AWARE NEWS

October 2001,volume 6, number 2

http://www.engr.uga.edu/service/aware/

Editors: Dr. L.M. Risse and T.M. Bass

In this issue:

·        Greetings from the Editor

·        Results from GA litter Testing Program

·        Summary of Summer Trainings

·        Georgia P(phosphorus) Index

·        AWARE Web Updates

·         Voluntary Assessments

·        Training Outlook

·        New Swine Regulations Passed

·        Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship Curriculum

·        Calendar

Greetings from the Editor

Summer 2001 was a busy time for animal waste management projects.  We would like to thank all of those who contributed to promoting the many hours of training we put on this summer related to CNMP’s.  The list includes people from various UGA Departments, the Extension Service, GA Department of Agriculture, Pollution Prevention Assistance Division - GA EPD, several producer groups and associations and many others who care about Georgia agriculture and the environment.  The AWARE group is already preparing for next year’s trainings, an overview of those opportunities is included in this issue.  The feature article for this issue is presented by Dr. David Kissel, of the UGA Agricultural and Environmental Services Laboratories, in which he summarizes data from the very successful free Poultry Litter Testing Program.  If you have an idea for a feature article or you have research or information you wish to share with AWARE News subscribers, please contact us.  Also, your calendar items for agriculture waste, natural resource conservation and pollution prevention events are always welcome for submission.  We have been getting a lot of calls lately for CNMP assistance, and regulatory and permiting information.  In the next issue we will publish a section on these frequenbtly asked questions.  Thanks, and have a nice fall.  Go Dawgs.

TMB    

Results from the Litter Testing Program

David E. Kissel - University of Georgia Agricultural and Environmental Services Laboratories

The free litter testing program was begun during April, 2000. The University of Georgia Agricultural and Environmental Services Laboratories has provided this service to poultry producers free of charge, because of the funding received from the Georgia General Assembly for that purpose. The free litter testing program has been used extensively by poultry producers since it began more than 12 months ago. In past years, the laboratory typically analyzed no more than 100 poultry litter samples per year. In the past 12 months, ending June 30, 2001, 2747 litter samples were analyzed. The distribution of the samples received by month is shown in the figure below. The number of samples received in the various months peaked in October with 400 samples, but sample numbers have remained in the range of 150 to 250 per month since that time.

A sample submission form accompanies each litter sample sent to the laboratory. On the form, the producer indicates both the kind of poultry litter/manure (Broiler, Layer, Breeder, or Pullet) being submitted as well as its condition (fresh, stockpiled, composted, or lagoon).  Results are reported both as a nutrient concentration (either % or as parts per million), and as an amount that is contained in a ton of litter (lbs/ton).

The results of all litter analysis are archived in a database at the laboratory. A summary of nutrient concentrations for various kinds of litters, for the period of July 1, 2000 to June 30, 2001, is shown in the table below. All results are reported on an “as received” basis without drying of the samples. Only those litter kinds for which more than 40 samples were analyzed are shown. Results are given in parts per million (ppm). To express the values as percent, move the decimal four places to the left. For example, 32,082 ppm N equals 3.208 % N.

The predominant kind of litter samples submitted was fresh broiler litter with nearly 1700 samples during the year. This category includes the data for the two categories immediately following, “Litter-Broiler-Fresh-Caked” and “Litter-Broiler-Fresh-Full Cleanout” (these data were subsets of the “Litter-Broiler-Fresh”). The nutrient concentrations of the three fresh broiler litters are very similar, and are the highest of all kinds of litter. The average concentrations of N, P₂O₅, and K₂O for the fresh broiler litters were approximately 3.2%, 2.7%, and 2.3%, respectively.

Litters that underwent storage, by stockpiling, generally had similar concentrations of phosphorus and potassium as the fresh litters. Broiler litters that were composted, however, were about 10% higher in phosphorus and slightly higher in potassium. This is probably because in the composting process, some organic matter is lost as carbon dioxide, but the phosphorus and potassium remains in the material, therefore it becomes more concentrated. Nitrogen was lower in both the stockpiled and composted litter, due to loss of part of the nitrogen in the storage and composting process.

