Nutrient and Manure Management in PA

Nutrient and Manure Management in PA

Animal Operations in PA All Animal Operations (AOs) All operations generating or utilizing manure Regulated by PA DEP Concentrated Animal Operations (CAOs) High animal density farms farms > 2,000 lbs/acre animal density Regulated by PA SCC Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) Based on animal numbers and/or animal density Farms > 1,000 AEUs, CAOs > 300 AEUs, EPA head # s Regulated by PA DEP (for US EPA) AOs (40,000+) CAOs (1,050+) CAFOs (365+) Goodlander, SCC

Nutrient Management Plans Required manure and soil testing Written by a certified plan writer CAOs and CAFOs Formal plan filed locally, reported to the state Most detailed guidance- year and field specific Most efficient use of nutrient Limited liability protection

PA Nutrient Management (Act 38) Administration of the Nutrient Management Program is delegated to the Adams County Conservation District. Review the Plan Approve or Disapprove the Plan Perform inspections Respond to complaints Provide determinations!

Nutrient Management Land application of manure Application rates Crop removal Availability of nutrients Application setbacks Field conditions Manure storages Upkeep for existing Location for proposed Manure exports

Exported Manure Requires Nutrient Balance Sheets Broker Certified Planner NBS Crop needs Nutrient availability factors Application rate Manure setbacks (150 )

NOT Nutrient Management Flies Water use Animal welfare Placement of animal housing Tillage or incorporation of manure for ODOR

Odor Management Odor Management Plans are required for new or existing CAO/CAFO operations expanding or building new manure storages or animal housing Odor regulations do NOT apply to existing facilities Odor regulations do NOT apply to land application of manure

Manure Management Plans Required of all farms that generate and/or uses manure and agricultural wastewater regardless of size Can be written by the operator

What is in a Manure Management Plan? General operator and the operation information A Farm Map(s) of the operation and identifying sensitive areas and application setbacks Acceptable application rates for manure type, crop grown, field history, and the season applied Records

Manure Management Plans Application rates can be determined by: DEP provided manure application rate chart Nutrient Balance Sheets for farm specific recommendations Certified planning based on P-Index

Manure Management Plans Year-round 100 Application Setback 100 from wells, NO exceptions, EVER! streams, lakes, ponds, etc Stream setback can be reduced to 50 : With current soil tests less than 200ppm P AND continuous no-till with crop residue or cover crop Stream setback can be reduced to 35 with permanent buffer

Manure Application Setbacks Buffer 35 No Buffer with soil test and no-till 50 Imported Manure 150 No Buffer 100

Manure Management Plans Winter Spreading Restrictions: December 15 through February 28, or When the ground is frozen 4, or When the ground is snow covered

Manure Management Plans Winter Spreading Restricted Rates: <5,000 gallons/acre of liquid manure <20 tons/acre non-poultry litter <3 tons/acre of poultry litter Must have at least 25% crop residue or cover No application on fields with slopes >15%

Animal Concentration Areas Also called Animal Heavy Use Areas Barnyards, feedlots, loafing areas, exercise lots or other similar animal confinement areas

Animal Concentration Areas ACAs may exist within pastures Congregation areas where manure accumulates ACAs must be Identified Evaluated Problems corrected

Animal Concentration Areas

ACA? Yes

ACA? Probably

Maybe

Debatable Get help identifying, evaluating, addressing

Manure Management Plans Animal Concentration Areas Limit brown areas Regular manure removal Divert upslope water Direct runoff to storage or treatment area LOCATION! LOCATION!! LOCATION!!!

Manure Management Plans Pastures Have an NRCS Grazing Plan Must manage pastures to maintain dense vegetation, minimize bare spots, and maintain an average vegetation height of 3

Evaluating Dense Vegetation Unacceptable Acceptable Standard Maintain Density & Height

Manure Management Plans Manure Storages All liquid storages built since 2000 must have engineer certification DEP permit required for: Storages >2.5 million gallons Storages >1 million gallons in Special Protection or Ag Impaired watersheds Must be maintained Freeboard must be maintained 12 for manure storage ponds 6 for all other manure storages

NO OVERFLOW FROM MANURE STORAGES

Manure Management Plans In-field Stacking 100 setback from wells, streams, lakes ponds, etc Slope <8% Stacks must be covered if in place >120 days Divert upslope water if necessary

Manure Management Plans Do not need to be submitted Must be kept on site Records need to be available upon request

Manure Management Plans Recordkeeping should begin immediately Determine which records are required for your operation Manure Application Rates Crop Yields Manure Transfers Manure Storage Facilities Get started!

Manure Management Workshops Thursday March 13, 2014 from 5-8pm Monday March 24, 2014 from 5-8pm Wednesday April 2, 2014 from 5-8pm During office hours with an appointment

VY TRINH vtrinh@adamscounty.us 717-334-0636 ext. 305