United Slates
              Erwlrenrrental Prelection
         Swine Production and  Environmental Stewardship

Management of manure and other by products of livestock production is a complex environmental issue. Manure and
livestock by products can have both positive and  negative environmental consequences. Manure can produce substantial
benefits and/or result in severe environmental degradation. The actual environmental result depends upon choices that
the producer makes.
The swine industry faces growing scrutiny of its environmental stewardship. The potential impact of an individual
operation on the environment varies with animal  concentration, weather, terrain, soils, production and waste management
strategies, and numerous other conditions.

•  What are your highest risk situations or practices for your livestock operation?
•   Are you developing plans and investing resources to address the highest risk situations?

•   Are you an environmental steward?
It is hoped that this pictorial review of management practices found in swine production will benefit you in identifying and
implementing best management practices and being an environmental steward.

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                          Managing  Storage
     Manure and wastewater can be managed and stored to protect water
     quality.
A lined lagoon with adequate storage capacity
protects ground and surface water.
Depth markers gauge wastewater levels and help
avoid capacity issues.
Well maintained earthen lagoon facilitates proper
operation and maintenance.
    Improperly stored and managed wastewater could pollute surface or ground water.
Improperly managed manure and wastewater could    Overflowing lagoon has exceeded its capacity.
negatively impact water quality.
                               Lack of proper operation and maintenance results in
                               a failed berm.
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 Land Application and  Nutrient Management
•   Properly applied manure is a valuable source of plant nutrients that improves the quality and
    productivity of soils.

•   A Nutrient Management Plan allows efficient use of nutrients and protects water quality.
 Even field application by incorporation reduces runoff
 and odor.
Creating and following nutrient management plans
could improve the quality of soils.
A calibrated tank spreads manure evenly.
    Some application practices could cause problems.

 Non-calibrated sprayers can result in excessive
 application of manure.
Manure from spray irrigation applied directly to a
drainage ditch.
Application to saturated soils could result in runoff.


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                           Public Perception
    Well  maintained swine facilities can be managed to benefit the
    environment and improve public perception of the  industry.
Grass filter strips protect surface water from manure
and wastewater application.
Waste deposited under the surface of a lagoon could
help reduce offensive odor.
A well maintained facility with sufficient acreage for
land application of manure.
     Some practices could harm the environment and affect public opinion.
Poor lagoon border management could result in
stability, pest, and odor problems.
Undersized and poorly managed lagoon.
Poorly managed facilities could affect public opinion.
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                  Swine Confinement Areas

     Best Management Practices can be applied to swine confinement areas.
Well designed and maintained swine units.
Fly paper or index cards could be used to determine
insect population and density.
                             Slotted floors facilitate waste handling and the recycling
                             of wastewater.
     Some practices should be avoided.
Poorly designed and maintained facility.
Lack of insect control leads to animal stress, could
increase the spread of disease and be a nuisance to
neighbors.
                             Spilled feed wastes money and increases nutrient
                             content of manure.
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                                     Other  Practices
      Management Practices showing a  concern for environmental  health  and
      safety.
 Securing facilities prevents accidents, vandalism, and
 is a biosecurity precaution.
Precision feed management and the addition of
phytase promotes animal health and nutrient
management.
Develop an emergency management system.
 Testing soils helps determine nutrient levels and plan
 for land application of manure.
Swine raised on pasture rotation system.
Testing manure promotes proper nutrient
management.
For further assistance please contact your local office of USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service or Extension office
£http://offices.usda.gov/scripts/ndISAPI.dll/oip_public/USA_map), conservation district (www.nacdnet.org/directory/index.htm),
state environmental agency (http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/contacts.cfm?program_id=7&type=STATE), or state conservation agencies
(http://nascanet.org/docs/state2.html). For assistance in contacting local offices, to obtain copies of this document or other types of assistance,
contact EPA's Ag Center (www.epa.gov/agriculture) or call toll free 1-888-663-2155.
 Photos courtesy of:
 USDA (NRCS and ARS); FEMA; and EPA.
Office of Enforcement & Compliance Assurance
Washington, DC 20460
        EPA 305-F-03-001
        April 2003

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