The litters from layers and breeders are different from broiler litters in some important ways. First, they are lower in nitrogen at an average of 2.15%N, but higher in P₂O₅ at 3.12% and similar in potassium concentrations to the fresh litters. The most striking difference is in the high calcium concentrations of these litters at around 6.5%, nearly four times higher than the fresh litters. Application of those litters to crops will help to maintain or raise soil pH.

Approximate concentrations of copper and zinc in the fresh broiler litter were 320 and 265 ppm respectively. These nutrients, especially zinc, should be monitored in soil over time, because continued application will result in accumulation of these elements in soil. Peanuts are particularly sensitive to high levels of soil zinc. When soil pH is maintained at the recommended level of pH 6, soil test zinc levels of 20 lb per acre are the critical level, above which there may be some toxicity to peanuts with a possible reduction in yield. In recent field studies carried out over four years by Dr. Gary Gascho and colleagues at the Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, a total of 40 tons of litter were applied to crops at their highest rate and the crop performance and soil test levels were measured. The litter applied in this study contained an average of 216 ppm zinc. At this concentration, 17 lb zinc per acre was applied in the 40 tons of litter. They found that the soil test zinc increased by 11 lb zinc per acre from this litter application. The soil at the test site was a Tifton loamy fine sand, typical of many soils in the Coastal Plain region of Georgia. Based on this result of 17 lb zinc raising the soil test zinc by 11 lb, this gives a ratio of 17/11= 1.6 lb of zinc added to raise the soil test zinc by l lb per acre. At lower rates of litter application, they found that 2.3 and 2.8 lb of zinc raised the soil test zinc by one lb per acre.

If we consider a typical crop rotation of two years of cotton followed by one year of peanuts (no litter is applied to peanuts), and if the maximum recommended rate of application of 2 tons of litter per acre is followed for the cotton, then an average application would be 1.3 tons per year (4 tons every 3 years). If litter has 265 ppm zinc, then 1.3 tons of litter would contain 0.7 lb of zinc. Over a period of 20 years, 14 lb of zinc would be applied. If we assume that 2 lb of zinc would be needed to raise the soil test 1 lb per acre, then the 14 pounds contained in the litter would raise the soil test by 7 lb per acre. Even over a forty year period this should not be a problem with these application rates if the soil test zinc started at a low level. However, with heavier applications in double cropping and/or on some soils sandier than those in the Tifton study, the soil test may build more quickly, so caution should be exercised to avoid excessive applications of litter, especially if peanuts will be grown in the future. Land receiving litter should be monitored for its available nutrient levels by regular soil testing, at least every two or three years.

University of Georgia –

Soil, Plant, and Water Laboratory

Poultry Litter Test Summary

(All Results ppm)

Summary of Summer Trainings

The AWARE team had a successful summer of trainings with over 150 producers and 30 agents, consultants and state employees attending programs addressing various aspects of nutrient management.  The Poultry Extension group spearheaded two layer operator trainings in July to certify those producers in the state who maintain liquid manure handling systems.    These trainings were conducted in Gainesville and Blackshear Georgia.  Also in July, UGA Extension Engineering and Animal Science provided 4 hours of Nutrient Management Planning continuing education for hog producers at the Georgia Pork Congress at Veteran’s Memorial State Park, outside of Cordele Georgia.  Attending producers fulfilled their CE requirement for the first 2 years of their CNMP period. 

In late August, a two day Animal Waste System Operator Training was conducted for producers.  Attendees were approximately 80% dairymen, with the remainder being represented by hog producers.  The state certified approximately 20 more Nutrient Management Planners after a two-day training conducted at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education.  UGA departments and Extension units cooperating in this summer’s trainings include Crop and Soil Sciences, Animal and Dairy Science, Poultry Science, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, and the Agricultural and Environmental Services Laboratory.  Other contributing groups include Georgia Department of Agriculture, USDA-NRCS, America’s Clean Water Foundation, P2AD of the Georgia DNR, Georgia Milk Producers Association, Georgia Pork Producers Association and the Georgia Poultry Federation.  

