United Slates
              Erwlrenrrental Prelection
                  Dairies 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 dairy 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, 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 on dairy farms 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.
Depth markers gauge wastewater levels and help
avoid capacity issues.
Well maintained earthen manure storage pond.
Tank storage with sufficient freeboard.
    Improperly stored and managed wastewater could pollute surface or ground water.
Overflowing manure storage pond has exceeded
capacity.
Uncontained discharges from manure storage ponds
could contaminate surface water.
Manure overflows this storage area and threatens
nearby streams with degraded water quality.
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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 Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan allows efficient use of nutrients and protects
    water quality.
A calibrated tank spreads manure evenly.
Developing and following nutrient management plans
could improve the quality of soils.
Even liquid manure application by drag line
incorporation.
    Some application practices could cause problems.
Application to frozen soils could result in runoff.
Non-calibrated sprayers can result in excessive
application of manure.
 Spreading on saturated ground could result in runoff.


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                          Public  Perception
    Well maintained dairy facilities can  be managed to benefit the
    environment and improve public perception of the  industry.
Limiting direct access for cattle to streams protects
water quality and shows good environmental
stewardship.
Grass filter strips protect surface water from manure    A well maintained and managed dairy facility.
and wastewater application runoff.
     Some practices could harm the environment and affect public opinion.
Surface water could become polluted if animals are
allowed direct access.
Uncovered and uncontained manure stockpile.
Poorly managed facilities could affect public opinion.
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                            Production Areas
     Best Management Practices can be applied to dairy production areas.
Covered livestock holding areas minimize the mixing   Well designed and properly maintained manure
of stormwater with manure and help keep the      management systems prevent runoff.
animals cool.
     Some practices should be avoided.
Animals should not be allowed direct access to
surface waters.
Runoff from confinement area.
                                A bermed livestock yard prevents runoff.
Piped discharges of barnyard and milkhouse
wastewater could pollute surface water.
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                                    Other  Practices
      Management Practices showing  a concern for environmental  health  and
      safety.
 Securing facilities prevents accidents and vandalism.     Covered compost and manure storage minimizes
                                        runoff.
                                       Gutters separate clean and dirty water and prevent
                                       water from accumulating in corrals.
 Dairies may use methane recovery systems to
 reduce air emissions and as an alternate energy
 source.
A centrally located water tank allows cattle rotation
on different pastures.
Bermed, secured, and covered silage prevents
runoff.
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-03-003
             April 2003

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