Volume 3 Number 2

While the plan itself focuses on regulating many of the farms that should already have permits in Georgia, another document called the Compliance Assurance Implementation Plan for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation expands the EPA's scope and details the enforcement options. Inspections are the key to this plan and by law, CAFO's (exceeding 1,000 animal units) should have been inspected to obtain a permit. This new plan requires the NPDES authorized agency (Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division for Georgia) to conduct inspections within three years of all permitted CAFO's and any AFO's (operations with 300 animal units) located in priority watersheds or in areas of high animal density, located near surface water, and or any that have recieved citizen complaints. The plan also calls for the EPA to develop training materials for the States to train inspectors at a regional level.

Copies of the draft strategy are available from EPA's Water Resource Center at phone (202) 260-7786 or on the World Wide Web site linked to the AWARE homepage.

Georgia's Response to New EPA Plan
Since 1991, Georgia's animal feeding operation regulation has been guided by a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Environmental Protection Division (EPD), the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission, and the USDA- NRCS. Basically, this MOU called for those operations defined as CAFO's (1,000 animal units) to be permitted through the EPD wastewater land application program, while smaller farms were required to meet no discharge standards enforced by the SSWCC and NRCS. Although the MOU has been effective, the new EPA requirements and other developments will require the EPD to develop a new strategy.

The EPD is in the process of developing this new strategy and has developed a stakeholder's advisory group that will meet in June to discuss new regulations. They are proposing a tiered regulatory approach based on facility size which could range from no regulation for very small operations through general permitting for medium sized facilities and detailed site specific provisions for the largest operations. Several members of the AWARE team will be involved in this stakeholder's group and we hope to insure that any new requirements are firmly based in science.

The EPA plan requires that the states submit plans to them by October so we should be able to provide an update in the next newsletter. Until then, I suggest keeping your producers informed and make them aware of the heightened interest in animal agriculture. We have already seen increases in the number of inspections conducted Nationally and in Georgia and the best way of insuring that these inspections do not lead to enforcement is to insure that producers are doing everything they can to comply with all laws and protect water quality.

Manure Management Bills in Congress
Two bills regarding manure management have recently been introduced to Congress. Senator Tom Harkin's (D-IA) Animal Agriculture Reform Act, introduced last October, has been referred to the Senate's Committee on Agriculture. Meanwhile, representative George Miller's (D-CA) Farm Sustainability and Animal Feedlot Enforcement Act, introduced in February, has been sent to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The highlights of each bill are listed below.

Harkin (S. 1323):
* limits the size of confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) by 60% for most animal types;
* requires every CAFO to have an animal waste management plan;
* limits manure application to agronomic rates, based on the nutrient of concern;
* requires producers to prove that they have sufficient land on which to spread their manure;
* places responsibility for manure on the owners of the animals, not the operators;
* implements siting requirements for manure application and lagoons; * designates USDA, rather than EPA, as the regulatory authority for water pollution control permitting of large feedlots; and
* bestows discretionary authority for aerial spraying to the USDA.

Miller (H.R. 3232):
* lowers the size threshold for CAFOs, increasing the number of facilities that have to eliminate waste discharges;
* requires all facilities of 500 or more animal units to obtain a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit;
* improves water quality monitoring, record-keeping, and reporting requirements for CAFOs,
* directs EPA, not USDA, to develop science-based limits for land application of animal waste based on local soil type and hydrology, waste composition, and crop nutrient requirements;
* makes it unlawful to apply animal waste to land in excess of established limits; and
* requires EPA to revise Clean Water Act regulations to phase-out open air lagoons for waste storage, eliminate surface and groundwater pollution from CAFOs, and promote technologies that do not rely on the large scale storage of animal waste.

Several environmental groups have supported the Miller bill, while not endorsing the Harkin Bill. The most cited concerns about the Harkin bill include the use of USDA rather than EPA authority and the retention of the lagoon system for manure treatment. Both of these bills can be viewed by going through the AWARE web page.

