ANIMAL PRODUCTION
GEORGIA
FARM *A* SYST
DAIRY PRODUCTION
John Worley, Assistant Professor,
Biological & Agricultural Engineering
FARM ASSESSMENT SYSTEM
Cooperative Extension Service, The University of Georgia, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences,
Athens
PRE-ASSESSMENT
Why Should I Be Concerned?
The main areas of concern on dairy farms are animal waste handling and storage, milking center wastes,
and silage leachate. These wastes contain organic matter, nitrates, phosphorus, detergents, and disease causing
organisms. Lack of planning can cause contamination of the water supply on your farm as well as your neighbors’, but with careful handling, the wastes can be of some benefit for other purposes.
Nitrate levels in drinking water above federal and state drinking water standards of 10 parts per million
(ppm) nitrate-nitrogen (N) can pose health problems for infants under 6 months of age, including the condition
known as methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome). Although nitrates can also affect adults, apparently much
more can be tolerated. Ruminants are also susceptible to health problems, especially reproductive problems,
from high nitrate-N levels. Levels of 20-40 ppm in drinking water may prove harmful, especially in combination with high levels of nitrate from feed sources. Fecal and coliform bacteria in animal waste can contaminate
wells. Odors from animal production or the application of animal wastes can cause problems with neighbors and
result in a negative social environment for agriculture. Silage leachate is also dangerous because of its acidity.
It can release naturally occurring metals in the soil and thus increase their concentrations in ground water.
How Does This Assessment Help Protect Drinking Water and the Environment?
•
•
•
•
•
This assessment allows you to evaluate the
environmental soundness of your farm and
operational practices relating to your dairy
production practices.
You are encouraged to complete the entire
document.
The assessment asks a series of questions about
your dairy production practices.
The assessment evaluation uses your answers
(rankings) to identify practices or structures that
are at risk and should be modified to prevent
pollution.
The dairy production practices facts that give an
overview of sound environmental practices that
can be used to prevent pollution caused directly
by dairy practices.
*Words found in italics are defined in the glossary.
•
•
•
•
You are encouraged to develop an action plan
based on your needs as identified by the assessment. The dairy production practices facts,
reference and publication lists can provide
alternatives to current practices.
Farm *A*Syst is a voluntary program.
The assessment should be conducted by you for
your use. If needed, a professional from the
Georgia Cooperative Extension Service or one
of the other partnership organizations can
provide assistance in completing the assessment.
No information from this assessment needs to
leave your farm.
ASSESSMENT:
Assessing Your Dairy Production Practices.
For each category listed on the left, read across to the right and circle the statement that best describes
conditions on your farm. If a category does not apply, for example: if it asks about lagoons and you don’t
have a lagoon, then skip the question. Once you have decided on the most appropriate answer, look above
that description to find your rank number (4,3,2, or 1) and enter that number in the “RANK” column. The
entire assessment should take less than 30 minutes. A glossary is on page 12 that can be used to clarify
words found in italics throughout this assessment.
D AIRY PROD UCTION PRACTICES
Low Ris k
(rank 4)
Low-M od Ris k
(rank 3)
M od-High Ris k
(rank 2)
High Ris k
(rank 1)
LIVESTOCK WASTE STORAGE FACILITIES
Ge ne ral location of
animal was te s and
was te handling
facilitie s
Animal wastes and
waste handling facilities
located at least 100
feet downslope from
well and 100 feet from
surface water.
Animal wastes and
waste handling
facilities located 50 to
100 feet downslope
from well and 100 feet
from surface water.
Animal wastes and
waste handling facilities
located upslope and at
least 100 feet from a
well and 50 feet away
from surface water.
Animal wastes and
waste handling facilities
located upslope and
within 100 feet of well
or within 25 feet of
surface water.
Earthe n was te
s torage pit, pond, or
lagoon
Designed, installed, and
maintained according to
Natural Resource
Conservation Service
(NRCS) or
Professional Engineer
(PE) specifications.
Large enough to handle
sludge, 90 to 180 days
waste- water, and storm
water.
Designed and installed
according to NRCS
or PE specifications
but not maintained
according to
specifications. Sludge
built up to a point
where overflow is
possible during heavy
rain.
No NRCS or PE
design and installation
specifications.
Constructed in silt
loam, loam, clay loam,
or silty clay soils.
Water table deeper than
20 feet.
