New process streamlines energy project approvals

by Better Farming | May 2012

May 23, 2012 – The Ontario Environment Ministry in Canada is studying a new environmental approval process for small-scale renewable energy projects that’s designed to be clearer and more streamlined.

Biogas Association members concur the direction being taken is positive, says executive director Jennifer Green. But the details are the most important element of this development “because we’re trying to achieve something that is going to have a reasonable and practical application in terms of allowing the development of these projects” and getting environmental approvals. READ MORE

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I recently came upon this article written by Todd Janzen, “a Kansas farm boy” who is now a practicing attorney with Plews, Shadley, Racher & Braun in Indianapolis, Ind. He does such a great job explaining the issue and its importance to farmers, I thought I’d use it for a Guest Editorial for Manure Manager.

Editorial: July-August 2011

As editor of Manure Manager magazine, I keep myself abreast of happenings in the world of livestock and poultry production across North America and, sometimes, the world.

Manure has hidden gold within

America faces a serious challenge due to its dependence on oil- and petroleum-based energy sources.

In the news: March-April 2011

Manitoba pig producers provided manure management funding

The environmental impact of animal waste

North and South Carolina have seen a steady increase in swine production over the last 15 years.

Climate change policy and the adoption of methane digesters on livestock operations

Methane digester systems capture methane from lagoon or pit manure storage facilities and use it as a fuel to generate electricity or heat.

Huckabay Ridge

Dairy farmers in the Bosque River Watershed in Texas currently shipping their manure to the massive Huckabay Ridge anaerobic digester facility are breathing easier now that the facility has been purchased by EM Biogas, a subsidiary of Houston-based, Element Markets, from bankrupt Environmental Power Corporation (EPC).

Small is powerful

When you decide to build a retail food market next to a dairy barn, encourage the general public into that barn and dare to call yourself eco-friendly, you’d better be prepared to do something to eliminate the “warts” on the farm.

Pagel power

John Pagel grew up in Wisconsin’s Kewaunee County and has lived in the same house on his family’s farm operation his entire life.

Budgeting for P, N with manure applications

Researchers are discovering, however, that not all manure is created equally. Numerous variables, including animal and manure type and environmental conditions, interact in often unpredictable ways to influence the final product's unique ability to supply nitrogen and phosphorous.

Hogtied

Think of an anaerobic digester. Imagine the raised tank, covered lagoon or buried vessel. Where would it be located? Near a hog operation or a dairy? If you answered dairy, based on today’s statistics, you would probably be right.

Nutrient record keeping proves important for all producers

Livestock producers large and small need not only to manage nutrients properly but also to keep detailed records of their nutrient management practices, says Purdue Extension animal scientist Tamilee Nennich.

In the news: Janaury-February 2011

Alberta Beef environmental award announced

UW Extension agents, specialists win award

October 19, 2010, Madison, Wis. – Creating more than a dozen intentional manure spills may not seem like a good way to protect Wisconsin’s water resources. Yet this innovative approach to demonstrating the proper way to contain, clean up and restore a spill site is one of the many innovations piloted by UW-Extension’s Custom Manure Applicator Subcommittee of the ANRE Nutrient Management Team.

Editorial: November/December 2010

I should have been a lawyer. Growing up, my mother encouraged me to follow a career in the law, perhaps sparked by my great ability to enrage my father during family “discussions.” What can I say; I loved to argue just as much as he did.

Going low

A dairy operation in Oregon is hoping low is the way to go as it adds a psychrophilic sequential batch reactor (SBR) anaerobic digester to its manure management regime.

In the News: November/December 2010

The newest installation is on a dairy heifer calf raising facility near Albany, N.Y. The facility maintains 2,000 head when full. The farm’s new composting and heat recovery system will help to eliminate the operation’s dependence on propane, while reducing diesel, electric and grid-based energy dependence.

Construction begins on anaerobic digester at U of G

PlanET Biogas Solutions has begun construction on a new power plant at the Ridgetown campus of the University of Guelph.

Policy for renewable energy won't work for everyone

A New Brunswick beef farmer literally has tonnes of manure he'd like to burn for energy, but says the government won't pay him enough to do it.

Turning waste into energy on eastern Ontario farms

CH-Four Biogas Inc. & MWM are behind three new anaerobic digesters at three farms in eastern Ontario.

Creating compost from manure

A major challenge in manure management is the sheer volume and health risks posed by raw manure, and the need to safely dispose of it as it accumulates.

