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| Have
a safe and smart manure application season |
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Post-harvest is an ideal time
for pork producers to make manure applications.
Fall manure applications often
have the benefit of good soil conditions. Usually, the soil is
drier in the fall than in the spring and fall manure applications
made on the right soil conditions can reduce the potential for
compaction. Plus, manure can provide adequate nutrients for fields
and eliminate the need for commercial fertilizers.
Before the manure is applied,
pork producers need to lay the groundwork for the application
season that will benefit their farm or operation, the environment,
and be acceptable to nearby neighbors.
The Iowa Pork Producers Association
(IPPA) has prepared these articles to highlight the work of producers
as well as provide reminders of Iowa laws and suggested steps
to assure a safe season.
Preparations
 Nearly six weeks before
harvest even begins, Iowa pork producers begin checking plans,
meeting with custom applicators and implementing steps for safe
and accurate fall manure applications.
Gary Boland of Williamsburg recently
reviewed his updated manure management plan. He received his
updated manure handling certification and met with his custom
applicator to review fields and procedures.
"These are routine steps
that I follow to make sure everything goes smoothly for post-harvest
manure applications," Boland says.
Mike Sexton, environmental compliance
officer with Swine Graphics Enterprises, has been making similar
preparations.
Sexton has been reviewing the
manure management plans for each site and printing off the field
maps where the manure will be applied. He works with nearly 20
farmers who receive manure from the company's various pork production
sites. He meets with each farmer individually to verify the fields
that will receive the manure and discuss application rates suitable
for the next crop.
The manure pits are checked for
volume and Sexton orders the testing information for a nutrient
analysis.
Then, he meets with the custom
applicators to review application reports and provide any other
information that is needed.
"Early preparation is the
key to making sure everyone involved is ready and knows what
to expect," says Sexton.
Communication is essential when
it comes to preparing for manure applications, says Gene Tinker,
animal feeding operations program coordinator for the Iowa Department
of Natural Resources (DNR). "Producers, applicators and
everyone involved need to be communicating prior to and throughout
the process. Making these prior preparations and taking precautionary
steps helps reduce major problems."
Application
At the nursery site on the farm where Boland lives, he and his
custom applicator will empty the earthen basin after harvest
and apply the manure to the surrounding farmland. Boland uses
an anaerobic digestive system throughout the year to help reduce
odors.
 "We always
conduct nutrient tests of our manure and our fields so we make
the appropriate application rates," Boland says. "The
manure has been an excellent source of natural nutrients for
the crops. We haven't purchased commercial fertilizer on any
of the fields where the manure has been applied."
At this particular site, they
use an umbilical hose system that pumps the manure directly to
nearby fields where it is incorporated. The process is designed
to reduce odors and maintain the effectiveness of the manure
nutrients.
"I'm always on site when
we're pumping manure and applying it," Boland says. "It's
my responsibility and I need to be there."
Tinker recommends that farmers
be on-site and be involved. They should be aware if the equipment
is working correctly and stay in contact with the applicator
and everyone working at the site throughout the pumping and application.
Tinker suggests that everyone
involved in the application process stays in constant communication
with each other.
Iowa law requires that all manure
from an animal feeding operation must be land applied in a manner
that will not cause surface or groundwater pollution.
Producers and manure applicators
are using technology designed for minimum odor issues and for
the best application in the field.
However, Tinker says every farmer
needs to check that the manure was adequately incorporated, especially
where equipment has turned around.
Good Neighbor Practices
and Safety Issues
 Boland and Sexton both say they notify neighbors surrounding
each farm as to when and where the manure will be applied.
"We call all of the neighbors
and let them know when we think we will be applying," Sexton
says. "We want to make them aware of our plans and have
them let us know if they are bothered by the dust from the applicator,
odors or whatever."
Boland lives in a growing neighborhood
and wants to maintain good relations.
"Plus, as a responsible
farmer, I don't want to see anything happen to negatively affect
our environment," says Boland. "On some of the farms
I rent, I use filter strips near waterways and always use conservation
measures. I hunt and fish and our family uses public waters.
I don't want to do anything to harm the environment."
In addition to these good neighbor
policies, both operations also have emergency response plans
in place.
