Developing a manure management plan may seem like a daunting task, or something done by large farms, but the components of a plan can be applied to all types of farming operations. A common misconception is that manure management must be an all-or-nothing approach. This is not necessarily the truth as many plans are developed and implemented using an integrated approach. Many small farms can benefit by looking at the components of a manure management systems plan, evaluating what is feasible for your farm, and understanding what options may be available. It also enables you to develop a sustainable plan for the future by reducing environmental risk and streamlining fertilizer costs.
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Before doing anything else, think about what encompasses your farm:
By doing this initial exercise, you will get an informed perspective as a starting point.
The next step is to calculate how much manure is being produced by your animals. In general, a broiler chicken will produce approximately 0.23 pounds of manure in a day. An example calculation follows:
Manure volume produced by one broiler per average growing period (48 days):
Broiler = 0.23 lbs manure/day
0.23 lbs manure * 48days = 11.04 lbs of manure/growing period/broiler
Consider having a small flock of 20 broilers: 11.04 lbs manure/month/broiler * 20 broilers = 220.8 lbs of manure/growing period/flock
If you have 14 days of downtime between flocks and 365 days per year, the number of flocks grown per year
could be up to:
48 days grown + 14 days of downtime = 62 total days
365 days/year ÷ 62 days ~ 5 flocks per year
Total amount of manure per year: 5 flocks * 220.8 lbs of manure/growing period/flock = 1,104 lbs of manure/year
Table 1. Manure Production and Characteristics
Note: The values in this table will be referred to later on in this document when considering manure utilization. (Source: American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers [ASABE], March , R, D384.2) The standard can be obtained by contacting ASABE in St. Joseph, Michigan. Presented as bolded text in the table is from the Midwest Plan Service Publication MWPS–18, Section 1 ().
What if my hog weighs 300 lbs? One logical way to determine this would be to pro-rate volume produced to the specific weight of your animal.
(10 lbs of manure ×weight of your hog in lbs)/(154 lb hog)=lbs of manure produced by your hog
Having an accurate idea of how much manure you are dealing with on a monthly basis will be extremely helpful in the planning process as well as in helping you understand if your land base resources are adequate.
When considering collection of manure on your farm, try to identify all the possible scenarios of where you may potentially collect manure. Some examples appear in Table 2.
Now you can start to formulate the volume of manure you may be collecting from each location depending on how your animals are managed.
Example:
You have two show horses (1,100 lbs each) that are gone from the farm 45 days of the year to shows. When at the farm, they are housed in stalls or an exercise/turnout lot (average time per day = 12 hours stalled – 12 hours outside).
The formula needed for collection calculation would be:
Number of animals times the total days or time spent in that respective housing unit times the amount of manure produced within that timeframe
365 days in a year – 45 days gone = 320 days on the farm
160 days spent in a stall and 160 days in an exercise/turnout lot
2 horses * 160 days * 57 lbs manure = 18,240 lbs of manure between both exercise/turnout lots
2 horses * 160 days * (57 + 17.1) lbs manure + bedding = 23,172 lbs of manure + bedding between both stalls
Total manure + bedding = 18,240 lbs (exercise/turnout lots) + 23,172 lbs (stall waste) = 41,412 lbs total per year
The idea is to break out the time for how you specifically manage your animals (what type of housing and timeframe spent in that respective unit) allowing for estimation and accountability of manure produced and collected.
When storing manure, consider how the location may affect daily task efficiency and ensure appropriate environmental stewardship practices. Additionally, the storage needs to be economically feasible to build and maintain.
If you plan to build or have an existing manure storage structure, the capacity (volume) of the manure storage can be calculated in cubic feet (ft3).
Capacity = Length * Width * Height
Refer to Table 1 that shows how much manure can be produced per day. Realistically, consider how manure will be managed or removed (every month, every six months, or every year). Then build a structure to the appropriate (or even excess of 20%) volume carrying capacity.
