Navigating environmental issues

Navigating Environmental Issues:
Beginning Livestock & Poultry
Producers
Thomas Bass, Montana State University
Jill Heemstra, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture (BELAA)
Agriculture’s Promise - Washington D.C. April 2010

U.S. Senator Jon Tester
• 3rd generation farmer,
butcher and teacher
• 1500+ acres primarily in
organic wheat & barley
• Big Sandy, MT: pop. 703

BELAA
Agriculture’s Promise
U.S. Senator
Jon Tester

Environmental Concern
• Primarily non-point source
water pollution
– Collective run-off from an
area (picture depicts sediment
from a large construction site)
– In animal ag: run-off could be
from confinement areas,
manure and feed storage, or
land application areas…

Environmental Concern
• Livestock and poultry operations have the
potential to contribute the following to waters
of the U.S.:
– Nutrients
– Sediment
– Pathogens
– organic matter…

Existing Regulations
• Primarily water quality driven
– Clean Water Act (CWA: USEPA, 1972, ‘77 & ’87)
– CAFO Permitting (next slide)
• State rules and delegated authority
– State enforces on behalf of federal government
• Local ordinances
– zoning, setbacks,
air quality, other…

Animal Feeding Operations
• Most detailed and descriptive rules apply to
Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs & CAFOs)
– Permitting: federal and/or state level
• Animals in confinement in area with no
vegetation (or inside); feed delivered
• Permits are size based, but can be risk based
(individual threat to water quality)

Basis of Permit and Documentation
• Nutrient Management Plan (NMP)
– “Nutrient and Manure Checkbook”
– Document and supporting records that account
for fertilizer and manure: needs, inventory, use
(land application) and export.
– Based on: soil tests, manure tests, yield goals and
crop nutrient needs.
– Also documents other conservation practices!

Benefits Beyond Compliance
• NMP or similar environmental plan can:
– Allow for better use of on-site manure nutrients;
save on fertilizer purchases & improve soil
– Reduce liability of spills/water pollution
– Document/defend against
environmental accusation
– Improve access to credit
and insurance

Pasture and Range
• Little regulation exists
• Many options for voluntary
conservation and stewardship
• Poor management could
attract unwanted attention
• Clean Water Act
can still apply

On the Horizon: Air and Emmissions
• Green House Gasses (CH4, CO2, N2O…)
• Particulate Matter (dust)
• Odor and nuisance – least regulation/most
citizen complaints

Value of Being a Good Neighbor
• Obtain the support of neighbors in face of
other potential complaints
• Direct complaints to you, the producer,
instead of a regulatory agency or local gov.
• Ideas: allow fishing in pond, seasonal gifts,
newsletter, community involvement & charity
• Get to know ag and non-ag neighbors!

Is agriculture being singled out?
• The clean water act is over 30 years old.
– Addressed human waste and POTWs early
– Addressed industries heavily in the 80’s
– Addressing urban storm water
– Agriculture is now experiencing more specific
regulation and monitoring, similar to what other
industries have already been under

Environmental Opportunity
• Conventional agriculture with appropriate
environmental management
• Diversified production, value added products,
and niche markets
• Regional or local production,
processing and distribution
• Special certifications:
organic, free range, grass fed…
• Energy and new technology
Courtesy of: Missouri Beef Council

Overwhelmed?
• Help is available….
– Extension
– Young Farmer/Rancher Advisors
– USDA-NRCS
– Conservation Districts
– Fellow Producers
– Consultants

Resources and Opportunities
• Local programs and events
• Publications from land-grant universities,
agencies, associations and NGOs
• Valid online resources!
• National events and conferences
• Farmer-to-Farmer
• Specials programs (BELLA)

Tools for a New Generation
• Technology offers new tools and enhances
traditional communication and learning
– 90% of young farmers and ranchers use a
computer for communication and learning
– 73% participate in social networking online
– 70% use online record keeping tools
– 85% access agriculture news online
(2010 – Young Farmer Rancher Survey – American Farm Bureau)

BELAA Project
• Building Environmental Leaders in Animal Agriculture
• Funding: 3 yrs – USDA-NIFA
• Partners:

BELAA Project
• New and Beginning Producer Specific…
– Educational materials (publications & presentations)
– Online tools
– Webcasts and online social networking
– Access to expertise
– Live seminars at NYFEA events
– Curriculum support for HS Ag Teachers
– Environmental Leaders Program

Livestock and Poultry Environmental
Learning Center
• Connect national experts with those advising
producers
• On-demand access to our best science
• Build on existing partner resources
• Utilize emerging technologies to enhance
information transfer
• Customer-driven approach

• Environmental Planning
• Feed Management
• Manure Nutrient Management
• Manure Treatment Technologies
• Pathogens
• Regulations
• Small Farms
• Manure Storage, Handling & Mortality
• Value and Economics of Manure
Topics

Outputs: Webcasts
Video Streaming technology
Flash Player Technology
(Adobe Connect)

Outputs : Website
http://www.extension.org/animal+manure+management
• 130 pages of original content
• Archives web seminars
• National manure management resources at one location
• Research summaries
• Ask the Expert
• Calendar of state, regional and national events

Outputs : Monthly Newsletter
First Issue in July 2006
1400 subscribers currently & growing

LPE Learning Center
• Since 2006, highly trusted and recognized by
audience
• 62% rated LPE quality better than other
sources of environmental policy and
management information sources, plus…
• 37% rated quality equally as good as other sources
• Audience segments have reported use and
real impact on education and practice

LPE Reaching a New Generation
• Online learning lessons (virtual classroom)
– Very high interest level among audience
• Networking
• User generated content
– Virtual tours
– Research summaries
• Enhanced direct to producer information,
especially new and beginning, or young farmers
and ranchers

How can BELAA Serve You?
• Producer needs: specific topics within
environmental management of animal
agriculture?
• Methods of delivery: preferences?

Becoming a Leader
• NYFEA Environmental Leaders Program
– Sign up now; 2.5 year pilot project
– Participate in education
– Set a good example/implement practices
– Share knowledge and experience
• or practice advocacy
• Associations and political office
– Receive recognition and reward
– Become a voice for the future of agriculture

Becoming a Leader
• Animal agriculture can be profitable;
– environmental issues should not scare anyone from the
business!
• You can develop and protect natural resources
while providing food, fiber and other services to
the world.
• Join a commodity group, chamber of commerce,
get involved in local politics, state and beyond…
• You must become your own advocate!

Conclusion and Questions
Thank you for your time and
your commitment to
agriculture’s future!

Contact Information
• Jill Heemstra:
–jheemstra@unl.edu
• Tommy Bass:
–tmbass@montana.edu

Navigating environmental issues

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