ANR-918 Animal Waste Management Planning
ANR-918, New April 1995. Prepared by Ted W. Tyson, Extension Agricultural
Engineer, Associate Professor, Agricultural Engineering; and
James O. Donald, Extension Agricultural Engineer, Professor,
Agricultural Engineering. Adapted from: Barker, James C., and
J. P. Zublena. 1992. "Components of a Complete Manure Management
Plan." Circular. North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.
N.C. State University.
Animal Waste Management Planning
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Alabama farmers have always valued good land and clean water.
When they are informed, responsible citizen farmers take the necessary
steps within their economic means to care for these important
natural resources. This is true with today's situation concerning
water quality and animal waste management. As farmers understand
how to protect Alabama's waters from animal waste, they will do
so. They will also appreciate the benefits of applying animal
waste to improve cropland.
This publication will describe the basic elements of a complete
animal waste management program. Today, every operator needs to
plan for the appropriate use of animal waste. By carrying out
an effective waste management plan, the farmer will continue to
be seen as one who cares about the land, environment, and people
of Alabama.
The Alabama Cooperative Extension Service (ACES) is responsible
for helping farmers understand the importance of animal waste
management, the components of an animal waste management plan,
and the procedures for putting an animal waste management plan
in action. At the end of this publication is a list of Auburn
University Extension Specialists who can be contacted for more
information. These individuals are serving on a team dedicated
to helping all livestock and poultry farmers in Alabama to plan
and carry out a waste management program. An effective waste management
program includes the following:
- A well-thought-out plan, which considers individual farming
operations.
- Financial resources needed to put this plan into action.
- Time and labor for continuous attention and maintenance.
Producers should not avoid environmental issues or ignore the
value of animal waste. Animal waste management addresses all aspects
of production. An animal waste management plan considers the amount
of waste generated, the storage facilities needed, and the nutrient
content and available uses of manure. A critical phase of management
is nutrient management which involves land application or conversion
to feed.
Producers should not ignore public reaction to animal production.
By carefully planning and successfully carrying out a complete
animal waste management program, producers can continue operating
successfully without complaints from neighboring landowners.
I. Site Evaluation
Facility location is the single most important consideration
of an animal waste management plan. The producer who is aware
of possible effects on surrounding neighbors is more likely to
create a plan that will reduce pollution and nuisance complaints.
Locating a livestock or poultry operation near residential developments,
commercial enterprises, recreational facilities, or other non-agricultural
areas requires expensive and detailed waste management measures.
New producers or those wanting to expand should thoroughly check
out land use zoning ordinances and proposed development nearby
before committing to any production location.
A waste management plan should consider sights and smells that
are part of any animal operation. Animal production units can
be shielded from direct sight by planting hedgerows and tree barriers
or by locating the facility away from main roads. Odor problems
can be lessened by accounting for the direction of prevailing
winds. Planting trees between the operation and downwind neighbors
will reduce wind speed and allow time for odors to disperse.
Before locating waste storage facilities, the operator should
investigate soil properties, including water intake rate, holding
capacity, sealing characteristics, water table level, and depth
to bedrock. High clay and silt content soils have negligible seepage
and are desirable for earthen lagoon or storage pond construction.
Sands should be modified with a clay or bentonite liner. Waste
storage ponds and lagoons should be built above the water table.
Lagoons or storage ponds in karst topography (sinkhole areas)
should be sited by qualified geologists.
Distance of animals and waste storage structures from wells,
streams, drainage canals, or natural wetlands is critical. The
farther away from these water sources, the easier waste management
will be. Locating storage facilities on high ground will promote
good surface drainage away from buildings and will favor gravity
flow systems. on the other hand, dramatic elevation changes may
create more complex problems for waste transport and land application.
II. Type And Size Of Operation
Manure management practices depend on the kind of animals,
number of head, and type of operation. To estimate amount of manure
that will be generated on farm, the operator must calculate total
live weight expected in a year. Manure production will be influenced
by type of production whether poultry (breeder flock, broiler,
layer); dairy (lactating cow, dry cow, heifer, calf); or swine
(farrow to weaning, farrow to feeder, nursery, finishing, farrow
to finish). In the initial planning, the operator should consider
possible future increases in animal numbers to insure long term,
successful animal waste management.
