2006 Annual Report for FNC05-592
Alternative Nutrient Recycling System
Summary
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Increasing the awareness of, and monitoring the success of an alternative livestock waste runoff management system for livestock producers that offers ground and surface water protection without a conventional clay-lined evaporation pond.
ANNUAL REPORT
Activities:
The work on my project began in March with the installation of the three monitoring wells. These wells will be used to monitor ground water around the feedlot and nutrient recycling system. Costs of the wells amounted to $2,370. In July, the culverts and splash pads were installed in the spreader dike system. This spreader dike will spread out the dirty water that runs off the feedlot before it enters the nutrient recycling area. This part of the project took about 80 hrs of labor to complete, which would total about $1,600 worth of labor. Next, in August we seeded the recycling area to a blend of Reed Canary Grass and Garrison Creeping Foxtail. The grass seed cost $886 and rent of the grass drill cost $96. Then we built the permanent fence around the 12 acres of the recycling system which amounted to $1,900 for materials and labor.
RESULTS
The results of this project will be determined over the next couple years as it will take time for the grass to get established in the recycling system. Hopefully, next year the grass will grow enough to collect adequate data to complete the SARE project.
WORK PLANS 2007
Next year I will take soil samples, water samples, and forage samples from the grass that was seeded. I will also collect manure samples and water samples to determine the amount of nutrients entering the system. I will also keep records of precipitation the feedlot receives, the number of animals in the feedlot, and what diets the cattle are being fed.
OUTREACH
I plan on having a field day to share information with NRCS personnel, extension, and livestock producers. The general public will also be invited to gain more knowledge about livestock operations and how their nutrients are managed. Information will be shared via handouts and presented to people as they tour my operation in a hayride type setting.