Manure Nutrient Recycling and Environmental Assurance

Manure Nutrient Recycling and Environmental Assurance

Summary

Manure Nutrient Management Education is vital to Michigan agriculture. The Michigan State University Manure Area of Expertise Team (AOE) works in concert with the Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) in the state as a focal point for educational training to both agency persons and ultimately producers. This is being accomplished through 12 local projects, ranging from on-farm demonstration plots to field days to classroom training events. Curriculum has also been developed and is still being developed for agent training, CNMP provider training and producer education. Inservice to Extension Agents and other agency persons is important to keep a consistent message presented to all livestock producers in the state. Areas stressed in nutrient management include: record keeping, reduced fertilizer based on manure nutrients, soil testing, manure sampling, land base assessment of phosphorus, conservation practices to protect surface waters from manure nutrients, manure calibration, regulations, and planning.

Accomplishments/Milestones

ENC01-060

A brief background on the big picture of manure management in Michigan would be helpful in understanding the Extension efforts of this SARE project.
In 1998, the Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) was formed based on the recommendation of the Michigan Agricultural Pollution Prevention Strategy. The goal is to provide a program to agricultural producers that is proactive, voluntary, and education-based, ultimately leading to an on-site visit that will certify them “environmentally assured” by the Michigan Department of Agriculture. Developing a CNMP for manure management is a large educational component of this program. MAEAP began piloting their three-phase program to producers in January 2001. A strong educational program from MSUE will be necessary to encourage producers to pursue a voluntary program. Through these efforts, many behavioral changes by producers and physical changes on the farmsteads related to manure management and environmental protection will occur.

For MSU to be successful in supporting the MAEAP, Extension agents must increase training efforts to create a state infrastructure that supports producers to pursue this voluntary program. Due to the systems approach necessary for nutrient recycling and since each farm is unique, the participatory method of NRCS, Extension, and producers working together, on-farm will be the preferred method of training. There is a very teachable moment to reach producers on manure management issues.

The Manure AOE has utilized these SARE funds in several different avenues.

Number one has been via funding mini-grants to agents to implement a project in their area. This has taken the form of field tours, on-farm plot demonstrations, and/or classroom meetings.

Number two has been curriculum development, specifically materials for agents to use with producers.

Number three has been Inservice training sessions where agents can learn to use the materials mentioned above.

Number four has been the ability of agents to attend national meetings for professional development.

The Manure AOE formed a committee and process for a portion of the SARE funds to be redistributed to local county projects. Twelve projects were funded via this method. Projects are in various stages of development. A report of those with data to share at this point is below listed by project title and primary agent responsible for the project.

Dairy Manure Nutrient Management in Rye Cover Crop Following Potato Production in the Upper Peninsula Region. Dr. Doo-Hong Min, MSU Extension Forage Specialist

This on-farm trial was conducted at the potato farm where dairy manure is available. The project site is located in Perkins, Upper Peninsula, Michigan (zip code: 49880). This farm has applied dairy manure to the fields on a weekly basis in the winter where winter rye was planted. The following spring, the winter rye was killed and plowed down into the ground and potatoes were seeded. The objective of this project was to determine if application timing of dairy manure affects the potato yield and soil nitrate nitrogen and phosphorus. Twelve different timings of manure application were compared.
Potato yield was not affected by different application timings of dairy manure. As well, there was no difference in soil nitrate nitrogen and phosphorus from different timings of dairy manure application. This indicates that fall and winter application of dairy manure is an acceptable practice in this farm. This also implies that winter rye as a cover crop played a key role in reducing the environmental impacts such as surface runoff, erosion, and leaching processes.

Cattle in the Creek Demonstration Site: Tom Rorabaugh, MSU Extension Director in Mecosta County, MI

A demonstration project was implemented in an Amish community to show an NRCS designed, limited access crossing to area producers. Electric watering is not feasible due to religious beliefs and pasturing all livestock is generally practiced. The watering/crossing site was implemented by MSU Extension in cooperation with NRCS design standards. Once implemented, a tour was held (October 29, 2002) in Morley, Michigan. Also on the tour agenda were topics on reducing erosion and nutrient loading in surface waters, extending the grazing season with forage turnips, new grazing type reed canary grass varieties for wet soils and Kura Clover for a long-lived legume forage species. Forty attended, reaching Amish, NRCS, MDA, SCD Groundwater Tech, MSU Campus Specialists, Extension agents, and producers. A neighboring county agent is doing similar projects as a spin-off of this demonstration.

