Nutrient Management Law Changes, They Are Coming
Download
Report
Transcript Nutrient Management Law Changes, They Are Coming
Nutrient Management on
Horse Operations
Doug Goodlander
PA State Conservation Commission
Lebanon Valley Ag Center
October 15, 2008
Animal Operations in PA
All Animal Operations (AOs)
All operations generating/utilizing manure
Concentrated Animal
Operations (CAOs)
AOs (23,000+)
CAOs (1,300+)
Based on animal density
CAFOs (300+)
Concentrated Animal Feeding
Operations (CAFOs)
Based on animal numbers and/or animal density
Animal Operations in PA
All Animal Operations (AOs)
All operations generating/utilizing manure
Concentrated Animal
Operations (CAOs)
AOs (23,000+)
CAOs (1,300+)
Based on animal density
CAFOs (300+)
Concentrated Animal Feeding
Operations (CAFOs)
Based on animal numbers and/or animal density
AOs
Pa’s Clean Streams Law
All farms producing or using manure (including
horse farms) need the following:
Manure (nutrient) management plans
Addresses:
Manure application: cannot apply more than the crop can use
Nitrogen and phosphorus concerns
Nutrient balance sheet can help with this assessment
Manure storage and exercise areas: cannot allow these areas to
run polluted water into streams, wells, etc.
No need for review or approval
Conservation plan required for plowing or tilling
More emphasis on these smaller farms
Especially horse farms, and cattle farms next to streams
Animal Operations in PA
All Animal Operations (AOs)
All operations generating/utilizing manure
Concentrated Animal
Operations (CAOs)
AOs (23,000+)
CAOs (1,300+)
Based on animal density
CAFOs (300+)
Concentrated Animal Feeding
Operations (CAFOs)
Based on animal numbers and/or animal density
CAOs
Major Regulatory Provisions
Who is regulated under Act 38? Concentrated
Animal Operations (CAOs)
High density livestock operations, including
pleasure & recreation (horse boarding)
> 2,000 lbs animal live weight per acre
Excludes any operation < 8 AEUs
8 horses (non-draft breeds)
Volunteer participation is encouraged
How does this CAO calculation work out for the
small operation?
CAOs
Regulated Equine Operations
(Must be both > 8,000 lbs and > 2,000 lbs/acre)
Examples:
5 horses on 2 acres (5,000 lbs/2 acres = 2,500 lbs per acre)
High density, but not > 8,000 lbs - not a regulated CAO
9 horses on 5 acres (9,000 lbs/5 acres = 1,800 lbs per acre)
> 8,000 lbs, but not high density - not a regulated CAO
10 horses on 4 acres (10,000 lbs/4 acres= 2,500 lbs per acre)
> 8,000 lbs and high density - this is a regulated CAO
CAOs
Major Regulatory Provisions
Who is regulated? Concentrated Animal
Operations (CAOs)
High density livestock operations, including
pleasure & recreation (horse boarding)
> 2,000 lbs animal live weight per acre
Excludes any operation < 8 AEUs
7 horses (non-draft breeds)
Volunteer (VAO) participation is encouraged
What are these operations required to have?
