Missouri Pork ExpoMissouri Pork Expo

Swine Manure Systems and Swine Manure Systems and Handling IssuesHandling Issues

Steve PohlSteve PohlExtension Agricultural EngineerExtension Agricultural EngineerSouth Dakota State UniversitySouth Dakota State University

Good Old DaysGood Old Days

An Environmental Steward:

1. Is aware of farm’s own environmental risks.

2. Has NO point source discharges.1-3

An Environmental Steward:

3. Balances nutrients entering and leaving.

4. Implements a nutrient plan for land application.1-4

An Environmental Steward:

5. Is a good neighbor.

6. Knows the rules.

7. Considers environment before expansion.1-5

What can be the Issues???What can be the Issues??? Sludge accumulation and no agitationSludge accumulation and no agitation

Not maintaining enough freeboardNot maintaining enough freeboard

Pumping on the same ground year after Pumping on the same ground year after yearyear

Maintenance planMaintenance plan

Odors, foam, the numbers, etc.Odors, foam, the numbers, etc.

Planning and Evaluation of Planning and Evaluation of Manure StoragesManure Storages

20-7

Considerations in Planning and Considerations in Planning and Managing Swine Manure StorageManaging Swine Manure Storage

Manure collection and transport methodsManure collection and transport methods

Desired or required treatmentDesired or required treatment

Nutrient conservation or loss Nutrient conservation or loss characteristicscharacteristics

Land application and nutrient utilizationLand application and nutrient utilization

Manure Storage TypesManure Storage TypesLiquid manure storagesLiquid manure storages

– Under-floor deep pitUnder-floor deep pit

– Earth basinEarth basinSlurrySlurryLagoonLagoon

Anaerobic Manure Storage Lagoon

Advantages of Liquid Manure Advantages of Liquid Manure Storage LagoonsStorage Lagoons

May be least cost per unit of storageMay be least cost per unit of storage

Ability to store large amounts of manure Ability to store large amounts of manure and/or lot runoffand/or lot runoff

Provides some treatment of manure, Provides some treatment of manure, reducing odors and degrading solidsreducing odors and degrading solids

Enables handling of manure with pumping Enables handling of manure with pumping and spreading equipmentand spreading equipment

Odorousvolatiles

Methane (CH4)and other gases

Anaerobic Digestion

Volatile

solids

Methane-producing bacteria

Acid-producing bacteria

Purple Lagoons

OdorProducingBacteria

OdorEliminating

Bacteria

PhotosyntheticPurple Sulfur

Bacteria

Lagoon SizingLagoon Sizing

Determined by the rate of manure Determined by the rate of manure additionsadditions

Volatile solids in manure govern rate (4.0 Volatile solids in manure govern rate (4.0 to 4.5 pounds of volatile solids per 1000 to 4.5 pounds of volatile solids per 1000 cubic feet of pond volume), Missouricubic feet of pond volume), Missouri

Biological activityBiological activity

Low Load System:Proper Permanent Pool Size

Freeboard

Storage Volume

PermanentPool ?

Sludge

Start Pumping

Stop Pumping

1616

Anaerobic LagoonAnaerobic Lagoon

Lagoon ConstructionLagoon Construction

Must have a registered professional engineerMust have a registered professional engineer

Soil borings requiredSoil borings required

3:1 berm slopes3:1 berm slopes

Liner and monitoring wells may be requiredLiner and monitoring wells may be required

Earthen Storage Basins SpecificationsEarthen Storage Basins Specifications

1 vertical to 3 horizontal 1 vertical to 3 horizontal side slopesside slopes

Top width: minimum Top width: minimum 8 feet wide8 feet wide

Liquid Manure Storage Liquid Manure Storage Lagoons Lagoons (continued)(continued)

Site and soils investigation Site and soils investigation required.required.

Properly constructed seal is Properly constructed seal is necessary to control seepage.necessary to control seepage.