As a follow-up to the tour, several of the Extension agents wrote an article for the Michigan Shepherds News, Dec. 2002. This article was a hard-hitting message for producers to clean up their act and work toward building positive community relations via following and demonstrating sustainable farming practices (attached in written report).

Preparing Livestock Producers and Agribusiness Persons for Eventual Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) Compliance: Richard Hodupp, Gratiot County Field Crops Agent

This agent has been attending trainings on the specifics of CNMP development and working with producers to help them be prepared for developing one, if that is their goal. In Michigan, the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is encouraging livestock farms of all sizes to develop CNMPs.
The project began with a two-day manure management systems plan development workshop where seven livestock producers received one-on-one assistance. Using the producer’s information on livestock numbers, nutrient output for the whole farm is calculated and compared to the cropping plan and soil tests. Other issues of surface water quality and Michigan Right to Farm conformance is stressed. From this event, the agent has been “tracking” five livestock farms in his area. Below are comments from Mr. Hodupp on the impact to the producers:
Recordkeeping: All are doing a "better job" of written recordkeeping. Two are using recordkeeping sheets. Others are using the small recordkeeping booklet developed with funding from a variety of sources. Recently when I visited one farm, the farmer's son was so "proud of their recordkeeping" that he went to the tractor and retrieved the documents to "show me" that they were actually using them. Two farms are in the process of completing a CNMP. Three farms are completing an MMSP. Seeing the "book values" of the manure helped participants recognize the fertilizer value of the manure instead of looking at it as a waste material. One farmer stated, "I know I need to do a better job of keeping records, this has helped motivate me to do it."
Manure Sampling: All are "in the process" of getting their manure samples analyzed.
Transfer: One farmer commented, "I didn't know the spreader weighed so much!" (14,000 lbs. actual when weighed vs. 5,000 lbs. to 6,000 lbs. estimated)
Application: All of the participants are now trying to place the manure where it is needed instead of on the fields close to the barn. Participants are focusing upon placing the manure on ground going to corn instead of soybeans to take advantage of the nitrogen value. One farmer has become more aware of the ditch banks breaking away and getting them repaired so manure cannot get washed into the ditch.
Savings: As a result of working on an MMSP, all of the participants believed they would be able to reduce fertilizer costs. This included nitrogen as well as phosphorus. Actual dollars saved has not been documented. Although, the Michigan output from the Purdue program has caused producers to look at manure nutrient values as "real dollars" when making a decision to allocate manure to certain fields.

Reducing Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilizer Use on Manure Applied Corn Fields Using Diagnostic Tests: George Silva, MSU Extension Field Crops Agent for Eaton County

The agent in this project worked intensively with three livestock producers on nitrogen and phosphorus management of manure for their corn production. Manure samples and soil tests were detailed to develop fertilizer recommendations. Record keeping is being strongly encouraged and several of the producers are utilizing a computer record keeping system to help them better manage nutrients on a field-by-field basis.

Bio-gas Production from Animal Manure and other Organic Wastes: George Silva, MSU Extension Field Crop Agent for Eaton County

This Extension agent teamed his interest in bio-gas with his experience in India, and made it into a self directed study program that will culminate in outreach to Michigan producers. His international experience can be reviewed at http://www.msue.msu.edu/intext/biogas article.htm.

The agent has done a literature review and developed a PowerPointTM presentation to help encourage the economically viable opportunities to produce biogas on small-scale livestock farms using state-of-the-art digesters.

He has reviewed reports from the Michigan Biomass Energy Program, Midwest Energy Research Center, and Michigan case studies relating to anaerobic digestion and compiling a list of digester system designers, important web-based resources, sources of funding for producers, consultants and equipment suppliers, and other pertinent information for Michigan residents interested in exploring biogas production. He plans to collaborate with these agencies to promote biogas production and its use in the mid-Michigan area. He is making arrangements to attend a biogas production training session with two livestock producers and two MSUE agents for participatory extension and learning. Following the training session these two producers are expected to take the leadership in educational outreach.

Training Farmers and Agribusiness in Manure/Nutrient Management Planning: Paul Gross, MSU Extension Director for Isabella County

A series of four training sessions were held in February 2002. The sessions were designed for participants to learn more about manure management on their farms and learn about MEAP, GAAMPS, manure management system plans, and the comprehensive manure management plan process. There are six farms that participated in all four sessions. Two additional farms have been added to the program. The goal of each farm is to develop a manure management systems plan.