III. Type Of Production
Facilities
Partial confinement or total confinement production facilities
require different manure management practices. Chicken broiler
production units may be concerned primarily with litter cleanout
and temporary storage. Dairy, beef, or swine pasture production
systems may require stock trails, fences to keep animals from
streams, improved stream crossings, and alternative watering sources
with shade. For animals kept on unpaved dry lots with no vegetation or those in partly enclosed facilities with open slabs, conservation
practices to collect and store runoff and manure will be necessary.
Total animal confinement affects not only production performance
but potential odor generation as well, depending on floor surface,
ventilation, and manure management. In-house manure collection
methods, such as flushing, pit recharge, and mechanical scraping
greatly reduce gas and odor levels inside the facility.
IV. Manure Storage
And Treatment Facilities
Each producer must decide whether to conserve manure nutrients
for maximum fertilization or to reduce manure nutrient content.
Conserving manure nutrients requires more manual labor (more than
three times as much with liquid waste handling systems) and more
land application area than does reducing manure nutrients.
Broiler operators would prefer land application at cleanout
because it eliminates the need for storage and treatment. However,
land application may not be possible if cleanout occurs when soils
are saturated or when crops are dormant. During these times, storage
will be necessary. Until it can be safely spread, the material
may be stored in a building called a dry stack barn. Field storage
is acceptable if the manure is covered and is placed on a clay
or concrete pad, preventing groundwater contamination, With liquid
manure handling or flushing systems, conserving nutrients means
moving manure to outdoor holding tanks or basins for short periods
of storage (less than 180 days). Liquid manure spreaders or slurry
irrigation systems move the manure nutrients to large fields for
land application and incorporation.
If nutrient reduction and treatment of manure waste is the
goal, then anaerobic lagoons with or without solids separation
become the heart of the overall waste management system. Lagoons
should be large enough not only to store manure for long periods
(greater than 180 days) but also to accumulate solids for extended
periods (10 to 20 years). Depending on solids separation, a typical
lagoon will be three to eight times the volume of storage basins
or holding ponds. Storage and treatment facilities should be sized
according to specifications of the American Society of Agricultural
Engineers or USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS,
formerly SCS). Their procedures for approved construction, start-up,
and management will produce a successful system. Well-planned
and well-managed lagoons can reduce nutrient content up to 85
percent and lower overall odor levels around a production facility.
Lagoon treatment allows greater flexibility for land application
scheduling and lowers the risk of environmental impact on shallow
groundwater.
V. Nutrient Management
Estimating Manure Production
To properly manage waste from a livestock operation, producers
must estimate or determine the quantity and nutrient content of
manure. Estimates of both quantity and nutrient content of different
animal manures and broiler litter are available from ACES and
NRCS. The estimated figures are based on nationally recognized
Auburn University research and data from the American Society
of Agricultural Engineers. This information should be used when
planning new waste management facilities to insure appropriate
land application for maximum nutrient uptake and minimum nutrient
loss.
If it is available, information about the operation of an existing
facility should be used. For new operations or where historical
data is not available, operators must estimate volume of manure,
litter, runoff, or lagoon liquid that is to be stored for land
application.
For liquid based systems, using water meters or periodically
recording lagoon level will help in determining volumes generated.
Samples of manure and waste water should be analyzed at least
twice a year for nutrient content. The Soils Testing Lab at Auburn
University can provide this service for a nominal fee.
Determining Application Rate
Soil characteristics, field slope, and erosion control systems
are critical factors in proper application of manure. Clay soils
have more capacity for holding nutrients than do coarse, sandy
soils. Applying more nutrients or waste water than the vegetative
cover can use and the soil can hold will contribute to leaching
and groundwater contamination. Runoff also becomes a major concern
when excessive animal waste is applied to the land.
For liquid systems, infiltration rate and water holding capacity
determine the maximum application rate and amount. Liquid waste
should not be applied to saturated soil. Field slope affects runoff
which, if not controlled, can result in nutrient losses and environmental
pollution. Well-maintained terraces, waterways, field borders,
and other water disposal systems help prevent excessive runoff.
Determining Cropping Systems
Target crops should be chosen for their nutrient requirements,
and the manure application should be managed to meet that need.
Crop nutrient requirements range from as low as 50 pounds of available
nitrogen per acre on pine tree stands up to 600 pounds of available
nitrogen on intensely managed bermudagrass hay land. Manure, litter,
or waste water should be applied to supply the timely nutrient
needs of the crop involved. Different crops have different requirements
for major plant food nutrients of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Since these three nutrients are also the most common ones found
in animal manure, cropland application is a wise end use in an
animal waste management plan. However, while manufactured fertilizer
can be blended to match the exact nutrient requirements of a specific
crop, typical nutrient content of animal wastes matches those
of no crop. This is a manure nutrient management dilemma. Only
a single nutrient need can be targeted as the waste-management-controlling
nutrient; the remaining nutrients will be either over- or underapplied.