Animal Feedlot Moratorium Issue Heats up in Minnesota
Minnesota's House of Representatives passed legislation which imposes a three year moratorium on the creation or expansion of large animal feedlots. The state senate, however, voted down the moratorium and added measures that would promote feedlots. The senate's measures include a recalculation of animal units that would double the number of hogs (to 3,750) allowed in a new feedlot, as well as a measure that prohibits people who don't live near proposed feedlots from challenging them on environmental grounds. Both houses have approved $1.2 million to fund the first year of a two year study on the environmental and economic impact of feedlots.

The issue has polarized rural Minnesotan communities. Several counties and townships have implemented their own regulations, and the debates surrounding the implementation of these local ordinances has made enemies of neighbors. Some citizens complain about the Minnesota
Pollution Control Agency's (MPCA) permitting strategy, stating that a lack of funding and a farmer-dominated board has thwarted environmental concerns. Peder Larson, MPCA Commissioner, countered that Minnesota has been recognized as a nationalleader on the issue.
(From AGRINEWS, March 12, 1998)

California Dairy Farmer Sentenced for Clean Water Violations
On March 13, Pete Hettinga, managing partner of the 3H Dairy Farm in Oakdale, Calif., pleaded guilty and was sentenced for 10 violations of the Clean Water Act in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California in Fresno. The court ordered Hettinga to spend 90 days in jail, serve a 90-day period of home confinement, pay a fine of $100,000, agree to make at least $101,000 in improvements to his farm and serve four years probation. This is the first time an operator of aconcentrated animal feeding operation has been sentenced to serve jail time for water pollution in California. In his plea, the defendant admitted to negligently discharging waste-water polluted with cow urine, feces and wash water into waterways that flow into the Tuolumne River and Sacramento Delta. The discharge of concentrated organic wastes can lead to algae blooms and fish kills. This case was investigated by members of the Dairy Waste Enforcement Task Force which includes EPA's Criminal Investigation Division, EPA's Region 9 Office, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the California Environmental Protection Agency, the California Department of Fish and Game and the California Regional Water Control Board.

Poultry Processor Pays $6 Million in Water Pollution Settlement
Hudson Foods, Inc. agreed to pay $4 million in federal fines and $2 million to curb chicken waste runoff in Maryland's waterways, the largest water pollution settlement in state history. The agreement may shift much of the financial cost of pollution control from chicken farmers to the large scale processors on Delmarva Peninsula. Many officials believe that processor liability is necessary in order to limit further outbreaks of the microbe Pfiesteria piscicida. Tyson Foods, Inc. noted the alleged pollution occurred between 1993 and early 1997, before Tyson bought Hudson.
(Source: Paul W. Valentine, WASHINGTON POST, May 9, 1998.)

Tulsa Demands Help from Poultry Industry
Lake Eucha is one of Tulsa Oklahomas primary sources for drinking water. Officials estimate that approximately 750 chicken houses are located within the watershed, each containing about 110,000 birds. A 1997 study by the Oklahoma Conservation Commission linked phosphorus from poultry waste runoff to excessive algae growth in the lake, which has lead to drinking water taste and odor problems. Tulsa residents have spent thousands of dollars to treat these problems.

Several poultry companies have promoted a voluntary program as a solution to the water quality problems. However, several local officials are calling for meaningful regulations and enforcement as the only feasible long-term method to treat animal waste. "Regulations for the sake of regulations are not what we want," said Tulsa Mayor Susan Savage. "What we want is the poultry industry to be an industry responsible to the environment." Savage is requesting a long-term financial commitment from the industry.

Six poultry integrators -- Peterson Farms, Simmons Foods, Tyson Foods, George's, Cobb Vantress and Cargill -- contract with growers in the watershed, which stretches from Oklahoma into Arkansas. During a Feb. 25 meeting, the poultry federation stated that chicken waste would be spread this spring on fields in the Lake Eucha watershed at a rate of no more than 300 pounds of phosphorus per acre. The phosphorus standard, set by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, was recently lowered from 400 to 300 pounds per acre.