Designed on basis of Designed on basis of temperature as well as manure temperature as well as manure volume.volume.

Perform better inPerform better in warmer warmer climates.climates.

20-19

• Proper startup procedures may be the single most important factor in developing a lagoon that performs properly with an acceptable odor level.

• Lagoon treatment volume is based on “volatile solids” loading rate.

• Volatile solids are the organic solids in manure that can be degraded by bacteria.

Lagoon Startup

• A new lagoon must contain a volume of water equal to the design treatment volume in order to have the design volatile solids loading rate.

• A lagoon with only half of the treatment volume filled with water at startup will experience a 100% “overload” of volatile solids.

• Use good planning to ensure that water is available to fill the treatment volume of new lagoons before manure is added.

Lagoon Startup (continued)

• Prefilling a lagoon treatment volume with fresh water ensures that the correct volatile solids loading rate will occur.

Lagoon Startup, Loading, and Monitoring (continued)

• Insufficient volume at lagoon startup can cause excessive odor and high rates of sludge buildup.

• Lagoons started with insufficient water volume can take years to recover or may never perform as well as desired.

Lagoon Startup (continued)

• Ideally, lagoons should be started in spring or early summer to take advantage of warm temperatures.

• Bacteria have a chance to become established before activity slows down during fall and winter.

• Lagoon startup should be considered in planning construction schedules and animal procurement.

Lagoon Startup (continued)

• Long-term manure loading to lagoons should not exceed the design volatile solids loading rate.

• Avoid expanding animal numbers without expanding lagoon size and capacity.

• Expanding animal numbers with the same size lagoon increases volatile solids loading rate.

Lagoon Loading

• Alternatives to maintain volatile solids loading rate with increased animal numbers include

– Solids separation.

• Lagoons should be loaded in a consistent manner without “slug” loading.

– Additional lagoon volume.

– Other pretreatments.

Lagoon Loading (continued)

• As manure is degraded by bacteria, salts and minerals are created.

• Pumpdown, rainwater, lot runoff, and washwater tend to remove and dilute salts to an acceptable level.

• Extended dry weather, high evaporation, little or no fresh water from lot runoff, or washwater can lead to elevated salt levels.

Lagoon Monitoring

• Elevated salt levels can inhibit bacterial activity and lead to reduced lagoon performance.

• High salt levels may be accompanied by increased odors, higher sludge buildup rates, and a general “souring” of the lagoon.

• Electrical conductivity (EC) is a simple field test to measure salt levels.

Lagoon Monitoring (continued)

• Certain monitoring activities are advisable and necessary for manure storage facilities.

• Some monitoring activities may be required by regulation.

• All monitoring activities are evidence of good stewardship and management.

Monitoring All Manure Storage Facilities

• Periodic inspections help ensure that problems are detected before environmental impacts occur.

• A regular inspection schedule should be developed based on system type and complexity.

• A record of inspections is evidence of good environmental stewardship.

Monitoring by Using Periodic Inspections and Checklists

• A liner is a barrier between potential contaminants and groundwater and should be regularly inspected to the extent possible.

• Liners can be eroded by wave action, turbulence around inlet pipes, agitation, or burrowing by rodents.

• Evidence of seepage at the back slope base of an earthen impoundment may indicate loss of function or an inadequate liner.

Monitoring Liners in Earthen Impoundments

• Recordkeeping is evidence of good stewardship and may be required for regulatory reports.

– Manure levels in storage structures

– When manure is removed from storage

– Amount of manure removed from storage

– Nutrient content of manure removed (lab analysis)

– Location where manure is spread

Monitoring by Using Logbooks and Recordkeeping

Aesthetics and appearance may not be critical in environmental protection or compliance, but are major factors in the perceptions formed by the public, tour groups, regulatory personnel, and others. Three factors contributing to facility aesthetics and appearance are (1) general cleanliness and sanitation, (2) mowing, and (3) control of surface water.

