Module 1: Managing Manure for Environmental Protection

1. Module 1:Managing Manure for Environmental Protection • By Mark Risse and Diana Rashash Certified Nutrient Management Planning

2. Module Goals: • Understand key environ-mental issues • Recognize principles of good stewardship • Understand why nutrient balance is an important issue and strategies to address it on-farm • Review basic regulatory requirements Certified Nutrient Management Planning

3. EPA’s Leading Sources of Water Quality Impairment Source: EPA National Water Quality Inventory Report to Congress, 1993 Certified Nutrient Management Planning

4. 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% Atmos- Fertilizer Manure Point phere Source Nitrogen Phosphorus Sources of N and P To Watersheds in Northeast U.S.(1995 GAO report to U.S. Congress) Certified Nutrient Management Planning

5. Manure: Good or Bad • Source of pathogens and oxygen-demanding substances that harm water or source of organic matter that improves soil quality • Our largest source of water quality impairmentor a source of plant nutrients that can save energy and money • Source of odor and emissions that harm neighbors or a means to reduce carbon dioxide emissions that cause global warming. • Your management determines which it is! Certified Nutrient Management Planning

6. An Environmental Steward: #1 Is aware of farm’s environmental risks. #2 Has NO point source discharges. Certified Nutrient Management Planning

7. An Environmental Steward (continued): #3 Implements a nutrient management plan. #4 Is a good neighbor. #5 Knows the rules. Certified Nutrient Management Planning

8. Manure Has Environmental Benefits Commercial fertilizer Manure • Manure contains organic carbon. • Organic carbon is key to soil health and structure. Certified Nutrient Management Planning

9. Environmental Benefits of Manure • Increases soil carbon • Reduces soil erosion and runoff • Reduces nitrogen (N) leaching potential • Increases crop productivity • Replaces energy-intensive N fertilizer and limited resource phosphorus (P) fertilizer Certified Nutrient Management Planning

10. Review of Historical Soil Conservation Experiment Data (Risse and Gilley 2000) • Manure reduced total runoff by 1%-68%. • Manure reduced soil erosion by 13%-77%. Certified Nutrient Management Planning

11. Water Quality IssuesAssociated with Animal Production Certified Nutrient Management Planning

12. What are the Primary Water Quality Contaminants in Manure? Certified Nutrient Management Planning

13. Pollution from Nutrients • Nitrogen • Limiting element for plant growth • Highly soluble and mobile in environment • Nitrates are health hazard • Can be transferred through atmosphere Certified Nutrient Management Planning

14. Pollution from Nutrients (continued) • Phosphorus • Often limiting to aquatic plant growth • Less mobile, erosion control important • Tends to buildup in soil Certified Nutrient Management Planning

15. Pathogens • Manure contains organisms that can cause infection or disease. • Concern for drinking water • Soil is an effective filter for most pathogens. • Land application, long-term storage, and com-posting can reduce numbers. Certified Nutrient Management Planning

16. Pathogens (continued) • Fecal coliform is indicator measured for water quality. • Young stock generally has higher levels of pathogen loads. Certified Nutrient Management Planning

17. Point Source of Pollutiona single identifiable source of pollution, such as a pipe, through which wastewater is discharged into surface waters. Certified Nutrient Management Planning

18. Nonpoint Source Pollutiontakes place over a broad area and results in the release of pollutants from many different locations. Runoff and soil erosion are often the driving force for nonpoint source pollution. Certified Nutrient Management Planning

19. Precipitation Unsaturated Zone Water Table Sand & Gravel Aquifer Bedrock Manure Storage Septic Tank Private Well . What are the Pathways by Which Manure Contaminates Water? Certified Nutrient Management Planning

20. Manure Storage Septic Tank What are the Pathways by Which Manure Contaminates Water? Precipitation Unsaturated Zone Water Table Sand & Gravel Aquifer Bedrock 1 Private Well 1. Surface runoff Certified Nutrient Management Planning

21. Precipitation Unsaturated Zone Water Table Sand & Gravel Aquifer Bedrock Manure Storage 1 2 2 2 Septic Tank Private Well 1. Surface runoff 2. Leaching to groundwater What are the Pathways by Which Manure Contaminates Water? Certified Nutrient Management Planning

22. Precipitation Unsaturated Zone Water Table Sand & Gravel Aquifer Bedrock Manure Storage 1 2 3 2 2 Septic Tank Private Well What are the Pathways by Which Manure Contaminates Water? 1. Surface runoff 3. Well casings 2. Leaching to groundwater Certified Nutrient Management Planning