The first session was for introductory information and we proceeded with the group to gather data from their farms using the tri-fold information sheets. The following sessions were hands-on with farmers entering their farm data into computers. It has been interesting working with this group of farmers as they gather data and begin putting a plan together. They are finding their application rates and production are not what they figured. We are still working with this group and will meet again this fall after harvest to complete some of the loose ends as the plans come together. Manure samples are being taken to get accurate information for the plans.

Practical Application of Manure Management Strategies on the Farm: Marilyn Thelen, MSU Extension Field Crops Agent and Michigan Dept. of Ag MAEAP Technician Clinton County

Clinton County is one of seven counties identified as a priority for manure management programming. Working with MSU-Extension, NRCE, Clinton CD, the host farmer, and a local ag consultant, several projects were accomplished related to manure management:
Field Day – Host Nobis Dairy - 48879
Manure Tour 2002 – Practical Implementations of Modern Manure Management was held August 20 at Nobis Dairy. Several stations were set up around the farmstead to address PSNT, phosphorous, open lot and silage run off, silage leachate, phosphorus research plot, nitrogen demonstration, field history and application equipment. Based upon registrations, an estimated 45 farms comprised of approximately 17,500 dairy cows, 1,000 hogs, 1,500 steers/heifers and 1,000 sheep along with 23 businesses, organizations, and agencies were represented among the 150 persons in attendance. An informational handout used at the field day was developed to highlight the take-home messages that presenters wanted farmers to remember.

A written evaluation showed that the majority of attendees increased their understanding of current and future manure management expectation; increased their ability to credit manure for crop production; will explore ways to improve conservation practices; will work to decrease runoff; improved knowledge about EQIP funding; and will pursue efforts in manure planning.

The Manure Tour 2002 was a joint project of Clinton County MSU Extension and MAEAP. Sponsors and partners for the event included: Greenstone Farm Credit Services, Clinton Conservation District, USDA-NRCS, Bader & Sons Company, Central Dairy Supply, Harvey’s Milling Co., Inc., Les Miller & Sons Sand & Gravel, Mid-Michigan Boumatic, Misenhelder Welding, Inc., Wirth and Fedewa Construction, Aerway Independent Ag & Equipment, Agri-Business Consultants Steve Wagner, Berlyn Acres, L.L.C., Community Electric, Dennings and Associates, Roger Dennings, McConnell Farm Supply, Inc., Michigan Farm Systems, Inc., Thelen Ag Products, Inc.
Phosphorous Plot - Cooperator Nobis Dairy – 48879.

Nobis Dairy was the cooperator for a starter phosphorous research trial.

Is additional phosphorous needed for corn silage if soil test phosphorous is over 40 ppm? Tri-state Fertilizer Recommendations says NO! However, many producers still feel there is an advantage to using a starter fertilizer on these fields. Larry Nobis, farmer cooperator, identified a field with 45 ppm phosphorous. Then we had three replications of either 10-34-0, 3 gal./a. or no starter fertilizer. The purpose of the experiment was to determine if there was a response to added phosphorus when 10-34-0 is applied as a starter fertilizer at planting. Whole corn plant samples were taken on June 24. The samples were analyzed for: fresh weight, dry weight, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, and manganese. Although there was a small amount of purple on the leaves of the corn where no starter was used, there was not a significant difference in any of the parameters measured. Corn was harvested as silage on Sept. 6. There was no difference in yield. Conclusion: There was no advantage to starter fertilizer with soil test P at 45 ppm.

RUSLE/MARI: A key goal in for the summer was to develop a practical method for evaluating manure application risks on fields using RUSLE and MARI. MARI is Michigan’s Manure Application Risk Index for winter spreading. The summer intern worked jointly with the MAEAP Specialist to evaluate 2,800 acres of cropland. As a result, a MARI-RUSLE Data Collection Sheet was developed to aid in efficient data collection and data entry. An ExcelTM spreadsheet was developed to calculate RUSLE for all fields on the farm. This information has been presented in two training sessions and is being shared with CNMP plan providers at both the three day training (Sept. 2002 and Jan. 2003) and one-day updates (Nov. 6, 2002).

Student Intern: The student intern was a valuable contribution to the team that was working on manure management programs. She was very knowledgeable about crop production and agronomics and played an active roll in all the projects mentioned above. This person is working on a Crop and Soil degree at MSU and may prove to be an excellent future Extension agent or NRCS DC.

