UN Division for Sustainable Development

Case Study Detail Record

Organization type:	Government

Name of Ministry/Agency:	Department of State

Country:	United States of America

Name of Focal Point:	Hiram Larew

Initiative Title:	Effective Strategies for Animal Waste Management on Large Farms in the U.S.

Internet links:	http://www.ers.usda.gov/Briefing/AgAndEnvironment/animalagriculture.htm

Scope:	National: - United States of America

Status:	Ongoing

Timeframe:	Start: End:

Lead Institution:	U.S. Department of Agriculture

Stakeholders/Partners:	Livestock and poultry producers.

Relevent issues:	- Enhancing agricultural productivity through adequate and sustainable inputs

Objectives/Challenges:

Environmental concerns from livestock and poultry operations are regulated by national laws, as well as state and local regulations and zoning. As livestock and poultry farms in the United States have shifted to larger operations and greater geographic concentration of animals, increased attention is focused on environmental management. The larger concentration of animals has raised issues of odor, spills from manure holding facilities, and concerns about concentration of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and trace elements such as arsenic, copper and zinc building up in soils and moving to water bodies such as rivers and lakes. Pathogen survival in manure, soil and water can also be a concern. Air emissions from livestock facilities and manure storage are considered to be adding to greenhouse gas emissions and possibly exceeding regional air quality standards.

USDA supports research, education and outreach to producers in manure storage and handling, soil and water nutrient management, feed management, pathogen control, air emissions, and small business development of new technologies. They also provide cost-share funding and design assistance for on-farm manure storage and management and assistance with nutrient management plans. Additionally, USDA is responding to large livestock and poultry operations with information on better siting of new facilities and more attention to environmental standards on all operations.

Lessons Learned:

Applied research programs coupled with education, information and cost-share programs can help farmers and ranchers find cost-effective ways to comply with requirements.

Summary:

Key Results: A variety of research, education, assistance and cost share programs now focus on ensuring cost-effective management of animal waste. Examples include:

• University of Nebraska website with information on livestock environmental issues www.extension.org/animal+manure+management

• Two regional consortia of universities focus on sustainability of livestock and poultry production, and controlling air pollutant emissions of poultry, swine and dairy

• Cost share and design assistance for manure systems is available from the Environmental Quality Incentive Program www.nrcs.usda.gov/PROGRAMS/EQIP