No NRCS or PE
design and installation
specifications.
Constructed in sand or
sandy loam soil with no
clay layer, O R
fractured bedrock or
water table shallower
than 20 feet.
Lagoon le ve l of was te
tre atme nt lagoon
Regularly pumped
down to desired level.
Leave enough space to
account for for heavy
rainfall events.
Regularly pumped
down to desired level,
but don't always leave
enough room for
heavy rainfall events.
Lagoon is seldom
pumped down and
overflows happen after
heavy rains.
Lagoon is never
pumped down and
overflows happen
during normal use.
Wate r di versi on
(ignore if lagoon wat er
is used f or irrigat ion
and st orage v olum e is
adequat e)
All up- slope surface
water and roof runof f
water is diverted from
animal waste areas.
Most up- slope surface
water and roof runoff
water is diverted from
animal waste areas.
No surface water is
diverted. Some roof
runoff water collected
and diverted from
animal waste areas.
All surface and roof
water runs through
animal waste areas.
2
Rank
DAIRY PRODUCTION PRACTICES
Animal-lot
runoff
Low Risk
(rank 4)
Low-Mod Risk
(rank 3)
No lot runoff.
Covered lot protected
from surface water and
roof runoff.
All lot runoff collected
and directed into waste
storage pond.
Animal-lot cleaning No lot. All animals are Once per week.
confined on concrete.
and scraping
Mod-High Risk
(rank 2)
High Risk
(rank 1)
Most of lot runoff
collected and diverted
to grassed filter strip.
Lot runoff
uncontrolled.
Once per month.
Rarely.
Waste storage and
handling facilities
inspection.
All waste storage and
handling facilities are
routinely (once per
week) observed for
leaks, spills or
overflows. Repairs are
made as needed.
Animal waste storage
and handling facilities
are occasionally (once
per month) observed
for leaks, spills or
overflows. Repairs are
made as needed.
Animal waste storage
and handling facilities
are repaired after signs
of leaks, spills or
overflows are observed.
Animal waste storage
and handling facilities
are generally ignored
and not observed for
leaks, spills or
overflows.
Open air
manure stacks
Manure stacked on
concrete slab. Runoff
from stack diverted to
treatment pond. Rain
water diverted away
from stack.
Manure stacked on
packed clay soil layer.
Runoff from stack
diverted to treatment
pond. Rain water
diverted away from
stack.
Manure stacked on high
ground on silt loam,
loam, clay loam or silty
clay soils. Water table
is deeper than 20 feet.
Manure stacked on
low ground or high
ground on sand or
sandy loam soil.
Fractured bedrock or
water table shallower
than 20 feet.
STREAM AND DITCH AREAS
Less than 10 feet of
10 to 50 feet of
50 to 100 feet of
Width of vegetative More than 100 feet of
strip along stream vegetation from bare lot vegetation from bare lot vegetation from bare lot vegetation from bare
lot to stream or ditch.
to stream or ditch.
to stream or ditch.
to stream or ditch.
or ditch
Cattle access to
stream or ditch
Cattle are fenced off
from stream or ditch.
Cattle have access only
at designated stream
crossing sites.
Cattle have access to
Cattle have access to
some portions of stream entire stream or ditch
or ditch.
throughout the year.
Most application areas
are more than 100 feet
from wells, surface
water sources, rock
outcrops or sinkholes,
and have 15% or less
slope. Some sites near
neighbors, but careful
about application
timing.
Several waste
application areas are
less than 100 feet from
wells, surface water
sources, rock outcrops
or sinkholes, or have
slopes greater than
15%. Some odor
complaints.
LAND APPLICATION
Location of waste
application areas
All application areas
are more than 100 feet
from wells, surface
water sources, rock
outcrops or sinkholes,
and have 15% or less
slope. Away from
neighbors, no odor
complaints.
3
Wastes frequently
spread over areas less
than 100 feet from
wells, surface water
sources, rock outcrops
or sinkholes, or on
slopes greater than
15%. Frequent odor
complaints from
neighbors.
Rank
DAIRY PRODUCTION PRACTICES
Low Ris k
(rank 4)
Low-M od Ris k
(rank 3)
M od-High Ris k
(rank 2)
High Ris k
(rank 1)
Soil te s ting of litte r
and compos t
application s ite s
Yearly.
Every 2 years.
Every 3 years.