Tinker says creating emergency
response plans makes a farmer think through what they need to
do in case of a spill. The emergency contact list should include
all of the local authorities that need to be called and also
neighbors who may have equipment to help contain a problem.
These are examples of the precautions
taken by a couple of producers as they prepare for fall manure
applications. There are many steps involved in this process.
IPPA remains committed to helping producers in assuring that
these steps are met.
For more information, contact
the IPPA at 800-372-7675.
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| Good
neighbor efforts help educate the public |
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 Before separation
distances and nuisance issues became Iowa law, Allan Mallie was
in the process of updating from an open-lot finishing facility
to a confinement operation. Mallie knew that if he was to be
successful he would have to work with his neighbors and educate
the community about his operation. He lives near Mount Vernon
with a population of 5,000, near Martelle with a population of
about 500 and about 18 miles from Cedar Rapids, one of Iowa's
largest cities.
"I talked to all of my neighbors.
I wanted them to know what I was building and the measures I
was taking to make this operation environmentally-friendly."
Mallie built a 1,000-head finishing
operation with a deep pit with the capacity to hold manure nutrients
from the facility for more than a year.
 He told neighbors
that instead of hauling manure weekly -- which is common with
open lot operations -- that he would pump the manure from this
facility once a year. Using an umbilical hose system, he would
pump the manure to the surrounding farm where it would be directly
injected into the soil. Mallie educated his neighbors about the
value of the manure to his cropland.
He also told them how the buildings
were set back from the road. In addition, Mallie planted fast-growing
poplar trees and two rows of evergreen trees between the confinement
and the road, and he uses a pit additive to help control odors.
Before Mallie conducts his fall
manure application, he sends postcards to all of his neighbors
making them aware of his once-a-year pumping and application.
"The postcard reads, 'Excuse
our mess, we'll do our best to make this short and sweet. We'll
be hauling our nutrients this week. Please let us know if you
have an event planned that won't make this convenient,'"
Mallie says.
 Many of the
neighbors tell him they appreciate the notification and some
have said he no longer needs to send the postcards because they
hardly notice when the application has taken place.
Mallie's efforts in his community
have helped him run a successful business.
"I think it helps when you
involve the neighbors. They like to be included and know what
is going on," he says.
In addition, talking with neighbors
helps educate the public on the pork production process and how
the operation stimulates the economy when Mallie buys corn from
local farmers or employs area teenagers.
"Education is very important,"
he says. "I like to inform the public on what is real and
not rumors."
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Tips for good neighbor relations
during application season
 Meet with your
neighbors before manure application
Explain to your neighbors how and why manure application is important.
Key points to remember: Livestock manure completes a sustainable
agricultural system and reduces the amount of commercial fertilizer
applied to fields. Be sure to mention that you have to apply during
a small time period and try to offer an idea of when you will
be done.
Sincerely respond
to concerns expressed by neighbors
Never let a neighbor's concern go ignored. Hear what they have
to say and sincerely respond to their concerns as soon as possible.
Invite your neighbors to your home to meet face to face and discuss
your methods to reduce odors and explain your manure management
plans. You may want to consider giving them a quick tour of your
farm. Apply manure as far away from the concerned neighbors as
possible.
Be mindful
of community events
Make it your business to know when community festivals, sporting
events, church services, weddings and funerals are happening in
your neighborhood. Is RAGBRAI rolling through your town or perhaps
an antique tractorcade? Try to adjust your schedule and remember
that your production practices could affect the event.
Meet and exceed
all legal requirements
Enough said.
Stay current
on and use new technology to minimize odor
Tremendous advancements have been made to manure application equipment,
and new products are always being introduced into the market to
help you reduce odors and make your lives easier. Consider updating
and improving your application equipment, researching pit or feed
additives, or designing a shelterbelt around your facilities.
Inject or incorporate
manure
Not only does injecting or incorporating manure conserve valuable
nutrients, but the process also reduces odors during and after
land application.
Be mindful
of wind, temperature and other weather conditions when applying
manure
Imagine if your neighbor to the north had just hung a week's worth
of laundry on the clothesline during a warm fall day. Suddenly
the wind shifts in her direction. Try to be considerate of rural
neighbors by paying close attention to weather conditions when
applying manure.
