Overview

What is RSS? |

Manure is a valuable source of plant nutrients but also a potential pollutant. The proper management of nutrients from commercial fertilizers and organic sources, such as animal manures, bio-solids, and plant residues, is important to protect our nation's environment and to have economically and environmentally sustainable livestock operations. CSREES works with government agencies and commodity and public organizations that conduct research and carry out extension and education programs to manage manure and plant nutrients.

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In Focus

• EPA to begin AFO emissions monitoring study.
• Court order prompts EPA to propose revisions to CAFO manure management policies.
• A Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship curriculum project teaches livestock producers about sustainable environmental systems.
• CSREES helped fund fact sheets developed by Land-Grant University System faculty, NRCS, and EPA experts to help producers understand EPA CAFO rule requirements.
• CSREES helps fund and participates in animal waste-related, multistate research/extension committees.

Partnerships

• The Livestock and Poultry Environmental responds to priority and emerging environmental issues associated with animal agriculture.
• CSREES has partnered with the National Water Quality Program to address animal waste management issues.
• CSREES assisted USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service in planning and reviewing Conservation Innovation Grants which funded several manure studies.

Events

• Competitive Grants Grantsmanship Workshops, Washington, DC/Salt Lake City, UT, September/October, 2008.
• Galaxy III Conference: "Celebrating the Extension System: Strengths, Diversity, and Unique Qualities," Indianapolis, IN, September 15-19, 2008.

Selected Results and Impacts

• Washington researchers use CSREES funds to study the effects of biofuels production on soils.
• CSREES-funded research explores the use of GPS-equipped cattle to increase farm productivity.
• Using a CSREES education grant, Penn State is educating officials on strategies for handling organic solid waste.


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Resources

• Ten waste management publications, University of Georgia.
• Nutrient and Water Policy Update, Penn State University. Provides agriculture and water law and policy news and notices.
• Environmental Indicators Initiative, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Describes the Initiative and includes draft report on the environment.


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Contacts

Richard Hegg

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