November / December, 2002
Opportunities In Manure Management -Beyond The Farm
Introduction
The challenges
in manure management today are a direct consequence of evolutions related
to technology and economics. Animal manure, once viewed as an important
soil conditioner and a source of crop nutrients is now viewed as a waste
and potential pollutant-the advent of mineral fertilizers in the 1940s
gave farmers a convenient and inexpensive alternative to animal manure
and other organic fertilizers. The low cost energy policy in this country
continues to contribute to low cost production of mineral fertilizers,
offering little incentive for farmers to return to animal manure as a
plant nutrient source, at least for economic reasons. The availability
of low cost energy has reduced the incentive for investments in other
manure treatment technologies as well-anaerobic digestion, an important
means to reduce the odor of the manure stream has not been attractive
because the energy produced during the process can, generally, be obtained
more cheaply from other sources. In addition, the increased size and concentration
of animal operations has resulted from advances in technology and the
nature of the economic and political systems in this country. These large
concentrations of animals and the associated concentrations of manure
have been targeted as a source of odors, a threat to surface and ground
water and other factors related to the health and quality of life of people
living in the area.
Changing society's perspective of manure to that of a resource is an important step in efforts to improve the image of animal agriculture. Other opportunities that extend beyond the farm include developing guidelines for animal agriculture based on community involvement and on input from people having a wide variety of perspectives and viewpoints, addressing manure-related problems and issues by multi-disciplinary groups representing several subject matter areas and viewing the manure management system on the dairy farm as a profit center.
Opportunities
Clearly, we are going to have to change the way that we do things regarding manure management in animal agriculture. Allowances for discharges are getting tighter, the trend being to no discharge at all. Penalties for discharges are becoming more severe. Surface water is not the only concern, groundwater and air contamination are receiving attention as well. Our emphasis must not only be on the facilities and the manure management system for the animals involved, but on the farm as a whole.
Changing our perspective as we view manure as a resource rather than a waste is a step in the right direction. In the same way, we must change our perspective on every challenge related to manure management, viewing each challenge instead as an opportunity. Many of these opportunities will require actions that extend beyond the farm.
Opportunity Based on People Having a Wide Variety of Perspectives and Viewpoints
Opening up discussions to people not usually involved in an issue invariably brings new perspectives to the table. The challenge here is to provide an environment where those involved in animal agriculture and those objecting to its presence can come together and discuss the situation in a rational manner. Perhaps a professional facilitator, retained by one or more parties, will be required.
The opportunity is to invite the community to assist in developing programs aimed at alleviating conflicts around animal manure. All must agree that a rational approach is necessary to develop actions that are acceptable socially, environmentally and economically. Open-minded discussions will lead to a full range of ideas based on the broad perspectives represented in the community. Statements of all alternatives might be outlined. As people become involved in addressing an issue and find that their ideas are heard and accepted, they develop a sense of ownership and involvement in making solutions work. Then the opportunity exists to develop guidelines for animal agriculture in the community that are acceptable to the majority of those involved. Continued communication among all parties is essential.
Opportunity Based on Multiple Agency and Organization Involvement
Cooperation among agencies at the state level is essential to the welfare of the farmer, especially as regulations are put in place. Unreasonable performance standards and prescriptive solutions put farmers at disadvantage and diminish the opportunities for survival as a business. Performance standards and prescriptive solutions based on knowledge and experiences in animal agriculture are more likely to be practical and affordable. Typically, personnel in regulatory agencies are not informed about agricultural matters-input from personnel in other agencies that work more closely with agriculture can be helpful. Talents of personnel can be used more effectively if issues related to manure management and the environment are approached on a cooperative basis.
The Land Grant University can serve as a catalyst for promoting cooperation among state agencies and other interested organizations. Professional facilitation can help to maintain open-minded communication and an atmosphere of working together to reach solutions mutually acceptable to all involved. Besides serving to facilitate the coming together of interested parties, the Land Grant University can provide background and support information. Further, the University becomes immediately aware of research and extension needs that may emerge during deliberations of the group.
Opportunity Based on a Multi-Disciplinary/Multi-Subject-Area Approach
Because manure management is not identified with a specific discipline or department of a university, addressing issues in a synergistic manner has been lacking. But opportunities exist at the research, outreach and implementation levels. For example, multi-disciplinary research may address management of manure odors, manure treatment methods aimed at producing income and methods to reduce the nutrient content of manures. Research can alleviate concerns about pathogens, including applications of source tracking, and endocrine disruptors, perceived to be associated with animal manure. A systems approach that integrates technologies including anaerobic digestion, phosphorus separation and wetland treatment will yield manure management systems that make the best use of beneficial interactions. As a result, animal agriculture will experience an increased level of acceptance by the community.