Apply manure
as few times as possible
Sounds simple enough, the fewer days hauling manure up and down
rural roadways, the less impact you'll have on the neighborhood.
Spread the
word
Be sure to inform all employees, family members, custom applicators
and input suppliers of good neighbor practices.
Practice good,
old-fashioned neighborliness
Iowa is known for neighborliness, and farm families have been
pitching in and helping out neighbors and their communities for
decades. Make sure to be friendly to neighbors, include them on
your holiday card list and make an effort to show that you care
about them.
Bottom line:
Take all reasonable steps to minimize the impact of manure application
on your neighbors and community.
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| Eight
reminders for safe manure applications |
| As Iowa pork
producers busily prepare for harvest and the fall manure application
season that often follows, we offer the following process and
safety steps based on information from the Iowa Department of
Natural Resources (DNR) and the Iowa Manure Management Action
Group. |
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| 1. |
Manure management plans
Iowa law requires that a manure management plan (MMP) be submitted
to the DNR for confinement feeding operations that have an animal
unit capacity of more than 500 animal units and are built or
expanded after May 31, 1985.
"The purpose of these plans
is to assure that there is adequate land base available to apply
the manure nutrients produced from an animal production facility,"
says Gene Tinker, animal feeding operations program coordinator
for the DNR.
Check with the DNR or their Web
site to see if your operation needs a plan.
Generally, manure management
plans are not required for open feedlots. However, all livestock
farmers are encouraged to take credit for their manure nutrient
value.
Within the plan, you'll need
to document manure applications: where, when, how, and amount
applied. Be sure to follow your conservation plan to maintain
residue and manage erosion concerns.
It is recommended that producers
maintain regular manure sampling and soil test programs to determine
the optimum application rate and priorities for spreading manure
on a field-specific basis. Soil testing will be required when
Iowa's phosphorus index goes into effect.
Check the DNR website for complete
information on MMPs.
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| 2. |
Manure application certification
Are you certified? Do you need to be?
Confinement site applicators
must be certified to apply manure if they are hauling it from
a confinement operation and the size of the operation is greater
than 500 animal units (1250 finishing pigs). This applies to
situations where you are hauling all the manure or just a few
loads from a confinement site.
If you are a crop producer who
is applying manure (on fields you own or rent) that has come
from someone else's confinement operation that is large enough
to require applicator certification, you must be certified as
a confinement site manure applicator to apply the manure.
Confinement site applicators
may include people who are part-time employees of, or who trade
work with, other active farmers. The following people are
exempt from a commercial manure applicator certification, but
must still be certified as a confinement site applicator:
Someone actively engaged in
farming and trades work with another active farmer
Someone employed by an active
farmer and applies manure only as an incidental part of the job
Someone who applies manure as
an incidental part of a custom farming operation
Someone who applies manure as
an incidental part of their job duties
Confinement site applicators
are exempt from certification if they are:
Part-time employees or family
members of a confinement site applicator and are under the direct
instruction and control of a certified confinement site manure
applicator who is physically present and can physically observe
and communicate with the supervised person at all times.
Employed by a research college
to apply manure from an animal feeding operation that is part
of the research activities or experiments of the research college.
Commercial certification
 By law, commercial applicators (a sole proprietor
or business association engaged in the business of transporting,
handling, storing, or applying manure for a fee) must pass an
annual exam or receive three hours of continuing education each
year. Commercial manure applicators can be certified in one of
two ways:
Each year attend a 3-hour commercial
satellite downlink.
Take the course or view a 3-hour
videotape at a County Extension office, or
Each year pass a 50 question,
multiple-choice, true-false exam at a DNR field office.
In addition to completing one
of the above requirements, you must also submit the appropriate
fee and the application form to the DNR.
Confinement site certification
Confinement site manure applicator certification is valid for
three calendar years, starting the year the applicator is certified.
Confinement site manure applicators can be certified in one of
two ways:
Each year attend a two-hour
training course or watch a two-hour training video at a County
Extension offices or
Every three years pass a 50-question,
multiple-choice, true-false exam offered at a DNR field office
Like the commercial applicator
certification, each of these options requires that the appropriate
paperwork and fee be submitted to the DNR in order to complete
the certification process.
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Review separation distances
and special areas of fields
Once your manure management plan is in place and you or your
commercial applicator have completed the appropriate certification,
DNR regulations should be reviewed before applying the manure.