Capacity needed = Number of each animal species (cubic ft produced) * Number of days before removed
Stockpiling Manure
Temporarily stockpiling manure on the ground is an acceptable practice with appropriate management. The following points for this practice are outlined in the Michigan Generally Accepted Management Practices (GAAMPs):
(Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, , p. 8)
If you lack other options, large dumpsters may be a viable option for some, especially during the winter months of the year. This type of manure storage, which includes removal, can be expensive. However, if you consider this option, choose a location where driveway accessibility is appropriate for the truck to pick up and deliver dumpsters during times of the year when weather is inclement.
Spreading raw manure in combination with soiled bedding (stall waste) on your pasture is not an advisable practice. Spreading raw manure on your pasture or crop fields may spread parasites and weed seeds. Barn waste with wood products such as sawdust or wood shavings can deplete the soil of nitrogen (needed for grass to grow) due to the breakdown of carbon. This can result in an undesired outcome when attempting to grow forage. For reference, grass clippings have a carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C:N) of approximately 17:1. The C:N of sawdust or wood shavings is approximately 500:1.
Composting is the managed biological decomposition process that converts organic matter into stable, humus-like material. Microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, break down organic components of manure and bedding into smaller particles. The resulting compost is a dark, earthy-smelling product like potting soil. (See Figure 1.)
Four key factors will determine the success of your composting efforts:
Other considerations
A concrete base is an excellent choice for composting, as it is easy to clean and maintain, though having an impermeable surface of any kind is desirable. Additionally, a concrete base can help prevent the leaching of nutrients from the compost pile into groundwater. A base such as gravel, sand, wood chips, or other materials is not recommended because it may make mixing and turning the material difficult.
When selecting a site for composting manure, always remember to follow environmental stewardship practices and be aware of factors such as prevailing winds, distance to property lines, wells, neighboring residences, slope of the site, and distance away from any surface water.
Whether you are moving manure directly to a storage facility, transferring manure to a field for temporary stockpiling, or applying manure, you must understand the type of spreader or equipment you plan to use. Consider how much manure the spreader can hold and how you plan to put manure into the spreader (using a tractor with a loader bucket to pull manure from the designated manure storage, cleaning a stall out directly
into the spreader, or other methods). Furthermore, planning an efficient route to and from the manure storage makes the storage easier to use. A route to the field for manure application must also be planned. The route should avoid sensitive areas such as surface water and wetlands, limited-weight traffic roads, and sensitive neighboring facilities such as schools and hospitals.
Manure can be considered a low-cost fertilizer source, which may allow for a reduction of commercial fertilizer. Proper transfer and placement of manure will ensure success in getting manure nutrients to appropriate locations. With this in mind, take these manure application considerations into account:
Timing and Practice
In addition to application practices and soil and manure analyses, take timing and application conditions into consideration as shown in Table 3.
Application Condition
Recommended Practice
Within 150 feet of surface waters/areas subject to flooding
Grassed waterway
Saturated soils
Sloping ground > 6%
Frozen snow-covered solid
(Source: Best Environmental Management Practices: Farm Animal Production, Land Application of Manure and Environmentally Sensitive Field Characteristics, Table 2).
Keeping an eye on the weather forecast is necessary when applying manure. The Michigan EnviroImpact Tool will help aid in your manure application decision (Figure 3). This tool allows the user to see if there is the potential of nutrient runoff in the case of precipitation, snow melt, or saturated soil. By using the Michigan EnviroImpact Tool as a decision support tool, you can better plan your manure application, helping to keep manure on the field, which will save you dollars while protecting the environment.
Soil and Manure Analysis
Manure utilization involves the nutrient balance of the manure, soil, and crops and may involve other options of dealing with manure off the farm.
