&EPA
United States
Er^lroir
Agency
Poultry Production and Environmental Stewardship
Management of manure, litter, and poultry by-products 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 poultry industry (layer, broiler, breeder, turkey) faces growing scrutiny of its environmental stewardship. The
potential impact of an individual operation on the environment varies with animal concentration, weather, terrain, soils,
and numerous other conditions.
• What are your highest risk situations or practices for your poultry 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 poultry production will benefit you in identifying
and implementing best management practices and being an environmental steward.
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Managing Storage
Poultry manure (litter) and wastewater can be managed and stored to
protect water quality.
Well designed and maintained layer wastewater
lagoon.
Properly managed litter in a storage shed.
This litter pile is a good example of proper short-term field
storage. It is secured with a tarp and weights.
Improperly stored and managed wastewater could pollute surface or ground water.
Improperly released wastewater from layer manure
storage could pollute ground and surface water.
Runoff from uncovered litter stockpile.
Litter stockpiles subject to runoff and leaching.
Page 2
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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 litter application from a calibrated spreader truck.
Creating and following nutrient management plans
could improve the quality and productive capacity of
soils.
Litter application on fields with good vegetative
cover.
Some application practices could cause problems.
Land application on fields with sub-surface drainage Applying litter and wastewater to frozen soils can
tiles could result in a discharge. result in runoff.
Improper application of manure on erodible soils can
pollute surface water.
PageS
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Public Perception
Well maintained poultry facilities can be managed to benefit the
environment and improve public perception of the industry.
Proper litter/compost storage.
Grass filter strips protect surface water from litter
and wastewater application.
Well maintained and managed poultry facility.
Some practices could harm the environment and affect public opinion.
s&f:-. »>,*,.rfoS;,.
Litter stockpiles subject to runoff.
Egg wash waste contaminates a stream and causes a Poorly managed facilities could affect public opinion.
fish kill.
Page 4
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Poultry Confinement Areas
Best Management Practices can be applied to poultry confinement areas.
Well designed and maintained poultry units.
Bell waterers help maintain dry litter.
Some practices should be avoided.
Index cards or fly paper may be used to determine
insect population and density and could reduce the
use of pesticides.
Poorly maintained facility affects storm water
management.
Leaking waterers complicates litter management.
Poorly controlled fly population covers the wall of
this poultry facility.
Page 5
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Other Practices
Management Practices showing a concern for environmental health and
safety.
Records should be kept to facilitate nutrient planning
and develop written plans for unforeseen
emergencies.
Composting mortalities conserves nutrients and may
be later used as fertilizer.
Freezer units for rendering mortalities protects water
quality.
Field composting of litter permits the reuse of
nutrients.
Precision feed management and the addition of
phytase promotes animal health and nutrient
management.
Testing soils helps determine nutrient levels and plan
for land application of manure.
For further assistance please contact your local office of USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service or Extension office, EPA,
conservation district, state environmental agency, or state conservation agencies. For assistance in contacting these local offices, to obtain
copies of this document or other types of assistance, contact EPA's Ag Center by calling toll free 1-888-663-2155 or at www.epa.gov/agriculture.
Photos courtesy of:
USDA (NRCS and ARS); FEMA; and EPA.
Office of Enforcement & Compliance Assurance
Washington, DC 20460
EPA 305-F-03-002
April 2003
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