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Pennsylvania Horse
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Pennsylvania's Revised Nutrient Management Regulations....Affecting Horse Owners.
Posted by: Cloverbug Date posted: 01/02/2007 09:57:11 PM |
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Thought this Press Release may be of interest to some of you. Any horse operation meeting the criteria set forth by the state now fall under these regulations. Before only operations that were into production were regulations - standing a stallion, brood mares, or draft horses on Amish farms. Questions please contact me at askvarka@ccpa.net and I'll try to help you out.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 4, 2006
Contact: Amy C. Skvarka
Nutrient Management Specialist
717-240-7812
Nutrient Management Regulation Changes
CARLISLE - On October 1, 2006, the revisions to the Pennsylvania Nutrient Management Regulations went into effect. There are numerous program changes that are going to affect both production and non-production livestock operations throughout Pennsylvania. Not every farming operation will be required to obtain a nutrient management plan. [Only operations that are considered high density having 2,000 lbs of live animal weight per acre of land suitable for manure application and having at least 8,000 lbs of animals on site will be required to have a plan developed.] Operations not falling under the regulations can have a nutrient management plan developed as a volunteer operation.
These major program changes include the regulation of equine and other non-production livestock operations, in addition to production livestock operations. And the identification of nutrients of concern, which includes the identification of N, P, and K in a nutrient management, plan. N and P are regulated nutrients, which mean application rate limitations are established. K balance is included for farmer information and is an indication that yield goals are attainable. Manure application setbacks include a year round 100-foot setback from streams, lakes, ponds and open sinkholes unless there is a 35-foot permanent vegetated buffer next to the stream. In which case manure may not be applied within 35 feet of the stream, lake, pond, or sinkhole. In addition, a year round 100-foot setback from active drinking water sources (wells, springs, etc). In addition to the manure spreading setbacks, there are 100-foot setbacks from perennial and intermittent streams and wetlands adjacent to exceptional value streams for new manure storages.
Producers who export manure must have provisions in their nutrient management plan, which includes signed importer/broker agreements. Nutrient Balance Sheets (NBSs) and NBS maps included in the nutrient management plan, describe application rates and setbacks for importing farms. The NBS will need to be provided before a producer is able to obtain manure from a Concentrated Animal Operation (CAO) or from a broker.
In fields, stacking is also be regulated under the new regulations. If manure is stacked for longer than 120 days, it will need to be covered or on an improved area. The stack will need to be properly shaped (cone or windrow) and must be properly located outside setback areas, swales, and depressions in the field.
Winter application of manure has also been revised. In the new regulations, winter is defined as December 15 – February 28, if the ground is frozen to a 4 inch depth, or if the ground is snow covered. There must be provisions in the nutrient management plan listing specific winter application fields and conditions for which manure application can occur. The field that will be receiving manure must have a minimum ground cover of 25%. In addition, setback of 100 feet from prior delineated wetlands adjacent to exceptional value (EV) streams and 100 feet from intakes to ag drainage systems must be followed.
Farmers applying manure to fields in the fall with less than 25% cover will need to establish a cover crop, inject manure, or incorporate the manure within 5 days of using low disturbance techniques consistent with no-till practices.
In addition to the seasonal spreading regulations, a one time manure application rate may not exceed 9,000 gallons, unless the application rate meets specific soil infiltration capability and water holding capacity of the given field.
Soil testing will be required every 3 years and manure analysis will be required annually for each major manure group. The use of these two tools will allow the producer to better identify what is currently taking place on their operation.
With the introduction of the Act 38 nutrient management plans there will be one standard for both concentrated animal operations and volunteer animal operations. The nutrient management plans written under Act 38 will be written to a standard nutrient management plan format.
Not every operation is required to have a nutrient management plan; every operation is required to have an Agricultural Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan and a manure management plan. Both plans are developed based on the farms management and can be valuable management tools in assessing your farm operation.
For more information, please contact the Cumberland County Conservation District at 717-240-7812. |
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