1. Nutrient Management on Horse Operations Doug Goodlander PA State Conservation Commission Lebanon Valley Ag Center October 15, 2008

2. Animal Operations in PA CAFOs (300+)  All Animal Operations (AOs) All operations generating/utilizing manure  Concentrated Animal Operations (CAOs) Based on animal density  Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) Based on animal numbers and/or animal density CAOs (1,300+) AOs (23,000+)

3. Animal Operations in PA CAFOs (300+)  All Animal Operations (AOs) All operations generating/utilizing manure  Concentrated Animal Operations (CAOs) Based on animal density  Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) Based on animal numbers and/or animal density CAOs (1,300+) AOs (23,000+)

4. Pa’s Clean Streams Law  All farms producing or using manure (including horse farms) need the following:  Manure (nutrient) management plans  Addresses: Manure application: cannot apply more than the crop can use Nitrogen and phosphorus concerns Nutrient balance sheet can help with this assessment Manure storage and exercise areas: cannot allow these areas to run polluted water into streams, wells, etc.  No need for review or approval  Conservation plan required for plowing or tilling  More emphasis on these smaller farms  Especially horse farms, and cattle farms next to streams AOs

5. Animal Operations in PA CAFOs (300+)  All Animal Operations (AOs) All operations generating/utilizing manure  Concentrated Animal Operations (CAOs) Based on animal density  Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) Based on animal numbers and/or animal density CAOs (1,300+) AOs (23,000+)

6. Major Regulatory Provisions  Who is regulated under Act 38? Concentrated Animal Operations (CAOs)  High density livestock operations, including pleasure & recreation (horse boarding)  > 2,000 lbs animal live weight per acre  Excludes any operation < 8 AEUs 8 horses (non-draft breeds)  Volunteer participation is encouraged  How does this CAO calculation work out for the small operation? CAOs

7. Regulated Equine Operations Examples:  5 horses on 2 acres (5,000 lbs/2 acres = 2,500 lbs per acre)  High density, but not > 8,000 lbs - not a regulated CAO  9 horses on 5 acres (9,000 lbs/5 acres = 1,800 lbs per acre)  > 8,000 lbs, but not high density - not a regulated CAO  10 horses on 4 acres (10,000 lbs/4 acres= 2,500 lbs per acre)  > 8,000 lbs and high density - this is a regulated CAO (Must be both > 8,000 lbs and > 2,000 lbs/acre) CAOs

8. Major Regulatory Provisions  Who is regulated? Concentrated Animal Operations (CAOs)  High density livestock operations, including pleasure & recreation (horse boarding)  > 2,000 lbs animal live weight per acre  Excludes any operation < 8 AEUs 7 horses (non-draft breeds)  Volunteer (VAO) participation is encouraged CAOs  What are these operations required to have?  Standard format, Nutrient Management Plan  Developed by certified planners  Reviewed and approved by conservation district

9. Major Regulatory Provisions  Nutrients included in NMPs:  Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K)  N and P are the only regulated nutrients  N application: N may be tied up in excessive bedding  P application: P Index analysis (not a big issue) Near streams for pastures (BAD) Fields are generally grass based (GOOD) N/P ratio of manure (GOOD) 12/5 horse, 10/4 diary, 50/55 pig, 66/63 broiler, 37/55 layer  K included for operator’s information  General fertility  Animal health CAOs

10. Major Regulatory Provisions  Year-round manure application setbacks:  Applies to mechanical application only  100’ setback or 35’ setback  35’ setback only applies if a permanent vegetated buffer exists or is established adjacent to (good pasture counts as buffer): perennial and intermittent streams lakes and ponds existing open sinkholes  100’ setback for private and public drinking water wells/springs  No 35’ setback/buffer option  Much horse manure is animal applied, therefore not terribly relevant CAOs

11. Major Regulatory Provisions  Winter manure application restrictions:  Winter manure application fields and conditions must be listed and approved in the NM plan  Winter application fields must have at least 25% cover (residue or live plants)  Must follow additional winter application setbacks:  100’ from intakes to ag drainage systems and EV wetlands  Most manure applied by animals so not a big issue, but then again not many with storage over winter CAOs