Michigan State University Extension recommends conducting a soil analysis before manure application takes place. Soil analyses are relatively inexpensive and are relevant for three years. A soil analysis allows you to identify the nutrient levels in a pasture or field. Additionally, you can identify the concentration of nutrients in the manure. Commonly, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are analyzed in both tests. By understanding these analyses, a nutrient balance can be found allowing for maximum yield of the crop being grown, maximum economic benefit, and reduced environmental risk from possible runoff of manure nutrients. This is also important if applying manure to pastures.
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According to the Manure Management and Utilization GAAMPs, the following practices should be followed when applying manure:
(Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, )
The typical key nutrients involved with nutrient balance, N, P, and K, tend to have the greatest impact on soil health and growth of a pasture or crop. Testing the soil will help to give an indication of the soil’s nutrient levels. Testing the manure shows the nutrients that can potentially be applied to a pasture or crop. Applying manure to meet the N needs of a crop is ideal, but if the nutrient saturation in the soil has too much P, this can result in loss of nutrients since the soil won’t be able to retain the nutrients and the crops will not use enough of the nutrients. This is where economic and environmental concerns come into play. Let’s take a look at an example.
When applying horse manure to meet the soil phosphorus replacement needs after Orchardgrass is grazed (harvested), the N needs of the soil may not be met. To get the best stand or crop it is important to understand the nutrient needs of the crop. Consistent manure utilization practices build-up the organic matter in the soil, which produces a healthier crop or grass stand.
To avoid overloading the soil with P, consider the Manure Management and Utilization GAAMPs any time you apply manure to a pasture or crop. Get a soil and manure analysis to prevent oversaturation of nutrients in the soil. Oversaturation of nutrients can lead to nutrient runoff and leaching, along with soil nutrient imbalances. Soil nutrient imbalances cause improper growth of pasture and, therefore, unsuitable nutrient intake by horses and other animals. Rotational grazing can also be an important and valuable resource to keep the soil and the pasture, healthy. Rotational
grazing allows for even spreading of nutrients by the animal, even grazing, and reduced wear.
Options to move manure off the farm may be necessary if nutrient concentrations in the soil are too high:
Understanding why manure smells and choosing appropriate manure spreading times will help any farm owner be a good neighbor and an excellent manure manager. So, what is it about manure that produces an unpleasant odor?
Measurements and characteristics that contribute to the odor of manure include:
Although manure can be spread any time throughout the year (though, not recommended during winter months as discussed earlier), there are opportune times to spread and times that should be avoided to reduce unpleasant odors.
Other practices also ensure good standing with others in your community:
The Manure Management and Utilization GAAMPs encourage the following practices related to odor management of manure:
(Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, )
Plan ahead and consider how the odor from manure has the potential to be a nuisance. By following some or all of these practices, the manure odor can be effectively managed, making you a good neighbor in your community, and your home and farm a place that everyone wants to visit.
Although manure is not commonly involved in large spills, you should have an emergency spill response plan in place, considering human safety as well as environmental safety. While manure spills are thought of as occurring on roadways, they can occur as a result of manure overapplication especially if a large rain or snowmelt event happens shortly after applying. Areas and occasions in which manure spills commonly occur, as shown in Practical Considerations for Solid Manure, are the loading area or transfer area, local transport, long distance hauling, and field spreading or land application (Wilson, ).
Prevention is the most important way to avoid a possible manure spill. The 4Rs of nutrient management serve as a guide for prevention planning.
Practice additional prevention techniques at these areas where manure spills are most likely to occur:
Should a spill occur, follow these spill response steps:
Record keeping is as an essential management tool and serves as a baseline for all aspects related to taking care of animals, including animal manure management. Knowing how much manure is produced; how it is stored; and when, how, and where it is applied, utilized, or transported are key components to developing a sustainable manure management plan for your farm in the future.
Creating a record-keeping system may seem like a daunting endeavor, but it does not have to be. Finding a documentation method that works efficiently for you is the first step. This can be as easy as notes in a three-ring binder, on a calendar, in an App, on your or computer. Your records should be easy to read and easily understood by someone else. They should have the capability to be printed or copied.