Overapplication of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) can be
tolerated in many instances since these nutrients are not highly
susceptible to leaching. This is not the case with nitrogen which
is highly water soluble and most likely to pollute surface and
groundwater. Under no circumstances should available nitrogen
be overapplied: it is highly susceptible to leaching and groundwater
contamination. Because of this difference in pollution potential,
nitrogen is now and usually has been the controlling element in
nutrient management programs. This may change in the future.
Using any other nutrient as the controlling ingredient for
waste planning would mean increasing the land area necessary for
the proper application of the manure and would require the application
of additional commercial nitrogen. For instance if P and K requirements
of a crop were being considered, the area needed for land application
would increase two to five times above that needed on the basis
of nitrogen. Plant-available nitrogen amounts to about half of
the total nitrogen applied in irrigated lagoon liquid and around
70 percent of total N in manure slurries that are soil incorporated.
Percentages are less for sprinkler irrigation not incorporated.
Work sheets are available from ACES to help calculate available
nutrients and application rates.
Timing Of Waste Application
Timing of manure or waste water application should coincide
as nearly as possible to the time when plants can use the nutrients
-- that is, during the normal growing season. Manure should not
be applied in a field when a crop cannot use the applied nutrients.
Overseeding a summer grass or planting viable cool season crops
may allow winter application. But even then, there will be periods
when the ground is frozen or saturated and the cool season grass
is dormant. At times when land application is not possible, adequate
storage must be available until manure can be applied to a growing
crop.
Lagoon waste water irrigation is more effective when applied
in several applications throughout the growing season. Slurry
irrigation with high nutrient content or poultry litter may be
applied only once or twice a year depending on crop type. Applying
manure nutrients on dormant crops or fallow land can lead to groundwater
contamination from leaching or surface water contamination from
runoff.
Nutrient removal from the land application site is an important
goal of any manure nutrient management plan. Regular harvest and
removal of crops must take place regardless of the particular
crop selected for land application. Where crop removal does not
occur, manure nutrients cycle back into the soil, eventually increasing
soil nutrient levels which increase pollution potential. Intensive
grazing programs or haying procedures are necessary for bermudagrass
hay land application sites. Before selecting a crop for manure
application, the operator should consider marketing strategies
for the particular crop used.
VI. Application Equipment
Manure application equipment must be available, calibrated,
and in good working order. The type of equipment used for waste
application depends upon the type and consistency of the waste.
Most broiler litter is applied with a truck-mounted bulk fertilizer
applicator. Dairy waste from loafing areas is often handled in
a solid form. Settled solids in sediment basins and scraped waste
are usually handled with a box spreader or flail spreader.
Lagoon waste water is often handled in two forms -- waste water,
which contains less than 2 percent solids, and a slurry mixture
of agitated sludge and waste water. To avoid the high cost of
hauling, many farmers apply waste water on land using their regular
irrigation systems. Slurries, however, require special pumping
equipment and sprinklers that have a large nozzle. Alternatively,
lagoons may be renovated by agitating once every 2 to 15 years,
depending upon solids accumulation. The resulting slurries contain
concentrated nutrients, often requiring many acres of cropland
for application. When liquid wastes are irrigated, odor is a potential
problem.
Portable agricultural irrigation equipment is available, or
custom irrigators can be hired. In some locations Soil and Water
Conservation Districts or Resource Conservation and Development
offices have lagoon renovation equipment available for farm use.
Farmers with many acres in field crops may use traveling sprinkler
guns or center pivots for land application. Where only small acreages
of grass are irrigated with no need to move the system, small
solid-set, medium pressure irrigation systems can be used. These
systems are convenient, require little labor, and provide uniform
distribution of waste water. Manure application equipment should
be inspected and adjusted for uniform application rate. Because
of water quality concerns, uniform application of manure and waste
water is as critical as the uniform application of chemical fertilizers.