Tulsa has begun to buy land around Lake Eucha in an effort to create a buffer zone for their drinking water supply. However, the mayor and other officials would like assistance from the integrators for the implementation of these programs. "I think it is patently unfair to ask the citizens of Tulsa to pay, out of the state's general fund, for either all or a large portion of these programs," she said.
(From TULSA WORLD, March 16, 1998.)


Illinois Property Values Lowered near Hog Farm
Due to odor problems, DeWitt County, Illinois officials have lowered property values for more than 20 people whose homes are within two miles of a 7,400-sow farm. The three-member Board of Review dropped property value assessments by 30 percent for neighbors who live within 1 ½ miles of the hog operation, and a 10 percent reduction to others whose homes are within two miles of the facility. Board of Review Chairman Marvin Morris sympathized with the homeowners, stating, "I
would not want to have a cookout; I would not want to be sitting in my backyard and have to smell it."

Chirag Mehta, agriculture program coordinator for the Illinois Stewardship Alliance, believes that this is Illinois's first reassessment of property values due to large-scale hog farms. However
Chris Boyster, a spokesman for the Illinois Pork Producers Association, believes that odor is often subjective, and stated "What is offensive to one person may not be offensive to another." Boyster also said that large-scale livestock facilities add to property values and create jobs.
(Source: Adriana Colindres, PEORIA JOURNAL STAR, May 6, 1998.)

City in Kansas Rejects Hog Feedlot
In a stunning display of democracy in action, four write-in candidates resoundingly defeated four incumbent city council members in a recent election for Great Bend, Kansas City Council. The introduction of a Seaboard Farms hog production plant was the divisive issue; all four defeated incumbents supported an expanded pork industry presence, while the victorious write-in candidates were opposed to expanded hog operations.

Reacting to the election results, Great Bend Mayor Lillian Papay announced that the city was no longer interested in housing the $100 million processing plant. She stated that the people of Great Bend have spoken loud and clear. I respect that decision and am writing a letter to Seaboard today explaining the feeling of our community and our opposition to them continuing to consider locating in our area. I have instructed our city staff to discontinue any work relating to the
review of facts regarding Seaboard locating here.
Source: Chuck Smith, GREAT BEND TRIBUNE, April 8, 1998

Hog Manure Boosts Corn Yield More Than Fertilizer In Missouri Study
Hog manure boosted corn yield more than commercial nitrogen fertilizer in a series of field studies conducted by University of Minnesota soil scientist Gyles Randall of the Southern Experiment Station at Waseca. Randall says some hog operations produce more manure than their available land base can environmentally accept. As a result, producers sometimes work out an arrangement to apply manure to their neighbors' land. However, the neighbors often question the value of the manure compared with fertilizer nitrogen, and may be dubious about accepting manure. The need to transport manure can also raise questions about its value.

Randall conducted seven field studies in five southern Minnesota counties over the past 11 years in which he compared hog manure to fertilizer nitrogen. At each site, finishing hog slurry manure from under-barn pits was applied in the spring and incorporated immediately. There was also fall application at two sites. Manure application rates were 3000 gallons to 4000 gallons per acre at six of the sites and 6050 gallons per acre at the other site. For the comparison, fertilizer nitrogen was applied at all sites at rates considered to be optimum and non-limiting for corn. Soil test levels for potassium and phosphorus were high to very high at all sites.

"Corn yields were greater for slurry hog manure than for commercial fertilizer at six of the seven sites," says Randall. "At these six sites, corn yielded 10.7 bushels per acre more with spring-applied manure than with the non-limiting nitrogen fertilizer rate. In the two studies where manure was applied in both the fall and spring, yields were increased 7.5 bushels per acre with the fall application and 15 bushels per acre with the spring application."