Less frequently than
every 3 years.
Nutrie nt (N,P,K)
budge ting
Based on waste
analysis, soil test, and
crop nutrient utilization
information or done
according to NMP.
Soil test used. No
waste analysis.
Nutrient value based
on published
estimates.
No waste analysis or
soil test. Nutrient value
based on published
estimates alone.
No waste analysis or
soil test or effort
toward nutrient
accounting.
Re cord ke e ping
Complete records kept
on farm applications
and nutrients leaving
farm through sales or
giveaways.
Partial records kept
on farm applications
and nutrients leaving
farm through sales or
giveaways.
Partial records kept on No records kept.
farm applications but no
records on nutrients
leaving farm.
Was te application
timing
According to accurate
nutrient accounting or
NMP. Never applied
in wet conditions.
Based on when crop
is at growth stage that
usually needs
fertilizing. Try to
avoid applying in wet
conditions.
Based on convenience. Based on convenience.
When manure cleaned
When litter cleaned out
of houses and compost
out of houses and
compost is available.
is available. Often
Try to avoid applying in applied when soil is
wet.
wet conditons.
Was te application
timing
According to accurate
nutrient accounting or
NMP. Never apply on
frozen or saturated soil.
Based on when crop
is at growth stage that
it usually needs
fertilizing. Avoid
applying in wet
conditions.
Based on when can get
around to it.
Sometimes apply when
soil is wet or frozen.
Based only on keeping
holding pond or lagoon
pumped down.
Calibration
Nutrient application
equipment calibrated to
proper application rate
before each applicaiton
and checked at least
once during the
applicaiton period.
Uniform applicaiton
over the area is
assured.
Nutrient equipment
calibrated before each
application but not
rechecked during the
application period.
No effort to assure
uniform nutrient
application over the
area.
Use custom nutrient
hauler and applicator
and assume equipment
is calibrated, or
calibrate equipment
only once a year.
Never calibrate nutrient
application equipment
or ask custom
applicator about
calibration procedure.
SILAGE HANDLING AND LEACHATE
Silage harve s ting
practice s
Harvesting procedures
used to limit moisture
content at time of
storage to 65%.
Silage stored between Silage stored between
65% and 70%.
71% and 85%.
Silage s torage
locations
Storage is at least 100
feet downslope from
well and 100 feet from
surface water.
Storage is 50 to 100
feet downslope of
well and from surface
water.
4
Storage is up- slope
more than 100 feet
from well and 25 to 50
feet from surface water.
Silage stored over
85%.
Storage is up- slope
within 100 feet of well
or within 25 feet of
surface water.
Rank
D AIRY PROD UCTION PRACTICES
Low Ris k
(rank 4)
Low-M od Ris k
(rank 3)
M od-High Ris k
(rank 2)
High Ris k
(rank 1)
Silage s torage
l eachat e colle ction
Collection system in
place and maintained.
Collection system in
place but not
maintained.
No collection system.
Leachate goes into
grassed area.
Tre nch s ilage
s torage
Concrete base.
Covered and surface
water diverted away
from area.
Clay layer base.
Covered and surface
water diverted away
from area.
Soil base. Covered but Soil base. No cover or
surface water diversion
no surface water
away from area.
div ersion away from
area.
Wastewater drains
outside to a designed
grassed area (filter
strip).
Wastewater delivered
Wastewater drained
to septic tank drain field outside into ditch that
system.
flows to surface water
source.
Rank
No collection system.
Leachate goes into low
area or waterway.
M ILKING CENTER WASTEWATER
M ilking ce nte r
was te wate r
Wastewater delivered
directly to liquid
manuer storage.
Number of Areas Ranked ______
Ranking Total _____
(Number of questions answered, if all answered, should total 21.)
NOTES:
5
(Sum of all numbers in the “RANK” Column)
ASSESSMENT EVALUATION:
What Do I Do with These Rankings?
Step 1: Identify Areas That Have Been Determined to be at Risk
Low risk practices (4s) are ideal and should be your goal. Low to moderate risk practices (3s) provide reasonable protection. Moderate to high risk practices (2s) provide inadequate protection in many circumstances.
High risk practices (1s) are inadequate and pose a high risk for causing environmental, health, economic, or
regulatory problems.
High risk practices, rankings of “1” require immediate attention. Some may only require little effort to
correct, while others could be major or costly and may require planning or prioritizing before you take action.