See "A quick review of manure management practices"
on page 19.
"In addition, producers
should take time to review special circumstances such as sink
holes in fields," Tinker says.
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| 4. |
Ready or not? Check
equipment and producer readiness
Producers are reminded of the huge importance the manure application
process involves. Being well-rested and ready for the work is
critical.
In addition, Tinker recommends
checking all of the equipment before starting to pump or agitate
the pit. Some spills can be avoided easily by checking the equipment
first.
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Notify your neighbors
A week or two prior to application, many producers take the time
to notify nearby neighbors about when and where the manure pumping
and application will take place. Most producers ask if the neighbors
have an event planned that could be affected by possible noise,
dust or odors.
Most producers call or stop by
to talk with neighbors. Taking time for this step creates an
opportunity to build better relationships and openly communicate
any potential concerns by neighbors. Most neighbors appreciate
the courtesy and information about the process.
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Check field incorporation
Iowa law requires that all manure from an animal feeding operation
must be land applied in a manner that will not cause surface
or groundwater pollution.
"For land application within
750 feet from a residence, business, church, school, or public
use area, producers must make sure that it is worked into the
ground or deposited below the ground adequately," Tinker
says. "Be sure that end rows have been incorporated and
have a back-up plan in place to make sure the manure is incorporated."
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Have emergency response
plans ready
Although not required by law unless a part of a DNR construction
permit via the master matrix, emergency response plans are critical
if a manure spill occurs. Emergency plans should be written down,
shared with everyone involved in the process and posted around
the facilities as a reminder.
The plan should include inspecting
pumps, valves and tanks of hauling wagons, the couplings of traveling
guns, any equipment that could break or leak as well as the appropriate
contact numbers that includes manure spill and general emergency
responses.
The emergency plan for a manure
spill should include the following information:
Designate a contact person or
persons to notify if an emergency occurs.
Post the list of contact people
and emergency telephone numbers at the entrance of each unit.
The list should include an emergency phone list, including the
operator, fire department, sheriff, emergency medical services
(EMS), public health office and local and state environmental
authorities (Iowa DNR). It should also include directions to
farm, farm map, facility maps (which indicate hazardous materials
and areas that must not be entered without assisted breathing
devises), fire and power outage response plans and a list of
medical conditions of employees that EMS personnel would need
to know.
The contact person determines
the amount of personnel and equipment necessary to correct the
problem; and
The contact person will use
emergency response team and equipment lists to mobilize enough
manpower and equipment to correct the problem.
"The emergency response
team may include nearby producers, farmers or contract manure
handlers who can quickly bring the necessary equipment and people
to operate it," Tinker says. It is important to have land
access agreements with neighbors. This gives you legal permission
to enter their property to contain a spill." Tinker also
advises producers to have pre-arranged agreements for their emergency
response team.
Also note, that it is important
that people stay away from buildings where deep pits are being
agitated. Employees need to know that if they see pigs succumbing
to the gas, agitation must be shut off.
People should never enter a confined
space such as a manure pit without all appropriate safety equipment
and personnel on hand.
"It is best to inform the
DNR immediately when a spill occurs. Producers need to think
of us not as just the regulators but as the partners who can
help them contain their spill and help them clean it up quickly
before it becomes a huge issue," Tinker says.
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| 8. |
Keep records
The Iowa DNR requires that manure application information be
kept and available for review at the site or at an office or
residence of the owner or operator within 30 miles of the operation
site, says Tinker.
This recorded information must
be kept for three years following the year of application or
for the length of the crop rotation, whichever is greater.
The following records are required:
| a. |
Methods of application. |
| b. |
Date(s) when the
manure was applied or sold. |
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Location of the
field, including the number of acres. |
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The manure application
rate. |
In addition, the following information
used to calculate the manure application rate must be kept with
the records:
| a. |
Optimum yield for
the planned crop |
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Type of nitrogen
credits and amounts |
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Remaining crop
nitrogen needed |
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Nitrogen content
of the manure and first-year nitrogen availability of the manure |
These additional items are in
the manure management plan so keeping a copy of the manure management
plan with the records will meet these additional recordkeeping
requirements.