Randall says the study results clearly show a yield-enhancing effect from hog manure compared with fertilizer nitrogen. "A yield response of this magnitude is definitely a good reason to use management practices that efficiently utilize manure rather than just disposing of it," he concludes.

Manure Cuts Sediment, Phosphorus Loss
University of Minnesota researchers have discovered that manure applications can help reduce sediment and phosphorus losses from fields. As part of a residue management study, they applied the equivalent of 25 tons of steer manure per acre, incorporating it in some plots using a moldboard plow and in others through a combination of ridge-till planting and cultivation. By collecting the runoff, they were able to monitor sediment and phosphorus losses.

As expected, sediment losses were much lower in ridge-tilled plots than in plots that had been plowed. But in both ridge-tilled and plowed plots, sediment loss was only half as great where manure was applied as it was in soil tilled the same way but not treated with manure. Phosphorus losses were similarly reduced in manure-treated plots.

Soil scientist John Moncrief speculates that organic compounds in manure act as cementing agents, binding tiny soil particles together to form larger particles that are less likely to erode. And the phosphorus? Because that element binds fairly tightly to soil particles, he figures that keeping more soil in place helps keep phosphorus in place as well. (From The Furrow, 1998 Special Conservation Issue)

Phosphorous Problems May Change Farming Practices
The recommended rate at which a farmer can apply manure to a field is generally calculated by the crops uptake rate of nitrogen. Phosphorous, which is needed in smaller concentrations than nitrogen,
is sometimes applied at much higher rates than required by the crops. Agronomists traditionally maintained that phosphorous remains bound to the soil and does not runoff into surface waters or percolate into groundwater. More recent studies, however, have shown that phosphorous
is more mobile than previously believed, and agriculture may contribute more phosphorous to surface waters than was once suspected.

Researchers from Purdue University and other institutions are developing a set of new environmental guidelines, based on recent research on phosphorous, that will tell farmers how much manure they
can spread on land without over-applying phosphorous. Many agricultural policy experts believe that manure application rates will soon be limited by the agronomic uptake of both nitrogen and
phosphorous. This will have a considerable effect on farmers; manure could only be applied at about one-quarter to one-half of present rates. Farmers would then have to purchase nitrogen fertilizer to
obtain adequate nitrogen and find new methods of utilizing (or disposing) the extra manure.

One method of alleviating the nutrient excesses is to tweak the available nutrients in animal feed. Purdue scientists are testing a new corn variety that is more absorbable for animals, thereby reducing the phosphorous in manure. Phosphorous loads may also be reduced by adding the phytase enzyme to animal feeds, which makes more phosphorous available to pigs.

Despite these recent technology breakthroughs, many farmers have serious concerns about a phosphorous-based application rate. Lancaster County, Pennsylvania hog farmer Jere Swarr stated that he would have to buy nitrogen fertilizer and haul a lot of manure out of the county. It would be an economic nightmare for farmers. Jim Shirk, also of Lancaster County, believes that zero application of phosphorous could severely hinder, or even could even kill, animal agriculture in Lancaster County. (From PURDUE UNIVERSITY NEWS SERVICE, April 3, 1998)

Large Nutrient Reductions Needed in NC Rivers
Nitrogen and phosphorous concentrations in the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico Rivers have declined since 1980, but the levels are still high enough to cause water quality problems, according to a five-year investigation by the U.S. Geological Survey. The report found that 50% and 30% reductions in summertime nitrogen and phosphorous concentrations are necessary in the Neuse and Tar Rivers, respectively, to attain water quality guidelines. Algal blooms and low-dissolved oxygen levels are usually a problem in mid- to late-summer.

Nutrient concentrations in the Tar and Neuse Rivers have been linked to anthropocentric sources, particularly agriculture. However, the report also presents evidence that natural geologic sources of phosphorous exasperate the problem. Phosphorus in ground water discharging to streams of the Neuse and Tar River Basins is often 0.2 part per million (ppm) or more, much higher than the recommended maximum stream concentration of 0.05 ppm.