Georgia P Index

Miguel Cabrera, Professor – Crop and Soil Sciences

The first version of the Georgia Phosphorus Index was released in August 2001. The Georgia P Index is a tool to assess the risk of bioavailable P loss from grasslands, cropped fields, and other agricultural land to surface waters.  Loss of bioavailable P to surface waters is of concern because it can accelerate eutrophication in lakes and streams of the state.            

The Georgia P Index considers the main pathways of P loss, namely soluble P in surface runoff, particulate P in surface runoff, and soluble P in leachate.   The total risk of P loss from a field is computed by adding the risk from each of these three pathways.

Water-soluble P is defined as phosphorus that passes through a 0.45-µm filter. It can be present in inorganic and organic forms. The P Index estimates the risk of soluble P loss in surface runoff by considering a) all sources that can contribute soluble P, b) the volume of surface runoff, and c) the width of any vegetated buffer strip present in and/or along the down slope edge of the field.

Particulate P is defined as phosphorus that does not pass through a  0.45-µm filter. It can be present in inorganic and organic forms. Although particulate P is not in solution and therefore is not directly bioavailable, it can play an important role in accelerating eutrophication by releasing bioavailable P.  The P Index estimates the risk of P loss through particulate P by a) estimating sediment loss from a field, b) using that value to calculate the bioavailable P that can be released from particulate P, and c) taking into account retention of P by the presence of a vegetated buffer.

Soluble P present in water percolating through the soil profile can contaminate a shallow water table or tile water directly connected to surface water.  The P Index estimates the risk of soluble P loss in percolating water by considering a) all sources that can contribute soluble P, b) the volume of percolating water, and c) the depth to the water table or drainage tiles

The Georgia P Index is a tool to facilitate the nutrient management planning process that takes place between the land manager and the resource planner.  It is intended to communicate concepts and expected outcomes from management practices that impact P losses to the environment

The following tools are now available online from USDA-NRCS:

·         Excel Spreadsheet for Calculation of P Index

·         Support Documentation Explaining Parameters of P Index

Find GA NRCS on the Web at: http://www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov/ga/gapas/afo.html

AWARE Web-Site Updates

The following useful items have been added to the AWARE Website:

·        Georgia LAS Permit Applications (Swine and Non-Swine)

·        EPA NPDS Permit Application

·        Georgia CNMP Template

·         Adopted Rule 391-3-6-.20  Swine Feeding Operation Permit Requirements

Access these resources at: http://www.engr.uga.edu/service/extension/aware

 Voluntary Assessments

Environmental compliance is one of the biggest issues facing industry in America, and agriculture is no exception.  We all know how much time it takes to keep up with changing laws, paperwork and new permits, all the while cows still need to be milked or animals fed.  Why would someone take the time to participate in a voluntary self or third party assessment?  A voluntary assessment can help a producer identify potential or existing environmental problems, it can help them understand certain regulations and work towards compliance.  Completing such an assessment can be a valuable piece of evidence that environmental issues are a concern of the farm, should one need to defend them self in the event of an accident.  It is also an excellent way to prepare for an inspection from a regulatory agency.  Completing an assessment may also lead to discoveries to improve overall efficiency of operation and save or make money.

In Georgia, and across the country, there are excellent Farm*A*Syst modules that will walk someone through a self-assessment.  Modules are available for all major types of animal production in the state and other general environmental topics such as run-off and erosion control, nutrient management and composting mortalities.  America’s Clean Water Foundation (ACWF) offers a free-to-the-producer, totally confidential, third party assessment.  Titled, the On-Farm Assessment Environmental Review, or OFAER this program is voluntary, non-regulatory and comprehensive.  The following key areas of production are examined: overall site management (proximity to neighbors, wells, surface water; run-off and run-on controls; emergency plans), building management (ventilation, pest control, and drainage), manure management (storage, handling and management), mortality management, and nutrient management (plans and land application).  ACWF-OFAER is supported by a Congressional funding program.

