Conservation Planning & Tools to Address Animal Carcass Disposal

Conservation Planning &Conservation Planning &Tools to Address Animal Carcass DisposalTools to Address Animal Carcass Disposal

USDA

NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE

Greg HendricksGreg Hendricks

State Resource ConservationistState Resource Conservationist

USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service

(352) 338-9543(352) 338-9543

greg.hendricks@fl.usda.govgreg.hendricks@fl.usda.gov

NRCS Core Function

Conservation Planning & Technical Assistance Conservation Planning - A Natural Resource

Problem Solving & Management Process Integrate Ecological, Economic, & Social

considerations to meet private & public needs. Consider the landowner’s concerns & their

decisions in a voluntary manner. The premise being, sound decisions will be made

if they fully understand their resource concerns.

NRCS Conservation Planning

Considers 5 Basic Natural Resources:– Soil– Water – Air– Plants– Animals– Human Considerations (Social & Economic)

NRCS 9 – Step Planning Process

Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP)(CNMP)

Is a conservation plan unique to animal feeding operations (AFO’s).

Combines conservation practices and management activities into a system that considers both production and environmental protection concerns.

Addresses Two (2) Principle Resource Concerns– Water Quality & Soil Erosion

10 Elements of a CNMP10 Elements of a CNMP

1. Background & Site Information

2. Manure and Wastewater Handling and Storage

3. Farmstead Safety & Security

4. Land Treatment

5. Soil & Risk Assessment Analysis

6. Nutrient Management

7. Feed Management

8. Record Keeping

9. Other Utilization Activities

10. References

Thank You

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all of its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Break

Manure and Wastewater Handling and Manure and Wastewater Handling and StorageStorage Production facility Feedlot Manure and wastewater

storage and treatment structures and areas

Areas or mechanisms used to facilitate transfer of manure and wastewater

Manure and Wastewater Handling and Manure and Wastewater Handling and StorageStorage

Criteria

Provide adequate collection, storage, and/or treatment of manure and organic by-products

Comply with existing rules and regulations

– Disposal of dead animals

– Disposal of animal medical wastes

– Spoiled feed or other contaminants

Manure and Wastewater Handling and Manure and Wastewater Handling and StorageStorage Types of animals and phases of production

Type, numbers, avg. weight, period of confinement for each phase of production

Total estimated manure and wastewater volumes produced at facility

Manure storage type, volume, and length of storage

Manure and Wastewater Handling and Manure and Wastewater Handling and StorageStorage

Existing transfer equipment, system and procedures

O&M activities that address the collection, storage, treatment and transfer of manure and wastewater

Nutrient content and volume of manure, if transferred to other

Land Treatment PracticesLand Treatment Practices

Evaluation and implementation of appropriate conservation practices on sites proposed for land application of manure and organic by-products

Address runoff and soil erosion

Land Treatment PracticesLand Treatment Practices

Criteria

Identify existing and potential natural resource concerns, problem and opportunities

Id of the potential for nitrogen or phosphorus losses from the site

Minimize runoff and soil erosion

Land Treatment PracticesLand Treatment Practices

Aerial maps of land application areas

Individual field maps with marked setbacks, buffers, waterways, and other conservation practices planned

Soils information associated with fields

Land Treatment PracticesLand Treatment Practices

Design information associated with planned and implemented conservation

Identification of sensitive areas such as sinkholes, streams, springs, lakes, wells, etc.

Nutrient Management

Requirements for land application of all nutrients and organic by-products (ie. animal manure, wastewater, commercial fertilizers, crop residues, legume credits, irrigation water, etc.)

Nutrient ManagementNutrient Management

Criteria

Meet NRCS Nutrient Management Policy

Meet criteria in NRCS conservation practice standard Nutrient Management and, as appropriate, Irrigation Water Management

Develop a nutrient budget for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium including all sources of nutrients

Nutrient ManagementNutrient Management

Planned crop types, cropping sequence, and realistic yield targets

Current soil test results

Manure and organic by-product source testing results

Form, source, amount, timing and method of application of nutrients, by field

Description of application equipment and method used for calibration

Record KeepingRecord Keeping

Records are kept to effectively document and demonstrate implementation activities associated with CNMPs

AFO owners/operators’ responsibility to maintain records that document the implementation of CNMPs

Record KeepingRecord Keeping

Annual manure tests for nutrient contents

Crops planted and planting/harvesting dates, by field

Records that address storage containment structures– Dates of emptying. Level before

emptying, and level after emptying

– Discharge or overflow events, level before and after event

Record KeepingRecord Keeping

Activities associated with emergency spill response plan Nutrient application equipment calibration Transfer of manure off-site or to third parties

– Manure nutrient content

– Amount of manure transferred

– Date of transfer

– Recipient of manure

Records of maintenance performed associated with operation and maintenance Plans

Record KeepingRecord Keeping

Application records for each application event (including commercial fertilizer)– Containment source or type and form of commercial fertilizer– Fields where manure or organic by-products are applied– Amount applied per acre– Time and date of application– Weather conditions during nutrient application– General soil moisture condition at time of application– Application method and equipment used

Record KeepingRecord Keeping

Records associated with any reviews by NRCS, third party consultants, or representatives of regulatory agencies– Date of review

– Name of reviewer and purpose of the review

– Recommendations or follow-up requirements resulting from the review

– Actions taken as a result of the review

Changes made in CNMP

Feed ManagementFeed Management

May be used to reduce the nutrient content of manure

Use as planning consideration and not as a requirement that addresses specific criteria

Specific information and recommendations should be obtained from Land Grant Universities, industry, ARS, or professional societies

Consult with a professional animal nutritionist before feed ration adjustment

Other Utilization ActivitiesOther Utilization Activities

Environmentally-safe alternatives to land application of manure and organic by-products•Energy production (burning, methane generation)

•Composting or pelletizing

•Mixed or co-compost with industrial or municipal by-products

A consideration for the AFO owner/operator in his/her decision-making process

No specific criteria need to be addressed unless an alternative utilization option is decided upon by the AFO owner/operator

CNMP Checklist

Site Information Production Information Applicable Permits or Certifications Land Application Site Information Manure Application Plans Actual Activity Records Mortality Disposal Operation and Maintenance

Thank You The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits

discrimination in all of its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.