The report also found that of the 49 shallow groundwater samples taken in the Coastal Plain of Virginia and North Carolina, 4 percent exceeded the 10-ppm nitrate drinking water standard. Several pesticides were detected in stream samples, most commonly atrazine, alachlor,
metolachlor, and prometon. They generally did not exceed drinking water standards. Also, DDT and its breakdown products can still be detected in sediments, clams, and fish tissue.

The report can be viewed on the World Wide Web at http://water.usgs.gov/lookup/get?circ1157/
(from USGS PRESS RELEASE, April 16, 1998)

Phosphorus Targets Achieved in Lake Erie, but Results Are Mixed
In 1972, Canada and the United States agreed to work together under the terms of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement to reduce phosphorus loadings in Lake Erie. Phosphorus loadings are now under control, with phosphorus concentrations at or below the target levels of 15 ug/l in the western basin and 10 ug/l in the central and eastern basins. Ironically, this success may be partly responsible for the recent declines in some fish species.

Several species of fish feed on phytoplankton and zooplankton. These plankton depend on nutrients for their own feed. Thus a reduction in phosphorous limits the growth of plankton, and in turn the growth of prized fish species such as yellow perch, rainbow smelt and walleye. Further exasperating the problem is the invasion of the non-native zebra and quagga mussels. Mussels filter the water, removing plankton for their own feed. The result of this unwanted filtration has been a dramatic change in the water quality characteristics of Lake Erie, harming certain species of fish while promoting the growth of others.

Some fishing advocates have suggested increasing phosphorous loads to Lake Erie as a method of maintaining populations of important fish species. However, increased phosphorous concentrations would likely promote the growth of non-native mussels rather than the desired fish. Furthermore, increased phosphorous concentration may encourage Lake Erie's previous problems, such as excessive algae growth and low dissolved oxygen levels.
(From LAKE ERIE COMMITTEE PRESS RELEASE, Feb 17, 1998)

New Corn Hybrid Cuts Phosphorous In Animal Waste Up To 40%
A new feed corn hybrid that could be commercially available by 2000 cuts phosphorous in animal manure by up to 40 percent and could help reduce water pollution, the Agriculture Department said today. The corn hybrid, part of President Clinton's clean water initiative announced Thursday, was developed and patented by an Agriculture Research Service geneticist in Aberdeen, Idaho. The first license to produce hybrid corn seed was signed earlier this month with Pioneer Hi-Bred International, the Iowa-based seed giant that collaborated on the research. ``USDA is making this technology widely available to maximize its environmental benefits and boost farm income,'' Glickman said. The geneticist, Victor Raboy, said the new variety has a lower amount of phytic acid, which is plentiful in regular corn. This acid stores phosphorous in an unusable form in animals with one stomach, including chickens and hogs, meaning that much of it winds up in their manure. The new hybrid reduces phytic acid by two-thirds, which can cut phosphorous in chicken and hog manure by between 25 percent and 40 percent. At the same time, the animal is able to absorb more phosphorous into its body as a nutrient, reducing the costly need for farmers to add it to feed.

"We believe we can get to the market with a product that's going to meet the needs of the animal, the producer, and be better for the environment," said Bill Neibur, corn research director at Pioneer.

The low-acid corn plant is undergoing tests to determine whether it has desirable yields and resistance to pests and disease. It could be ready for the market in about two years. The corn feed would have little impact on cattle and other multiple-stomach animals, which have an enzyme that breaks down phytic acid and already absorb more phosphorous into their bodies.
(Source: Curt Anderson, AP Wire Service, Washington)

NRCS Releases National Nutrient Study
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced the availability of a study that provides county-by-county data on nutrients available from livestock manure relative to crop growth requirements. It reflects potential rather than
actual nutrient use. The analysis shows that 485 counties have more manure phosphorus production than non-legume crops and hay could use. 266 counties have more manure nitrogen production that non-legume crops and hay could use. The study is based upon the 1992 Census of Agriculture--the most recent information available.