Aesthetics and Appearance

Earthen Manure Holding Ponds

Chemical Additives to ManureChemical Additives to Manure for Odor and Gas Control for Odor and Gas Control

Difficult to determine effectiveness of the Difficult to determine effectiveness of the many additives that are availablemany additives that are available

Relatively few products have been shown Relatively few products have been shown to significantly reduce odor or gases like to significantly reduce odor or gases like NH3.NH3.

Products are available for addition to Products are available for addition to either liquid or solid manure.either liquid or solid manure.

Concern over cost per animal per yearConcern over cost per animal per year

Manure TreatmentManure Treatment

Manure additives for stored liquid manureManure additives for stored liquid manure– pH modifiers and acidifierspH modifiers and acidifiers– Digestive enzymesDigestive enzymes– Oxidizing agentsOxidizing agents– DisinfectantsDisinfectants– AdsorbentsAdsorbents– Enzyme inhibitorsEnzyme inhibitors– Saponins from yucca (a desert plant)Saponins from yucca (a desert plant)– Masking agentsMasking agents

Estimate Sludge VolumeEstimate Sludge VolumeUsing AWMFH Chapter 10Using AWMFH Chapter 10

SV = 365 x AU x TS x SAR x TSV = 365 x AU x TS x SAR x T

SV = Sludge Volume in ftSV = Sludge Volume in ft33

AU = Number of 1,000 # animal unitsAU = Number of 1,000 # animal units

TS = TS lbs/AU/dayTS = TS lbs/AU/day

SAR = Sludge accumulation ratio in ftSAR = Sludge accumulation ratio in ft33 / lb TS / lb TS

T = Sludge accumulation time in yearsT = Sludge accumulation time in years

SAR = Sludge accumulation ratio in ftSAR = Sludge accumulation ratio in ft33 / lb TS / lb TS

How do you clean the sludge out of a waste storage structure ?

Lagoons need to be AgitatedLagoons need to be Agitated

Additional 10,000 ft3 of sludge to be land applied at closure

Closure of Waste ImpoundmentsClosure of Waste Impoundments

Conservation Practice Standard – Code 360Conservation Practice Standard – Code 360 PurposePurpose

Protect Surface and GroundwaterProtect Surface and Groundwater

Eliminate Safety HazardsEliminate Safety Hazards Safeguard Public HealthSafeguard Public Health

All CNMPs should include All CNMPs should include a Closure Plana Closure Plan

Apply remaining nutrients at Apply remaining nutrients at agronomic ratesagronomic rates

Decommission StorageDecommission Storage

- Breach and backfill- Breach and backfill

- Conversion to freshwater storage- Conversion to freshwater storage

OperationsOperations

Monitor sludgeMonitor sludge

Dewater at least yearly onto croplandDewater at least yearly onto cropland

Watch staff gauge and keep liquid Watch staff gauge and keep liquid between maximum and minimumbetween maximum and minimum

• Markers should be of durable material for long life.

• They indicate–When pumping operations begin and end.

–The level at which overflow will occur.

–The fraction storage currently filled.

Monitoring Pumpdown or Manure-level Markers (continued)

Pumpdown MarkersPumpdown MarkersPumpdown markers define the portion of a Pumpdown markers define the portion of a manure storage facility that is removed by manure storage facility that is removed by pumpdown.pumpdown.

Pumpdown markers are management Pumpdown markers are management indicators for the operator so that fill rate indicators for the operator so that fill rate can be observed and pumping can be can be observed and pumping can be started at the correct time.started at the correct time.

Pumpdown markers are installed to show Pumpdown markers are installed to show critical liquid elevations in storage facilities.critical liquid elevations in storage facilities.

In many states, pumpdown markers are In many states, pumpdown markers are required by regulation.required by regulation.

Pumpdown Marker – LagoonPumpdown Marker – Lagoon

100-yr, 24-hr storm runoff 100-yr, 24-hr storm runoff and surface accumulationand surface accumulation

Regular pumpdown volume Regular pumpdown volume includes manure, includes manure, washwater, lot runoff, and R-washwater, lot runoff, and R-E.E.