12. Major Regulatory Provisions  Manure exporting requirements:  Signed Agreements (standard form)  Exporter/Importer or Exporter/Broker  Nutrient Balance Sheets addressing N and P (map)  Nitrogen applications limited to crop uptake  3 options to address Phosphorus management  Commercial haulers/brokers must be certified under Act 49  Commercial Hauler statement required in NMP  Small quantity exclusion from export requirements  25 tons solid non-poultry manure  5 tons solid poultry manure  10,000 gallons liquid manure  Marketable manure, brokers are normal, and for many operations export can fall under low quantity exclusion CAOs

13. Major Regulatory Provisions  Manure stacking restrictions:  Big for horse operations, their manure is “stackable”  Traditional vs. In-field stacking  Traditional stacking Storage – awaiting disposal or land application Adjacent to facility – proper location extremely important  In-field stacking must address the following: Maximum of 120 days without covering 14 days for CAFOs Cone or windrow shaped Location identified on the NMP or NBS maps Not within 150’ of streams, lakes, ponds, wells, sinkholes Not on excessively drained soils, or high water table Not on slopes > 8% Not in water concentration areas Stacking area rotated annually Unless using an “improved” stacking area CAOs

14. Major Regulatory Provisions  Pastures vs. Animal Concentration Areas (ACAs)  This is a biggie for horse operations  Pasture: A livestock area managed primarily for forage production  Stocking rate must address N balance and P-index  ACA: Will not maintain a growing crop, or where nutrients are deposited in excess of crop N needs  Adjust stocking rate to meet “pasture” definition, or  Implement BMPs to protect water quality Collect and land-apply manure Implement upslope surface water and roof runoff BMPs Implement runoff collection/treatment BMPs Restrict livestock access to surface water CAOs

15. Act 38 Summary  New Act 38 regulations went into effect on Oct 1, 2006  Existing horse CAOs must submit their plan now, volunteers can submit at any time.  Need to hire a planner,  Get soil tests  Get a conservation plan  Submit the plan to the conservation district  An approved plan may make you eligible for funding to implement the plan CAOs

16. Animal Operations in PA CAFOs (300+)  All Animal Operations (AOs) All operations generating/utilizing manure  Concentrated Animal Operations (CAOs) Based on animal density  Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) Based on animal numbers and/or animal density CAOs (1,300+) AOs (23,000+)

17. Pa’s CAFO Program  Federal program delegated to DEP to administer  Regulates larger animal operations (CAFOs)  > 300 and a CAO (300 horses, etc.), or  Meet EPA animal numbers  500 horses  Requires operation permit (NPDES) from DEP  Individual or general  Generally, same Nutrient Management Plan as CAOs:  application rates, setbacks, fall/winter restrictions, exported manure requirements, field stacking requirements, etc  But, additional restrictions on CAFOs relating to:  Setbacks required on more than just flowing streams, etc  14 day in-field stacking limitation without covering or improved area CAFOs

18. In conclusion…  All animal farms  Manure Management Plan, Ag E&S Plan  Application, storage and barnyard  No formal plan approvals required  High density animal farms (CAOs)  Nutrient Management Plan, Ag E&S Plan  Plan approval required  Manure application setback restrictions  Exported manure requirements  Large animal farms (CAFOs)  Nutrient Management Plan, Ag E&S Plan, DEP Permit  Same plan requirements as CAOs  Additional setback requirements CAFOs AOs CAOs

19. Is that all I need to worry about No, neighbor relations is key to longevity:  Flies and odors:  Clean up after your horses  Keep manure dry (bedding, keep water from the manure)  Compost your manure  Keep a buffer from your neighbors  Cover the manure pile  Fly control products (strips, traps)  Frequent application (7 day life cycle)

20. The wrap up  The bottom line is, horse operations need to be good neighbors 1.Address water quality Nutrient or manure mgmt plan Storage, application and barnyards Conservation plan for row crop fields Approved plans or permits where necessary 2.Address flies and other vectors Housekeeping and general water mgmt is key 3.Odor management is important  You need to make sure you are a good neighbor… for your own good and for the good of the industry

21. The End Any Questions or Comments?