"Nutrients Available From Livestock Manure Relative to Crop Growth Requirements," was commissioned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and is available on the Internet through the NRCS World Wide Web home page at http://www.nhq.nrcs.usda.gov/land/pubs/nlw eb.html. Single copies are available from NRCS at (202) 720-8644.

NRCS Releases Draft Guidance on Nutrient Management Planning
The NRCS recently released a draft of a guidance document that they use for nutrient management planning. While this guidance is not law, it is important in that it dictates the "standard" for nutrient management and outlines exactly what will be needed in order to get financial assistance from the NRCS in the area of nutrient management. Some of the key provisions in this document are:
_ plans should be developed by the NRCS or Certified Crop Advisors,
_ plans should consist of site maps with soil information, crops, soil tests or plant analysis, a complete nutrient budget, realistic yield goals, recommended rates, methods and timing of applications, and designation of sensitive areas to be avoided,
_ if you are located in a area designated as having impaired water quality, risk analysis of leaching and runoff potential needs to be included,
_ plans should be reviewed by the producer annually and by a certified specialist every five years,
_ nutrient budgets should be based on soil specific phosphorus threshold data if available (it is not in Georgia).
_ If threshold data is not available, nutrient application should be based on soil test P as follows:
Soil Test P Level Allowable P Application
Low Nitrogen Based Rates
Medium Nitrogen Based Rates
High 1.5 times Crop Removal
Very High Crop Removal
Excessive No Application
While this guidance has several other considerations, the most important is the acknowledgment that record keeping is vital. Too often producers get caught up in the details of budgeting nutrients when in fact, good records may be the most important aspect. Several members of the AWARE team have commented on this guidance document and these comments have been forwarded to Washington. Hopefully, these comments will be well received and the final document that is produced as guidance to the NRCS will be out in the near future.

UGA Extension Service Conducts Training for Poultry Companies
Tyson Poultry, one of Georgia's largest integrators, is in the midst of a national effort to move toward more environmentally sound production practices. As a part of this effort, they have created a new handbook for environmental practices that they expect all of their producers to follow. These practices include nutrient management plans. To train their growers on developing and implementing these plans, they requested the UGA Cooperative Extension Service, the USDA NRCS, and internal field service representatives to conduct training workshops for all growers. The prime purpose of these workshops was to introduce the policy and methods of implementation. To date, training workshops have been conducted for the counties surrounding Dawsonville, Buena Vista, and Vienna. As expected, these actions have caught the attention of other companies and plans are already being developed to conduct similar training sessions for layer operations around Social Circle and for many of Fieldale's growers. Not only should the poultry companies be commended for these voluntary efforts, but everyone involved should be proud of themselves for putting these workshops together and getting the information out in such a timely manner. While Dr. Bill Segars, Frank Henning and local County Extension Coordinators spearheaded the University's involvement with these training workshops, the AWARE team was also integral to their success in terms of provided current information and mechanisms to respond so quickly.

Cooperative Manure Digester to Start Construction
After permits are acquired this spring, construction is expected to start on a large- scale anaerobic digester in Tillamook, Oregon that could handle up to 400 tons/day of manure from 30,000 cows and pre- consumer food residuals collected by a Willamette Valley disposal company. Over 40 dairy farms in the area formed MEADCO, a manure supply cooperative in 1996 and have agreed to deliver an average of 368 tons of manure daily to the Methane Energy and Agricultural Development (MEAD) project. Under development since 1989, MEAD evolved out of a cooperative partnership between the Tillamook County Soil and Water Conservation District, Tillamook People's Utility District, the Port of Tillamook Bay and the Tillamook County Creamery Association.