23. Precipitation 4 Unsaturated Zone Water Table Sand & Gravel Aquifer Bedrock Manure Storage 1 2 3 2 2 Septic Tank Private Well What are the Pathways by Which Manure Contaminates Water? 1. Surface runoff 3. Well casings 2. Leaching to groundwater 4. Ammonia deposition Certified Nutrient Management Planning

24. Precipitation 4 5 Unsaturated Zone Water Table Sand & Gravel Aquifer Bedrock Manure Storage 1 2 3 2 2 Septic Tank Private Well What are the Pathways by Which Manure Contaminates Water? 1. Surface runoff 3. Well casings 2. Leaching to groundwater 4. Ammonia deposition 5. Macropore flow Certified Nutrient Management Planning

25. Why the Focus on Nutrients?

26. Water Quality Contaminantsin Manure Possible Environmental Pollutants Risk What are the top five components of manure that may cause water quality problems? Certified Nutrient Management Planning

27. Water Quality Contaminantsin Manure (continued) Possible Environmental Pollutants Risk 1. Nitrate-N Health 2. Ammonia-N Fish kills 3. Phosphorus Eutrophication 4. Pathogens Health 5. Organic matter Oxygen depletion Certified Nutrient Management Planning

28. Manure P vs. Cropland P Use Certified Nutrient Management Planning

29. Manure P vs. Cropland P Use Certified Nutrient Management Planning

30. Manure P vs. Cropland P Use Certified Nutrient Management Planning

31. What is “Whole Farm” Nutrient Balance? Certified Nutrient Management Planning

32. Farm Boundary Nutrient Flows onLivestock Operations Certified Nutrient Management Planning

33. Inputs Feed Animals Irrigation Water Fertilizer Legume N Farm Boundary Nutrient Inputs Certified Nutrient Management Planning

34. Managed Outputs Meat & Eggs Crops Manure Inputs Farm Boundary Managed Nutrient Outputs Certified Nutrient Management Planning

35. Inputs Managed Outputs Feed Manure Farm Boundary Recycling Of Nutrients Certified Nutrient Management Planning

36. Inputs Managed Outputs Farm Boundary Losses or Soil Storage Losses and Soil Storage Certified Nutrient Management Planning

37. Water in Water out 1 gal. 1 gal. Farm Pond Are Inputs and Outputs in Balance? Certified Nutrient Management Planning

38. Water in Water out 2 gal. 1 gal. Farm Pond Are Inputs and Outputs in Balance? Certified Nutrient Management Planning

39. Water in Water out 2 gal. 1 gal. Farm Pond Are Inputs and Outputs in Balance? Certified Nutrient Management Planning

40. Water in Water out 1 gal. 2 gal. 1 gal. Farm Pond Are Inputs and Outputs in Balance? Certified Nutrient Management Planning

41. What are Typical Nutrient Balances? • Ideally, should be near 1:1; whatever comes in should leave as managed outputs. • Most livestock operations have muchhigher ratios, at times up to 8:1. • Farm size is not a good indicator of nutrient balance. Certified Nutrient Management Planning

42. Are Nutrients "Out Of Balance"on My Animal Feeding Operation? Certified Nutrient Management Planning

43. Indicators of Nutrient Imbalance YesNoIndicator ___ ___ Soil P increasing with time? ___ ___ Majority of feed protein and P comes from off-farm sources? ___ ___ Feed rations exceed NRC or university recommendations? ___ ___ No nutrient management plan for manure? Certified Nutrient Management Planning

44. What are Appropriate Strategiesfor Managing Nutrient Imbalances? Certified Nutrient Management Planning

45. Does thiscorrect a nutrient Imbalance? Losses Farm Boundary Losses or Soil Storage “Plug the Leaks” Approach: Certified Nutrient Management Planning

46. Does this correct a nutrient imbalance? NO Losses Farm Boundary Losses or Soil Storage “Plug the Leaks” Approach: Certified Nutrient Management Planning

47. Water in Water out Sand Bags 2 gal. 1 gal. Farm Pond Plugging the Leaks . . .Temporary Solution to Imbalance Certified Nutrient Management Planning

48. Sustainable Strategy No.1:Credit Manure Nutrients in Crops • Efficient use of manure nutrients means not purchasing fertilizer unless it is needed. • Nutrient management plans (NMPs) should help ensure this strategyis met. • Don’t purchase inputs you don’t need. Certified Nutrient Management Planning

49. Sustainable Strategy No. 2:Reducing Feed Inputs • Reducing nutrients fed improves nutrient balance. • Try to avoid feeding more N and P than recommended. • Much current research on improved feeding strategies • Consult with animal scientist. Certified Nutrient Management Planning

50. Sustainable Strategy No. 3:Move Manure Nutrients Off Farm • Moving manure off the farm as a product improves nutrient balance. • May require changes in treatment and marketing Certified Nutrient Management Planning