Building Skills in Forage and Pasture Management: Bob Battel, MSU Extension Field Crops Agent for Branch and Calhoun Counties

The Forage Area of Expertise team at MSU conducted a two-day workshop in November, 2001 designed and presented by agents and campus specialists. The audience consisted of 15 NRCS employees, agri-business, and other agency persons. Part of the training was on pasture management as it relates to manure nutrients and environmental protection. SARE funds help fund a portion of this agency training event.

Assisting Producers to Complete Manure Management System Plans (MMSP) in Small Groups Sessions I Ionia and Montcalm Counties: Rebecca Mitchell, MSU Extension Dairy Agent

From January to April 2002, five one-on-one workshops were conducted in Ionia and Montcalm Counties. Agents, NRCS staff, and private consultants worked individually with livestock producers to develop a MMSP that would keep them in conformance with the MI Right to Farm Guidelines. The Purdue MMP software was utilized to help producers gain insight into their nutrient production by livestock and utilization by crops.
Twenty-five producers were personally assisted. This one-on-one process is a huge learning experience and is more valuable since it relates specifically to the producers’ home farm situations. Here are comments from an agent, reflecting on producer impacts: “One of the most interesting things that has come out of our manure programs has been the breadth of impacts we’ve had on producers. For some, we’re just getting them to take soil tests. For others, we’ve linked them with NRCS to begin designs of manure storage structures. One farmer in particular was hesitant about delving into his manure management practices. But after the workshop he is working to complete a CNMP. He also requested a farm visit by the ag agent to speak with his employees who operate the manure equipment. He has hired a consultant to work on the CNMP and cooperative efforts between Extension, NRCS, the producer, and the consultant continue.”

Assisting Livestock Producers to Complete Manure Management System Plans in Small Group Sessions in Allegan, Barry, Kent, Muskegon, Newaygo and Ottawa Counties: Charles Gould, MSU Extension Manure Management Agent

This project was accomplished by a team of four core agents and involved both winter meetings and summer field days.

During the winter of 2001-2002, Michigan State University Extension sponsored a series of small-group workshops to assist farmers in Michigan to develop Manure Management Systems Plans. These plans helped farmers comply with Michigan Right To Farm guidelines, maximize nutrient use by growing crops, cut commercial fertilizer expenses and reduce the potential for pollution to the waters of the state. Farmers indicated their manure management skills, knowledge, and confidence increased as a result of attending these workshops (statement based on statistical analysis of survey results from participating farmers). During the winter of 2002-2003, follow-up visits will be made to find out how farmers used their plans and what impact it had. This information will be used to increase adoption of Manure Management Systems Plans by other farmers.
One of the outgrowths of completing these plans was the realization by farmers that they could no longer apply manure exceeding 300 pounds of phosphorus/acre and meet Michigan Right To Farm guidelines. Land application of manure is currently the primary method farmers use to utilize manure produced on the farm. Removing this option means farmers have to get rid of the manure some other way. Farmers expressed a strong interest in identifying and determining the feasibility of using alternative sustainable manure treatment methods (i.e. composting, anaerobic digestion, etc.) to help them manage manure that can no longer be land applied. As a result of these expressions for assistance, letters of inquiry were sent to five foundations seeking funding for a statewide comprehensive compost marketing assessment. Such an assessment is the first phase of a two-phase project exploring the feasibility of a regional facility that composts manure and agricultural by-products (i.e. vegetable and fruit culls, old hay, corn stalks, sawdust, etc.). One foundation, the Frey Foundation, responded aggressively with a request for a proposal for this project. In fact, the submittal deadline was extended one week to allow time for the proposal to be written in the proper format and sent in. In February, we will know if the proposal was funded.

Another impact of these workshops is illustrated in the following story. A West Michigan poultry producer owned some land a dairy farmer wanted to rent for manure application. The poultry producer told the dairy farmer that the land would be rented to the first person that could show him a manure management plan for that field. The dairy farmer called his local Extension agent and requested help in developing a Manure Management Systems Plan for not only this field but for his whole farm. Information on completing a Manure Management Systems Plan was given to the dairy farmer and he is working on it now.