Permanent volume contains Permanent volume contains sludge and treatment sludge and treatment volume.volume.

Pumpdown Marker DetailPumpdown Marker DetailSingle vertical post is preferredSingle vertical post is preferred

Ring notch or other distinct Ring notch or other distinct mark at spillway elevationmark at spillway elevation

Ring notch or other distinct Ring notch or other distinct mark at spillway elevationmark at spillway elevation

Intermediate notches at proper Intermediate notches at proper elevations to show percentage elevations to show percentage of storage usedof storage used

Imbedment depth for long-term Imbedment depth for long-term durabilitydurability

Pumpdown MarksPumpdown Marks

Elevation or level marks shown previously are Elevation or level marks shown previously are typical but may not be applicable in all cases.typical but may not be applicable in all cases.

Positioning or relative elevation of pumpdown Positioning or relative elevation of pumpdown marks may depend upon specific definition of marks may depend upon specific definition of items such as freeboard or safety volume.items such as freeboard or safety volume.

Check local or state definitions and design Check local or state definitions and design requirements to ensure that pumpdown marks requirements to ensure that pumpdown marks are properly placed.are properly placed.

Staff GaugeStaff Gauge

Mark “start pumping” level no higher than Mark “start pumping” level no higher than bottom of freeboardbottom of freeboard

Mark “stop pumping” level no lower than Mark “stop pumping” level no lower than minimum treatment volumeminimum treatment volume

Have a rain gauge and keep rainfall Have a rain gauge and keep rainfall recordsrecords

MaintenanceMaintenance

Every two weeks: inspect berm for erosion, Every two weeks: inspect berm for erosion, animal burrows, etc.animal burrows, etc.

Maintain quality vegetation on bermsMaintain quality vegetation on berms

Inspect liner if applicableInspect liner if applicable

Perform regular monitoring well tests, if Perform regular monitoring well tests, if applicableapplicable

Nitrogen lost and retained in various types of Nitrogen lost and retained in various types of manure handling and storage systems.manure handling and storage systems.

SystemSystem Nitrogen Lost, Nitrogen Lost, %%

Nitrogen Nitrogen Retained, %Retained, %

Daily scrape Daily scrape and hauland haul

Manure packManure pack

Under floor pitUnder floor pit

Aboveground Aboveground tanktank

Holding pondHolding pond

Anaerobic Anaerobic lagoonlagoon

20-3520-35

20-4020-40

15-3015-30

10-3010-30

20-4020-40

70-8570-85

65-8065-80

60-8060-80

70-8570-85

70-9070-90

60-8060-80

15-3015-30

What are the Pathways by which Manure Contaminates Water?

