Manure 101 University of Wisconsin - Extension UW-Madison College of Agricultural & Life Sciences

Environmental Aspects of Manure Nutrients Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium Bacteria/Pathogens BOD

Nitrogen Groundwater Concerns Hypoxia EPA Standard: 10 ppm Blue Baby Syndrome Hypoxia

Hypoxia A new N threat to water quality has recently developed. This deals with N losses in surface water runoff and the impact of that N on salt water estuaries - specifically the Gulf of Mexico. It is suspected that N from the upper Midwest is being carried via the Mississippi River watershed to the Gulf of Mexico where it is causing the formation of a “dead” or hypoxic zone that is deplete of oxygen. This hypoxia zone is seasonal and has been up to 7,000 square miles in size. The result has been devastation of the commercial fishery industry in the gulf. Phosphorus in surface water runoff is a concern with algae blooms and oxygen depletion in freshwater environments (such as those found in Wisconsin). N in surface water runoff is a concern with algae blooms and oxygen depletion in salt water environments

Phosphorus Surface Water Concern Algae Growth

Environmentalist’s view of how farmers manage manure. Is this a public relations problem??? Yes, there IS a manure spreader buried under this pile of manure. The tractor would not start and the farmer kept cleaning the barn. When did he move the tractor?? When the manure finally hit the seat.

Phosphorus Movement Soil attached is most common route 1 lb P = 500 lb algae One ton soil eroded = 1 ton algae in water Stop Erosion, Solve Big Part of the Problem National Buffer Initiative (USA)

Bacteria E. Coli Up to 6 month + viable in soil Does not survive as well on surface Enters streams when manure runs off

Antibiotics Animals DO NOT break them down. Excreted intact with the urine Low level resistance concerns

Biochemical Oxygen Demand * A measure of how much oxygen is removed from a water body by the bacteria breaking down organic materials. (BOD) Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) * Oxygen required to break down chemical compounds in water body.

Manure Basics What is Manure? Urine, feces Waste feed Parlor water Gray water (sinks, etc)

What is in manure? Nutrients Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium Micro nutrients (Sulfur, Boron, etc) Whatever the cow eats that does not become milk or meat becomes manure. If it’s in the feed, it’s in the manure.

Regulations 1972 Clean Water Act Point vs. Non-Point Sources Problem Not Yet Solved. In addition to commercial fertilizers, P and K are also supplied by manure applications to cropland. Soils naturally release some P and K that is available for plant uptake. Often this needs to be supplemented with additional nutrients for optimum crop production. Nutrient supplying capacity of the soil varies among different soil types. The only way to determine this contribution is with a soil test.

Regulatory Future Each Providence, State, County, Township may be different. Future Lower AU (animal unit) threshold for permit More phosphorus emphasis Future emphasis on bacterial / antibiotics / odor concerns Short term focus will be on P based nutrient management

Public Relations Manure Handling and Application Odor control Real or perceived excessive rates Road spillage Traffic hazards & delays Spreading near water Cattle in water

Opportunities of the Future: Every farm will have a nutrient management plan. Nitrogen – Phosphorus Pendulum Affiliated and independent consultants Site-specific research Between 1992 and 2001, UWGB was the lead institution for mass balance research.