Nutrient Issues Review of Nutrient Management Issues Addressed by EPA NODA for Proposed CAFO Regulations

Fundamental outcomes of a nutrient management plan:

Fundamental outcomes of a nutrient management plan: 1. Minimize concentration (accumulation) of nutrients within a CAFO

2. Recycle manure nutrients: match crop nutrient needs with nutrient inputs 1. Minimize concentration (accumulation) of nutrients within a CAFO Fundamental outcomes of a nutrient management plan:

3. Minimize contaminant movement from land application site 2. Recycle manure nutrients: match crop nutrient needs with nutrient inputs 1. Minimize concentration (accumulation) of nutrients within a CAFO Fundamental outcomes of a nutrient management plan:

3. Minimize contaminant movement from land application site Mandatorysetbacks or buffers 1. Minimize concentration (accumulation) of nutrients within a CAFO 2. Recycle manure nutrients: match crop nutrient needs with nutrient inputs EPA’s partial CNMP focuses on:

Nutrient Issues Issues of Agreement 1. Increased flexibility for states to set BMP’s. Recommendation: Utilize University recommendations or NRCS 590 specifications as foundation for state specific nutrient management practices (e.g. soil & manure testing, P Index)

Nutrient Issues Issues of Agreement 2. P-Banking is acceptable practice within certain limitations. Recommendation: Multi-year P applications are acceptable if : –Crop N requirements are not exceeded. –Crop P should match “state-based” land grant university of NRCS standards.

Nutrient Issues Issues of Concern 1. EPA’s CNMP is only a “partial CNMP”. Recommendation: -EPA should clearly identify mandatory and voluntary elements of CNMP. - EPA should credit plans targeting improved whole farm nutrient balance as “environmentally equivalent” to mandatory elements.

Nutrient Issues Issues of Concern 2. CNMP currently focuses strictly on crop nutrient management planning & setbacks as only solutions. Recommendation: All nutrient management tools should be recognized as providing environmental benefits by CAFO regs.

Nutrient Management Solutions:Manure treatment - nutrient disposal nutrient disposal or export Efficientnutrient use in crops Efficientnutrient use in feeding program Conservationplan Nutrientexport to off-farm users

Conservationplan Nutrient Management Solutions:Manure treatment - nutrient disposal nutrient disposal or export Nutrientexport to off-farm users Buffer Strips Efficientnutrient use in crops Efficientnutrient use in feeding program

Conservationplan Nutrient Management Solutions:Manure treatment - nutrient disposal nutrient disposal or export Nutrientexport to off-farm users Buffer Strips Efficientnutrient use in crops Efficientnutrient use in feeding program Will EPA recognize “Environmental Equivalent” nutrient management solutions?

Nutrient Issues Issues of Concern 3. Preference given to commercial fertilizer as opposed to manure nutrients: –P-Based Application Rates –100’ foot setbacks –Increased liability imposed on off-farm users associated with manure use as opposed to fertilizer. Recommendation: The environmental benefits of manure applied at agronomic rate suggests that manure should not be restricted from situations where fertilizer is allowed.

Nutrient Issues Increased Fertilizer Use Farm Boundary Managed Outputs Inputs Fertilizer Crops Sold Feeds Manure Losses or Soil Storage Storage

Nutrient Issues Increased Fertilizer Use Farm Boundary Managed Outputs Inputs Fertilizer Crops Sold Feeds Manure Losses or Soil Storage Storage

Nutrient Issues Increased Fertilizer Use Farm Boundary Managed Outputs Inputs Fertilizer Crops Sold Feeds Manure Losses or Soil Storage Storage

Nutrient Issues 4. Compliance is documented by completion of plan and implementation of practices and record keeping, not improved performance. Recommendation: Environmental performance indicators should be optional procedure for documenting success of CNMP to EPA. Issues of Concern

Nutrient Issues Alternative Performance Indicators Performance Outcome Indicator 1. Limit concentration of- Whole Farm nutrients within CAFO’s Nutrient Balance 2. Recycle manure nutrients - Crop N Balance within cropping system - Fertilizer Purchases 3. Minimize movement of - Surface water… pollutants from land Soil P Index application site. - Ground water…Crop N Balance

Nutrient Issues Environmental Management System component addressing nutrient issues. Nutrient Outcomes & Performance Indicators Should Be Foundation for...

Nutrient Issues Environmental Benefits of Manure Applied at Agronomic Rates  N leaching potential  soil erosion & runoff  soil carbon ….  crop productivity Replace energy intensive N fertilizer & limited resource P fertilizer

Nutrient Issues Farm Boundary Managed Outputs Nutrient Issues Addressed by EPA’s CNMP Inputs Losses or Soil Storage Storage Fertilizer Crops Sold Feeds Manure

Nitrogen Inputs (% of Total) One Time Animal Capacity (animal units) Nitrogen Inputs to Livestock Systems < > % 50% 3% 10% 50% 30% 3% 75% 20% Animals Fertilizer Feeds Legumes 32% 10% 2%

,00010,000 Livestock Capacity (Animal Units) Phosphorus Balance (Ratio of In/Out) 100,000 Phosphorus Whole Farm Balance Phosphorus Whole Farm Balance

,00010,000 Livestock Capacity (Animal Units) Phosphorus Balance (Ratio of In/Out) 100,000 Low Risk Phosphorus Whole Farm Balance Phosphorus Whole Farm Balance

,00010,000 Livestock Capacity (Animal Units) Phosphorus Balance (Ratio of In/Out) 100,000 Low Risk Increasing Risk Phosphorus Whole Farm Balance Phosphorus Whole Farm Balance

Nutrient Issues Farm Boundary Managed Outputs Nutrient Flows on Livestock Farms Inputs Losses or Soil Storage Storage Feed Animals Irrigation Fertilizer Legumes Animals Sold Manure Sold Crops Sold Feeds Manure

Phosphorus Inputs (% of Total) < >2500 One Time Animal Capacity (animal units) Phosphorus Inputs to Livestock Systems Animals Fertilizer Feeds

Phosphorus Inputs (% of Total) < >2500 One Time Animal Capacity (animal units) Phosphorus Inputs to Livestock Systems 35% 62% 3% Animals Fertilizer Feeds

Phosphorus Inputs (% of Total) < >2500 One Time Animal Capacity (animal units) Phosphorus Inputs to Livestock Systems 35% 62% 3% 33% 47% 20% Animals Fertilizer Feeds

Phosphorus Inputs (% of Total) < >2500 One Time Animal Capacity (animal units) Phosphorus Inputs to Livestock Systems 35% 62% 3% 33% 47% 20% 1% 74% 25% Animals Fertilizer Feeds