Farm*A*Syst modules are available through the Cooperative Extension Service at the county level or through the AWARE group (see our contact info on the back of this newsletter).  America’s Clean Water Foundation-OFAER can be reached by calling (202) 898-0312 or by emailing astokes@acwf.org, they can be found on the Internet at www.acwf.org.      

Nutrient Training Outlook 2002

Operator Certification

With the passage of the new swine regulations (see related article: New Swine Regs Adopted), swine producers will now have until late December to complete Operator Certification and develop their nutrient management plans while non-swine producers have until October 31, 2002.  Unfortunately for swine operators that are not certified, we are not intending to offer any additional training opportunities until February 12 and 13, 2002, at Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton, Georgia.  Those producers that have not been certified can either contact the Department of Agriculture about checking out video tapes of previous training activities and taking the test or pre-register for the training in February.  While you will legally be out of compliance until you obtain this certification, it is our understanding from the Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Division that producers that are making a good faith effort to obtain certification will not be penalized. 

The primary focus of the training in February is to certify the vast number of dairy operations in the state.  However, species specific break-outs will be conducted allowing swine producers and layer operators to take part if necessary.  The Georgia Department of Agriculture has received a grant from the Environmental Protection Division.  With the grant and continued support from your producer associations, this training will be offered, as in the past, at no cost to Georgia producers.  Out of state attendees will be required to pay a $75 registration fee to cover costs.  While we are tentatively planning one additional operator certification session close to the deadline in September or October, there may not be sufficient funding to support this additional session.

Planner Certification

It is obvious from the phone calls that we are getting that developing nutrient management plans on swine operations has kicked into high gear.  While we all realize that it is human nature to put things off to the last minute, we hope that non-swine operations get started a little earlier since there are many more of them.  Many county agents around the State have been certified to sign off on plans and about 30 private individuals have also been certified.  We hope to get a list of all certified planners up on the AWARE website soon, currently the Georgia Department of Agriculture maintains the list.

Our next opportunity to attend the planner certification program will be April 29-30 in Macon or May 15-16 on Tybee Island as part of the Georgia Section ASAE annual meeting.  While the details of these meetings have not been finalized, you can contact Tommy Bass for more information and watch the AWARE web page for more details. 

While we have not received official notification, we are working with the Department of Agriculture to gain approval for allowing operators to be certified as planners to cover both requirements.  That way a producer could write his own plan.  The caveat, however, is that the test required of certified planners is more rigorous than that required of operators.  Nevertheless, much of the material overlaps since it is our feeling that it is essential that operators understand all aspects of the CNMP since they are the ones required to implement it on a daily basis.

For those planners that have already received certification, we are offering a four hour Planner  update session on May 1 in Macon.  In this session, planners will be introduced to the new Georgia P index, review the new regulations and planning tools that are available, and go over some example CNMP’s.  While this training is not required to maintain your certification, it should be very useful for those working with CNMP development in Georgia.  For Extension Agents who have been certified as planners, you will have opportunities to complete your continuing education requirements during Winter School.  Please consult the Winter School schedule for nutrient management related courses.      

New Swine Regulations Passed

On August 22, 2001 New Swine Regulations were adopted in Georgia.  These rules offer a substantial improvement over the old swine regulations.  While they bring the swine rules into greater consistency with the non-swine regulations, there are still some substantial differences.  Most of these differences apply to the largest category (3000 AU or 7,500 head of swine greater than 55 lbs) but one difference at the 1,000 AU level is that either individual or general NPDES permits can be required.  These individual permits can be much more restrictive and require greater public comment.  At the lowest level, the requirement that swine operations register with the Environmental Protection Division has now been changed to obtaining a LAS (Land Application System) permit.  This requires the submission of a different form (author note: it is my understanding is that those operations which have already submitted the registration form will get a LAS permit).

