Nutrient Inventory and Storage and Handling (Planner Training) John W. Worley

Times Have Changed!

Or Have They? George Washington’s Compost Facility

u Balance Imports with Exports Goal

ARE INPUTS & OUTPUTS IN BALANCE? Water In 1 gal. Water Out Farm Pond 1 gal.

ARE INPUTS & OUTPUTS IN BALANCE? Water In 2 gal. 1 gal. Water Out Farm Pond

ARE INPUTS & OUTPUTS IN BALANCE? Water In 2 gal. 1 gal. Water Out Farm Pond

ARE INPUTS & OUTPUTS IN BALANCE? Water Out Water In 2 gal. Farm Pond 1 gal.

Plugging the Leaks… Temporary Solution to Imbalance Water Out Water In 2 gal. Farm Pond 1 gal. Sand Bags

u More closely balance feed nutrients to animal needs –Nitrogen comes from feed protein –Phosphorus comes from ingredients + mineral supplements –Phytate phosphorus is unavailable to animals, but is excreted with manure u Reduce feed wastage –Pelleted Feeds –Wet-Dry feeders –Properly adjust feeders u Recycle – Use manure nutrients to produce feed on the farm Strategies to Reduce Waste

u Feed u Animals u Commercial Fertilizer u Manure from other farms u Legumes N, P, K Imports

u Animals u Animal Products (Milk) u Manure shipped off farm u Storage Losses N, P, K Exports

u Slurry Systems Storage Systems u Liquid Systems (Lagoons)

u “Dry Systems” Storage Systems

u Combination Systems (Solids Separators) Storage Systems

u Lagoons –Reduce Waste Stream (Volatilize Organic Matter) –Reduce Land Application Area (Vol. Nitrogen) –Reduce Odor Emissions u Slurry Storage –Maximize Nutrient Utilization –Minimize Storage Volume (minimize water added) Goals

u Dry Systems –Make manure more transportable –Reduce odors u Solids Separators –Reduce size requirements for liquid storage and treatment –Allow transport of some of waste to remote sites or off farm Goals

Disadvantages u Lagoons –Large Volume in storage structure –Reduces N/P ratio –Sludge must be periodically removed u Slurry Storage –Requires more acres for application (based on N) –Odors are greater (if not covered)

Disadvantages u Dry Systems –Often more manual labor required –Swine: Non-homogeneous u Solids Separators –Requires more management –Requires two types of equipment –Cost of construction and operation

u Lagoon u Slurry Storage Earthen Basin Design

u Lagoon –Volatilizes nitrogen –Phosphorus settles in sludge layer –90-95% of phosphorus must eventually be accounted for if P based NMP u Slurry Storage –Less nitrogen volatilized –Phosphorus must be accounted for each year u Dry Systems –Can be less flexible concerning time of application Effects on Nutrient Management

% of Original Nitrogen Available after Storage

u Description of Overall System –Number and type of buildings –Flush, Pull-plug, etc –For partial confinement - % Time in confinement CNMP Should Include:

u Lagoon Design Information (as available) –When built, Who designed it –Total Capacity (ft 3 ) –Pumpable (Storage) Capacity (ft 3 ) –Surface Water Diversion u Operating Information –Maximum Fill Level –Pump-down level CNMP Should Include:

Pumpable Volume Rise Run Depth Stop-Pumping Level Max-Fill Level Total Volume Inside Slope = Run/Rise Lagoon Design Info:

u For Slurry Storage –Design Storage Time –Capacity (# of animals, etc.) u Capacity of Dry storage if applicable u Closure Plan for Liquid or Slurry Storage Structures u Provision for Record Keeping (Monthly Inspection Checklist) CNMP Should Include:

u Standard “Book Value” Estimates u Imports minus Exports u Manure analysis and application records Estimation of Nutrients in Manure

u Standard Estimates (lb / year / animal, etc) –Table 1, Table 3 a,b,c –Table 4 (Storage Losses), Table 5 (sludge) Estimation of Nutrients in Manure

u Imports minus exports –Table 2 a,b,c, Table 7 –Table 4 (Storage Losses), Table 5 (sludge) Estimation of Nutrients in Manure

u Manure analysis and application records –Table 6 a,b Estimation of Nutrients in Manure

u Software has been developed to aid in development of CNMP including the estimation of nutrient inventories – see AWARE web site for download Summary (Nutrient Inventory)

u Lagoons –Reduce nitrogen, organic matter, and odors if properly managed –Must be started and operated according to the design to maintain lagoon health v Sludge must be removed periodically v Do not empty below treatment level Summary

u Slurry Storage –Maximizes nutrient retention –More balanced with plant needs –Should be cleaned out at least annually –Encourage cover to reduce odors u Proper management including regular inspections and record keeping are essential Summary

u Overall Farm Nutrient Balance –Nutrients brought onto farm in feed, fertilizer, animals, legumes –Exported in animals and animal products, manure, losses Summary

u 3 methods of estimating inventory –Standard values (lb/animal/day; lb/lb of animal/year; etc.) - - simple to use, but tend to be out of date and values vary greatly by farm. Leaner animals produce more N, less P –Inputs - Outputs - - more complicated, but more accurate if records available –Nutrient analysis and Records of Quantities Pumped - - most accurate if adequate records are available v (Does not account for sludge storage unless sludge is sampled or agitation is used before sampling) Summary

u All methods except analysis and records must estimate storage losses u Storage losses can vary greatly with management differences. Generally represent the greatest difference in manure nutrient content between farms, especially N u Your system may be somewhere between systems described in published lists Summary

Questions? Resources: AWARE Web site: Then click on “Animal Waste Management” John W. Worley