USDA NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE Conservation Planning Tools

USDA NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE Conservation Planning & Tools to Address Animal Carcass Disposal Greg Hendricks State Resource Conservationist USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service (352) 338 -9543 greg. hendricks@fl. usda. gov

NRCS Core Function Conservation Planning & Technical Assistance n Conservation Planning - A Natural Resource Problem Solving & Management Process n Integrate Ecological, Economic, & Social considerations to meet private & public needs. n Consider the landowner’s concerns & their decisions in a voluntary manner. n The premise being, sound decisions will be made if they fully understand their resource concerns. n

NRCS Conservation Planning n Considers 5 Basic Natural Resources: – – – Soil Water Air Plants Animals Human Considerations (Social & Economic)

NRCS 9 – Step Planning Process

Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) Is a conservation plan unique to animal feeding operations (AFO’s). n Combines conservation practices and management activities into a system that considers both production and environmental protection concerns. n Addresses Two (2) Principle Resource Concerns n – Water Quality & Soil Erosion

10 Elements of a CNMP 1. Background & Site Information 2. Manure and Wastewater Handling and Storage 3. Farmstead Safety & Security 4. Land Treatment 5. Soil & Risk Assessment Analysis 6. Nutrient Management 7. Feed Management 8. Record Keeping 9. Other Utilization Activities 10. References

Thank You n The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all of its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs. ) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc. ) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720 -2600 (voice and TDD). n To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326 -W, Whitten Building, 14 th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250 -9410 or call (202) 720 -5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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Manure and Wastewater Handling and Storage n Production facility n Feedlot n Manure and wastewater storage and treatment structures and areas Areas or mechanisms used to facilitate transfer of manure and wastewater n

Manure and Wastewater Handling and Storage Criteria n Provide adequate collection, storage, and/or treatment of manure and organic by-products n Comply with existing rules and regulations – Disposal of dead animals – Disposal of animal medical wastes – Spoiled feed or other contaminants

Manure and Wastewater Handling and Storage n Types of animals and phases of production n Type, numbers, avg. weight, period of confinement for each phase of production n Total estimated manure and wastewater volumes produced at facility n Manure storage type, volume, and length of storage

Manure and Wastewater Handling and Storage n Existing transfer equipment, system and procedures n O&M activities that address the collection, storage, treatment and transfer of manure and wastewater n Nutrient content and volume of manure, if transferred to other

Land Treatment Practices Evaluation and implementation of appropriate conservation practices on sites proposed for land application of manure and organic byproducts Address runoff and soil erosion

Land Treatment Practices Criteria n Identify existing and potential natural resource concerns, problem and opportunities n Id of the potential for nitrogen or phosphorus losses from the site n Minimize runoff and soil erosion

Land Treatment Practices n Aerial maps of land application areas n Individual field maps with marked setbacks, buffers, waterways, and other conservation practices planned n Soils information associated with fields

Land Treatment Practices n Design information associated with planned and implemented c n Identification of sensitive areas such as sinkholes, streams, spri

Nutrient Management Requirements for land application of all nutrients and organic by-products (ie. animal manure, wastewater, commercial fertilizers, crop residues, legume credits, irrigation water, etc. )

Nutrient Management Criteria n Meet NRCS Nutrient Management Policy n Meet criteria in NRCS conservation practice standard Nutrient Management and, as appropriate, Irrigation Water Management n Develop a nutrient budget for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium including all sources of nutrients

Nutrient Management n Planned crop types, cropping sequence, and realistic yield targets n Current soil test results n Manure and organic by-product source testing results n Form, source, amount, timing and method of application of nutrients, by field n Description of application equipment and method used for calibration

Record Keeping Records are kept to effectively document and demonstrate implementation activities associated with CNMPs AFO owners/operators’ responsibility to maintain records that document the implementation of CNMPs

Record Keeping n Annual manure tests for nutrient contents n Crops planted and planting/harvesting dates, by field n Records that address storage containment structures – Dates of emptying. Level before emptying, and level after emptying – Discharge or overflow events, level before and after event

Record Keeping n Activities associated with emergency spill response plan n Nutrient application equipment calibration n Transfer of manure off-site or to third parties n – Manure nutrient content – Amount of manure transferred – Date of transfer – Recipient of manure Records of maintenance performed associated with operation and maintenance Plans

Record Keeping n Application records for each application event (including commercial fertilizer) – Containment source or type and form of commercial fertilizer – Fields where manure or organic by-products are applied Amount applied per acre Time and date of application Weather conditions during nutrient application General soil moisture condition at time of application Application method and equipment used – – –

Record Keeping n n Records associated with any reviews by NRCS, third party consultants, or representatives of regulatory agencies – Date of review – Name of reviewer and purpose of the review – Recommendations or follow-up requirements resulting from the review – Actions taken as a result of the review Changes made in CNMP

Feed Management n May be used to reduce the nutrient content of manure n Use as planning consideration and not as a requirement that addresses specific criteria n Specific information and recommendations should be obtained from Land Grant Universities, industry, ARS, or professional societies n Consult with a professional animal nutritionist before feed ration adjustment

Other Utilization Activities n Environmentally-safe alternatives to land application of manure and organic by-products • Energy production (burning, methane generation) • Composting or pelletizing • Mixed or co-compost with industrial or municipal by-products n n A consideration for the AFO owner/operator in his/her decision-making process No specific criteria need to be addressed unless an alternative utilization option is decided upon by the AFO owner/operator

CNMP Checklist n n n n Site Information Production Information Applicable Permits or Certifications Land Application Site Information Manure Application Plans Actual Activity Records Mortality Disposal Operation and Maintenance

Thank You n The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all of its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs. ) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc. ) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720 -2600 (voice and TDD). n To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326 -W, Whitten Building, 14 th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250 -9410 or call (202) 720 -5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.