Preble Soil and Water Conservation District

Promoting profit and increasing management efficiencies for livestock producers in Preble County is the goal of the Manure Nutrient Management Program. Manure and nutrient management relates to management for livestock operations. The premise is to promote management practices that promote the livestock operation’s bottom line while protecting natural resources. James R. Couch, from the Preble Soil & Water Conservation District, is a manure and nutrient management specialist available to work with livestock producers in the county.

We can assist in several ways. Our MNM Specialist and Technicians can survey, design, and oversee construction of manure storage facilities, fencing, milkhouse waste wetland or pond systems, animal mortality composting facilities, or other practices. Cost-share money is available in some cases to offset the cost of implementing these practices either through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources – Pollution Abatement Program or the USDA-NRCS – Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

Before a system can be designed, a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) must first be developed. These plans include several management areas of a livestock operation. The plans are voluntary and offer to producers as a blueprint of suggested management practices. These plans include manure handling, storage, and utilization. The plan can also provide an affirmative defense against neighbor nuisance lawsuits. The plan provides assurance the farm practices meet Ohio’s Agriculture Pollution Abatement Standards for water quality.

These services are available at no cost. Soil samples are necessary before the planning process can begin. Contact James R. Couch for more information.

See LINKS above about this program.

The following are suggestions to reduce odor in and around livestock operations. Substantial compliance will help reduce complaints due to odors.

Ø Keep the areas around the buildings neat and orderly.

Ø Use covered manure tanks if technically and economically feasible.

Ø Avoid spreading manure when the wind is blowing toward populated areas.

Ø Spread in the mornings when the air is warming and rising, rather than late afternoon when it is cooling and falling.

Ø Use available weather information to your best advantage.

Ø Turbulent breezes will dissipate and dilute odors.

Ø Take advantage of natural vegetation barriers such as woodlots to help filter and dissipate odors.

Ø Establish vegetated air filters by planting conifers and shrubs as windbreaks and screens between you and your neighbors.

Ø Locate manure storages as far from development as possible.

Ø Incorporate manure into the soil during or as soon as possible after application. This can be done by 1) soil injection, 2) mechanical incorporation, 3) precipitation. Incorporation within 48 hours will give best results.