Nutrient Management Planning

10. Types of Manure Storage Facilities • Solid • Slurry • Liquid (lagoons) Certified Nutrient Management Planning

11. Solid Manure Storage • Advantages • High solids content • Relatively low odor • Less runoff from land application • Relatively high nutrient retention Certified Nutrient Management Planning

12. Solid Manure Storage (continued) • Disadvantages • More labor than liquid or slurry • Runoff from outside lots Certified Nutrient Management Planning

13. Slurry Manure Storage • Advantages • Less volume and higher nutrient retention than liquid system • Less labor than solid Certified Nutrient Management Planning

14. Slurry Manure Storage (continued) • Disadvantages • Odor potential (unless covered) • Danger of toxic gas buildup • Large number of loads to handle when the storage is emptied • Runoff potential after application if not incorporated Certified Nutrient Management Planning

15. Liquid Manure Storage(lagoons) • Advantages • Lower storage cost per animal • Treatment reduces odors • Can handle with conventional pumping and irrigating equipment Certified Nutrient Management Planning

16. Liquid Manure Storage(lagoons) (continued) • Disadvantages • Large land area • Aesthetics and odor potential • Appropriate site needed • Higher loss of nutrients during storage Certified Nutrient Management Planning

17. Siting Manure Storages • Separation distances

18. Prevailing wind Manure storage or treatment Animal housing With steady wind conditions, odors affect a relatively narrow flume and do not disperse readily.+ Odors can still be relatively strong 1,500 ft or more downwind * Dispersion plume + D. Bundy, Iowa State University * S. Schiffman, Duke University Certified Nutrient Management Planning

19. Setback Assessment* Surface water High Risk High to Moderate Moderate to Low Low Risk < 100 ft 100- < 200 ft 200-500 ft > 500 ft *Regulations vary by state Certified Nutrient Management Planning

20. Setback Assessment*Drinking water well High Risk High to Moderate Moderate to Low Low Risk < 100 ft and down-slope or at grade 100-250 ft and downslope or at grade> 250 ft ANDupslope> 1,000 ft *Regulations vary by state Certified Nutrient Management Planning

21. High Risk High to Moderate Moderate to Low Low Risk < 1/4 mile 1/4-1/2 mile 1/2-1 mile > 1 mile Setback Assessment*Homes, public use areas < 300 au *Regulations vary by state Certified Nutrient Management Planning

22. High Risk • High to Moderate • Moderate to Low • Low Risk Highly visible Recessedbut visible Screened from road Screened from road and neighbors Setback Assessment* Visibilityfrom neighbors or road *Regulations vary by state Certified Nutrient Management Planning

23. Diversion terrace, 50 ft or more away from building 1 ft fall in 30 ft away from storage Seepage from hill Siting Manure Storages Certified Nutrient Management Planning

24. Geologic Restrictions • Applies especially to earthen storages • Many states require detailed soil evaluations. • A clay or synthetic liner may be needed. Certified Nutrient Management Planning

25. Size of Storage Needed • The solids content determines how manure must be handled and the type of storage. • Size is affected by animal type, stage of growth, numbers, ration, and dilution with bedding and water (cleanup water and waterer wastage). • Stored manure solids and nutrient values can also vary, depending on ration, feed and water wastage, bedding, etc. Certified Nutrient Management Planning

26. Liquid Manure/Year*gal/hd-capacity • Farrowing 1,440 • Nursery 125 • Grow-Finish(deep pit) 440 • Grow-Finish (wet/dry feeder) 315 • Grow-Finish (earthen pit) 475 • Breeding-Gestation 875 • Farrow-Finish, per sow 4,700 • Farrow-Feeder, per sow 1,250 Certified Nutrient Management Planning

27. Liquid Manure/Yeargal/hd-capacity (continued) • Dairy Cow 6,750 • Dairy Heifer 3,125 • Dairy Calf 750 • Veal Calf 440 • Dairy Herd, per cow 9,125 Certified Nutrient Management Planning

28. Solid Manure/Year*cu ft/hd-capacity** • Broilers 0.3 • Pullets 0.37 • Layers 0.65 • Tom Turkeys 0.78 • Hen Turkeys 0.78 • Ducks 1.0 Certified Nutrient Management Planning

29. Control of Surface Water • To minimize manure volume, keep clean water clean. • Minimize water wastage and divert upslope clean water. • Use drip channels or gutter roofs, and divert water away from manure storages. • Storages must be designed to handle all rainwater that falls onto storage and contaminated runoff. Certified Nutrient Management Planning