Tips for record keeping:
An example record keeping form follows.
In the end, consider thinking of your manure management records and record keeping in this way:
Commit to documenting manure management practices in a way that holds you
Responsible for managing manure in an appropriate way. This will hold you
Accountable for the by-product that your animals are producing and will help you avoid any
Problems in the future.
Frankenberger, J.R. et al. (n.d.). Best environmental management practices: Farm animal production, land application of manure and environmentally sensitive field characteristics. https://www.canr.msu.edu/uploads/resources/pdfs/Land_Application_of_Manure_and_Environmentally_Sensitive_Field_Characteristics_(E).pdf
Guthrie, T., Rozeboom, D. (). Carcass composting: A mortality management option for Michigan equine owners. Michigan State University Extension. https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/carcass_composting_a_mortality_management_option_michigan_equine_owners_e31
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. (, January). Generally accepted agricultural and management practices for manure management and utilization. https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdard/Manure_Management_and_Utilization__GAAMPs__7.pdf
Mikesell, R. E., Kephart, K. B., & Abdalla, C. W. (). Overview of social issues related to the swine industry. University of Illinois Extension. http://livestocktrail.illinois.edu/uploads/sowm/papers/p1-11.pdf
Rogers, E. (, April 19). What factors influence the odors in manure? Michigan State University Extension. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/what_factors_influence_the_odors_in_manure
Rogers, E., & Guthrie, T. (, November 15). An 8-step process for developing a horse manure management plan: Part 7 – Odor Management. Michigan State University Extension. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/an-8-step-process-for-developing-a-horse-manure-management-plan-part-7-odor-management
Good manure management starts with recognizing and understanding the value of manure as a resource that contains nutrients for crop production as well as the potential negative impacts manure can have on air, water, and soil. This publication outlines the general guidelines about managing livestock and poultry manure and provides a list of resources with detailed information on specific topics of good practices for manure management and use.
Manure is commonly used as a fertilizer and as an amendment to improve the quality of the soil. When manure is applied and managed properly according to the agronomic needs of crops, manure will improve crop productivity and reduce the demand for commercial fertilizer (see Phosphorus, Agriculture & the Environment, Virginia Cooperative Extension [VCE] publication 424-029; and Impact of Changing From Nitrogen- to Phosphorus-Based Manure Nutrient Management Plans, VCE publication 442-310). Managing manure to provide balanced nutrients that can be used as fertilizer may require that some nutrients be removed, conserved, or concentrated. For example, if the nitrogen (N) to phosphorus (P) ratio in the manure is one-to-one (1:1) and the agronomic requirement for these nutrients by a crop is four-to-one (4:1), meeting the agronomic needs of the crop using manure may require that some phosphorus be removed. Also, knowing that nitrogen can be lost from manure through volatilization of ammonia, it may be necessary to use management practices that will conserve nitrogen in the manure. If manure must be transported for long distances, it may be important to concentrate the nutrients to reduce the volume of water that has to be transported with manure in order to reduce transportation costs.
Nutrients can be recovered, conserved, or concentrated in manure through one or a combination of physical, chemical, or biological methods (see Selecting a Treatment Technology for Manure Management, VCE publication 442-306). Crops usually need more nitrogen than phosphorus; therefore, it would be beneficial to concentrate the nitrogen and remove the excess phosphorus from the manure to get the full benefits of manure using nutrient-recovery technologies that involve chemical, biological – or a combination of both – methods and a manure-separation system.
If handled properly, manure can be used to produce biogas that can be used as an alternative energy source (see Biomethane Technology, VCE publication 442-881). The biogas can then be used to produce electricity, hot water, steam, and/or transportation fuels. The quantity and quality of gas produced will depend on the digester design, operating temperature, and the type and quality of manure fed to the digester. Animal manure can also be subjected to the process of pyrolysis to produce char, oils, and gas. The oils and chars can be used for fuel or further processed to produce value-added products, such as plastics. Other considerations are to burn dried or solid manure in combustors or gasifiers to produce heat.