The amount and type of labor needed for the animal manure management
program must merge with the overall farm workload. Moving and
handling application equipment must not interfere with other chores
around the confined animal feeding operation. A waste water irrigation
system that has to be moved every 2 hours to prevent overapplication
may conflict with other time demands on farm labor. Not being
able to meet the time demands of equipment may also contribute
to over- or underapplication of nutrients. Failing to use the
irrigation system may result in overflowing lagoons or waste storage
ponds. Operators should carefully consider which irrigation design
will best meet their needs.
VII. Animal Mortality Management
Every livestock operation should have a plan for the proper
disposal of dead animals. Disposal must take place within 24 hours
of death. Choices for on farm disposal include burial, incineration,
and composting (particularly in the chicken broiler industry).
Collection for rendering is another alternative. Current research
is exploring methods for long term storage before removal from
farm to rendering plant.
VIII. Soil And Water Conservation
Erosion control, runoff, and drainage management normally included
in a soil and water conservation plan are doubly important for
sites where manure is land applied. Phosphorus adheres to soil
particles and is particularly susceptible to moving off the field
in eroded sediment. This is a problem because phosphorus is one
of the main nutrients in animal manure and one that is typically
overapplied. Conservation tillage and terraces with contour form
strip cropping help control erosion and, therefore, limit loss
of phosphorus. Field borders, buffer strips, grassed waterways,
sediment basins, and vegetated filters can also reduce runoff
and sediment transport of manure-based nutrients.
Fields with artificial drainage systems can release soluble
nitrates. This impact can be reduced if proper nutrient management
is followed. Cover crops increase infiltration and denitrification
but also help hold soil in place and remove additional unused
nutrients when major crops are not being grown.
IX. Farmstead Appearance
Because of public concern about the environment, an animal
farmstead that is clean and well kept may be as important as one
that operates efficiently. The animal production facility, its
buildings, and surrounding land reflect the attitude of the operator.
The good impression the public receives of a visually pleasing
animal production facility is worth the effort. Alabama farmers
who adopt a workable waste management plan will be seen as people
who care about animals, land, and people.
The best animal waste management program for a particular animal
production facility is one which the owner or operator chooses
after evaluating various alternatives. it should be a program
that can be carried out with appropriate investment of capital,
attention, and management. Once implemented, the program must
be continuously evaluated. No waste management program works without
proper attention to all elements. Animal waste management should
be a part of the total production scheme. A well planned and well-executed
animal waste management program will protect water quality and
the environment for use and enjoyment by future generations.
X. Planning Assistance
Producers who wish to begin a waste management program can
turn to several sources for professional advice. Before making
any decisions, operators should obtain as much information as
possible about managing the animal wastes produced. This includes
details on different methods of collection, storage, treatment,
and use of the by-product. Determining which alternative best
fits into a particular overall production scheme means comparing
costs and requirements of installation and operation.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides
planning, design, and construction aid for waste treatment lagoons,
manure dry stack facilities, composter units, incinerators, dead
animal disposal pits, and waste disposal based upon soils, crops,
and equipment needs. NRCS serves as technical representative for
cost-share programs to carry out waste management and dead bird
disposal systems. NCRS also provides financial assistance.
The Auburn University Extension Specialists listed below are
members of a Waste Management Education Team which can provide
information on animal and animal by-product production and how
to incorporate various animal waste handling options into individual
farm production plans.
- Dairy -- Pete Moss, Extension Animal Scientist.
- Swine -- Frank Owsley, Extension Animal Scientist.
- Poultry -- John Blake, Extension Poultry Scientist.
- Beef cattle -- B.G. Ruffin, Extension Animal Scientist.
- Nutrient usability of target crops and application rate --
Charles Mitchell, Extension Agronomist.
- Waste management handling facilities, components, operation,
and management -- Ted W. Tyson, Extension Agricultural Engineer;
and James Donald, Extension Agricultural Engineer.
Every livestock and poultry producer will be dealing with waste
in some way. Planning before taking action is an important first
step in preventing problems. Having an effective operating plan
reduces the possibility of complaints that damage the image of
agriculture and cause needless bother to everyone involved. The
same animal wastes that sometimes pollute Alabama's waters can
instead provide nutrients to reduce the need for manufactured
fertilizer and commercial feed. Proper animal waste management
will benefit the land, livestock, producers, and people of Alabama. For more information, call your county Extension office.
Look in your telephone directory under your county's name to find
the number.
For more information, contact your county Extension office. Visit http://www.aces.edu/counties or look in your telephone directory under your county's name to find contact information.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and
home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related
acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama
Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn
University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal
opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color,
national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.
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