Standard format, Nutrient Management Plan
Developed by certified planners
Reviewed and approved by conservation district
CAOs
Major Regulatory Provisions
Nutrients included in NMPs:
Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K)
N and P are the only regulated nutrients
N application:
N may be tied up in excessive bedding
P application: P Index analysis (not a big issue)
Near streams for pastures (BAD)
Fields are generally grass based (GOOD)
N/P ratio of manure (GOOD)
12/5 horse, 10/4 diary, 50/55 pig, 66/63 broiler, 37/55 layer
K included for operator’s information
General fertility
Animal health
CAOs
Major Regulatory Provisions
Year-round manure application setbacks:
Applies to mechanical application only
100’ setback or 35’ setback
35’ setback only applies if a permanent vegetated buffer exists
or is established adjacent to (good pasture counts as buffer):
perennial and intermittent streams
lakes and ponds
existing open sinkholes
100’ setback for private and public drinking water
wells/springs
No 35’ setback/buffer option
Much horse manure is animal applied, therefore not
terribly relevant
CAOs
Major Regulatory Provisions
Winter manure application restrictions:
Winter manure application fields and conditions
must be listed and approved in the NM plan
Winter application fields must have at least 25%
cover (residue or live plants)
Must follow additional winter application setbacks:
100’ from intakes to ag drainage systems and EV
wetlands
Most manure applied by animals so not a big issue,
but then again not many with storage over winter
CAOs
Major Regulatory Provisions
Manure exporting requirements:
Signed Agreements (standard form)
Exporter/Importer or Exporter/Broker
Nutrient Balance Sheets addressing N and P (map)
Nitrogen applications limited to crop uptake
3 options to address Phosphorus management
Commercial haulers/brokers must be certified under Act 49
Commercial Hauler statement required in NMP
Small quantity exclusion from export requirements
25 tons solid non-poultry manure
5 tons solid poultry manure
10,000 gallons liquid manure
Marketable manure, brokers are normal, and for many
operations export can fall under low quantity exclusion
CAOs
Major Regulatory Provisions
Manure stacking restrictions:
Big for horse operations, their manure is “stackable”
Traditional vs. In-field stacking
Traditional stacking
Storage – awaiting disposal or land application
Adjacent to facility – proper location extremely important
In-field stacking must address the following:
Maximum of 120 days without covering
14 days for CAFOs
Cone or windrow shaped
Location identified on the NMP or NBS maps
Not within 150’ of streams, lakes, ponds, wells, sinkholes
Not on excessively drained soils, or high water table
Not on slopes > 8%
Not in water concentration areas
Stacking area rotated annually
Unless using an “improved” stacking area
CAOs
Major Regulatory Provisions
Pastures vs. Animal Concentration Areas (ACAs)
This is a biggie for horse operations
Pasture: A livestock area managed primarily for
forage production
Stocking rate must address N balance and P-index
ACA: Will not maintain a growing crop, or where
nutrients are deposited in excess of crop N needs
Adjust stocking rate to meet “pasture” definition, or
Implement BMPs to protect water quality
Collect and land-apply manure
Implement upslope surface water and roof runoff BMPs
Implement runoff collection/treatment BMPs
Restrict livestock access to surface water
CAOs
Act 38 Summary
New Act 38 regulations went into effect on Oct 1, 2006
Existing horse CAOs must submit their plan now,
volunteers can submit at any time.
Need to hire a planner,
Get soil tests
Get a conservation plan
Submit the plan to the conservation district
An approved plan may make you eligible for funding to
implement the plan
Animal Operations in PA
All Animal Operations (AOs)
All operations generating/utilizing manure
Concentrated Animal
Operations (CAOs)
Based on animal density
Concentrated Animal Feeding
Operations (CAFOs)
Based on animal numbers and/or animal density
AOs (23,000+)
CAOs (1,300+)
CAFOs (300+)
CAFOs
Pa’s CAFO Program
Federal program delegated to DEP to administer
Regulates larger animal operations (CAFOs)
> 300 and a CAO (300 horses, etc.), or
Meet EPA animal numbers
500 horses
Requires operation permit (NPDES) from DEP
Individual or general
Generally, same Nutrient Management Plan as CAOs:
application rates, setbacks, fall/winter restrictions, exported manure
requirements, field stacking requirements, etc
But, additional restrictions on CAFOs relating to:
Setbacks required on more than just flowing streams, etc
14 day in-field stacking limitation without covering or improved area
AOs
CAOs
CAFOs
In conclusion…
All animal farms
Manure Management Plan, Ag E&S Plan
Application, storage and barnyard
No formal plan approvals required
High density animal farms (CAOs)
Nutrient Management Plan, Ag E&S Plan
Plan approval required
Manure application setback restrictions
Exported manure requirements
Large animal farms (CAFOs)
Nutrient Management Plan, Ag E&S Plan, DEP Permit
Same plan requirements as CAOs
Additional setback requirements
Is that all I need to worry about
No, neighbor relations is key to longevity:
Flies and odors:
Clean up after your horses
Keep manure dry (bedding, keep water from the manure)
Compost your manure
Keep a buffer from your neighbors
Cover the manure pile
Fly control products (strips, traps)
Frequent application (7 day life cycle)
The wrap up
The bottom line is, horse operations need to be
good neighbors
1.
Address water quality
•
•
•
2.
Address flies and other vectors
•
3.
Nutrient or manure mgmt plan
Storage, application and barnyards
Conservation plan for row crop fields
Approved plans or permits where necessary
Housekeeping and general water mgmt is key
Odor management is important
You need to make sure you are a good neighbor…
for your own good and for the good of the industry
The End
Any
Questions or
Comments?