Animal manure can also be used for yeast and algae production, which can then be used to produce animal and fish feed and biofuel (see Microalgae as a Feedstock for Biofuel Production, VCE publication 442-886). Manures can also be used in the production of mushrooms or composted to produce a weed- and pathogen-free, high-quality soil amendment.
Water quality is everyone’s concern and it is important to remember that poor nutrient management can lead to water quality problems. The EPA reports that manure from animal agriculture is one of the major sources of contamination of our water supply. Manure contains nitrogen, phosphorus, organic matter, and pathogens that are considered four primary contaminants that affect water quality. These pollutants may enter water resources by runoff, leaching, and deposition from the atmosphere. Nutrients from the atmosphere may be deposited on land through precipitation (rain and snow fall) or dry deposition. These contaminants may increase the cost of treating the water for domestic and industrial uses.
Nitrogen is one of the basic components of proteins, which is a part of all living things. Nitrogen is usually provided to animals via feed. Animals use only part of the nitrogen in their feed to produce meat, milk, or eggs and for body growth and maintenance. The remaining protein is excreted.
Nitrogen in manure exists in two forms that can be described as inorganic or organic. The inorganic forms include ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite. The organic forms include urea, undigested proteins in manure and feed, and other animal waste products such as hair and feathers. The inorganic forms readily cause pollution when compared to the organic forms. However, when the organic forms of nitrogen decompose, ammonia is produced. Ammonia can be transformed into nitrates and nitrites when oxygen is provided to the manure. Ammonia can easily be lost to the atmosphere from the manure by volatilization. Different forms of nitrogen present different risks to water quality. Ammonia concentration exceeding 2 parts per million (ppm) can lead to fish kills. Nitrates above 10 ppm in drinking water may cause blue baby syndrome when consumed by infants. Excess nitrogen can cause eutrophication of surface-water resources.
Phosphorus is an essential nutrient to plant growth and development. Animals require it for bone development and optimum production. Animal manure that is land-applied to supply nutrients for crop growth typically does not match the nitrogen-to-phosphorus (N:P) ratio required by crops. Consequently, if manure is applied to satisfy the nitrogen requirements of a crop, phosphorus is over-applied and the soil phosphorus levels can increase (see Soil Test Note No. 5: Fertilizing with Manures, VCE publication 452-705; and Phosphorus, Agriculture & the Environment, VCE publication 424-029). When soils become saturated with phosphorus, the potential for losing it in runoff water increases. Phosphorus typically moves with water runoff and soil erosion. It can be attached to minerals containing iron, aluminum, and calcium or to organic matter such as crop residue, bacteria in the soil or manure, or decaying organic matter.
Pathogens include microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, and protozoa that cause infection or disease. Disease-causing microorganisms may be present in manure. Therefore, it is important to maintain adequate separation between the potential source of pollutants and water sources. Pathogens are most likely transported to water with surface runoff and erosion or by direct animal access to surface water. Streams and lakes used for drinking water and recreational purposes provide the greatest opportunities for transmitting these pathogens. Human beings may be infected if they consume crops irrigated with untreated manure that contains pathogens.
Organic matter in manure can be a valuable environmental resource if managed properly; however, if manure reaches a water body or moves off-site by water runoff, organic matter can become a harmful pollutant. Organic matter can come from manure, silage leachate, and milking center wastewater. Organic matter degrades rapidly in water and may result in oxygen depletion in bodies of water. Organic matter is transported into water by surface runoff. Rarely does organic matter leach through the soil.