 Record inspection
The DNR may inspect a confinement feeding operation at any time
during normal working hours and may inspect the manure management
plan and any records required to be maintained.
If you have additional questions
on any of this information, contact the Iowa Pork Producers Association
at 800-372-7675 or info@iowapork.org
The Iowa DNR and Iowa Manure
Management Action Group also can answer your questions.
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| Producers
want equipment and techniques to help maximize nutrients |
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 Pork producers and crop
producers know that manure nutrients can reduce and even eliminate
the need for commercial fertilizers. Producers want to learn more
about new technology and systems for manure applications.
"Farmers are continually
looking at techniques that will help them maximize their manure
nutrients and be environmentally sound," says Mark Hanna,
Iowa State University (ISU) Extension agricultural engineer. "For
the past few years at our Extension equipment field days, we've
had great attendance by producers and custom applicators who want
to learn more about applicator flow rates and tank capacities
as well as topics on soil disturbance and residue coverage."
"Electronic flow controllers
on applicators have become popular," Hanna says. "The
controllers sense the flow of the applicator and help the producer
assure application rates by adjusting rates on the go."
Global Positioning System (GPS)
technology connected to applicators also can help farmers vary
the flow of the nutrients being applied to different parts of
a field.
If a farmer already has some precision
system components, the cost of the GPS applicator system could
be less than farmers expect and may be something they want to
consider.
"With the new technology,
farmers may be able to spread the manure nutrients over more acres
lowering fertilizer costs," Hanna says.
Producers also want to know the
latest equipment, research and recommendations on injecting manure
into the soil versus other methods.
"Research at ISU has found
that almost any soil mixing with manure application cuts odors
fairly dramatically," Hanna says.
Farmers need to consider the erosion
potential of their field, the amount of cover desired and the
equipment being used.
"Using something with a narrow
profile to the injector often tends to be helpful -- such as a
narrower knife -- or a single coulter-type apparatus," Hanna
says.
Producers should make sure they
are in compliance with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
New application equipment and
technology can help farmers with their bottom line and help them
reach their environmental goals as well.
Look for more information on application
equipment and technology in future issues of this publication.
The Iowa DNR and the Iowa Manure Management Action
Group are excellent sources of information on manure management.
Producers are encouraged to contact either group for more information.
Their Web sites are www.iowadnr.com and http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/immag/default.htm.
Also, you can contact one the following IDNR Field Offices in
your area during normal business hours:
| Field Office
1 Manchester, Phone: 319-927-2640 |
| Field Office
2 Mason City, Phone: 641-424-4073 |
| Field Office
3 Spencer, Phone: 712-262-4177 |
| Field Office
4 Atlantic, Phone: 712-243-1934 |
| Field Office
5 Des Moines, Phone: 515-725-0268 |
| Field Office
6 Washington, Phone: 319-653-2135 |
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| A quick
review of manure management practices for fall application |
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 Unless the manure
is injected or incorporated on the same day it was applied, all
manure applicators must stay 200 feet away from a creek, river,
lake, pond, drainage ditch (any body of water or channel with
banks and a bed with water flow), sinkholes, drinking water wells,
abandoned wells, cisterns and ag drainage wells.
- Manure applicators must stay
800 feet away from high quality water resources, unless the manure
is injected or incorporated on the same day as application. A
list of high quality water resources may be found at http://www.iowadnr.com/water/index.html
- Applicators surface applying
manure (from a confinement operation with more than 500 animal
units) and not incorporating within 24 hours must stay at least
750 feet away from neighboring residences, businesses, schools,
churches and public use areas.
- DNR may consider inadvertent
surface application during injection (for example, on end rows)
as surface application in violation of required separation distances
from water bodies or residences, etc. To be safe, be sure to incorporate
these areas as required for surface application.
- Producers must have their manure
plans updated and available during application. If using a commercial
applicator, they must also have access to the manure plan and
be provided clear instructions as to the proper rate of manure
application.
- If a manure release occurs (actual,
imminent, or probable discharge of manure to a water source),
the Iowa Department of Natural Resources must be notified within
six hours of the onset or discovery of the release. During DNR
office hours (between 8 and 4:30) releases should be reported
to the local DNR field office. If the field office cannot be reached,
call DNR at 515-281-8694 and the local police or sheriff's office.
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