Animal Concentration Areas

Animal Concentration Areas (ACAs) Heavy use areas, sacrifice areas, barnyards, feedlots, loafing areas, exercise lots that will not maintain dense vegetation Generate more environmental concern and are more heavily regulated than pastures Why?

ACA Identification Planned ACAs - Barnyards, feedlots, exercise lots, loafing areas - “Pastures” that do not meet the definition of a ‘true’ pasture - Animal confinement areas that will not maintain a growing crop. - Must be identified on map and follow regulations Unplanned ACAs - Smaller non-vegetated animal congregation areas - Typically in pastures or part of the pasture system - Watering, feeding, and shade areas - Access lanes - Designated as an ACA on Plan and Map when there is direct flow of manure nutrients to surface water or groundwater (sinkholes)

Planned ACAs Would these pastures be considered ‘Lot’ ACAs or ‘Potential’ ACAs?

Which need to be addressed in the MMP? Unplanned ACAs Which need to be addressed in the MMP? Planned ACAs vs. Potential ACAs, why?

ACA Management Requirements Divert clean water flow from upslope fields, driveways, barn roofs, etc. away from the ACA Direct or allow polluted runoff to flow from the ACA area into a storage facility or a correctly sized and well maintained vegetative filter strip Limit animal access to surface waters to properly implemented livestock crossings - animals may not have free access to streams adjacent to or within ACAs Keep ACAs as far away from water bodies as practical Relocate movable structures creating animal congregation areas annually where appropriate and practical Remove manure routinely from ACAs, where practical

Addressing ACA Action to address ACA “problems” must be taken immediately Some changes require professional design and construction - Those plans must be fully implemented within 3 years of the development date - Contact agency for assistance and document date contacted. Immediately implement management changes that do not require professional design - Moving feeders and waterers, installing fence, removing accumulated manure, establishing vegetative buffers, etc.

Getting Outside Help Depending on your situation, it might be best to get professional help from local agencies Assist you in developing Best Management Practices (BMPs): Diversions Roof Runoff Management Subsurface Drainage Structures for Water Control

Erosion & Sediment Control Plan ACAs and other soil disturbances (tillage) exceeding 5,000 sq ft, need an E & S Plan, according to Chapter 102 However, the Manure Management Plan acts as an E &S Plan when the ACA worksheet is thoroughly completed

COMPLETE ACA INFORMATION WORKSHEET: PART 1 & 2 Manure Management Plan Exercise – Pg. 3, 9, 10 COMPLETE ACA INFORMATION WORKSHEET: PART 1 & 2 Please now complete Animal Concentration Areas –I. If ACAs are located on the farm, then complete the corresponding ACA worksheet, Part 1 and Part 2. Examples of Animal Concentration Worksheet can be found on page 23, Part 1 of the Manure Manual Workbook.

ACA Worksheets pages 9 and 10 For each ACA: Identify ACA location Identify BMPs: Clean water is directed around ACA Dirty water is directed to treatment area Animals do not have access to surface water Bare areas are minimized Areas where animals congregate are away from surface water If outside help is needed: List date contacted Agency contacted Fill out ACA Worksheet Part 2

Record Keeping

Recordkeeping Manure Application Rates Record (pg. 22) Using Appendix 1: Manure Application Rate Tables Crop Yield Record (pg. 13) Manure Transfer Record (pg. 14) Manure Storage Facility Record (pg. 15) There are four Record sheets, and it may not be necessary to complete all four.

Manure Application Rates Record (pg. 12) Anyone spreading manure, must complete this worksheet Date Field Identification Acres Manure Group Crop Group App. Rate Notes 5/26 Front Left 1 15 Horse Solid Pasture 3 T

Crop Yield Record (pg. 13) This worksheet needs to be completed if you have pastures, hay or other crop fields Field Identification Crop Group Date Harvested Yield Goal Actual Yield Harvested Notes Back Field Pasture Grazed 2 T 1.5 T Hay 1 Hay (mix grasses) Late Spring/ Mid Summer 3 T 2.5 T

Manure Transfer Record (pg.14) Record must be completed if exporting manure Date Name of Broker/ Importer Address/ Phone # of Broker Manure Group Amount of Manure Transferred Crop Group and Application Rate 5/25 John Smith 333 Ivy St. Horse Solid 10 Ton Unknown Indicate the date, name, address and phone number of importer, the group of manure being exported ( ex. Fall Dairy Liquid; Solid Horse), amount of manure being exported, and if known – crop and application rate used by importer.