30. Storage Management • Regularly monitor depth of manure in storage and estimate capacity remaining. • Weather station located on site helps to document local storm events. • Aesthetics and appearance • Logbooks and recordkeeping Certified Nutrient Management Planning

31. Monitoring Liquid Levels in Storages • To estimate remaining volume, use liquid level markers for outside lagoons and storages. • Markers are often required by permit. • Markers must be checked regularly and recorded. Certified Nutrient Management Planning

32. Monitoring Liquid Levels in Storages (continued) • A minimum freeboard must be maintained at all times. • Monitoring options–vertical, sloping, and remote level markers Certified Nutrient Management Planning

33. Managing a Storage–Vertical Marker Stake • Vertical markers are relatively visible. • They are dangerous to install and maintain on steep, slippery slopes. Certified Nutrient Management Planning

34. Managing a Storage–Sloping Marker Stake • Can be installed from top of berm– safer • More difficult to estimate remaining volume Certified Nutrient Management Planning

35. Remote Liquid Level Monitor • Safe and easy to install and maintain • Expensive Certified Nutrient Management Planning

36. Weather Station • Can dramatically affect usable volume in uncovered storages • On farm station, documents rainfall events for regulatory reports Certified Nutrient Management Planning

37. Aesthetics and Appearance • Affects the perception of the public, regulatory inspection personnel, and others • Cleanliness and appear-ance perceived as measure of environ-mental concern • Keep grass around storages trimmed. • Properly handle mortalities.

38. Logbooks and Recordkeeping • Most states require up-to-date records and annual reports. • Manure levels, rainfall amounts, etc. • Record dates and location of all manure applications. • Track crops grown and yields. • Test and record soil and manure test, and use results to compute manure application rates. Certified Nutrient Management Planning

39. Emergency Spillways • A well-managed storage should not overflow. • If allowed, use an emergency spillway to protect a berm from heavy rainfalls. • A stablized spillway handles excess liquid rather than overtopping an earthen berm. • Overtopping can cause erosion and can collapse entire berm. • Any overflow should go to a secondary containment–NOT to a ditch or stream. Certified Nutrient Management Planning

40. Earthen Berm Failures Certified Nutrient Management Planning

41. Secondary Containment • Offers increased environmental protection • Designed to capture runoff from buildings and manure storage areas in the event of a spill or malfunction • Contents should be tested for contaminants before they are discharged. Notify your environmental regulation agency BEFORE releasing to a ditch or stream. Certified Nutrient Management Planning

42. Safety • Toxic gases are released from manure storages, especially during agitation. • Avoid enclosed storage area where manure is stored or agitated. • If possible, remove animals or ventilate at maximum ventilation. • Observe animals for signs of distress–from outside the building. • Never enter a manure tank without self-contained breathing apparatus. Certified Nutrient Management Planning

43. Worker Safety • Incidents involving manure gas often produce multiple fatalities. • Would-be rescuers are often overcome by the gases that claimed the first victim. • Family members are often more apt than others to attempt a rescue of another family member. Certified Nutrient Management Planning

44. Actions to Prevent Drowning • Post warning signs near manure storages. • Keep the message simple. • Keep a long pole or rope and floating ring accessible. • Install a 5 ft high fence, secured at the bottom, with a gate latch to prevent access. Certified Nutrient Management Planning

45. Structure Inspection • Limited wave erosion of sidewalls • Lack of seepage around pipes through the sidewall and along the toe of the berm • Lack of erosion near areas used for manure agitation and removal Certified Nutrient Management Planning

46. Sludge Ham, J.M. 1999. Seepage Losses from Animal Waste Lagoons: Potential Impacts On Groundwater Quality. Kansas State University. Conditions Around Lagoon Before Closure Certified Nutrient Management Planning

47. Closing Unused Storages • Assess the environmental risk of unit. • If leaking, be aggressive in cleanout. • Management of intact impoundment before closure–prevent overflow • Remove the storage contents and land apply at agronomic rate. Certified Nutrient Management Planning

48. Closing Unused Storages (continued) • Fill in impoundment and crown, OR • Convert to farm pond–rinse, agitate, and empty cycles till “clean.” Certified Nutrient Management Planning

49. Environmental Checklist Earthen Manure Structures–Storages and Lagoons • Date • Liquid level • Freeboard level adequate? • Leaks in pumps? • Clean water diverted away? • Downwind odor quickly dissipated? Certified Nutrient Management Planning

50. Environmental Checklist Earthen Manure Structures–Storages and Lagoons • Erosion of liner or berm visible? • Weeds around storage clipped? • Evidence of burrowing animals? • Trees/shrubs growing on berm? • Seepage or wet spots on berm? • Evidence of overflow? Certified Nutrient Management Planning