Manure handling, storage, and utilization in livestock and poultry production results in a wide range of air emissions, which may create air quality concerns. The airborne emissions from livestock and animal production systems include hazardous gases, (e.g., ammonia [NH3] and hydrogen sulfide [H2S]), odor, dust, and greenhouse gases (e.g., methane [CH4], nitrous oxide [N2O] and carbon dioxide [CO2]). Dust is generated from regular farm traffic, land preparation, and other crop production activities, as well as from livestock and poultry barns with ventilation exhaust air. The concerns from these emissions include odor, atmospheric visibility, and respiratory health issues (see Ammonia Emissions and Animal Agriculture, VCE publication 442-110).
Odorous compounds are commonly considered to be unpleasant or nuisance experiences by neighbors. Neighbors sometimes relate or determine odor nuisance by a number of factors, including frequency and duration of occurrence; intensity of the odor experience; social factors, such as past experience with agriculture and relationship with the producer; and appearance of the production facility. Some neighbors may have strong emotional reactions and possible health-related issues to livestock- and poultry animal-related odor. Their concerns should be taken seriously. Ammonia released into the atmosphere is a loss of fertilizer value of the manure nitrogen. It may also result in formation of particulate matter that contributes to haze in the atmosphere. If the particulate matter is deposited back on land or on surface water, it may lead to area nitrogen enrichment and cause pollution. Livestock production is a source of greenhouse gases, and greenhouse gases contribute to global warming.
According to the EPA, “Environmental stewardship is the responsibility for environmental quality shared by all those whose actions affect the environment.” Some good manure management and environmental stewardship principles that may be of benefit to livestock and poultry producers are summarized below.
Familiarize yourself with your operation’s potential environmental impacts by conducting an evaluation to determine the highest-risk situations or practices on your farm. Develop plans and invest resource to address the high-risk situations, e.g., handling manure emergency spills and manure storage failures. Your local Extension office, the soil and water conservation district office, and the National Resources Conservation Service may provide you with information on how to perform this task.
Animal producers should set a goal to balance nutrients on their farm and also manage soils in ways to minimize nutrient losses. Nutrient balance should consider what is coming into the farm as purchased feed and fertilizer and the nutrients leaving as managed products, such as crops, animals, or animal products. An example of nutrient flow in a farm is provided in figure 1.
If the nutrients coming into the farm are more than what leaves, this will result in an accumulation of those nutrients on the farm. To correct the nutrient concentration, consider a whole-farm approach rather than focusing on a small part of the production, such as nutrients in manure and their losses to the environment. Understand the big picture by identifying the underlying cause of nutrient concentration and develop effective solutions to address the critical areas for better utilization and management of nutrients on your farm.
Recycle nutrients between livestock and crop components within the boundaries of the farm. Manure nutrients are recycled as fertilizer for crop production. Crops are then cycled as feed to livestock or poultry. Nutrients leave the farm as products, i.e., animals or crops products such as milk and eggs and manure sold or given away for use outside the farm. These nutrients are sometimes referred to as “managed outputs.” Some nutrients will leave the farm as environmental losses, e.g., nitrogen lost to the atmosphere as ammonia, nitrates to groundwater, and nitrogen and phosphorus in surface-water runoff.
Use manure according to a nutrient management plan. The nutrient management plan should maintain a balance between nutrient application and crop use and the needs of that nutrient. Test manure to know its nutrient content. Test soils to establish existing soil fertility levels to know what is needed for the different crops you grow (see Soil Test Note No. 1: Explanation of Soil Tests, VCE publication 452-701; Soil Test Note No. 2: Field Crops, VCE publication 452-702; Soil Test Note No. 3: Forage Crops, VCE publication 452-703; and Soil Test Note No. 4: Trace Elements, VCE publication 452-704).
Apply manure at uniform rates based on crop nutrient needs while avoiding soil contamination, crop damage, and runoff (see Soil Test Note No. 5: Fertilizing with Manure, VCE publication 452-705). Adjust the rate of supplemental fertilizer to compensate for the nutrients applied in the manure. Keep records of all your activities.