At the farm level, assembling a comprehensive nutrient management plan (CNMP) requires the expertise of several disciplines. Agronomists focus on plant nutrients, air/water/soil relationships and soil/nutrient interactions. Animal scientists address nutrition and rations, manure nutrients and feeding strategies and animal needs and behavior. Agricultural engineers design manure storages and related systems, evaluate existing manure storages, address pollution associated with feed storage facilities, design animal housing to minimize impact on the environment, recommend and design conservation structures and practices and analyze field practices having impacts on compaction, infiltration and erosion. In the end, farmer participation and understanding of the farm's CNMP, a collective and integrated effort of several disciplines, provides the opportunity for improved management and profitability-at less risk to the environment.
Opportunity Based on Farmer Involvement in CNMP Development
A farmer intimately involved in the development of a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) for the farm stands the chance of becoming a better manager and being more profitable. The farmer's responsibilities include record keeping and a thorough understanding of animal groupings and manure production, cropping rotations and nutrient needs, manure application rates and locations, and conservation practices. Professional assistance can ease the task of putting all of this together into a CNMP, but the document, a detailed view of the farm at that point in time, truly represents the nutrient management plan for that farm. Reviewed and updated annually with the farmer's involvement, the CNMP becomes an invaluable management tool.
Opportunity Based on Being a Good Neighbor
A farmer that advertises to neighbors that the farm has a CNMP is telling them that the farm is following a thoughtful plan for managing the nutrients on the farm in the best interests of the environment they all share. The CNMP declares that the farmer is acting responsibly and is accountable for managing the nutrients on the farm in an environmentally sensitive manner. To alleviate neighbors' concerns, the farmer may implement a systematic program to test tile discharges for the presence of manure, taking preventive action when necessary. Other good neighbor policies are well-known-notification in advance of manure hauling, an annual picnic for neighbors, planting sweet corn for their use, avoid dropping manure on public roads, etc.
Opportunity Based on Viewing the Manure Management System as a Profit Center
As facilities have been designed and constructed for treating industrial and municipal wastes, it would appear that disposal-getting rid of the waste-has been a principle goal. As these time-tested, commonly used methods are now applied to treatment of animal manure, disposal of a waste is of interest also. However, every possible means of adding value through the treatment processes must be explored if the manure management system is to be viewed as a profit center. The benefits to society can be enormous, from improved manure treatment methods reducing objections to animal agriculture at the local level to a reduced dependence on the part of farmers for subsidies for investments in manure systems.
An obvious financial benefit to the farmer comes from using manure nutrients to offset the need for commercial fertilizers. And anaerobic digesters, besides contributing to odor reduction, produce gas that may be used for heating or generating electricity. Further, separated manure solids, perhaps composted and nutrient enhanced, may have value to nurseries or landscape centers. Niche markets-worm castings, greenhouse produce, struvite-may provide other opportunities.
Decision support systems will aid the farmer in selecting appropriate treatment components for the particular circumstances of the farm. Limitations imposed by available land, consideration of nearby people and demand for a niche product are just a few of the factors that enter into the decisions. In some instances, adequate data are available to develop a model for a particular component, in other instances, research will be necessary. Ideally, multiple treatment alternatives will be integrated into a particular system. Then, the decision support system will not only characterize each component but will also reflect interactions, sometimes synergistic, among components. Developments will benefit from a multidisciplinary approach.
Opportunity Based on New Agri-Businesses
Custom manure hauling and application are new businesses that have emerged in the private sector to serve the animal producer. Some interest has been shown in engaging professional engineers for manure system design, particularly by larger operations. Opportunities to construct treatment systems will develop. In states that require permits for animal operations and manure systems, individuals specializing in assisting the farmer through the application process have done well. Becoming a CNMP provider is an emerging income opportunity and demands for this service will be increasing. Manure brokering may prove to be a profitable venture as interest in using manure nutrients to offset commercial fertilizers becomes more common. Much of this will depend on the price of energy in the US and the perception of manure's value as a soil conditioner.
Conclusions
Manure management is a complex issue. Farmers are now challenged
to go well beyond selection of the traditional equipment for the system-production,
collection, storage, transport, land application-and address in greater
depth the issues important to society. Manure management is different
from other farm management problems. Decisions are closely intertwined
with decisions about many different aspects of the dairy production system
including buildings and equipment for the animals and the cropping program.
Investments in manure management do not necessarily increase net income.
As well, manure management is a major issue facing animal agriculture,
an issue at the interface between animal agriculture and the others in
our society. Opportunities for consensus building arise when bringing
together people and agencies with a wide variety of perspectives on manure
management as well as a wide variety of subject matter expertise to address
manure management issues. Ultimately, viewing the manure management system
as another profit center on the farm will be beneficial to the farmer
and to society from the standpoints of both technology and economics.
Agricultural Engineering
Michigan State University
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East Lansing, MI 48824-1323
(517) 355-4720
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