Section LP. Livestock and Poultry Management. Why should you be concerned?

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1 Livestock and Poultry Management Why should you be concerned? Livestock and poultry operations produce large volumes of manure and other organic wastes. On one hand, manure and organic wastes are one of the best sources of soil enrichment and crop nutrients. On the other hand, manure can pose a significant threat to the environment. Nitrate, phosphorus and bacteria related to manure, silage seepage and milkhouse wastewater can be major sources of water and air pollution. Livestock and poultry enterprises can present risks to the environment if:! Manure storages or manure transfer systems are not constructed, maintained and/or operated properly;! Runoff originating from manure storages, livestock yards or feedlots, carries organic materials, bacteria and nutrients;! Milkhouse washwater is allowed to enter surface or groundwater; or! The land base available for manure and waste application is too small for the number of livestock or poultry produced. This may result in over application of manure, posing a serious threat to surface and groundwater quality as well as crop productivity. Manure should be viewed and managed as a valuable resource for crop production. Its nutrient and organic content can reduce input costs, improve soil quality, crop health and farm profitability. Protecting the environment and improving the profitability of livestock and poultry operations go hand in hand. Farmers must also be aware of the potential nuisances from agriculture operations to neighbours. Measures can be adopted to minimize these, while respecting the nature of agricultural operations. Section LP

2 What can you do? Managing manure to minimize environmental risks and to optimize its value for crop production is a most important challenge for livestock and poultry farms. In many cases, minor investments and small management changes can greatly improve the situation. On some farms, significant investments may be required to address environmental problems. In those situations especially, planning should be initiated as soon as possible to allow farmers to implement changes on a progressive basis, as soon as it is financially possible. Expensive waste storage and handling systems still require good management to be effective from an environmental perspective. The following management principles will greatly reduce some of the environmental concerns:! Have enough land and storage space to manage the manure and organic waste as a nutrient resource for crops nutrient or as a soil amendment.! Take regular manure and soil tests to adjust the amount of manure and fertilizer required to meet the crop's needs;! Apply manure on nutrient demanding crops and /or to improve soil quality. Manure should be incorporated in the soil. If it can not be incorporated, care should be taken to prevent runoff, leaching, and nutrient loss;! Respect separation distances from neighbours and water sources to prevent pollution and nuisance complaints. Whenever possible, schedule operations to have the least impact on neighbours;! Collect any seepage and runoff from the operation to make sure that it does not get into ground water, wells, or any source of surface water;! Ensure adequate ventilation in livestock or poultry barns to control moisture, thereby improving herd/flock health and reducing fly problems;! Monitor watering devices to ensure efficient use. Prevent rain from entering the manure storage system.! Carry out regular maintenance of storage structures and handling equipment to prevent leaks and spills; Consult the Environmental Regulations Handbook for Agriculture, which has been prepared by departments of Agriculture and Environment in your province, applying to issues in this section. LP 2

3 Resource List Livestock and Poultry Management For more information... General Livestock Production Guides Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Beef Production in the Atlantic Provinces British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Environmental Guidelines for Beef Producers: In British Columbia. Environmental Guidelines for Dairy Producers: In British Columbia. Environmental Guidelines for Horse Owners: In British Columbia. Environmental Guidelines for Poultry Producers: In British Columbia Atlantic Provinces Agriculture Services Co-ordinating Committee. Maintenance of Concrete Towers Silos Canadian Pork Council. Canadian Code of Practice for Environmentally Sound Hog Production Milking Centre Wash Water Agriculture and Agri-food Canada. Planning your Milkhouse Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Livestock and Poultry Waste Management: Best Management Practices New Brunswick Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Treatment of Milkhouse Effluents Flies Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Marketing. Filth Flies: House Fly Life Cycle and Biology. Integrated Fly Management for Livestock Farms. Manure Management to Minimize Fly Populations on Layer Farms Composting New Brunswick Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. On-Farm Composting for New Brunswick Prince Edward Island Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Farm Scale Compost Turner British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The Composting Process. Composting Methods. Site Selection for Composting. Characteristics of On-farm Composting Materials. Blending Materials for the Composting Process. Managing Agricultural Composting Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service. On-Farm Composting Handbook LP 3

