feedlot runoff management by john andrews, p.e., state conservation engineer 10/16/02 nrcs,...
TRANSCRIPT
Feedlot Runoff Management
By John Andrews, P.E., State Conservation Engineer 10/16/02 NRCS, Lakewood, CO
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Feedlot Runoff Management
Intended Outcomes
After this session, the participants will:
Recognize sources of contaminated runoff.
Be aware of feedlot site selection factors.
Understand the features and benefits of common feedlot runoff control practices.
“Runoff control undoubtedly constitutes the single most important technology available to the feedlot industry for preventing discharge to navigable waters of the United States.” (EPA, 1974)
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Feedlot Runoff Management
Runoff Happens ...
Runoff will occur when the depth of snowmelt or rainfall exceeds about 0.5 inches.
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Feedlot Runoff Management
Ft. Collins Rainfall Data
Period of Record 1898-2002
• 38,106 Days of Data
• 8,521 measurable precipitation events (22%)
• 821 events > 0.5 inches
• 90 events > 1.54” or 2yr design storm
• 4 events > 3.54” or 25yr design storm
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Feedlot Runoff Management
Frequency of Feedlot Runoff Events at Ft. Collins, CO.Period of Record 1898-2001
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Feedlot Runoff Events per Year (precipitation > 0.5")
Fre
qu
en
cy
Median = 7 events per yearAverage = 7.9 events per year
During no year on record has Ft. Collins received zero feedlot runoff events.
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Feedlot Runoff Management
Runoff Characteristics
Total Solids, (%) Total N, (mg/l) Total P, (mg/l)Source
Typical Range Typical Range Typical Range
Beef Feedlot Runoff(rainfall)
1.5 0.5–5.0 350 11–8593 300 10-500
Beef Feedlot Runoff(snowmelt)
2 0.8–22.0 1200 190-6528 290 5-917
Beef Lot Runoff Pond 0.3 200 -
Municipal/Residential 0.05 30 10
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Feedlot Runoff Management
Runoff Management Principles
I. Minimize Runoff Volume
II. Collect Runoff (so it can be managed)
III. Separate Solids (decrease management challenges)
IV. Store Liquids (until needed)
V. Land Apply Liquids at Agronomic Rate
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Feedlot Runoff Management
Runoff Management Principles
I. Minimize Runoff Volume
Good site location.
Keep “clean” water clean (divert run-on).
Clean lots regularly.
Grade flat lots to drain.
Reduce manure movement off steep lots.
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Feedlot Runoff Management
Runoff Management Principles
Minimize Runoff Volume
• Good Site Location
Locate lots to minimize “runon”
Lots slope at 2% to 5%
On soils w/ > 25% clay content
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Feedlot Runoff Management
Click on box to the right to play video clip
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Feedlot Runoff Management
Runoff Management Principles
• Other Location Requirements
Room for runoff collection & storage(about 1 acre for 100 to 200 AUs)
Setback >150’ from water courses & wells
Adequate distance from neighbors
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Feedlot Runoff Management
Runoff Management Principles
Minimize Runoff Volume
• Keep clean water clean Divert “clean” runoff away from feedlot Exclude roof water
> 5% of total drainage area Collection channels along foundation Roof gutters & outlet piping
Fix leaking water tanks Minimize use of “flow through” tanks
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Feedlot Runoff Management
Runoff Management Principles
• Minimize Runoff Volume w/ Appropriate lot sizeType of Animal Earth Lot Area
(square feet per head)Concrete Lot Area
(square feet per head)
Beef Cow & Calf Calf (< 600 lbs) Calf (600-1400 lbs)
300150225
503540
Dairy Calf (< 250lbs) Calf (250-600 lbs) Calf (600-1000 lbs)
125250400
203040
Sheep Rams & Ewes Ewes with lambs Feeder Lambs
304020
12168
(from Murphy & Harner, 2002)
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Feedlot Runoff Management
Runoff Management Principles
• Clean Lots Regularly Each time a pen is turned Monthly is better
* Leave 1” to 2” packed manure seal* Clean under fences* Pulling better than pushing
(e.g. use a box scraper or rear mounted blade)
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Feedlot Runoff Management
Runoff Management Principles
• Flat Lots Need Drainage
Build mounds
Install collection channels
Fill low spots that pond runoff
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Feedlot Runoff Management
Click on box to the right to play video clip
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Feedlot Runoff Management
Runoff Management Principles
Mounds ...