USDA explores manure’s uses

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service recently released a report on manure use for fertilizer and energy production.

Clean, green, and powered by cow patties

A cattleman is overseeing a $100-million operation that converts manure into energy and fuels an ethanol plant while making feed and fertilizer.

Ontario farmers take final steps in bioenergy projects

Petrocorn Inc., Kirchmeier Farms and Maryland Farms have all entered the final stages of the construction of progressive biogas facilities.

Fuel from the vine

A hungry locavore has been living behind Vandermeer Greenhouses in Niagara-on-the-Lake since April of 2009, powering it using anaerobic digestion.

MN underground manure pipeline closer to reality

Ocheda Dairy Inc. of rural Worthington cleared another hurdle recently in its plans to construct a permanent pipeline for liquid manure.

Enzymes from horse feces may streamline biofuel production

Stepping into unexplored territory in efforts to use corn stalks, grass and other non-food plants to make biofuels, scientists recently described the discovery of a potential treasure-trove of candidate enzymes in fungi thriving in the feces and intestinal tracts of horses.

Evolution of manure injection

It wasn’t too long ago that manure was just a waste that nobody wanted. For more than a decade, Dennis Nuhn, president of Nuhn Industries Ltd., has watched manure become more appreciated.

Sustainability: It’s the way Trail’s End rolls

Oklahoma’s Trail’s End Sow Farm #2 isn’t one of those farms that one day decided they should start making sustainable changes

Farming by the inch

With a show of hands, about half of those listening to the presentation in Jake Kraayenbrink’s back 40 near Moorefield, Ont., confessed to having a smartphone of some sort.

Dragline system makes its mark

Necessity is often the mother of invention – that goes double for farmers.

Better than good

For Dawson, Minn., hog farmers, Wayne and Laura Dahl, good just isn’t good enough.

Green power, reduced GHG with manure digester

The recent groundbreaking for the building of a manure digester facility just outside of Enumclaw brought out many key players

World Pork Expo seminars get down to business

The World Pork Expo's business seminars, scheduled for June 5 and 6, are filled with information and insights, including improving the utilization of manure.

Reducing manure-pit deaths

Penn State researchers have recently published a new international standard to vent manure storage facilities in order to reduce the risk of fatalities.

Webcast on mono-slope barns May 17

Don’t miss Friday’s (May 17) webcast on mono-slope beef barns.

Manure spill occurs near Chatham, Ont.

The Ministry of the Environment is monitoring the clean up of a manure spill near Palmyra, in east Chatham-Kent, that occurred recently.

Water pollution from poultry overestimated – study

Federal environmental programs have drastically overestimated the poultry industry’s contributions to water pollution, according to University of Delaware study

Manure tankers put stress on WI roads

The Gardner Town Board recently discussed the problem of damage from large manure tankers traveling town roads.

Neighbors in WA want manure spraying banned

A group of Yakima Valley residents is seeking to limit when dairy operators can spray manure onto fields, a common practice in the dairy industry.

Manure spread on lawyer's car, office

A Sarnia, Ont., lawyer was the target of a smear campaign when someone spread pig manure on his car and office.

Biogas from animal waste in need of maturity

Livestock produces a lot of waste. One solution is to turn such agricultural waste into biogas to generate energy through anaerobic digestion.

Cornell Pump School 2013 in Oregon

Cornell Pump Company is holding its 2013 Pump School in Portland, OR, September 17 and 18, 2013.

MPNAA annual meeting June 11

The Midwest Professional Nutrient Applicators Association (MPNAA) is holding its annual general meeting June 11, 2013, in Findlay, OH.

UW wins greenhouse gas grant

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is receiving part of a $10 million federal grant to study greenhouse gas emissions from dairy farms.

Ag, livestock major sources of GHG emissions

Global greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector totaled 4.69 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2010, an increase of 13 percent from 1990

Digi‐Star Facebook Sweepstakes winner

Charlie Jones of Richfield, Wisc., is the proud owner of a new EZ 3600 indicator from Digi-Star.

Iowa Legislature approves bill for hog farms

Iowa hog farmers could enjoy looser state oversight when temporarily downsizing their operations under legislation now headed to Gov. Terry Branstad.

Using grid soil sampling to guide manure application

Using grid soil sampling to guide manure application can be a profitable investment, is the conclusion from case studies based on eight Minnesota farms.

