Lancaster farming. (Lancaster, Pa., etc.) 1955-current, September 15, 2001, Image 231

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    (Continued from Page 42)
This analysis provides the basis for later assessment of
the economic feasibility of land application as a
manure management strategy.
The number of confined livestock farms declined by
half from 1982 to 1997, while the number of confined
animal units (AU) increased 10 percent. This increase
has occurred due to more large farm units (with more
than 1,000 AU), rather than large farm units becoming
larger. The number of confined animal farms and the
number of confined AU declined on farms with fewer
than 300 AU from 1982 to 1997, and increased on
farms with more than 300 AU.
Confined livestock and poultry produced over 1.2
million tons of recoverable nitrogen and 0.7 million
ton of recoverable phosphorus in 1997, Most farms (78
percent for nitrogen and 69 percent for phosphorus)
have adequate land on which it is physically feasible to
apply the manure produced onfarm at agronomic
rates. Still, manure produced on operations that
cannot fully absorb it at agronomic rates accounts for
over 60 percent of manure nitrogen and 70 percent of
manure phosphorus. Manure nutrient production
above potential onfarm assimilative capacity does not
imply a water quality problem it simply means that
the manure would need to be transported from the
producing farm to be effectively used in growing
crops. Incentives may be needed to encourage produc-
SittoM &
ALLENSVILLE PLANING Ml
Confined Animal Production
changeable seasons, and you regulat e
the stalls to suit your calves 1
ers to improve current manure management practices
to ensure that applications are made at agronomic
rates.
Some farms in all size classes produce manure nu
trients over the farm’s potential assimilative capacity.
However, the two percent of farms in the large size
class (more than 1,000 AU) produced almost half of
the excess manure nitrogen and more than half the
excess manure phosphorus.
The quantity of excess onfarm manure nutrients in
creased in all regions over 1982-1997, with the greatest
quantity increase in the Southern Seaboard region,
and the greatest percentage increase in the Heartland.
Most U.S. counties (about 75 percent) have at least
one farm that needs to move manure off the farm to
avoid excessive nutrient applications.
Only about five percent of counties have farms that
collectively produce manure nitrogen that accounts
for over half the total nitrogen needs in the county.
However, about 10 percent of counties produce
manure phosphorus that exceeds half the county’s
total phosphorus needs.
As of early 2001, EPA proposals for future National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
permits for concentrated animal feeding operations
(CAFOs) would require the development of nutrient
management plans (NMP) as part of the permit. These
(Turn to Page 44)
Up to 9 stalls 4’ x 6’
Treated Skids
Yellow Pine Floor
W/ Rubber Mats
3” Sloped Floor
Herculite Ventilation
curtain
Wood brisk et boards
• 3 or 4 bedding stalls
• Rough-sawn Exterior Plywood
• Galvanized steel roof
• Paint and spouting included
PLANING MILL
INC.
108 E. MAIN STREET
ALLENSVILLE PA.
PHONE: (717) 483-6386
(800) 322-1306
for additional information and
Price Quotes
Call Vic
text. 155)
or 717-994-2317 (cell)
ALLENSVILLE