1. Surface runoff

Unsaturated Zone

Water Table

Sand & Gravel Aquifer

Bedrock

2. Leaching to groundwater

3. Well casings

Septic TankSeptic Tank

PrivateWell

Manure Manure Storage Storage

PrecipitationPrecipitation

1

2 2 23

4

4. Ammonia deposition

5

5. Macropore flow1-53

Waste type Total N Organic N Ammonia N P2O5 K2O

Swine lagoon* 100 to 300 20 to 60 80 to 240 40 to 70 100 to 300

Swine pit** 30 to 45 10 to 15 20 to 30 20 to 30 20 to 30

Dairy lagoon* 80 to 150 35 to 70 45 to 80 50 to 100 100 to 200

Dairy pit** 25 to 35 15 to 20 10 to 15 15 to 20 20 to 30

Broiler litter*** 50 to 80 40 to 65 10 to 15 40 to 60 30 to 40

Turkey litter*** 50 to 80 40 to 65 10 to 15 40 to 60 30 to 40

* Pounds per acre-inch acre-inch = 27,225 gallons

** Pounds per 1000 gallons

Average nutrient levels in livestock manure

Charles D. Fulhage, EQ201

25

52

14

55

12

47

0102030405060

cen

ts/l

b n

utr

ien

t

N - Urea P2O5 - DAP K2O -Potash

N-P-K price increase between 2003 and 2011

2003

2011 Jan19

Manure as a FertilizerManure as a Fertilizer

A mixed fertilizer. Can’t balance nutrient A mixed fertilizer. Can’t balance nutrient needs as we can with fertilizer. needs as we can with fertilizer. Apply a rate and get so much N and so Apply a rate and get so much N and so much Pmuch PIf apply for crop N needs, then usually over If apply for crop N needs, then usually over apply P. apply P. If apply for only crop P needs, then don’t If apply for only crop P needs, then don’t meet N needs and need to supplement with meet N needs and need to supplement with fertilizer N.fertilizer N.Difficult to predict available organic NDifficult to predict available organic N

Land Application IssuesLand Application Issues

NitrogenNitrogen - ground water quality- ground water quality - leaching of nitrate through soil- leaching of nitrate through soil - controlling factor is rate - controlling factor is rate

PhosphorusPhosphorus - surface water quality- surface water quality - movement of phosphorus off fields- movement of phosphorus off fields - controlling factors are rate and erosion- controlling factors are rate and erosion

N Considerations with ManureN Considerations with Manure

The largest crop need of the applied The largest crop need of the applied nutrients.nutrients.

If crop doesn’t use, nitrate builds up.If crop doesn’t use, nitrate builds up.

Crop can take up ammonium or nitrate-NCrop can take up ammonium or nitrate-N

However, ammonium, urea, organic N However, ammonium, urea, organic N eventually convert to nitrate-N in soileventually convert to nitrate-N in soil

P Considerations with ManureP Considerations with Manure

Crops need 2.5 to 4.0 more N than PCrops need 2.5 to 4.0 more N than P

Manure has ~ equal amounts of plantManure has ~ equal amounts of plant

available N and P.available N and P.- Therefore if meet N need of crop, over Therefore if meet N need of crop, over

apply P. apply P. - P soil test builds.P soil test builds.

Land Application Of ManureLand Application Of Manure

Three Major GoalsThree Major Goals

1. prevent nitrate accumulations in soil1. prevent nitrate accumulations in soil

2. prevent phosphorus movement off fields 2. prevent phosphorus movement off fields

3. prevent nutrient deficiencies in crops3. prevent nutrient deficiencies in crops

Before PumpingBefore Pumping

Inspect pump, piping and applicator for Inspect pump, piping and applicator for potential leakspotential leaks

Repair as neededRepair as needed

• Unplanned discharges and spills sometimes occur during pumping operations.

• Burst or ruptured pipes, leaking joints, stalled or overturned traveling guns, and overfilling of hauling equipment are examples of unplanned discharges during pumping.

• Automatic shut-off devices can be useful in preventing discharges in piping systems.

Monitoring During Pumping

• Irrigation systems should be monitored to detect leaks or malfunctions.

• Large amounts of pollutants can be released in a short time.

Monitoring During Pumping (continued)

Totally Slatted Deep Pit (10 feet Totally Slatted Deep Pit (10 feet deep) Finishing Barndeep) Finishing Barn

Advantages ofAdvantages of Slurry Manure Storage Slurry Manure Storage

Less volume (higher solids content) than lagoons.Less volume (higher solids content) than lagoons.

Adaptable to tank storage, either underfloor or Adaptable to tank storage, either underfloor or aboveground.aboveground.

Tanks may be covered for odor control.Tanks may be covered for odor control.

Less nutrient loss than lagoons.Less nutrient loss than lagoons.

Manure may be handled hydraulically.Manure may be handled hydraulically.

Disadvantages ofDisadvantages of Slurry Manure Storage Slurry Manure Storage

May be higher odor potential than May be higher odor potential than lagoons or solid manure.lagoons or solid manure.