Hog farmer calls pollution claims “crazy”

A hog farmer in Newton County, Arkansas, has come under pressure from Fayetteville city officials who recently passed a resolution opposing the hog farm.

States to offer break to farms that install BMPs

States in the Chesapeake Bay watershed are in various stages of a program that gives farms nearly a decade of amnesty from new environmental regulations.

ISU student places third for manure, GHG research

Kelsey Bruning, a senior in civil engineering at Iowa State University, placed third in the recent Ron Sheffield Memorial Student Poster Contest

Will easing dairy rules in NY do much?

In April, Governor Cuomo carried through on a promise he made to dairy farmers, loosening environmental regulations for small farms.

Purifying sludge through oxygen-based digestion

Dealing with sludge is one of the biggest issues of wastewater treatment.

Greener milk: Making cows’ N intake efficient

Research attempts to balance more efficient uptake during cows’ digestion of nitrogen feed to help reduce cattles’ flatulence responsible for methane.

Winning with management

Farm Management Canada has launched a competition to win an all-expense paid trip to the International Farm Management Congress in Poland in July 2013.

Dairy groups mark commitment to air research

Dairy organizations from across the western U.S. gathered recently in Boise, ID, to push for improved science and management strategies for dairies.

Court refuses to dismiss farmer’s suit against EPA

A federal court has rejected efforts by the Environmental Protection Agency to dismiss a case brought by a West Virginia poultry farmer.

What’s your manure IQ?

How much do you know about manure’s value on your farm? Take this quiz to find out.

Fertilizers provide mixed soil benefits

Fertilizing with inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus definitely improves crop yields, but recent research indicates that it does not improve the soil.

Kentucky officials working on NMP

Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Len Peters says the state is working on a plan to curb water pollution.

WI group hopes to limit aerial manure spraying

Activists opposed to the growth of industrial farms in Wisconsin have asked a towns association to develop an ordinance to limit aerial manure spreading.

Air-quality solutions ― despite the activists

After being sued by an environmental group five years ago, the issue of air quality became front-and-center at DeRuyter Brothers Dairy in Outlook, WA.

User-friendly phosphorus management program

A more comprehensive and consistent system for modeling phosphorus loss is now available, thanks to work by scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Manure spill cleanup continues in MN

Three days after a manure pit in MN ruptured and spilled up to a million gallons into a creek, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency staff work to empty the pit.

NE residents seek county’s view on livestock facilities

The Butler County Board of Supervisors will hold a special meeting April 23 to discuss two proposed livestock facilities to be located in the county.

Manure digester in works in OR

Rural Lane County may become home to a second large cow-manure digester that turns methane gas into electricity.

Million-gallon cow manure spill fouls MN river

A million gallons of manure broke through a concrete-walled pit in southeastern Minnesota, fouling two trout streams before making its way into a river.

Manure spraying catching on in WI

New methods of spreading manure on farm fields are becoming the latest flashpoint of conflict among farmers, their neighbors and environmentalists.

Making a better chicken

Researchers are looking at breeding chicken with larger digestive organs to help decrease poultry manure production.

EPA release of CAFO info draws fire

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is asking environmentalists to return confidential data about feedlots, dairies and other operations.

Versatile revolutionizes product line

Versatile has unveiled a new line of front-wheel assist tractors that feature one of the largest cabs in the industry and a considerable increase in wheelbase.

NMPs save money, aids environment

A federal agency that addresses conservation practices has the same goal as that of farmers, its top scientist believes.

WA dairy to appeal $17,000 fine

A Washington state dairy plans to appeal a $17,000 fine assessed against it for allegedly improperly applying manure to a field.

Penn State researchers focus on manure pit deaths

Death by manure pit – it may not be too common yet when it happens, it often takes more than one life.

New manure, fertilizer rules in the works for OH

Proposed legislation would create new statewide regulations for those who apply manure and manmade commercial fertilizers to farmland in Ohio.

Iowa Senate funds Nutrient Management Plan

The Iowa Senate has approved an appropriation of $2.4 million to begin a long term project to reduce the load of nutrients entering streams and rivers.

CA farmers urged to join effort to cut nitrates

The deadline is fast approaching for farmers to sign up under California’s groundwater-quality management program

Cow diet can hurt soil, groundwater – research

When it comes to a cow’s diet, many dairy farmers err on the side of caution, often feeding their cows more salts and other minerals than are necessary.

