Livestock and the Environment

1
Livestock and the Environment

• Johanna Davis

2
Agricultural Concerns

• Federal State Environmental Laws
• Endangered Species Act

3
B. Environmental Problems of Livestock Production
4
1. Changes in Livestock Production

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

5
2. Changing Environment of Agriculture

• Migration of city dwellers to agricultural areas.
• Why?
• Escape problems of city life
• Attracted to recreational developments

6
Changing Environment of Agriculture, cont

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

7
3. Livestock Waste Disposal Concerns

• Communities share the cost of waste disposal in
  cities
• Cost of facility several million dollars
• Cost to individual in city - 100 to 200

8
Livestock Waste Disposal Concerns, cont

• Individuals responsible for cost for livestock
  enterprises
• 200,000 hens, 1,200 head of cattle in a feedlot,
  10,500 hogs may produce as much waste as 20,000
  people.

9
C. Agricultural Disposal Systems

• Must be part of the total management plan
• Must be affordable
• Must meet the expectations of the non farming
  people who live nearby
• Must meet environmental regulations

10
D. Federal Regulations

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

11
E. State Regulations

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

12
F. Water Pollutants

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• EPA monitors
• Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
• Fecal Coliform
• Fecal Streptococcus
• Suspended Solids
• Phosphorus
• Ammonia

13
G. Handling Livestock Wastes

• Objective is to control

• Prevent surface groundwater pollution
• other Nuisances

• Odors
• Dust
• Flies
• Rodents

14
Handling Livestock Wastes, cont.

• Amount of Manure Produced
• Species
• Age of Animal
• Ration Fed

15
Handling Livestock Wastes, cont.

• Fertilizer Usage Nutrient Content Factors
• Length of time in storage
• Method of treatment
• Amount and type of bedding used
• Amount of dilution by water entering the system

16
F. Manure Handling Systems

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

17
Manure Handling Systems, cont.

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

18
Manure Handling Systems, cont.

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

19
G. Determining the Amount of Livestock Waste to
Apply on the Land
20
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

21
H. Disposing of Manure

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

22
Disposing of Manure, cont.

• Environmental Considerations
• Must be incorporated or injected in the soils
• Do not apply to frozen or snow cover land
• Do not apply immediately before or after a
  rainstorm to to saturated land

23
. Disposing of Manure, cont.

• Do not apply to grass waterways
• Do not apply within 200 feet of surface waters 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

24
I. Preventing Feedlot Runoff

• Diversion prevent surface water from entering
• Drainage channel runoff from feedlot

25
Preventing Feedlot Runoff, cont

• Debris basins catch run off from pens
• Holding ponds temporary storage for runoff
• Disposal collect and use for irrigation or
  allow to evaporate

26
J. Gases and Odors from Livestock Wastes

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

27
Gases and Odors from Livestock Wastes, cont

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

28
Gases and Odors from Livestock Wastes, cont

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

29
Gases and Odors from Livestock Wastes, cont

• Chemical and Bacterial culture
• Masking agents
• Cover up odors
• Counteractants
• Attempt to neutralize odors

30
Gases and Odors from Livestock Wastes, cont

• Chemical and Bacterial culture, cont
• Deodorants
• Chemicals that kill the bacteria that cause odor
• Digestive deodorants
• Create a digestive process to eliminate odor

31
K. Disposal of Dead Animals

• Responsibility of owner
• Many states require within 24 to 48 hrs
• Done so as not to cause health hazard
• Diseases may spread to other animals/humans
• Treat any dead animal as though diseased
• Eliminate environmental threats

32
Disposal of Dead Animals, cont

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

33
F. 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)

34
Livestock Laws, cont

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

35
Revised 2/1/2001