Gases from poorly ventilated Gases from poorly ventilated underfloor pits may affect animals.underfloor pits may affect animals.

Toxic or combustible gases can Toxic or combustible gases can accumulate in enclosed areas or foamaccumulate in enclosed areas or foam

Disadvantages ofDisadvantages of Slurry Manure Storage Slurry Manure Storage

(continued)(continued)

Hauling many loads of manure may be Hauling many loads of manure may be time consuming and labor intensive.time consuming and labor intensive.

Potential for odor and/or runoff if slurry Potential for odor and/or runoff if slurry is surface spread without injection or is surface spread without injection or incorporation.incorporation.

Table 8. Manure CharacteristicsTable 8. Manure Characteristics

Livestock Livestock StagesStages

Manure Manure prod. prod.

Lb/yr/pig Lb/yr/pig spacespace

Total N Total N Lbs/1000 Lbs/1000 gallonsgallons

NHNH33-N -N

Lbs/1000 Lbs/1000 gallonsgallons

PP22OO55

Lbs/1000 Lbs/1000 gallonsgallons

Grow/Fin. Grow/Fin. (deep pit)(deep pit)

3,5003,500 5050 3333 4242

Grow/Fin. Grow/Fin. (wet/dry (wet/dry feeder)feeder)

2,5002,500 7575 5050 5454

Grow/Fin. Grow/Fin. (earthen (earthen pit)pit)

3,5003,500 3232 2424 2222

Under-floor Manure StorageUnder-floor Manure Storage

MWPS-36 Concrete Manure MWPS-36 Concrete Manure StoragesStorages

Walls : 4000 psi concrete: Walls : 4000 psi concrete: and Grade 60 rebarand Grade 60 rebar

Pit AnnexesPit Annexes

Maintain 1’ FreeboardMaintain 1’ Freeboard

Maintain enough space for proper Maintain enough space for proper ventilationventilation

Slurry Manure StorageSlurry Manure Storage Earthen Basins Earthen Basins

• Usually less costly than Usually less costly than tankstanks

• Can accommodate some Can accommodate some lot runofflot runoff

• Requires soils Requires soils investigation and seal investigation and seal constructionconstruction

• Mowing and berm Mowing and berm maintenance requiredmaintenance required

Slurry Manure StorageSlurry Manure Storage Earthen Basins Earthen Basins

(continued)(continued)Agitation is required for Agitation is required for complete solids removal.complete solids removal.

Access points or platforms Access points or platforms for pumping and agitation for pumping and agitation are required.are required.

Space requirements for Space requirements for berms and front/back berms and front/back slopes are greater.slopes are greater.

20-72

Slurry Manure HandlingSlurry Manure Handling

SafetySafetySignage and FencingSignage and Fencing

Toxic GasesToxic Gases– When stored manure is agitatedWhen stored manure is agitated

– Hydrogen SulfideHydrogen Sulfide

– Provide maximum ventilationProvide maximum ventilation

SafetySafety

““Do not allow anyone to Do not allow anyone to enter a manure tank enter a manure tank without a self-contained without a self-contained breathing apparatus and breathing apparatus and use the buddy system”.use the buddy system”.

Manure Pit SafetyManure Pit Safety

Call EMS.Call EMS.

Ventilate pit Ventilate pit before entering.before entering.

Wear a respirator Wear a respirator or SCBA.or SCBA.

Cartridge masks Cartridge masks ARE NOT SAFE.ARE NOT SAFE.

Rescuer wearing a safety harness, attached to a rope, attended by two people at the manure pit’s entrance.

50-77

Is Manure a(n):Is Manure a(n):

Contributor to pollution?

orBenefit to

environmental and soil quality?

Source of O2 depleting compounds,

pathogens, etc.?or

Source of recycled nutrients?

Source of odors and air quality

contaminants?or

Opportunity for sequestering

atmospheric carbon?

Source: LPES, 2001

Thank you

Questions