Livestock and the Environment

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Livestock and the Environment

• From foukeffa.org
• Written by Johanna Davis
• Revised by Nicki Schaefer

GA Ag Ed Curriculum Office To accompany the
Georgia Agriculture Education Curriculum Lesson
01.432-8.9 July 2002
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Agricultural Concerns

• Federal State Environmental Laws
• Endangered Species Act

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B. Environmental Problems of Livestock Production

• Changes in Livestock Production

• Trend toward larger livestock operations
• Use of large livestock confinement systems such
  as feedlots

• .

• Changing Environment of Agriculture

• Migration of city dwellers to agricultural areas

• Why?
• Escape problems of city life

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B. Environmental Problems of Livestock
Production(cont.)

• Attracted to recreational developments

• Attitudes
• Find odors offensive
• Unaware of byproducts of livestock production

3. Livestock Waste Disposal Concerns

• Communities share the cost of waste disposal in
  cities

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B. Environmental Problems of Livestock
Production(cont.)

• Cost of facility several million dollars
• Cost to individual 100 to 200

Individuals responsible for cost of livestock
enterprises

• 200,000 hens, 1,200 head of cattle in a feedlot,
  or
• 10,500 hogs may produce as much waste as
• 20,000 people.

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C. Agricultural Disposal Systems

• Must be part of the total management plan
• Must be affordable
• Must meet the expectations of the non-farming
  neighbors
• Must meet environmental regulations

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D. Federal Regulations

• Federal Water Quality Act of 1965
• Refuse Act of 1899
• Solid Waste Disposal Act of 1965
• Federal Clean Air Act

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E. State Regulations

• Most states have some type of environmental
  protection agency
• Must enforce state Federal regulations
• Nuisance Laws
• May include odors, dust, chemicals, water
  pollution, animal noises, carcass disposal, etc.

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F. Water Pollutants

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• The EPA monitors
• Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
• Fecal Coliforms
• Fecal Streptococci
• Suspended Solids
• Phosphorus
• Ammonia

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G. Handling Livestock Waste

• Objective is to control

• -Odors
• -Dust
• -Flies
• -Rodents
• -Surface groundwater pollution
• -Other nuisances

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G. Handling Livestock Wastes, (cont.)

• Amount of manure produced (determined by)
• Species
• Age of Animal
• Ration Fed

• Fertilizer usage (determined by)

• Length of time in storage
• Method of treatment
• Nutrient content

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G. Handling Livestock Wastes, (cont.)

• Amount and type of bedding used
• Amount of dilution by water entering the system

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H. Manure Handling Systems

• Factors to consider
• EPA Regulations
• Species of Animal Being Raised
• Type of Housing and Management
• Size and Type of Operation
• Climate
• Characteristics of Operation

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H. Manure Handling Systems, (cont.)

• Classification of Facilities
• Confined
• Open Lot
• Lot and Shelter
• Enclosed Shelter
• Unconfined
• Pasture
• Range

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H. Manure Handling Systems, (cont.)

• Types of Systems
• Liquid
• Pits
• Lagoon
• Storage Basins
• Solid

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I. Determining the Amount of Livestock Waste to
Apply on the Land

• Agronomic Nitrogen Rate available Nitrogen per
  unit of yield necessary to produce a given crop
• - Varies with species
• - Varies with ration fed
• - Varies with method of collection and storage
• Phosphorus Requirements

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J. Disposing of Manure

• Spread on land
• All solid systems
• All liquid systems except lagoons
• Valuable as fertilizers

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J. Disposing of Manure, (cont.)

• Environmental Considerations
• Must be incorporated or injected into the soil
• Do not apply to frozen or snow-covered land
• Do not apply to saturated land immediately before
  or after a rainstorm

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J. Disposing of Manure, (cont.)

• Do not apply to grass waterways
• Do not apply within 200 feet of surface water or
  within 150 feet of a well
• Reduce the amount applied if there is a high
  water table present or if soil is highly
  permeable

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K. Preventing Feedlot Runoff

• Diversion preventing surface water from
  entering feedlot
• Drainage channeling runoff from feedlot

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K. Preventing Feedlot Runoff, (cont.)

• Debris basins basins which catch runoff from
  pens
• Holding ponds temporary storage for runoff
• Disposal collecting waste and using it for
  irrigation or allowing it to evaporate

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L. Gases and Odors from Livestock Waste

• Caused by anaerobic bacteria breaking down the
  organic components
• Occurs when no oxygen is present

• Gases become dangerous to people and livestock
  in poorly ventilated areas or confined areas
• Odors may cause neighbors to take legal action
  against the farmer

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L. Gases and Odors from Livestock Wastes, (cont.)

• Control Methods
• Reduce toxicity by mixing air with manure
• Mix manure in soil as soon as possible after
  hauling/spreading

Chemical and bacterial cultures test for
Masking agents Cover up odors Counteractants At
tempt to neutralize odors
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L. Gases and Odors from Livestock Wastes, (cont.)

• Deodorants
• Chemicals that kill the bacteria that
  cause odor
• Digestive deodorants
• Create a digestive process to eliminate
  odor

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M. Disposal of Dead Animals

• Responsibility of owner
• Many states require disposal within 24 to 48 hrs.
• Method of disposal must prevent health hazards
• Treat any dead animal as though diseased
• Eliminate environmental threats

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M. Disposal of Dead Animals, (cont.)

• Transport in a covered, metal, leak-proof vehicle
• Approved Methods
• Licensed disposal plant
• Burying
• Disposal pits
• Burning
• Composting

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N. Livestock Laws

• Animal Trespass
• Owner Liability
• Damage to property
• Estray
• Domestic Animal of Unknown ownership running at
  large
• Land owner may retain possession until
  compensated (varies by states)

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N. Livestock Laws, (cont.)

• Animals On Highways
• May cause traffic accidents
• Owner Liability
• Usually negligence must be proven