Pennsylvania Nutrient Management Website www.panutrientmgmt.cas.psu.edu Manure Management Manual Program Farmer Information Manure Management Manual Manure Management Workbook Balance Sheets with information tables How to calibrate the manure spreader Pa One Stop Mapping Agronomy Guide The Pa Nutrient Management Website is a great online source, with fact sheets and tables that will aid you in completing the Manure Management Workbook. (The manure management manual program link is on the left hand side under main menu).

As stated earlier, you have three ways of disposing manure: 1 As stated earlier, you have three ways of disposing manure: 1. Exporting 2. Composting 3. Spreading. Before you begin applying manure, its important to know and understand how much manure should be spread to meet the crop’s needs, and the amount of manure you are legally allowed to apply. Applying Manure

Environmentally Sensitive Areas Worksheet (p.4) List associated fields Identify environmentally sensitive areas Mechanical manure application setbacks are required Regardless of the slope of the land or the ground cover Identified on Farm Map Even if you export 100% of you manure, you must identify the setback and their distance on you farm maps.

Manure Application Setbacks: Lakes, Streams and Ponds 100 ft Setback if: No BMPs No Soil Test 50 ft Setback if: Soil Test <200 ppm P No-till practices used Residue or cover crop These setbacks refer to sensitive areas such as lakes, ponds, and streams. 35 ft Setback if: Permanent vegetated buffer

Sensitive Areas & Manure Application Setbacks No mechanical manure application within 100 feet of an existing open sinkhole 100 ft 100 ft

Sensitive Areas & Manure Application Setbacks No mechanical manure application: Within 100 feet of an active private or public drinking water source Well or a spring 100 ft Depending on your township, this distance may be greater for a public drinking source. This distance is also the same for above ground inlets to an agricultural drainage outlet.

Sensitive Areas & Manure Application Setbacks No mechanical manure application within the channel of a non-vegetated concentrated water flow area Swale, gully or a ditch For gullies, ditches or other concentrated flow areas, there is no set distance setback.

COMPLETE ENVIROMENTALLY SENSITIVE WORKSHEET: Manure Management Plan Exercise – Pg. 3, 4 COMPLETE ENVIROMENTALLY SENSITIVE WORKSHEET: Please fill out section D, and the corresponding worksheet. If you have any body of water, and your setback will be less then 100 feet, include the implemented Best Management Practice that allows for a lesser setback. Be sure to include all environmentally sensitive areas and their setbacks on the farm map.

Manure Management Plan Summary (pg. 6) This summary must be completed if applying manure The Manure Management Plan Summary requires application rates, to ensure nutrients are not over applied. Before determining your ‘planned application rate’, the first four columns must be identified : Crop Groups and Yields; Manure Groups; Application Seasons; Incorporation Timing.

Total Manure Production Daily Manure Production * Animal Type AU X Daily Manure Production * Days on Farm ÷ 2,000 = Total Manure Produced Mature Draft Horse 5.4 55lb/ AU/ Day 365 54 Tons

Total Uncollected Manure Daily Manure Production* Animal Type AU X Daily Manure Production* Days on Pasture Hours on Pasture ÷ 24 2,000 = Uncollected Manure Mature Draft Horse 5.4 55lb/AU/ Day 280 11 2000 19 Tons Total Uncollected Manure

Total Collected Manure TOTAL Manure Produced - UNCOLLECTED Manure = Collected Manure 54 Tons 19 Tons * 35 Tons Amount of manure needed to be stored and / or spread

Determining Manure Application Rates Nitrogen Based Current soil test Phosphorus levels must be below 200 ppm Nitrogen rates are based on the crop’s N requirements Higher amount than P rates Phosphorus Removal No soil test Phosphorus levels exceed 200 ppm Phosphorus rates are based on the crop’s P requirements Lower amount than N rates

Step 1: Find the table in the back of the MMM (Appendix 1) for: Rate basis N or P Type of manure Step 2: Find crop in manure type table You choose Nitrogen recommendation when…? (you have a soil test) You choose Phosphorus removal when…? (you don’t have a soil test, or your soil test showed 200ppm or higher for P)

Calculating Rates for Crop Fields 15 Ton/A is the maximum amount of manure that can be applied mechanically

Maximum Manure Rate 15 T/A Crop Group and Yield (a) Manure Group (b) Application Season (c ) Planned Application Rate from C, NBS, PI * (d) Incorporation Timing (e) Commercial Fertilizer Application Rate (f) Fields where this crop group can be used (g) Grass Hay (5 T/A) Solid Fall No Incorporation N/A 123A, 123B 15 T/A Maximum Manure Rate

? 15 T/A Crop Group and Yield (a) Manure Group (b) Application Season (c ) Planned Application Rate from C, NBS, PI * (d) Incorporation Timing (e) Commercial Fertilizer Application Rate (f) Fields where this crop group can be used (g) Grass Hay (5 T/A) Solid Fall 15 T/A No Incorporation N/A 123A, 123B Pasture (3 T/A) Grazing ? Pasture rates are calculated differently, because the manure deposited by the grazing animals needs to be taken into account.

