Iowa Beef Center » manure management

IMMAG Update

deniseschwab — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:43:04 +0000

The May issue of the IMMAG (Iowa Manure Management Action Group) update has just been released, with features on nitrogen application relative to the recent heavy rainfall, palmer amaranth, water quality testing kits, and more.

If you’d like to receive these monthly updates directly to your email, you can subscribe at http://www.agronext.iastate.edu/immag/subscriptions.html

What’s Your Manure IQ?

deniseschwab — Wed, 01 May 2013 17:38:51 +0000

I found this quick quiz about manure management from Michigan and thought it applied to our producers in Iowa as well. Check it out to see how much you know about manure!

Water Quality Concerns

deniseschwab — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:52:10 +0000

Animal agriculture has taken the blame for a lot of water quality concerns over the years, but has also done a lot to help reduce water quality issues. The EPA recently released the results of the 2008-2009 National Rivers and Stream Assessment, which showed 55% of the rivers and streams tested are in poor condition for aquatic life. Feedstuffs highlights some of their findings.

Most importantly, what are you doing to protect the quality of the water that leaves your farmstead? Share the positive efforts you have made with us.

More Feedlot Inspections Expected

deniseschwab — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 15:03:14 +0000

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) will likely be conducting inspections on more Iowa livestock farms over the next five years under a draft agreement between federal and state environmental agencies.

The potential inspections stem from a proposed work plan between IDNR and the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that is designed to address questions about the Iowa agency’s permitting program for the state’s livestock feeding operations.

Read the full article from Iowa Farm Bureau

Smartphone Manure Apps

deniseschwab — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 15:25:20 +0000

I just ran across some information I thought some of you might be interested in. I’m not very literate on smartphone apps, so please let me know if you find these helpful.

Two new smartphone apps are available for animal ag producers and their advisers. Both apps are priced at 99 cents.
• Manure Calculator (iTunes version | Google Play version) has three parts. One is to calculate the amount of manure spread (calibrate equipment). The second is to calculate the amount of nutrients spread using either book values or the producer’s own manure test values. The third is to estimate the approximate value of the manure relative to its fertilizer use. The app includes a feature to email information to keep as a permanent record.
• Manure Monitor (iTunes version | Google Play version) is a record keeping app for animal feeding operations. It allows the user to develop a farm-wide emergency response plan and then sync that plan across all smartphones or tablets associated with the farm. A producer can also keep records on rainfall, manure storage inspections, mortality disposal, waterline inspection, manure transfers and equipment maintenance.

Do you have other smartphone apps you think cattle producers would be interested in? If so, please share your comments and suggestions with us.

Dry Summer Manure Management

deniseschwab — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 19:19:27 +0000

The drought is not only affecting crops and feed prices, but could also have an impact on open lot manure management. Low water flow and hot temps make our streams vulnerable to nutrient flows if we do get a heavy rain. Reduce that potential by using this dry weather to scrape open lots and remove nutrients prior to potential rainfall. See the comments from Angela Rieck-Hinz.

Monitoring Water Quality

deniseschwab — Wed, 23 May 2012 13:29:06 +0000

Managing runoff from an open lot can be challenging, but the first step is to test the water below the lot to determine if there is a problem. With the potential for rain in the forecast, now is a good time to test.
ISU Extension and Outreach has partnered with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to place water quality testing kits for ammonia in 20 county extension offices. These counties host kits: Allamakee, Buena Vista, Carroll, Cherokee, Clay, Clayton, Clinton, Crawford, Delaware, Dubuque, Floyd, Johnson, Lyon, Mitchell, O’Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Pottawattamie (east), and Story. These kits are available for livestock producers to use to check water quality in streams below their feedlots and cow yards. The test kits come with an instructional video and a fact sheet on water quality testing and impacts, links to both resources are available on the Small Feedlots webpage. The results of this water testing are confidential and livestock producers are not required to share this information. This testing can help identify if runoff is reaching a stream and the potential impact on aquatic life.

Small Beef & Dairy Feedlots

deniseschwab — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 14:41:23 +0000

The “Water Quality Initiative for Small Iowa Beef and Dairy Feedlot Operations”, also called the “Small Feedlot Project” is now available. This initiative is an educational outreach plan supported by the Iowa DNR, the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, the Iowa Department of Ag and Land Stewardship, the Iowa State Dairy Association, the USDA-NRCS and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The objective is to assist operators of small open feedlots and small dairies in assessing feedlot and outdoor pen areas for potential runoff of manure and nutrients and to implement practices and strategies to mitigate potential manure impacts on water quality.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach developed the educational materials, hosts these materials on a dedicated Web page, and coordinates and hosts field days/demonstration sites where producers can learn about practices and management strategies to reduce runoff impacts on water quality. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has partnered to place water quality testing kits in 20 counties. These kits are available for livestock producers to use to check water quality in streams below their feedlots and cow yards. The test kits come with an instructional video and a fact sheet on water quality testing and impacts. The results of this water testing are confidential and livestock producers are not required to share this information. This testing can help identify if runoff is reaching the stream and the potential impact on aquatic life.

Be the first in your neighborhood to check out and use the water test kit to monitor water quality below your feedlot!

Pumping Manure Pits

deniseschwab — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 14:42:44 +0000

We often think of swine buildings when we hear about pumping liquid manure pits, but we are seeing more deep pit beef barns. While most of the concerns about foaming pits appear to be in hog barns, thought we need to remind all of you with deep-pit beef barns to use caution when pumping your pits. See this article on manure pumping reminders, and stay safe this fall!!

Winter Manure Application Caution

deniseschwab — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 03:14:01 +0000

Extreme caution is advised if you plan to apply manure this week. Temperatures are forecasted to reach into the 30s and 40s this weekend and through the end of next week. And while this is welcome news to most of us, this warming trend will cause rapid snow melt and the potential to create a high risk for runoff of manure nutrients. If you must apply manure wait until after the snow has melted or follow these best management practices:
• Apply on level ground;
• Avoid application on ground that drains to tile inlets that discharge directly to surface or groundwater;
• Do not apply manure in a grassed waterway;
• Follow the required separation distances for land application of manure;
• Do not apply on top of deep snow;
• Do not apply prior to when precipitation is forecasted or warming conditions will cause snow melt.

Even if you follow all of these guidelines, you still can’t cause a water quality violation so please exercise caution when applying manure this time of year. It should also be noted that it is prohibited to apply liquid manure from confinement feeding operations on snow-covered or frozen ground during winter except in an emergency application.
For more information about winter application of manure see Volume 3 in the Iowa Manure Manager Series On Winter Manure Application as well as these resources:
DNR 113 Separation Distances for Land Application of Manure
Winter Application of Manure: Regulations and Common Sense
Winter Manure Application Webcast (19 minutes)