WI farm owners file claim against town

Owners of a Granton dairy farm have filed a $50,000 claim against town of Washburn officials for preventing the farm from spraying liquid manure on land.

NY links contaminated wells to manure

State investigators have linked the contamination of three private wells in Marcellus to a farmer who recently applied manure to a nearby farm field.

Manure happens, make the most of it

Livestock manure is a great fertilizer and soil amendment. When properly managed, livestock manure can be utilized as a valuable resource.

VA restaurant owner says manure stinks

A Virginia dairy farmer has riled a restaurant owner after spreading manure in a field beside the business.

Many U.S. rivers, streams in poor condition – survey

More than half of the U.S.'s rivers, streams - 55 per cent - are in poor condition according to the U.S. EPA.

Perdue proposes chicken manure composting

Poultry producer and processor Perdue Farms is proposing composting its chicken manure.

NE Supreme Court rules in favor of pipeline ban

The Nebraska Supreme Court has affirmed a lower court’s ruling that confirmed a state township’s right to regulate manure pipelines on its right of way.

NC company hopes pig manure is road to future

In the not-too-distant future, you could drive for miles on a road of pig manure, a highly refined byproduct of pig manure that a NC company.

Manure to fly as winter ban ends in OH

A 42-day ban on manure spreading in Ohio that recently ended may result in more manure than usual being applied at once in the Grand Lake. area.

Topdressing wheat with liquid swine manure

Research on applying liquid livestock manure as a spring top-dress fertilizer to wheat has been ongoing in Ohio for several years.

Michigan hosting livestock, communities conference

April 23, 2013, Michigan State University Extension is sponsoring a conference to exploring the issues straining the relationship between communities and farms.

Nix the nitrogen

California nonprofit Sustainable Conservation and its scientific partners have joined forces to study a technology that treats nitrogen in dairy wastewater.

ABC applauds introduction of biogas tax credit

The American Biogas Council (ABC) applauds the introduction of the Biogas Investment Tax Credit Act of 2013 (HR 860).

Dairy industry reducing phosphorus intake, output

Reducing phosphorus in dairy diets doesn’t change a cow’s productivity, but it does affect the environmental impact that cow might have, according to a Texas AgriLife Extension Service specialist.

Studying manure

Agricultural Research Service scientists at the Agroecosystems Management Research Unit in Lincoln, Neb., have been conducting some very thorough investigations on the microbes that dwell in cattle manure – what they are, where they thrive, where they struggle and where they may end up.

Precision manure

While it was nutrient management legislation that originally generated an interest in the greater precision of manure application, now it’s the high price of fertilizer that has driven a renewed interest in today’s more innovative manure distributors.

Climate-related emissions

Getting an accurate estimation of nitrous oxide and methane emissions from beef cattle feedlots is an increasing concern given the current and potential future reporting requirements for greenhouse gas emissions.

Firm to flat

It was a military idea at first – deflating the tires on army vehicles that landed on the beaches of Europe in the Second World War made it easier to drive them on the sand.

Michigan State powers up

Michigan State may be the home of the Spartans, but it is also the home of the Anaerobic Digestion Research and Education Center (ADREC).

Manure Manager editiorial: March April 2013

Stop me if you’ve heard this rant before.

Improving the Enviropig

A research team at the University of Guelph has developed a new line of transgenic "Enviropigs" that can pass on genes more reliably than before.

Measuring and managing manure spills

After a manure spills, phosphorus levels can skyrocket in water, which prompted research from USDA-ARS researchers.

PA farmers switch to pig manure causing stink

Pig manure is causing a stink among neighbors in Milford, PA.

WI producer reduces gases in manure pits

WI hog producer has been using a product that he says reduces gases and odor in his manure pits and helps increase yields in his corn fields.

IN dairy opens manure-gas station

A natural gas fueling station powered by cow manure from one of the largest dairy cooperatives in the U.S. has opened in northwestern Indiana.

From cow manure to biogas

Anaergia Inc.'s biogas facility in Indiana that will turn cow manure into biogas is now fully operational.

Man critically injured by manure fumes

A southwestern Indiana man suffered life-threatening injuries after being overwhelmed by fumes from a pit filled with pig manure.

Alberta manure presentations online

Presentations from the recent Manure Management Update, held in Lethbridge, Alberta, have been posted online.

Dairy air quality symposium in ID

The Western States Dairy Producers Trade Association is sponsoring the 2013 Western Dairy Air Quality Symposium in Boise, ID, on April 16 and 17.