Tillamook Gardens Ltd. (TGL), a recently formed company, will own and operate the digestion facility. The majority owner of TGL is a holding company--Alternative Generation of Energy, Inc. (AGE)--formed by Eco-Tec of Northwest America, BTB Engineering management and Sletten Construction Companies. AGE has agreed to provide up to $4 million to finance the project. Eco-Tec, a Sandpoint, Idaho firm, will construct the digester using the design and technology from Eco Tec OY of Finland and engineering from Carl Bro Group of Denmark.

Liquid manure will to be taken by tanker trucks from participating farms to the treatment facility at a cost of one cent/gallon ($2.40/ton) for hauling. After anaerobic digestion for eight to 10 days, methane from the resulting biogas will be purchased and piped to gas-fed boilers to produce steam and/or electricity for the Creamery Association. Processed solids and liquid fractions will be separated by centrifuge. The solids will be mixed with log yard residuals and then composted to produce potting soil. Extracted liquid (under three percent solids) will be distributed to participating farmers for land application. Although the sanitized liquid is said to contain about the same amount of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium as conventional liquid manure, it is considered to be more readily available for plant uptake, free of pathogens and weed seeds, and less odorous.
(From Biocycle 4/98)

UGA Joins National Consortium on Animal and Poultry Waste Management
At the request of several members of the AWARE team, the University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences has recently joined the Animal and Poultry Waste Management Consortium. This consortium consists of several Universities including North Carolina State University, Iowa State University, Purdue University, Oklahoma State University, Michigan State University, and The University of Missouri as well as many industries involved with animal and poultry waste management. The goal of this program is to:
1) research and develop technologies by which food-animal co-products can be recycled and utilized,
2)evaluate commercially available products and technologies for applications of odor control, and
3) demonstrate commercial scale applications of technologies targeting water quality concerns.
Not only does our membership in the consortium give us access to research and demonstration projects conducted at the Animal and Poultry Waste Management Center but it should also provide us with the opportunity to secure grants funding for research projects here in Georgia.

The University is also involved with a $4 million Fund for Rural America Grant to establish a National Animal and Poultry Waste Management Center that would also be located in Raleigh. This grant has made it to the final stages of evaluation and, if funded, would be very beneficial to animal producers throughout the nation.

EVENTS
"Facing a Watershed: Managing Profitable and Sustainable Landscapes in the 21st Century." Sponsored by USDA's Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Professional Development Program in the North Central Region. Workshops will be held in three locations: St. Charles, IL--June 10-12, Traverse City, MI--June 24-26, Ames, Iowa--July 13-15. contact Heidi Carter at phone: (402) 472-0917 or email: csas007@unlvm.unl.edu

Pfiesteria and Pfiesteria-Like Organisms in Costal Waters, June 30-July 1, Atlanta, GA, Contact: Steve Otwell, 352-392-4221, otwell@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu

Soil and Water Conservation Society 53rd Annual Conference, July 5-9, San Diego, CA. Contact: 515-289-2331 E-mail: sueb@swcs.org

Animal Production Systems & the Environment- An International Conference on Odor, Water Quality, Nutrient Management and Socioeconomic issues: July 19-22, Des Moines, IA. Contact: Kay Snyder, 515-294-4202, E-mail: kjsnyder@iastate.edu.

Nutrient Management Planning Workshop, August 17-18, Danville, Illinois, Contact: http://www.agcentral.com/nutrients/program .htm
Grazing Workshop, December 15, Athens, GA. Contact: Mark McCann, 706-542-2584.

Grazing Workshop, December 15, Athens, GA. Contact: Mark McCann


UGA Confined Animal Operations Training Session, December 16-17, Athens, GA. Contact: Mark Risse, 706-542-9067
mrisse@bae.uga.edu.

Editors: Glen Harris
Extension Agronomist

Mark Risse
Extension Ag Engineer

cc: Dr. Gale Buchanan