All activities identified as “high risk” or “1s” should be listed in the action plan. Rankings of “2s” should be
examined in greater detail to determine the exact level of risk and attention given accordingly.
Step 2: Determine Your Dairy Risk Ranking
The Dairy Risk Ranking provides a general idea of how your dairy production practices might be affecting your
ground and surface water, contaminating your soil and affecting your air quality.
Use the Rankings Total and the Total Number of Areas Ranked as determined from the questionnaire portion of
this assessment to determine the Dairy Risk Ranking.
RANKINGS TOTAL •• TOTAL NUMBER OF AREAS RANKED = DAIRY RISK RANKING
___________
•
•
___________________________
DAIRY RISK RANKING . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.6 to 4
.........................
2.6 to 3.5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.6 to 2.5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.0 to 1.5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
=
___________
LEVEL OF RISK
Low Risk
Low to Moderate Risk
Moderate Risk
High Risk
This ranking gives you an idea of how your dairy production practices might be affecting your drinking water.
This ranking should serve only as a very general guide, not a precise diagnosis, because if represents an averaging of many individual rankings.
Step 3: Read the Information Section on Improving Your Dairy Production Practices.
While reading this, give some thought to how you could modify your practices to address some of you moderate
and high risk areas. If you have any questions that are not addressed in the Dairy Production Practices Facts
portion of this assessment, consult the references on page 14 or contact your county Extension agent.
Step 4: Transfer Information to the Total Farm Assessment.
If you are completing this assessment as part of a “Total Farm Assessment,” you should also transfer your dairy
risk ranking and your identified high risk practices to the total farm assessment.
6
DAIRY PRODUCTION FACTS:
facilities with plenty of separation between your
wellhead and potential contamination sources.
There are specific regulations for minimum separation of waste storage and treatment facilities from
wells, surface waters, sinkholes, property lines and
dwellings. Try to exceed these minimum standards
whenever possible, and always try to install new
facilities downslope from any water supplies.
Dairy Waste Management
The benefits of properly managing
dairy wastes are both economical and
environmental:
• Reduced commercial fertilizer costs.
• Improved soil tilth and productivity.
• Protected water resources and air quality.
If improperly managed, wastes
generated from dairies can:
• Pollute water resources and air.
• Lose fertilizer value.
• Generate unnecessary removal expense.
• Create a negative social and regulatory environment for agriculture.
A nutrient management plan (NMP) effectively uses dairy waste in an environmentally safe
manner. Any situation where the waste is not effectively managed gives rise to potential pollution from
animal wastes. Livestock waste can be a source of
fecal bacteria. Nitrogen in livestock manures also can
be converted into nitrate nitrogen. Runoff of phosphate can cause excessive aquatic growth in surface
water.
A sound nutrient management plan begins
with the kind and number of animals in the farm
operation and includes every aspect of waste handling
– how the waste will be gathered and stored and how
large the storage facilities need to be. It also specifies
areas to be used for manure application, crops to be
grown, the area of land needed to utilize available
nutrients and the method and timing of application.
For more information and assistance in
developing your nutrient management plan, contact
your local Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS) agricultural consultant, or county extension
office.
Liquid Manure Storage
Manure and other wastes from dairies are
often handled as liquids. These materials are
collected in storage ponds or lagoons until they can
be used efficiently as fertilizers. The liquid wastes
can be applied to croplands and pastures by irrigation equipment or a liquid manure spreader (honey
wagon). Agitation prior to hauling is recommended
to get a uniform consistency and nutrient concentrations over land-application areas. In some facilities,
the treated wastewater is recycled to the freestall
barn and used in the manure flush system as
washwater. Settling basins or mechanical solids
separators may separate some of the suspended
solids before water enters a storage facility, lagoon
or holding pond. These solids are then spread on
land that is not easily irrigated from the lagoon.
This liquid handling system results in large
volumes of nutrient-rich liquids held on farms
throughout much of the year. These nutrients can be
very valuable to the farm if properly managed. The
safety of farm water supplies depends on the design,
operation and maintenance of these liquid-waste
handling facilities. The design should be done by
the NRCS or a qualified consultant. Leaks, overflows, or any other uncontrolled discharge from
these facilities can possibly pollute farm water
supplies. The holding pond or lagoon drawdown
schedule and the land-application plans for liquid
storage facilities are critical to the success of these
waste management systems and the protection of
ground and surface waters and should be an integral
part of the Nutrient Management Plan.