Field days were held at the Wedeven Dairy in southern Ottawa County and Windy Acres Farm in northern Muskegon County. Thirty-two people attended the Ottawa County field day and 36 attended the Muskegon County field day. The purpose for the field days was to help farmers manage phosphorus in manure and soil so that the potential for water pollution is reduced or eliminated. Activities and topics discussed included such things as developing a manure spreading plan, manure spreader calibration, visual examples of various manure application rates, phosphorus movement in the soil, taking reliable manure samples, developing a Manure Management Systems Plan and promoting MAEAP. A survey was handed out to participants at both field days. The survey results indicated a few things about those who attended. First, they came because they wanted to be proactive towards manure management. They indicated they were interested in trying some of the practices being demonstrated or talked about. Second, they learned most about developing a manure spreading plan. That is important because it reflects the natural thought progression of producers in Southern Ottawa and Northern Allegan Counties towards manure management and validates all of the work that has been done with them over the past year in particular. Third, producers indicated the practice they already do is reduce phosphorus application. I think this reflects the work that has been done by Extension in previous years and also the current economic climate in the United States. Finally, producers indicated they were confident five practices (MAEAP, manure spreading plan, spreader calibration, manure sampling and reducing starter phosphorus) would work on their farms.

During the various manure application rates demonstration at the Ottawa County field day, one producer admitted to applying manure at the 3x rate. The 3x rate was a very graphic example of over-application of manure. After having seen that, he realized he was applying way too much manure on his own fields. One person told me later that she watched him as he came to that realization and she could see the “light bulb” come on. In the Muskegon County field day, perhaps the greatest impact was on the field day host when his MMSP was completed and given to him. He did not realize he had some water quality issues that need to be resolved, and so he is now working with NRCS to correct those problems. The corn plots were harvested and there were no statistically significant differences between the phosphorus and no phosphorus plot yields. We therefore conclude it would have been better for the farmer to not have purchased phosphorus and instead, pocket the money spent on phosphorus fertilizer. There was sufficient phosphorus in the soil.

Sand Bedding: Sampling to Determine Where the Manure Nutrients are Located: Natalie Rector, MSU Extension Nutrient Management Specialists

Sand bedding provides many benefits to cattle, but a problem for determining where the nutrients are when the manure is spread. Several agents, a grad student and Dr. Bickert, MSU Ag Engineering, developed a sampling protocol for agents and farmers to follow. Agents were asked to gather stratified manure samples from sand laden manure as the manure was being hauled to the fields. Five farms have been sampled and results are inconclusive. Since most producers tend to “top off” the liquid fraction of the manure and only haul the sand fraction once a year, we will sample again next summer to gain more consistent data.

Number 2: Curriculum development activities
Many agents across the state worked last winter on one-on-one educational sessions with livestock producers. Materials to assist in this have been developed. Some items are new, some items were remakes of older references, but updated and reformed for ease of use. Many of these materials can be found at the Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) web site for use by agents, agencies, farmers, and CNMP plan providers. This web site is: http://www.maeap.org/cnmp.htm. This includes data collection sheets to help producers (or help agents help producers) pull together their animal output data, record keeping sheets, listing of where to get manure samples tested, etc.

Another web site has been utilized more for in-house types of training materials for agents to utilize. For example, a news release might be placed on this website intended for NRCS, SCD or MSUE agents to customize in their area. This is: http://www.egr.msu.edu/age//Faculty/rector/educationalmaterials.htm

Manure recordkeeping is being strongly advocated in Michigan. A pocket-size manure recordkeeping book was designed by Natalie Rector and funds were obtained from Greenstone, Farm Bureau, Michigan Milk Producers, Michigan Pork Producers, and MSU Animal Industry Coalition to print over 6000 copies. These are in demand and freely handed out at meetings by Extension and other agency persons. We actually have proof that producers are using them!

“Manure Management: Getting Started” is a four page handout put together just recently to be used widely this winter. It takes a step back and asks three major questions that we have found need answering before producers pursue more intense manure management planning.

Those questions are: Are nutrients, pathogens, manure, or polluted storm water discharging into surface waters on my farm, or is there a high risk that there could be a discharge? Do I have the land base needed to sustainably spread manure nutrients? Do I have adequate records showing manure applications and management activities on my farm? This will be used this winter for everything from a 15-minute PowerPoint®
presentation, to expanding the three questions into a day meeting. Agents will be trained using the handout at a December 2002 inservice.

Paul Wylie, ag agent in Allegan County, has developed a Word® template that will walk producers through the questions needed to develop a Manure Management System Plan that will help them be in conformance with Right to Farm Guidelines. Many agents and other agency persons have utilized this with producers. Michigan Department of Agriculture is highly supportive of this development.

Additional funds were garnered from the MSU Animal Industry Coalition to develop a six panel display board that has been used at many meetings and public events.