4 Manure Management Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Canada Animal Manure Management Guide New Brunswick Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. A Comparison of Manure and Compost. Guidelines for Livestock. Manure Utilization: Use as a Nutrient Source and Soil Amendment: Capacities and Calculating Rates of Manure Spreaders Newfoundland & Labrador Department of Forest Resources & Agri- Foods and Department of Environment and Labour. Information Guide for Livestock Facilities: Manure and Waste Management in the Province of Newfoundland Newfoundland & Labrador Federation of Agriculture. Manure Storage Safety Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Marketing. An Inventory of Manure Management Information and Manure Management Practices in Nova Scotia. Effect of Manure and Fertilizer Application Methods on Grain Corn Yield. Effect of Manure and Fertilizer Application Methods. Guidelines for the Management and Use of Animal Manure. Influence of Animal Manures on Extractable Micronutrients, Greenhouse Tomatoes and Subsequent Swiss Chard Crops. Monitoring Soil Organic Matter Following Application of Fertility Amendments. Manure Nutrients. The Effect of Animal Waste on Water Quality in Nova Scotia Prince Edward Island Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry. Guidelines for Manure Management and Separation Distances in Prince Edward Island LP 4

5 Manure Storage: How do you rate? The following questions apply to the storage of both liquid and solid manure. The purpose of these questions is to establish the risk associated with various types of storage structure and manure management while it is being stored. Please consult the Environmental Regulations Handbook for Agriculture which has been prepared by the departments of Agriculture and Environment in your province. Contact the government agency responsible if you need more information. 1 Concrete or steel tanks Designed and installed according to engineering standards and specifications. Plans on file. OR Approved by regulatory agency. No sign of leaks, cracks or other structural problems. Emergency plan available. Designed and installed according to standards in use at the time of construction. (e.g. fact sheets or provincial programs). Plans on file. No sign of leaks, cracks or other structural problems. Design method not known. No sign of leaks, cracks or other structural problems. Design method not known. Evidence of leaks, cracks or structural problems. LP 5 MANURE STORAGE

6 2 Earthen storage Designed and installed according to engineering and hydrogeological standards. Plans and soil tests on file. OR Approved by regulatory agency Designed and installed according to standards in use at the time of construction. (eg. fact sheets or provincial programs). Installed on soils with more than 15% clay and with bedrock or normal water table more than 1 m (3 ft.) below bottom of storage. Design method not know. Installed on soils with more than 15% clay, and with bedrock or normal water table more than 1 m (3 ft.) below bottom of storage. Not designed according to standards. OR Installed on soils with less than 15% clay. OR Storage bottom is closer than 1 m (3 ft.) to normal water table or bedrock without an appropriate liner. No sign of leaks, cracks or other structural problems. No sign of leaks, cracks or other structural problems. No sign of leaks, cracks or other structural problems. OR Evidence of leaks, cracks or other structural problems. Regular monitoring of seal. Emergency plan available. 3 Stacked manure Stacked on concrete. Storage has roof and no liquid runoff. Stacked on concrete, asphalt or other impermeable base. No roof. Stacked on concrete, asphalt or other impermeable base. No roof. Stacked on soil base. No roof. OR Storage does not have roof and all liquid runoff properly handled in a separate system as liquid waste. All liquid runoff contained. Portion of liquid runoff contained. Liquid runoff not contained. Upslope surface water diverted away from storage. Upslope surface water diverted. Upslope surface water diverted. Upslope surface water not diverted. OR Livestock raised year round in a confined lot. LP 6 MANURE STORAGE