LIVESTOCK WASTE STORAGE
FACILITIES
Location of Facilities
Cattle Loafing and Holding Areas
The location of a new facility and loafing
areas in relation to existing water supplies is an
extremely important factor in protecting the safety
of your drinking water. If it is possible, locate new
Cattle may spend just a few hours to all day
in a loafing or holding area. The amount of animal
waste accumulation in an area is determined by the
7
upslope surface water diversion (ditch, dike,
grassed waterway, etc.), and any downslope stream
or pond should be guarded by a grass filter strip
area, or located so that runoff will go into the
lagoon.
amount of time the animals are there. The animal
waste produced in these areas has the potential to
cause ground water or surface water pollution by
leaching or runoff. In addition to the water pollution potential, odors can be a nuisance problem.
Proper management of livestock yards, confinement facilities and holding areas will help reduce
potential water quality and odor problems.
Cleaning and Scraping
Remove manure on paved areas as often as
possible and properly apply to the land in an
effective nutrient management program. Frequent
removal and land application of animal wastes
helps conserve nutrients in the manure. Frequent
removal also helps reduce odors and flies.
Manure on unpaved areas doesn’t need to
be scraped as frequently, although regular scraping
(as often as two to three times weekly) is still
recommended to reduce drying time after rains,
reduce odors, and avoid the development of large
mud holes. Soil infiltration and leaching may be
reduced from the compaction of the manure and
soil by the animals on the yard, if the lots are
maintained so that muddy conditions are not a
problem. When scraping manure from an unpaved
lot, remove it down to within a few inches of the
soil, the remaining manure layer is usually
copacted and serves as a barrier to water moving
through the manure pack and into the soil. The
runoff should be collected for disposal on cropland
or a vegetative filter strip.
In heavy use areas such as travel lanes, a
geo-tech fabric covered with 6 inches of compacted
crusher-run gravel has been used successfully to
eliminate muddy areas without the expense of
pouring concrete.
Surface Water Diversion
A primary concern with loafing and holding
areas is controlling the movement of nutrients off
the lot. Excess water, such as water from barn
roofs, paved surfaces, and runoff from surrounding
farm areas, should be collected or diverted away
from the livestock yard. Water from roof areas
surrounding the livestock yard can be collected by
gutters and diverted away from the livestock yard
with berms, dikes, grassed waterways or ditches.
There is one exception to this rule. If
lagoon contents are to be used for irrigation, it may
be desirable to let roof and other storm runoff be
captured by the lagoon. In this case, the lagoon
must have sufficient capacity to handle this runoff.
It is advisable to pump the lagoon down during the
summer and fall so that it will hold winter rains.
Runoff from Lots
Runoff water from the livestock yard should
not be allowed to run into streams, lakes or ponds.
The runoff water should be collected and applied to
cropland areas or directed to vegetative filter strip
areas.
Manure Stacks
Inspection of Storage and
Handling Facilities
Solids from a mechanical separator or
settling basin may be stacked on a concrete pad
until they can be spread. Also, during bad weather
or busy work periods, some farmers may scrape
manure into piles in an unpaved yard rather than
hauling. Potential problems depend on characteristics of the livestock yard area where manure is
stacked and the area to which runoff flows.
If a temporary solid manure stack cannot be
avoided, locate it downslope at least 100 feet from
the wellhead. Protect it from surface water by an
Ponds and lagoons provide storage and
biological treatment and prevent ground and
surface water contamination when they are properly designed, constructed and maintained.
Ground water contamination can occur if a
liquid storage or treatment facility allows waste
materials to seep into the soil. A threat to surface
water exists if pits are not emptied frequently
enough and wastes flow over the top of the struc-
8
ture. Liquid storage systems require pumps and
pipes for moving wastes. These must be carefully
installed and maintained to ensure that the pumps
and pipes do not leak.
Inspect all facilities regularly (once per
week) to ensure that no leaks or equipment malfunctions have occurred.
Seepage from earthen storage basins and
lagoons is an area of concern, particularly in sandy
soils. Installation of an impervious lining is now
required in some geographic areas or soil types.