Add slope to a flat lot
Provide windbreak & warming area
Serve as a low tech compost pile
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Feedlot Runoff Management
Cross Section of a Feedlot Mound
Provide about 30 sq.ft. per AU per side
(from Murphy & Harner, 2002)
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Feedlot Runoff Management
Single Row Feedlot Design
Concrete apron
Feed bunk
Waterer
Mound
Channel
Fence
Feed Road
(from Murphy & Harner, 2002)
Click on box to the right to play video clip
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Feedlot Runoff Management
Runoff Management Principles
Steep Lots Need ...
Roads & channels aligned on the contour
More frequent cleaning
Consider terraces or other erosion control practices
Buffers between lot & area below it
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Feedlot Runoff Management
Click on box to the right to play video clip
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Feedlot Runoff Management
Runoff Management Principles
Managed runoff from these areas too:
Manure Stockpiles
Composting Areas
Snow Piles
Silage Pit
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Feedlot Runoff Management
Runoff Management Questions
• Can you divert runoff away from the pens?
• What is the slope of your feedlot?
– Is the lot too flat to drain rainfall runoff?
– Are there low areas that pond water on the lot?
– Is the lot so steep that gullies form, or manure piles at bottom?
• Are your pens bigger than they need to be?
• How frequently do you collect manure?
• Do you leave a thin manure layer to seal the surface?
• How do you handle snow?
• How will you collect and manage feedlot runoff?
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Feedlot Runoff Management
Typical Feedlot Components
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Feedlot Runoff Management
Two Basic Types of Runoff Control Options
• Containment
• Discharge
Feedlot Runoff Control Alternatives Based on Pounds of N in the Runoff
Total Annual N in Runoff, lbs
Containment Systems Vegetative Systems
Lagoon
Holding
Pond
Evaporation Pond
Wetland
Infiltration Field
Grass
Filter Terrace
<100 (<2 Acres)*
X X X X X X X
100-500 (2 - 10 Acres)*
X X X X X X
500-1,000(10 -20 Acres)*
X X X X X
1,000 – 4,000(20 - 70 Acres)*
X X X X
>4,000 (> 70 Acres)*
X X
(from Murphy & Harner, 2002)* ~ 50 lbs. per acre of feedlot in Colorado
Feedlot Runoff Control Alternatives Based on Water Surface Evaporation.
XXXX< 30
XXXXX30 – 45
XXXXXX45 – 60
XXXXX> 60
Terrace
Grass
filter
Infiltration field
Wetland
Evaporation pond
Holding
pondLagoon
Vegetative SystemsContainment SystemsFree Water Surface Evaporation inches
(from Murphy & Harner, 2002)
Controlling runoff from AFOs with a sediment basin discharging into vegetative system using filter strips
or wetland cells.
Confined Feeding Pens
Sedimentation Channel/Basin
Controlling runoff from AFOs or CAFOs using a conventional total containment structure such as a holding
pond or evaporative pond.
Confined Feeding Pens
Sedimentation Channel
Holding or EvaporativePond
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Feedlot Runoff Management
The size of a vegetative system is based on
hydraulic characteristics, crop nutrient use,
and the water holding capacity of the soil.
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Feedlot Runoff Management
In some watersheds, phosphorus (P)
may be the limiting nutrient rather
than N, and thus the crop uptake of P
becomes the design-limiting nutrient.
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Feedlot Runoff Management
Holding ponds or lagoons are commonly
used for operations greater than 300 AUs
or where space is limited.
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Feedlot Runoff Management
The costs of controlling the runoff from existing
facilities must be weighed against new lot
construction on an alternative location.
Renovation vs. New Construction
Producers constructing new facilities need to
address current regulations and also design for
compliance with future regulations.
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Feedlot Runoff Management
References
Davis, J.G. , T. Stanton & T. Haren. 1995. Feedlot Manure Management. CSU Extension Bulletin 1.220. Colorado State University. Ft Collins, CO.
EPA. 1974. Feedlots - EPA-440/1-74-004-9. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.
EPA. 1976. Manure Harvesting Practices: Effects on Waste Characteristics - EPA-600/2-76-292-9. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research & Development, Ada, OK.
Miner, J.R., F. Humenik, and M. Overcash. 2000. Managing Livestock Waste to Preserve Environmental Quality. Iowa State University Press. Ames, IA.
Murphy, P. and J. Harner. 2002. Open Lot Runoff Management Options; Lesson 22, Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship Curriculum. Midwest Plan Service, Iowa State University. Ames, IA.
MWPS. 1993. Livestock Waste Facilities Handbook, 3rd Ed. Midwest Plan Service, Iowa State University. Ames, IA.
NRCS. 1992. Agricultural Waste Management Field Handbook. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Washington, D.C.