Use of manure and fertilizer as nutrient sources for crop production must be managed properly to ensure that they do not contaminate groundwater or surface water. Check soil moisture before applying manure and adjust application rates to avoid runoff. Limit the volume of water applied to an amount that brings the soil to field-moisture capacity. Do not apply manure to saturated soils. Incorporate raw or untreated manure to reduce odors and nitrogen losses. Calibrate application equipment to obtain the desired application rate.
Animal production creates several potential nuisances, including odors, flies, noise, and dust. You need to be fully aware of these nuisances and your neighbors’ possible concerns. The demographics of rural areas (where farming has traditionally occurred) are changing and what used to be exclusively rural areas are becoming urbanized. Public awareness of environmental issues is changing. As a result, farm-neighbor conflicts are increasing around the country. Nonfarm communities complain that farming activities near their homes affect their quality of life. Increasingly, farmers are being forced to consider social as well as air-quality concerns in developing manure management plans. Following are some reminders of good practice as part of your manure management strategy:
We have numerous and diverse neighbors. Some are long-term residents who farmed in the area and are now retired. Some are the result of urban sprawl. Some live in communities within the city limits but next to agricultural land. Schools, churches, hospitals, and golf courses are also some of your neighbors. It is interesting to note that some nonfarm community members are buying former farms and moving into the country, seeking “fresh” air. The bottom line is that urbanization of rural areas and consolidation of livestock farms often lead to tense relationships between farmers and nonfarming neighbors. It is important to recognize this fact and to proactively pursue ways to deal with it. How you handle business on your farm may impact how you resolve conflicts related to your farm.
Large numbers of animals concentrated near nonagricultural residents will produce odor and visual issues related to confined-animal feeding operations. With the changing demographics, rural roads may start experiencing aggressive drivers who do not appreciate or recognize the slower farm traffic. With the hectic pace of life there may be little, if any, communication between the farmer and neighbors. This can create situations for misunderstanding and a greater likelihood that conflicts will occur. Sometimes common ground and mutual agreement is not realized until later. Do not let issues concerning your manure management get out of con- trol. Be proactive in talking to your neighbors. Implement responsible farm management practices while conducting activities that promote the benefits of the farm to neighbors and the community.
There are a variety of outreach efforts you may want to consider to enhance the perception of the farm among neighbors and the larger community. Accept visitors to your farm as your schedule will allow and within the bounds of biosecurity. Tell visitors what you do and why you do it. Visitors should include all ages and groups. If possible, provide neighbors with sample farm products, assist with or volunteer to mow brush in the summer, plow snow in the winter, and consider allowing access to areas of the farm for recreational activities. Let your neighbors know about your farming operations and activities. This should include the manure application schedule. If neighbors have special events occurring at their homes on certain dates that may be impacted by a farming operation, such as land application of manure, work with them to reschedule that operation. Note: Outreach to community, open houses, and neighborly assistance can help cultivate open communication and understanding between the farming and nonfarming communities.
Before embarking on new projects or expanding existing enterprises on the farm, arrange to meet with the local authority boards to show them your plans and solicit questions and comments. After finishing the project, hold a neighborhood barbecue and tour to meet the neighbors; show them what you do and why. It is more difficult to carry a disagreement with someone you know and are friendly with or who has made a first move to get to know you.
When planning farm operations that will impact people in the area (e.g., spraying liquid manure next to a school, church, or golf course), communicate and explain the operation ahead of time. Plan the operation at a time that causes the least disruptions to the other parties. Remember, people are much more accommodating if issues are addressed ahead of time, even if it is something they do not particularly like. In most cases, people will give you more latitude with something they do not like if you make a good faith effort to deal with their concerns about your farming operation.
Many times people tend to smell with their eyes more than their noses. It is therefore extremely important to have a neat facility, clean animals, well-tended crops and buildings, and machinery in good repair. Yards around barns and along the road and ditches should be mowed. It is not always possible to prevent all farm odors, but if people are presented with the picture of a clean, orderly, well-managed farm, they will tolerate more actual odor than from a farm that looks untidy (figures 2 and 3).
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