While seepage from earthen waste-storage facilities
is not always easy to recognize, there are some
telltale signs:
• A properly designed structure can handle
wastes from a specific number of animals for a
known number of days. If a pit designed for
180 days storage is receiving designated waste
amounts but has not needed pumping for a year,
the pit is almost certainly leaking.
• Evaporation from storage basins is minimal,
particularly with unseparated manure from
dairy cattle, which forms a crust when it is
stored. If additional liquids have to be added
before the pits can be agitated and pumped,
they may be leaking.
If any problems with storage-facility
deterioration or leakage are suspected, contact the
NRCS office or a consulting engineer for assistance.
Storage basins may emit some odors, but
properly functioning anaerobic or aerobic lagoons
substantially reduce odor emissions. Frequent
occurrences of very foul odors from a lagoon
indicate that the treatment process is not working
properly, perhaps due to overloading. Temporary
foulness can result from a change in the rate wastes
are being delivered to the pond or lagoon, but
investigate persistent foulness. Unfortunately, there
is not enough knowledge available on odor control;
however, a system that is being managed according
to a waste management plan should have fewer
problems. Chemicals and other additives for
controlling odors have varying degrees of success.
They are usually too expensive to use regularly, but
they may be an alternative in problem situations or
certain times of the year. Mechanical aeration of
storage basins and lagoons can also help control
odors, although electrical power costs should be
considered.
STREAMS AND DITCHES
Vegetative Strip
An area of vegetation should be maintained
around all streams and ditches to prevent nutrients
from washing directly into surface water. These
“filter strips” help to remove many of the nutrients
and bacteria from water running off of bare ground
or areas with high density of manure.
Cattle Access
One of the best ways to maintain these
vegetated filter strips is to fence cattle off from the
banks of streams and ditches. This is especially
true where cattle tend to spend time standing in the
water. Use culverts for cattle to cross streams.
This would also hold rue for “wet weather springs”
or ditches that have running water part of the year.
LAND APPLICATION
The most common methods for land application of animal wastes are:
• Sprinkler irrigation systems for applying
diluted wastewater.
• Liquid-manure tank wagons for more concentrated liquids.
• Manure spreaders for solid or semi-solid wastes
or compost.
Tank wagons can require numerous trips to
the field because they generally carry only 1,000 to
2,000 gallons. Applications using any of the above
systems are generally more uniform in material
consistency and nutrient concentration if the material is agitated before hauling or during
sprinkler pumping.
Location
The nutrient management plan (NMP)
should identify the locations, acreage, and crops to
which any wastes are to be applied. An owner may
9
Timing and Odor Control
have plenty of land for application of animal
wastes, but some of it may be located a great
distance from the dairy confinement facilities.
Spreading animal manures on only the nearest field
can result in excessive nutrient loading rates to the
soil and possibly cause water quality problems. It
is generally more economical to use liquid manure
on sites near the storage pond or lagoon and haul
solid manure longer distances.
Land application areas should have less
than 15 percent slopes and applications should not
be made within 25 feet of rock outcrops. There
should be at least a 100-foot wide buffer zone
between the application area and the nearest pond,
stream or waterway. Do not apply waste materials
within 100 feet of the wellhead unless application
rates do not exceed the plant nutrient requirements
in this area.
Garden areas, which are often near the
wellhead, are a potential threat to water supplies
when they receive heavy, yearly applications of
manure. Test garden soils and apply manure and
commercial fertilizer according to soil-test recommendations to avoid the soils from becoming waterpollution sources.
The ground water recharge areas for many
Georgia farm wells include on-farm and neighboring fields. Excessive application of animal manures to croplands may threaten your neighbor’s
water supply, even if it doesn’t affect your own.
The amount of waste applied and the timing
of application are important to reach maximum
fertilizer value, avoid water contamination and
minimize odor problems for you and your neighbors. Apply nutrients when they can be utilized by
the crops and avoid applications on frozen or
saturated soils.
The best recommendation for odor control
during application is to practice the “good neighbor
policy.” Try to apply wastes when wind speed and
direction will not disperse odors and least affect
nearby residents. Avoid applications near dwellings
and try to schedule when neighbors may be gone.
Incorporation of the waste into the soil is another
method that may be used to control odors if practical for the crop being fertilized.
Composting
of solid wastes before application also reduces
odors at application, but also usually reduces the
nitrogen content of the manure.