Dr. Howard Person, MSU Ag Engineering Department, put together a nice display of agents and campus specialists involved in manure related projects that was utilized at the annual Michigan Ag Expo. This has since been utilized at other events to highlight MSUE’s manure programs.

Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) Provider Training Course:
In concert with the MAEAP and NRCS, The Manure AOE has worked on a three day curriculum for teaching the private consulting industry and agency persons how to assist producers in CNMP development. This is involving joint teaching between MSU Extension specialists and Dr. Robert T. Burns, University of Tennessee. This has also involved the development of the three-day class materials and many other helpful resources for farmers and plan providers (some of these items are available at www.maeap.org). One-day training events after the initial three-day course have become important to fully helping plan providers become proficient in plan development.

Number 3: Inservice Training Activities:
Training agents to utilize resource materials is important to their professional development and to re-teaching at the county level. Below is a listing of some of the training.

Sept. 2001: Inservice on sand bedding and siting of livestock facilities. Twenty-eight attended.
Oct. 2001: Two-hour training update at Fall Extension conference on manure related programs. Twenty-seven attended.
April 2002: Phosphorus Inservice related to soil tests, environmental protection, and manure management guideless for a P based standard in Michigan. Forty-three attended.
November 2002: Manure Management-New and Emerging Technologies. Thirty-three attended.
This inservice bears a special note. Emerging technologies were identified and then county agents were asked to research these topics and make a formal presentation at an agent inservice. It was acknowledged that the person delivering the presentation was NOT the best expert on the subject, but we all know how teaching causes us to learn. The product of this was 10 PowerPoint® presentations with speaker notes that can be utilized by other agents at local meetings. Another interesting twist to this training event was that two out-of-state speakers, Dr. Peter Wright, Cornell, and David Schmidt, University of Minnesota, came in for the two-day presentations and served more as a resource back up to the presentations and provided insight into how issues were being handled in their state. We find we all have similar issues with manure management, so we need to share experiences more to solve them. Wright and Schmidt also made presentations on Extension’s role in Manure Management in their respective states. At the end of the two days, Dr. Wright led a discussion to stimulate issues, priorities, and strategies that Michigan agents could pursue in future Extension programs.

Number 4: Professional Development opportunities
Dr. Minn, MSU Forage Specialist, to attend a manure field day in Michigan
Dr. Minn, MSU Forage Specialist, to attend a Manure Technology training
Dr. Minn works in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, it is a 750 mile round trip to attend events in the lower Peninsula, and requires at least one overnight expense. The SARE funds have been very helpful in keeping Dr. Minn in touch with the rest of the Manure AOE team and related events. We benefit as much as he does from his attendance and participation at training events.

Paul Wylie, MSU Extension Agent in Allegan County, attended the National Poultry Waste Management Symposium, October 28-29, 2002 in Birmingham, Alabama.
Michigan has a small and very localized area of poultry producers. Mr. Wylie is the ag agent that serves these producers. Comments from Mr. Wylie on the trip: “The most interesting thing I learned from attending the symposium was the increasing regulatory concern about air quality and emissions from poultry and livestock farms. Science and industry are already developing strategies to cut emissions with feed changes, litter treatments, and bio-filters for building air exhaust. An idea that I gained at the symposium is to have animal industry associations recognize selected farmers for environmental stewardship. In other states, these farmers have served as examples to other farmers, created good public relations and had high credibility with regulators trying to fashion farm-environmental regulations. I will propose to the MI Allied Poultry Association to create a biannual award for environmental stewardship.”

Rich Hodupp, Gratiot County Crops Agent and Dr. Tim Harrigan, MSU Ag Engineering, set up a small group inservice to Canada to learn more about manure regulations and site specific manure application equipment. They visited a manure application research and demonstration site, an equipment manufacturer and a supplier of irrigation equipment for manure application during the two-day trip. Two county agents and three campus specialists attended.

Charles Gould, MSU Extension Manure Management Agent attended the Renewable Energy From Organics Recycling conference in Madison, Wisconsin, Nov. 18-20, 2002. Mr. Gould has a keen interest in composting manure and carcasses as well as anaerobic digestion. This conference allowed him to make contacts with several individuals who expanded his professional development skills in this area.

Natalie Rector, MSU Extension Nutrient Management Specialist, attended the International Symposium addressing Animal Production and Environmental Issues, Oct. 3-5, 2001 in North Carolina. This led to a contact at the University of Tennessee, which has led to joint teaching at CNMP courses between Michigan and the University of Tennessee.