Module 6.  Common Problems

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) is responsible for enforcing the Alabama AFO/CAFO Rules that we have already discussed.  ADEM inspectors, along with those from the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI), are located throughout Alabama.

The following are examples of the types of problems these inspectors routinely see.  Some are the direct responsibility of CAWVs and others are owner/operator problems.

Litter or Manure Exposed to Weather/Rainfall

All litter must be covered to prevent stormwater from contacting waste.  This problem is clearly the responsibility of the owner/operator and not the CAWV but it is this sort of problem that will catch the attention of inspectors.

This type of temporary storage of dry manure or litter is OK.  It protects the litter and will not draw the attention of an inspector.  However, keep in mind that temporary storage needs to be located away from sensitive areas and in an area that has a good stand of grass to buffer runoff.  The top of this pile needs to be weighted down.

This CAWV had started spreading one day and did not finish (possibly because the rain chance had increased for the next day, which happened to be when an ADEM inspector dropped by!).  But…

..the litter pile was uncovered completely when the job was started.  When the CAWV stopped for the day the pile was not re-covered.  A good practice is to only uncover the amount to be used for that day's job and re-cover the pile at the end of the day.  An uncovered pile on a rainy day is sure to get attention.

The type of spreader truck does not matter as long as it works and is properly calibrated!!!

This situation would lead ADEM to ask for calibration records and the amount of waste specified in the nutrient management plan for this field.

Big clumps indicate poor nutrient distribution.

It is early December in North Alabama.  If an ADEM inspector drives by and sees this activity, the inspector is likely to stop and ask the vendor for the nutrient or waste management plan that is being followed and spreader truck calibration records.  Why? 

Because this fescue and bermudagrass pasture is not actively growing at this time of year and will not be able to use the nutrients being applied until the following spring.   

The application of more than 1/2 ton per acre of poultry broiler litter (~30 lbsN) at this time of year to fescue in North Alabama is NOT a best management practice according to the USDA-NRCS Nutrient Management Code 590.

 NRCS Code 590,  http://www.aces.edu/department/aawm/al590.pdf, on page 4 under "Nutrient Application and Timing" reads: "Animal manure, related organic by-products, or wastewater will not be applied in the fall or winter unless applied to an actively growing crop making sufficient growth to utilize the nutrients that are applied. Cold temperatures and reduced photoperiod contribute to a severe reduction and, in most cases, a halt of significant growth and production of dry mass crucial to nutrient uptake. In North Alabama (see Fig. 1) from approximately November 15 to February 15, apply no more than 30 pounds of nitrogen per acre to the crops as indicated in Table 5 if the crop meets the minimum grazing height requirements of NRCS conservation practice standard, "Prescribed Grazing - 28A",

http://www.aces.edu/department/aawm/al528a.pdf

Portions of NRCS 590, Table 5 are shown below. 

Note particularly footnote 12 stating that no more than 30 pounds of nitrogen per acre should be applied to Small Grains or Cool Season Annuals BETWEEN NOVEMBER 15 AND FEBRUARY 15.  This is about one ton of breeder litter or about 1/2 ton of broiler litter.

Moving/Spreading INCOMPLETE Composted Material

Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) Inspectors must inspect composted poultry mortalities before they can be moved off the farm of origin. 

The CAWV should make sure that composting is complete and the product is of good quality. 

If you pull up to a composter and buzzards are sitting overhead, perhaps this is a clue that the composter is not being managed properly.

The compost (above) should not be spread.  Parts and pieces of birds should be completely cooked in the composting period and should not be visible.  Do not spread this or you will be liable.

If you can identify a whole bird in a secondary compost bin, it should not be spread!!!!

Incomplete Litter/Manure Transfer Records or No Records At All!

The Alabama AFO/CAFO Rule, Section 335-6-7-.20 gives clear guidance on keeping records on litter/manure transfers.

This section of the AFO/CAFO Rule says both AFO's and CAFO's should have a written plan to handle/land apply litter/manure.  The AFO should be following NRCS 590 that calls for written records of where the litter/manure goes and when/where it is land applied.

The owner/operator or the CAWV should keep detailed, complete records of the litter/manure transaction.  Also the Alabama Department of Environmental Management may require proof of land ownership, contractual agreements, or written permission for use of land as a land application site.  You may keep your own records as long as this information is recorded. 

Examples of up-to-date forms that ADEM will accept are available on the Records Page of the Extension Animal Waste Management website http://www.aces.edu/dept/aawm/RecordKeeping.php

There may be times when you, as a CAWV, are asked by your customer to only deliver the litter to a particular location for later land application or animal feeding by the customer or another CAWV.   ADEM has approved a way of allowing a CAWV to transfer legal responsibility/liability to another person in that situation.  A copy of this "POULTRY LITTER/ANIMAL MANURE BY-PRODUCT Responsibility /Liability TRANSFER FORM (RevJUNE2006)" can be found on the internet at this address: http://www.aces.edu/dept/aawm/R-9%20Form%20(JUNE%202006).pdf

Please return to the Course Content page (click >Course Content...> on the WebCT navigation bar at the top of this window) to take the Self-Help Test for this Module.