Calibration of Waste
Application Equipment
Calibration of waste application equipment
such as irrigation systems, tank wagons and manure spreaders, is needed to ensure safe and efficient distribution of waste materials. Calibrate and
recheck equipment at least once during the application period since the consistency of the manure can
vary greatly. For more information about calibration of waste-spreading equipment, contact your
county extension office.
Nutrient Budgeting
The application areas and crops must
accommodate the nutrient loads of the applied
wastes with minimal contamination of local ground
and surface waters. The best application rate
depends on the crop and on the nutrient content of
the soil before the application is made, as well as on
the nutrient content of the waste material. Soil
testing and manure nutrient analysis are recommended procedures for determining animal wastes
application amounts. Test soils yearly; nutrient
contents vary from year to year. Analyze wastes as
well since published values for waste nutrient
content are only guidelines and actual content can
vary greatly.
Record Keeping
Keep records on the amount of material
applied to each field and each crop. In addition, the
amount of manure taken off the farm either through
sales or given away, along with its analysis, should
be recorded.
SILAGE HANDLING AND
LEACHATE
Although animal waste is the primary area
of concern when dealing with nutrient loss and
10
water pollution, there are other areas of concern.
Significant amounts of material may leach from
silos causing potential ground water contamination.
Silage leachate may contain high amounts of
nitrogen.
Numerous cases of failure of these septic systems
have occurred. A properly designed vegetated filter
strip is probably a better solution, if it is impractical to divert the waste to the animal waste lagoon.
Harvesting
NOTES:
Harvesting silage at the correct moisture
content (around 65%) and proper storage will
reduce the volume of leachate from the silo. Other
management techniques to reduce the volume of
leachate coming from silos includes lining or
sealing the bottom of earthen silos or trenches.
Cover the silage with plastic to prevent excess
water from running through the silage. Not only
will this reduce the amount of leachate, it will
improve the quality of the silage.
Location and Design of Silos
Locate silos and trenches as far as practical
from a wellhead, but a minimum of 100 feet, and
preferably down-slope. Trench silos should include
some type of up-slope diversion (berm, dike,
grassed waterway, ditch, etc.) to prevent surface
runoff water from entering the silage. Runoff from
the area should be captured and stored or diverted
into the animal waste lagoon if possible. If not,
maintain a vegetated area between the trench and
any down slope pond, stream or other surface water
body.
MILKING CENTER WASTEWATER
Milking center wastewater is produced
from washing of milking equipment and from
washing or flushing of floors. Water usage for
these purposes ranges from 1,000 to 3,000 gallons
per day per 100 cows.
Dairy wastewater can be combined with
liquid manure for application to the land using
irrigation equipment. Alternative methods include
septic tank systems and vegetated filter strips.
Some disagreement exists concerning the relative
safety of a septic tank system with drain field. The
waste from a milking center is much harder to
digest than residential waste because of its makeup.
11
GLOSSARY:
Dairy Management
Biological treatment: the decomposition of materials by naturally occurring organisms.
Calibration: Determining if equipment is applying the desired amount of material properly distributed.
Confinement house: Any facility where animals are confined and fed or maintained.
Diversion: A channel, embankment, or other man-made structure built to divert water from one area to another.
Filter strip: An area of vegetation for removing sediment, organic material, organisms, nutrients, and chemicals in
runoff or wastewater.
Lagoon: A waste holding and treatment structure designed for biological treatment (anaerobic or aerobic).
Leachate: Liquids that have percolated through a material such as silage, soil or waste material and contain substances in solution or suspension.
Leeching: the removal of soluble materials from soils or other material by water.
Lining: a restrictive covering on the bottom of a holding structure to prevent seepage.
Manure nutrient analysis: Test of a material to determine its nutrient value (usually N, P, or K)
N, P, K: Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Nutrient budgeting: Calculation of the amount of nutrients that are available and the amounts that are used.
Nutrient Management Plan (NWP): A specific plan for managing animal wastes for the highest economic benefit
and environmental protection. The Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Cooperative Extension Service, a
professional engineer registered in Georgia or an agricultural consultant should prepare the plan. It should detail the
management and disposal of wastes generated on the dairy and include maps of the waste-management facilities and
land-application sites.
Runoff: water that has not moved into the soil but moves across the soil or another surface.
Sealing: See lining
Settling basin: A structure in which settleable solids are removed by gravity.
Solids Separator: A device which separates most of the solids from a manure slurry.