7 4 Stacked in the field on soil base Never stacked in field or on bare soil. Stacked for a period of 30 days or less on medium to fine textured soils. Upslope surface water diverted away from pile. New location for pile each time. Never stacked over drain tiles. Stacked for more than 30 days on medium to fine textured soils. Upslope surface water diverted away from pile. New location for each new pile. Sometimes stacked over drain tiles. Stacked for more than 30 days. Upslope surface water not diverted away from pile. Location of pile never changes. Often stacked over drain tiles. 5 Composting facility Concrete yard or use of a liner, with roof. All runoff contained and handled as liquid waste or recycled as moisture source for composting. Concrete yard or use of a liner - no roof. All runoff contained and handled as liquid waste or recycled as moisture source for composting. Concrete yard or use of a liner - no roof. No runoff control except upslope water diverted away from composting facility. Soil base - no roof. Upslope water not diverted away from composting facility. Process takes no longer than 90 days. Process takes no longer than 90 days. Process takes no longer than 90 days. Process takes longer than 90 days. 6 Transfer system (liquid manure) Air gap used in transfer to prevent any backflow. OR Transfer point always at a higher level than storage. Two check-valves operating. Overflow alarm operating. Two check-valves operating. No overflow alarm. Single check-valve operating. No overflow alarm. LP 7 MANURE STORAGE

8 7 Reducing volume of wastewater and manure entering storage Amount of wastewater is controlled or wastewater is properly recycled. Water drinkers/bowls are maintained to avoid leaks or overflow. Clean water does not enter the barn's gutter system. Feed ration is nutritionally balanced, thereby reducing the amount of nutrient in the manure. Any 3 items from the Low risk (1) column are used. Any 2 items from the Low risk (1) column are used. No control over amount of wastewater used. Water drinkers/bowls frequently overflow. Clean water enters barn gutters system. Feed ration is not nutritionally balanced. 8 Storage capacity of manure storage More than 250 days. 200 to 250 days. Less than 200 days. 9 Safety Exceeds requirements of Canadian Farm Building Code. Meets requirements of Canadian Farm Building Code. Does not meet requirements of Canadian Farm Building Code. Liquid and semi-liquid manure storages require:! permanent safety fence of 1.5 m (5 ft.) around all open top storage! safety railing or grill on all manure hopper opening larger than 10 cm (4 in) in width! safety sign warning of toxic gas at all openings! trap or valve between any storage tank and barn! no ladders into closed tanks. LP 8 MANURE STORAGE

9 Manure Use and Management: How do you rate? The following questions deal with the testing and transportation of manure, and application rates and methods. Consult the Environmental Regulations Handbook for Agriculture which has been prepared by the departments of Agriculture and Environment in your province. Contact the government agency responsible if you need more information. MANURE USE 1 Manure testing Manure sampled yearly from spreader at time of land application. Manure is analysed for nutrient content. 2 Application rates Manure application rates are based on manure and soil tests. A comprehensive soil fertilization plan is prepared. Rates never exceed crop requirements and manure is not spread on soil with very high phosphorus levels. Manure applications are weighed or measured. Regular testing of manure for nutrient content. Rates based on regular soil and manure tests. Rates never exceed crop requirements and manure is not spread on soil with very high phosphorus levels. Manure applications are weighed or measured. Manure is assumed to have average nutrient values. Rates based on irregular soil testing. Manure not tested but assumed to have average nutrient value. Moderate rates are applied. Application rates are estimated. No nutrient credit for manure application. No manure or soils tests done. Manure spread at high rates each year. Manure runs off the field. 3 Nutrient management Refer to Nutrient Management section, page SC 25 LP 9 MANURE USE AND MANAGEMENT

10 MANURE USE Cont d 4 Manure management plan There is a written plan to handle manure in a way that is friendly to the environment. There is a written plan to handle manure in a way that is friendly to the environment. A plan is being developed to handle manure safely. Do not intend to develop or carry out a manure management plan on the farm. Soil and manure test results are kept on record along with manure application rates and crop yields. Plan includes emergency measures in case of spills or system failure. Soil and manure test results are kept on record along with manure application rates and crop yields. Steps are being taken to learn about improved manure management methods that have less impact on the environment. All aspects of plan are carried out. Partial application of plan. IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT 5 Soil conditions when manure applied to an annual crop Soil is dry enough to cultivate. No surface cracks. Risk of compaction is low. Any four items in the Low risk (1) column are usually present when manure is applied. Two or three items in the High risk (4) column may be present when manure is applied. Soils are often wet, frozen or covered with snow. Dry soils have deep cracks. High risk of compaction. Fields are tilled before application of liquid manure. No tillage before liquid manure is applied. Rain which could cause runoff is not expected for at least 24 hours. Rain is expected within 24 hours of applying manure. Most of the manure is incorporated within 24 hours - weather permitting. Manure spread on floodprone areas. LP 10 MANURE USE AND MANAGEMENT