Calculating Rates for Pastures Tons X Days on Pasture Number of Horses ÷ Acres = Ton/A from Grazing Less than 8 Hours 0.007 20  4  3  .2  8-16 Hours 0.014 100  3  1.9 Over 16 Hours 0.021 200  5.6  Total Manure Applied by Grazing Horses 7.7  Maximum Allowable Rate (from MMM Rates Table) Allowable Mechanical Application Rate First owners need to decide how many hours horses are on pasture (there are separate tables for animals other than horses).

Calculating Rates for Pastures When calculating the mechanical manure application rate for pastures, the lowest yield (3- 4 tons per acre) for grass hay must be used. 10 Ton/A is the maximum amount of manure that can be applied mechanically

Calculating Rates for Pastures Tons X Days on Pasture Number of Horses ÷ Acres = Ton/A from Grazing Less than 8 Hours 0.007 20  4  3  .2  8-16 Hours 0.014 100  3  1.9 Over 16 Hours 0.021 200  5.6  Total Manure Applied by Grazing Horses 7.7  Maximum Allowable Rate (from MMM Rates Table)  10 Allowable Mechanical Application Rate  2.3 If applying 2.3 tons per acre is not a high enough application rate, the operator has two options: 1.) Use the Manure Balance Sheet 2.) Lower the number of days horses are allowed on pasture. 2.3 Ton/A is the maximum amount of manure that can be applied mechanically

15 T/A 2.3 T/A Crop Group and Yield (a) Manure Group (b) Application Season (c ) Planned Application Rate from C, NBS, PI * (d) Incorporation Timing (e) Commercial Fertilizer Application Rate (f) Fields where this crop group can be used (g) Grass Hay (5 T/A) Solid Fall 15 T/A No Incorporation N/A 123A, 123B Pasture (3 T/A) Grazing 2.3 T/A Oak Tree and Lane Pasture

Manure Management Plan Exercise – Pg. 6 FINISH COMPLETING PLAN SUMMARY Finish filling out the Manure Manual Plan Summary worksheet.

Winter Application This section pertains to those who apply manure during the winter season.

Operation Information Page (p.3) Winter Application (check yes or no) Winter definition: December 15 through February 28; OR Anytime the ground is frozen at least 4 inches; OR Anytime that the ground is snow covered If yes, must complete Winter Application Worksheet (p.5) If manure is applied in the winter, then check yes and the Winter Application worksheet needs to completed on page 5 of the workbook. 40

Winter Application Limits Maximum of 20 tons of solid & 5000 gal of liquid manure per acre At least 25% crop residue or established cover crop No application to fields with slopes greater then 15% 100 ft setback to Environmentally Sensitive Areas Cover Crop Crop Residue

Winter Application Worksheet (p.5) Winter application is discouraged (HIGH RISK OF LOSS) Winter manure application is not highly recommended, because of the lack of nutrient uptake by crops. Spreading manure during the winter season poses a higher threat to nutrient runoff and loss – increasing the environmental concern. Spreading manure during the winter season has their own set of setbacks and regulations. 42

Generate Farm Maps 8. Winter Manure Application Information If you spread manure in winter: Average field slopes will need to be identified (NRCS Soil Survey Map will meet requirements) Manure application setbacks will need to be identified on the map NRCS Soil Survey Map are available at either your local County Conservation District or NRCS Office.

COMPLETE WINTER APPLICATION WORK SHEET Manure Management Plan Exercise – Pg. 3 & 4 COMPLETE WINTER APPLICATION WORK SHEET Please now fill out section E, and if your farm spreads manure during winter, fill out the winter application worksheet. An example of the Winter Application Worksheet can be found on page 9, Part 1 of the Manure Management Manual. 44

http://Extension.psu.edu/CMEG Penn State Equine http://das.psu.edu/equine Donna Foulk dlf5@psu.edu (610) 746 -1970 Sarah Crooke smr5162@psu.edu (610) 764-1970 Penn State Extension Nutrient Management Program http://panutrientmgmt.cas.psu.edu Penn State Extension Crop Management Team http://Extension.psu.edu/CMEG Douglas Beegle dbb@psu.edu (814) 863-1016 Jerry Martin jmartin@psu.edu (717) 394-6851