Fall 2000
Confidentially assess your manure storage practices
by Robin Prusiner, Iowa*Farm*Syst
If you have questions about manure storage practices for confinement animal feeding operations or open lot feedlot operations, Farm*A*Syst (FAS) can confidentially answer questions such as "I have an unused livestock facility. Do I need to do anything special with it? What do I need to do if I want to build a new livestock facility? Is my manure storage structure too close to my well? or Can I stack manure in a nearby field?
FAS is a national program that originated at the University of Wisconsin. Forty-six states and U.S. territories have taken the basic FAS material, modified it to fit their locale, and are currently distributing it. In Iowa, Farm Bureau has taken the lead in adapting the national model to meet the needs of Iowans. Iowa FAS was developed in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources with a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The FAS program is a tool that educates farmers how to safeguard their water supply. FAS alerts farmers if their current practices are against Iowa law or if they are endangering the safety of their water supply.
How is this accomplished? Various topics are covered in 8- to 10-page chapters. You can choose to complete one or several different chapters. Each chapter is written in two parts. The first part contains background information on the subject matter, and the second a short assessment of current practices. The materials are written so that you can confidentiality use them without having to seek outside advice. Or you may complete the evaluation with the help of a local technical specialist. If you have questions or need assistance, the FAS materials direct you to professionals. FAS may be a first step for farmers before more costly and comprehensive environmental audits and it encourages voluntary environmental protection.
What topics are covered? The individual chapters cover the following topics and you may request only the chapters that interest you:
· Open Feedlot Manure Management Practices
· Confinement Livestock Manure Storage Practices
· Dead Animal Disposal and Management
· Milking Center Wastewater Practices
· Pesticide Storage & Management
· Fertilizer Storage & Management
· Site Assessment
· Water Well Condition and Maintenance
· Household Wastewater Management
· Hazardous Materials Storage & Management
· Petroleum Storage & Management
When will this material be released to the public? This material is being pilot tested in several watersheds this summer. It will be available for mass distribution in fall 2000. If you are interested in receiving FAS material, contact Robin Prusiner, Iowa Farm*A*Syst, 312 W. 3rd. St., Carroll, IA 51401, Phone 712-792-6248, E-mail: rrobinson@ifbf.org or Rick Robinson, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, 5400 University Ave., West Des Moines, IA 50266-5997, Phone 515-225-5432, E-mail: rpagren@netins.net
| Drinking water for 75 percent of Iowa’s population is supplied by groundwater reserves. The goal of FAS in Iowa is to reduce the risk of water pollution, particularly groundwater pollution. |