11 IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT Cont d 6 Soil conditions when manure applied to forage No surface cracks. Risk of compaction is low. Rain which could cause runoff is not expected for at least 24 hours. Only one of the two points presented in the Low risk (1) column is present when manure is applied. Soils are often wet, frozen or covered with snow. Rain is expected within 24 hours of applying manure. Manure spread on floodprone areas. Risk of compaction is HIGH. (Refer to SC 17, Q. 9) 7 Handling and spreading equipment Equipment well maintained. Equipment well maintained. Equipment not properly maintained. Breakdowns and uniformity of distribution affected. Spreading equipment is calibrated to account for variation in manure consistency. Manure rates are applied based on measures of spreader capacity and field size. Manure application rates are estimated. Spreading width monitored closely. Some overlapping occurs. Overlapping often occurs. 8 Transportation and transfer of manure from storage to field All safety precautions are taken to minimize the risk of leaks or spills. Minor leaks have been repaired and cleaned up quickly with no harm to the environment. Manure falling from tires or spreader leaks and spills on road. Major spills of manure are reported to appropriate authorities. Major spills are reported to appropriate authorities. Major spills are not reported. Proper cleanup procedures are followed. There is no specific plan for clean up of spills. LP 11 MANURE USE AND MANAGEMENT

12 IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT Cont d 9 Application of liquid manure using a direct flow system from storage to field Two people operate the system with a radio link between them to shutdown system in case of failure. One person operates the system and stays within clear view of field applicator, manure storage and pump. One person operates the system with a vehicle ready to travel between the field and the storage or pump. System sometimes operates unattended. OR A single person operates the system with a radio controlled shutdown system. 10 Distance of manure spreading to surface water source or well Exceeds separation distances recommended in the province. Meets separation distances recommended in the province. Liquid or solid manure is spread near water 11 Impact on tile drainage systems Divert tile effluents to a buffer zone or reuse on fields. The colour and odour of tile drain effluents is monitored and outlets are blocked for at least 24 hours if evidence of manure leaching. Measures are adopted to minimize future leaching risks. Tile drain effluents are not monitored. LP 12 MANURE USE AND MANAGEMENT

13 Milking Centre Washwater: How do you rate? The following questions deal with the management of milkhouse washwater. The purpose of these questions is to establish the risk associated with various milking centre washwater management and storage practices. Consult the Environmental Regulations Handbook for Agriculture which has been prepared by the departments of Agriculture and Environment in your province. Contact the government agency responsible if you need more information. PRETREATMENT OF WASHWATER (before discharge from milking centre) 1 Milking system cleanup Never more than 4.5 L (1 gal) of milk per day gets into milking centre washwater. Never more than 9 L (2 gal) of milk per day gets into milking centre washwater. More than 9 L (2 gal) of milk per day often gets into milking centre washwater. 2 Milking centre cleanup All manure, excess feed and other solids always removed from parlour or milkhouse floor before wash-down. Most manure, excess feed and other solids usually removed from parlour or milkhouse floor before washdown. Some manure, excess feed and other solids removed from floor before washdown. Some washed down milkhouse s drain. Manure, excess feed and other solids often washed down milhouse s drain. 3 Water used in milking centre No more than 13.5 L (3 gal) of water used per cow per day for milking centre cleanup to 18 L (3-4 gal) of water used per cow per day for milking centre cleanup. 18 to 27 L (4-6 gal) of water used per cow per day for milking centre cleanup. More than 27 L (6 gal) of water used per cow per day for milking centre cleanup. OR Do not know how much water is used. LP 13 MILKING CENTRE WASHWATER

