United Slates
Erwlrenrrental Prelection
Beef Cattle 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 beef 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, plans for expansion, 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 beef farms will benefit you in identifying and
implementing best management practices and being an environmental steward.
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Managing Storage
• Manure and effluents can be managed and stored to protect water
quality.
Depth markers gauge runoff holding pond levels and Bermed manure storage prevents runoff.
help avoid capacity issues.
Sediment basins are used to trap and manage solid
manure.
Improperly stored and managed effluents could pollute surface or ground water.
Earthen storage with eroded sidewalls could result in Runoff from unprotected stockpiles could pollute
a discharge. surface water.
Solid manure should be periodically removed from
sediment basins to prevent capacity issues.
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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.
• Nutrient Management Plans provide a proper balance of nutrients and protect water quality.
A calibrated spreader applies manure evenly.
Creating and following nutrient management plans
could improve the quality of soils.
Center pivots with low pressure nozzles evenly apply
liquids from holding ponds with limited odor.
Some application practices could cause problems.
-3?
Application to frozen soils.
Lack of planning could result in manure application
at inappropriate times.
Manure from spray irrigation applied directly to a
drainage ditch. Big gun sprayers also could unevenly
apply effluents and cause runoff.
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Public Perception
Well maintained beef facilities can be managed to benefit the
environment and improve public perception of the industry.
Fencing keeps cattle from having direct access to
surface waters.
Grass filter strips protect surface water from manure A well maintained facility emphasizes dust and odor
and effluent application. control.
Some practices could harm the environment and affect public opinion.
Animals should not be allowed direct access to
surface waters.
Improper storage of manure could lead to surface
water contamination.
Poorly managed facilities could affect public opinion.
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Production Areas
Best Management Practices can be applied to beef production areas.
A bermed feedlot contains polluted runoff.
Feedlots located on sloped land provide good
drainage and protect animal health.
Some practices should be avoided.
Concrete ditches (or well maintained grassed
waterways) control effluents and carry it to a runoff
holding pond.
Animals should not be allowed direct access to
surface waters.
Wintering operations provide additional challenges to
containing runoff and stormwater.
Uncontrolled manure that enters surface waters
constitutes a point source discharge.
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Other Practices
Management Practices showing a concern for environmental health and
safety.
Pasture rotation provides adequate cover to prevent Self watering systems protect surface water from
runoff to surface waters. direct access by animals.
Cleaning solids from ditches allows effluent to flow
freely to retention ponds.
Develop an emergency management system.
Testing soils helps determine nutrient levels and plan
for land application of manure.
Wind row composting allows for recycling of manure
and aids in planning for 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-03-004
April 2003
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