Slurry: Material whose water content is high enough that it can be handled as a liquid.
Storage basin: A structure for holding liquid wastes. They can be lined or unlined earthen basins or concrete or steel
tanks.
Tilth: The physical condition of soil related to its ease of tillage, fitness as a seedbed, and restriction to seedling
emergence and root penetration.
12
ACTION PLAN:
An action plan allows you to take the needed steps to modify the areas of concern as identified by your assessment.
The outline provided below is a basic guide for developing an action plan. Feel free to expand your plan if you need
detail or additional areas. Consult the list of references on page 14 if additional assistance is needed.
Area of Concern
Risk Ranking
Planned Action to
Address Concern
13
Time Frame
Estimated Cost
REFERENCES:
CONTACTS AND REFERENCES
Organization
Re s pons ibilitie s
Addre s s
Phone Numbe r
Georgia Environmental
Protection Division
Questions regarding
state regulations on
waste handling systems.
205 Butler St. SE
Floyd Towers East,
Suite 1066
Atlanta, GA 30334
404- 657- 8831
Georgia Milk Producers
Association
General information
about the dairy industry.
Agriculture Building,
Capital Square
Atlanta, GA 30334
404- 656- 5647
Animal and Dairy Sciences Information about dairy
Department
facilities and
University of Georgia
management
Extension Unit
Coliseum
Athens, GA 30602
706- 542- 2581
Biological & Agricultural
Engineering Department
University of Georgia
Information about waste
management facilities
Extension Unit
Driftmier Engineering Center
Athens, GA 30602
706- 542- 2154
Agricultural Pollution
Prevention (P2AD)
Opportunities for pollution
prevention indairy
operations.
BAE Department
Driftmier Engineering Center,
Athens, GA 30602
706- 542- 2154
404- 651- 5120
Cooperative Extension
Service, County Extension
Office
Information on nutrient
management planning.
Area office located near you (Local)
USDA, Natural Resource
Conservation Service
(NRCS)
Help in designing waste
handling and storage
facilities.
Area office located near you (Local)
NOTES:
14
PUBLICATIONS:
University of Georgia, Cooperative Extension Service
Athens, Georgia 30602
•
•
•
•
•
•
Animal Waste and the Environment, Circular 827
Confinement: The Complete Solution to Animal Waste Management, Bulletin 1137
Developing a Nutrient Management Plan for the Dairy Farm, Circular 819-6
Georgia’s Agricultural Waste Regulations, Circular 819-11
Land Application of Livestock and Poultry Manure, Leaflet 378
Your Drinking Water: Nitrates, Circular 819-5
State Soil and Water Conservation Commission
P.O. Box 8024
Athens, GA 30603
•
•
Agricultural Best Management Practices for Protecting Water In Georgia
Planning Considerations for Animal Waste System
Midwest Plan Service
122 Davidson Hall, Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-3080
• Dairy Freestall Housing and Equipment, MWPS-7
• Livestock Waste Facilities Handbook, MWPS-18 1985.
15
Th
eUn
i
v
er
s
i
t
yofGeor
gi
aan
dFt
.Val
l
eySt
at
eUn
i
v
er
s
i
t
y
,t
h
eU.
S.Depar
t
men
tofAgr
i
c
u
l
t
u
r
ean
dc
ou
n
t
i
esoft
h
es
t
at
e
c
ooper
at
i
n
g.Cooper
at
i
v
eEx
t
en
s
i
on
,t
h
eUn
i
v
er
s
i
t
yofGeor
gi
aCol
l
egeofAgr
i
c
u
l
t
u
r
al
an
dEn
v
i
r
on
men
t
al
Sc
i
en
c
es
,
of
f
er
sedu
c
at
i
on
al
pr
ogr
ams
,as
s
i
s
t
an
c
ean
dmat
er
i
al
st
oal
l
peopl
ewi
t
h
ou
tr
egar
dt
or
ac
e,c
ol
or
,n
at
i
on
al
or
i
gi
n
,age,
gen
derordi
s
abi
l
i
t
y
.
AnEqual
Oppor
t
uni
t
yEmpl
oy
er
/
Af
f
i
r
mat
i
veAct
i
onOr
gani
z
at
i
onCommi
t
t
edt
oaDi
ver
seWor
kFor
ce
Bu
l
l
et
i
n1
15213
Rev
i
ewedMay
,2009