14 PRETREATMENT OF WASHWATER (before discharge from milking centre) Cont d 4 Use of chemicals Water tested once a year to balance use of cleaning products and desinfectants. Cleaning cycle adjusted as required. Water tested for hardness every couple of years. Cleaning cycle follows manufacturer's directions. Water tested for hardness only in first year. Cleaning cycle seldom checked or adjusted. Water never tested for hardness. Cleaning cycle rarely adjusted. 5 Methods of storage and disposal All first rinse water collected and fed to animal. Disposed in drain/septic field when first rinse excluded. Disposed in dry well or in drainage/septic field. First rinse not excluded. Dumped on soil surface. Disposed in drainage tile, ditch, stream, or river. AND Stored with liquid manure or runoff when frst rinse is excluded. OR Stored with liquid manure or runoff. OR Storage and disposal system approved by regulatory agency. LP 14 MILKING CENTRE WASHWATER

15 Livestock Yards: How do you rate? The purpose of these questions is to establish the risk associated with various livestock yards and runoff management. Please consult the Environmental Regulations Handbook for Agriculture which has been prepared by the departments of Agriculture and Environment in your province. Contact the government agency responsible if you need more information. LOCATION 1 Type of feedlot and livestock yard 2 Control of runoff from outside yard Limited number of livestock confined to a roofed area (paved or unpaved). Manure scraped and collected regularly. All upslope surface and roof water diverted away from yards. Limited number of livestock confined to a restricted area (paved or unpaved). Manure scraped and collected regularly. Most upslope surface and roof water diverted away from yards. 3 Control of yard runoff Yard has roof. Yard has no roof and runoff is collected and stored in separate storage or in liquid manure storage. Feeding area rotated regularly. OR Area around feeders paved and runoff collected and stored. Restricted number of livestock confined to a limited area. Manure scraped and collected irregularly. Upslope surface water not diverted away from yard. Some upslope roof water collected and/or redirected. Runoff from heavily used portion of yard stored. Feeders are moved regularly. Unlimited number of livestock raised year round in a confined area. Yard rarely or not scraped. All upslope water from surface and roof runs through the yard. Yard runoff not collected or controlled. Feeders are never moved. LP 15 LIVESTOCK YARDS

16 Feed Storage and Handling: How do you rate? The purpose of these questions is to establish the risk associated with various feed storage and handling systems. Please consult the Environmental Regulations Handbook for Agriculture which has been prepared by the departments of Agriculture and Environment in your province. Contact the government agency responsible if you need more information or if you have any questions. Risk Rating (High) FEED STORAGE AND HANDLING: CONDITION OF SILO (Tower) 1 Floors, walls and foundations No cracks. Some cracks but is still structurally sound. Some cracks and stains but may be structurally unsound. Cracks and holes. May be structurally unsound. 2 Cover Has a roof (e.g. steel or concrete). No leaks. Tight fitting cover. Any minor leaks are repaired. Has temporary cover. Some leaks are not repaired. No cover. Several leaks not repaired. SILAGE MOISTURE 3 Silage under 12 m (40 ft) deep (includes horizontal silos) 4 Silage over 12 m (40 ft) deep Below 65 % 65 to 70 % 71 to 80 % Over 80 % Below 60 % 60 to 65 % 66 to 68 % Over 68 % LP 16 FEED STORAGE AND HANDLING

