Training
Module 6. Common Problems
The
Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) is responsible for
enforcing the Alabama AFO/CAFO Rules that we have already discussed. ADEM inspectors, along with those from the
Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI), are located throughout
The
following are examples of the types of problems these inspectors routinely
see. Some are the direct responsibility
of CAWVs and others are owner/operator problems.
Litter or
Manure Exposed to Weather/Rainfall
All litter must be
covered to prevent stormwater from contacting waste. This problem is clearly the responsibility of
the owner/operator and not the CAWV but it is this sort of problem that will
catch the attention of inspectors.
This
type of temporary storage of dry manure or litter is OK. It protects the litter and will not draw the
attention of an inspector. However, keep
in mind that temporary storage needs to be located away from sensitive areas
and in an area that has a good stand of grass to buffer runoff. The top of this pile needs to be weighted
down.
This
CAWV had started spreading one day and did not finish (possibly because the rain
chance had increased for the next day, which happened to be when an ADEM
inspector dropped by!). But…
..the litter pile was uncovered completely when the job was
started. When the CAWV stopped for the
day the pile was not re-covered. A good
practice is to only uncover the amount to be used for that day's job and
re-cover the pile at the end of the day.
An uncovered pile on a rainy day is sure to get attention.
The
type of spreader truck does not
matter as long as it works and is properly calibrated!!!
This
situation would lead ADEM to ask for calibration records and the amount of
waste specified in the nutrient management plan for this field.
Big
clumps indicate poor nutrient distribution.
It
is early December in
Because
this fescue and bermudagrass pasture is not actively growing at this time of
year and will not be able to use the nutrients being applied until the
following spring.
The
application of animal manure at this time of year to fescue in
NRCS
Code 590 http://www.aces.edu/department/aawm/al590.pdf,
on page 4 under "Nutrient Application and Timing" reads: "Animal manure, related organic by-products, or
wastewater will not be applied in the fall or winter unless applied to an
actively growing crop making sufficient growth to utilize the nutrients that
are applied. Cold temperatures and reduced photoperiod contribute to a severe
reduction and, in most cases, a halt of significant growth and production of
dry mass crucial to nutrient uptake. In North Alabama (see Fig. 1) from
approximately November 15 to February 15, apply no more than 30 pounds of
nitrogen per acre to the crops as indicated in Table 5 if the crop meets the
minimum grazing height requirements of NRCS conservation practice standard, "Prescribed Grazing - 28A" (http://www.aces.edu/department/aawm/al528a.pdf).
Portions of NRCS 590, Table 5 are shown below.
Note particularly footnote 12 stating that no more than
30 pounds of nitrogen per acre should be applied to Small Grains or Cool Season
Annuals BETWEEN NOVEMBER 15 AND FEBRUARY 15.
This is about one ton of breeder litter or about 1/2 ton of broiler
litter.
Moving/Spreading
INCOMPLETE Composted Material
Alabama Department of
Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) Inspectors must inspect composted poultry
mortalities before they can be moved off the farm of origin.
The
CAWV should make sure that composting is complete and the product is of good
quality.
If you pull up to a
composter and buzzards are sitting overhead, perhaps this is a clue that the
composter is not being managed properly.
The
compost (above) should not be spread.
Parts and pieces of birds should be completely cooked in the composting
period and should not be visible. Do not
spread this or you will be liable.
If you can identify a
whole bird in a secondary compost bin, it should not be spread!!!!
Incomplete
Litter/Manure Transfer Records or No Records At All!
The
Alabama AFO/CAFO Rule, Section 335-6-7-.20 gives clear guidance on keeping records
on litter/manure transfers.
This
section of the AFO/CAFO Rule says both AFO's and CAFO's should have a written
plan to handle/land apply litter/manure.
The AFO should be following NRCS 590 that calls for written records of
where the litter/manure goes and when/where it is land applied.
The
owner/operator or the CAWV should keep detailed, complete records of the
litter/manure transaction. Also the
Alabama Department of Environmental Management may require proof of land
ownership, contractual agreements, or written permission for use of land as a
land application site. You may keep your
own records as long as this information is recorded.
Examples
of up-to-date forms that ADEM will accept are available on the Records Page of
the Extension Animal Waste Management website http://www.aces.edu/dept/aawm/RecordKeeping.html
There
may be times when you, as a CAWV, are asked by your customer to only deliver
the litter to a particular location for later land application or animal
feeding by the customer or another CAWV.
ADEM has approved a way of allowing a CAWV to transfer legal
responsibility/liability to another person in that situation. A copy of this "CAWV
Responsibility/Liability TRANSFER FORM (Mar2004)" can be found on the
internet at this address: http://www.aces.edu/dept/aawm/Waiver.pdf
Please return to the
Course Content page (click >Course Content...> on the WebCT
navigation bar at the top of this window) to take the Self-Help Test for this
Module.