The new swine regulations also impacted many of the deadlines.  On most operations (all above 300 AU) operator certification and submission of the CNMP was required by October 31, 2001.  This deadline is now 90 days after the effective date of these rules which should be around December 31, 2001. Operations in the 300-1000 AU category must also apply for a permit by that time.  While it seems somewhat odd to me, the regulations still require that all operations above 1,000 AU apply for their NPDES permit by October 31, 2000.  Therefore, if you have not done this, you are out of compliance with this regulation.  Apply as soon as possible as the EPD has stated that they will not impose penalties on those attempting to comply.

Please consult the regulations pertaining to your operation in more detail.  The complete rules are located on the aware web page.

Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship Curriculum

On January 17-18, 2002 the USDA in conjunction with the EPA National Agricultural Compliance Assistance Center will hold a workshop on the National Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship Curriculum in Montgomery Alabama.  This workshop was designed to increase awareness for the curriculum that was developed by a team of experts from around the country.  County agents or others that may be interested in using this curriculum should consider attending the workshop.  All of the printed materials (over 25 lessons), a CD with power point presentations, and additional information on using the curriculum will be available to all attendees.  For more information, please see the project website at http://www.lpes.org/homepage.html

Calendar

October 16-18, 2001 Sunbelt Ag Expo, Moultrie Georgia - http://www.sunbeltexpo.com/

October 28-31, 2001 Southern Region Extension Water Quality Conference, Gulf Shores, AL - www.ag.auburn.edu/aaes/waterquality

February 12-13, 2002 Animal Waste System Operator Certification Training, (all species addressed) Rock Eagle 4-H Center, Eatonton, GA – Tommy Bass (706) 542-2735, tmbass@engr.uga.edu

March 11-13, 2002  TMDL Environmental Regulations Conf. and Exhibition, Radisson Plaza, Fort Worth, Texas – www.asae.org, Brenda West (616) 428-6327, west@asae.org

April 29-30, 2002 Certified Nutrient Management Specialist Training “Planner Certification”, Farm Bureau, Macon Georgia - Tommy Bass (706) 542-2735, tmbass@engr.uga.edu

May 1, 2002 Certified Nutrient Management Specialist “4-Hour Continuing Education Session”, Farm Bureau, Macon Georgia - Tommy Bass (706) 542-2735, tmbass@engr.uga.edu

May 6-8, 2002 Composting and Compost Utilization, Columbus, Ohio – www.composting2002.org, (330) 263-3848, symposium@composting2002.org

May 15-16, 2002 Certified Nutrient Management Specialist Training “Planner Certification”, in conjunction with GA Section ASAE Meetings, Tybee Island, Georgia - Tommy Bass (706) 542-2735, tmbass@engr.uga.edu

Editors and Contacts: 

Dr. Mark Risse

Biological & Agricultural Engineering, Driftmier Engineering Center, University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602-4435, (706) 542-9067   (706) 542-8806 (fax), mrisse@engr.uga.edu

Thomas M. Bass

Biological & Agricultural Engineering, Driftmier Engineering Center, University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602-4435  (706) 542-2735  (706) 542-8806 (fax), tmbass@engr.uga.edu

To get on the mailing list to recieve copies of the AWARE news, please contact Cathy Felton at (706) 542-3086 or feltonc@engr.uga.edu.  Out of state subscribers will be requested to make a one time donation of $25 to cover the costs of postage and handling.  This issue and all back issues are also available on our web page.

cc:        Dr. Gale Buchanan

            Dr. William Lambert

            CAES Department and District Heads

The University of Georgia
Cooperative Extension Service
College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

The University of Georgia and Ft. Valley State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and counties of the state cooperating.
The Cooperative Extension Service offers educational programs, assistance and other materials to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability.  An Equal opportunity/affirmative action organization committed to a diverse workforce.