17 Risk Rating (High) SEEPAGE COLLECTION 5 Collection, dilution and spreading of seepage No seepage occurring. Has a designed collection system. System is maintained and managed to minimize seepage. Collection system. System is managed to minimize seepage. No collection system. OR System not maintained. Seepage drained to field drainage system. AND System is not maintained. FEED STORAGE AND HANDLING: (Horizontal, Heap or Bale silage) 6 Packed horizontal silage Paved or concrete floor with runoff control. Paved or concrete floor with runoff control. Earthen packed floor on fine textured soils with surface runoff control. Earthen unpacked floor or packed floor over coarse textured soil. Concrete walls. Has a roof or cover. Concrete walls or lined wooden walls. Wooden walls. Wooden walls. 7 Packed or unpacked heap silage Paved or concrete floor with runoff control. Has a roof or cover. Paved or concrete floor with runoff control. Earthen packed floor on fine textured soils with surface runoff control. Earthen unpacked floor or packed floor over coarse textured soil. 8 Bale silage Bales stored on paved or concrete floor with runoff control. Bales stored on unpaved area with runoff control. Bales stored on high ground. Bales stored in low humid area. FORAGE WASTE MANAGEMENT 9 Forage waste Forage spoilage cleaned up regularly and reused as bedding and/or incorporated in the manure storage system. Forage spoilage stockpiled for later use. Forage spoilage burned. Forage spoilage accumulates around feeder / silo. LP 17 FEED STORAGE AND HANDLING

18 Risk Rating (High) FORAGE WASTE MANAGEMENT Cont d 10 Surplus forage Used as bedding. OR Used for on farm mulching. OR Used on farm to feed less demanding livestock. OR Sold off farm. Surplus forage stockpiled for later use. Surplus forage burned or left to rot. LP 18 FEED STORAGE AND HANDLING

19 Noise and Odour: How do you rate? The following questions deal with the management of noise and odour problem arising from agricultural activities. Consult the Environmental Regulations Handbook for Agriculture which has been prepared by the departments of Agriculture and Environment in your province. Contact the government agency responsible if you need more information. OFFENSIVE ODOURS 1 Manure storage Enclosed solid manure system. Open solid manure storage. Runoff control and storage. Open solid manure storage. Rainfall collects in storage. Open earthen liquid manure storage. ~ ~~~~~~ Enclosed liquid manure system. OR Proper manure composting inside building. Proper manure composting outdoors. Open concrete liquid manure system. Improper manure composting inside building. Improper manure composting outdoors. 2 Liquid manureincorporation and frequency Manure injected into ground. Manure spread low to ground (gravity flow) by tanker and incorporated within 24 hours if weather permits. Manure spread by tanker and projected high off ground (by pump or flail) followed by incorporation within 24hours if weather permits. Manure irrigated. Manure spread by tanker and projected high off ground (by pump or flail). OR Manure spread low to ground and not incorporated. Manure not incorporated. LP 19 NOISE AND ODOUR

20 OFFENSIVE ODOURS Cont d 3 Solid manure spreading All solid manure incorporated within 24 hours if weather permits. Most of the manure is incorporated within 24 hours if weather permits or composted manure used. Manure not incorporated or spread near residences. 4 Time of application Cool breezy weekdays and spread once or twice a year. Hot humid weekdays. Spread more than twice a year. Hot humid weekends or holidays. 5 Nearby land use Exceeds separation distances recommended in the province. Meets separation distances recommended in the province. Does not meet recommended separation distances. NOISE 6 Ventilation system No residences nearby. Equipment operated and maintained to minimize noise. Ventilation fans directed away from nearby residences. Noise barriers have been established. Ventilation fans directed towards nearby residences. No noise barriers. 7 Crop handling or drying Equipment operated and maintained to minimize noise. Some crop drying done during daytime hours only. No residences nearby. OR Windbreaks are used to reduce noise. Crop drying sometimes operates 24 hours a day. 3 or less residences are nearby. Crop drying often operates 24 hours per day. More than 3 residences are nearby. LP 20 NOISE AND ODOUR

21 OTHER NUISANCE 8 Fly and rodent control Manure and wet feed cleaned up regularly. Manure is stored in enclosed structure or manure pile is covered with black plastic tarp if fly outbreak. Livestock buildings are kept dry with proper ventilation system, and watering devices are monitored for spills. Grass and weeds are mowed regularly. Dead animals or birds are not dumped with manure. Many of the BEST practices are carried out but use of traps and pesticides are necessary to keep pests under control. Flies and rodents are kept somewhat under control with use of traps and pesticides only. Few sanitary measures taken. Flies and rodents are not kept under control even with excessive use of traps and pesticides. LP 21 NOISE AND ODOUR