Fall 2000
Manure applicators say training will change their practices
by Karen Grimes, Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Commercial and confinement site manure applicators gave high praise to ISU Extension manure applicator training, with many applicators saying they will change the way they do business because of what they have learned.
"I think it’s very encouraging that people recognize there are some practices they can change that will make a difference environmentally," said Wayne Gieselman coordinator of Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) animal feeding operation program. Although Gieselman won’t credit the training for a lower number of fish kills this year, he does say the training is paying off by making applicators more aware of potential problems.
Of the 781 commercial applicators who evaluated the training this year, a majority (82 to 89 percent) rated the sessions as "good" or "excellent." Even more confinement site or private applicators (95 to 97 percent) gave the program high ratings.
Approximately one-fourth of the commercial applicators who attended training "plan to change" their manure management practices because of information they received (see tables). They plan to
- sample manure differently (28 percent),
- encourage the producers they work with to sample manure (28 percent),
- maintain better application records (29 percent),
- observe separation distances closely (25 percent), and
- call the DNR for help in case of a spill (24 percent).
Similar results were found among 912 confinement site manure applicators who evaluated the training program. They will change their operations with plans to
- maintain adequate freeboard on formed pits, earthen pits, and lagoons (20 percent);
- maintain records on application of manure (34 percent); and
- implement separation distances for land application of manure (25 percent).
Approximately 60 percent of the commercial and private applicators indicated that they were already using these practices before the training.
"We’re very pleased with the results," said Angela Rieck-Hinz, ISU Extension coordinator of the training program. "One of the surprises for us was the number of applicators who plan to make changes in their practices based on what they learned at the certification training meetings," she added. "However, we emphasize different topics each year, and this was the year to focus on manure storage and handling, land application, and handling emergencies."
This is the second year of the manure applicator certification program that is administered by the DNR. ISU Extension provides training for both commercial and confinement site manure applicators.
Commercial Applicators’ Plans to Adopt Practices
|
Changes in Manure Management Practices |
Adopted Prior to Training |
Plan to Adopt Because of 2000 Training |
Do Not Plan to Adopt |
Does Not Apply |
No Response |
|
Sample manure differently |
56 |
28 |
4 |
10 |
0.9 |
|
Encourage producers to sample |
58 |
28 |
2.8 |
8.4 |
1.9 |
|
Maintain better application records |
63 |
29 |
1.3 |
5.2 |
1.5 |
|
Observe separation distances closely |
65 |
25 |
2.8 |
5.4 |
5.2 |
|
Call DNR for help in case of a spill |
68 |
24 |
1.0 |
3.4 |
3.3 |
Evaluation based on 781 commercial applicators. Values are expressed as percentages.
Confinement Site Applicators’ Plans to Adopt Practices
|
Changes in Manure Management Practices |
Adopted Prior to Training |
Plan to Adopt because of 2000 Training |
Do Not Plan to Adopt |
Does Not Apply |
No Response |
|
Maintain adequate freeboard on formed pits, earthen pits, and lagoons |
58 |
20 |
2.5 |
18 |
0.7 |
|
Maintain records on application of manure |
59 |
34 |
1.5 |
3.4 |
1.4 |
|
Implement separation distances for land application of manure |
67 |
25 |
1.3 |
4.5 |
1.6 |
Evaluation based on 912 confinement site applicators. Values are expressed as percentages.