Got manure? Have it tested

Manure testing allows for accuracy in nutrient management specific to crop needs and it minimizes water contamination caused by nutrient run-off or leaching.

New Indiana fertilizer rules take effect

The Office of Indiana State Chemist (OISC) is continuing its yearlong effort to help farmers comply with new rules regulating manure.

TMC, Menicon develop compost product in Japan

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) and contact lens manufacturer Menicon Co., Ltd. have developed a livestock manure composting product.

Joseph Gallo Dairy wins CA governors honor

Joseph Gallo Farms has been awarded the 2012 Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award for its sustainable farming and cheese making.

Smartphone manure apps

A blog posting from the Iowa Beef Center provided some information recently that might be of interest to smartphone savvy beef producers.

Antibiotic resistance found in Chinese pig manure

Manure from Chinese pig farms contains antibiotic residues and high concentrations of bacteria resistant to antibiotics according to a recent study

Vecoplan announces new project manager

Matt Davidson has been appointed as the newest Project Manager in Vecoplan LLC's Waste Systems Center of Competency.

Canadian Biogas Conference and Exhibition

Growth in farm & rural biogas sector is steady and the 2013 Canadian Biogas Conference is focussing on managing the sector & taking applications to the next step

Sask researchers studying cow manure

A team of researchers is studying about 70 patties of frozen cow manure at the University of Regina.

MI manure spill stopped from getting into creek

An estimated 2,000 gallons of manure spilled from a pit at a Ravenna, MI, dairy farm during the overnight period between Jan. 28 and Jan. 29.

Don’t relax manure rules in NY – coalition

A coalition of New York environmental groups has blasted the Cuomo administration proposal to exempt some large dairy-farming operations from environmental rules

Manure spill reported at MI dairy farm

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is investigating a large manure spill at a Muskegon County dairy farm.

Incentives for enviro improvements in livestock

The approval of Residual Feed Intake carbon offsets by the Government of Alberta has opened up opportunity for farmers to be paid for environmental improvements.

Biosolids can increase soil phosphorus

USDA research has shown that applying biosolids to soil can increase the amount of phosphorus present for years.

WI residents object to trucks on road, manure

Two New Haven residents have asked the Town Board to stop the spreading of manure on farmers’ fields and the hauling of it over town roads.

Iowa NRCS updating nutrient standards

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, or NRCS, in Iowa is accepting public comments until February 6 for its updated nutrient management standard.

ME dairy using manure, food waste for power

A large dairy farm in Maine is harnessing clean-burning gas from cow manure and food waste, and generates enough electricity to power 800 homes.

NY town officials consider ban on manure digesters

Several months after rejecting a large-scale manure digester project, town officials in Lowville, NY, are considering a ban on any such projects.

Alternative policies to promote AD produce positive net benefits

Anaerobic digesters capture methane from lagoon or pit manure storage facilities on farms and use it as fuel to generate electricity or heat.

Fashionable fertilizer

A non-profit in Florida has produced a “Ladies of Manure 2013 Calendar” to highlight awareness, education and the beauty of it all.

Keeping drag hoses in good condition

Drag hoses don’t come cheap. Depending on the system, hoses can represent a substantial capital investment. Getting a long life out of your drag hoses is good for the bottom line.

W.D. FARMS

Customers often ask custom manure applicator Eric Dresbach to point out where he has land applied the manure from their hog or dairy farms because when they inspect the job, they can’t smell it. He takes that as a compliment.

Advanced nutrient management course Feb. 5-6

The University of Missouri Extension Commercial Agriculture Program will hold the 2013 Annual Advanced Nutrient Management Course Feb. 5-6, 2013.

FUNK FAMILY FEEDLOT

The Funk family farm in central Illinois was established in 1824, a mere 48 years after the signing of the American Declaration of Independence.

Editorial: January/February 2013

Alan and Kristin Hudson, fourth-generation poultry producers, received fantastic news this past December – a federal judge in Baltimore, Md., ruled against the Waterkeeper Alliance in a lawsuit that pitted the Berlin, Md., farmers against the New York-based environmental group.

EPA vs. NRCS in WA: Whom do you believe?

The EPA issued a 307-page report this past September which claims four Washington State dairies produce "…a considerable amount of nitrogenous organic waste."

Neb. Senator wants increase to manure fine

Sen. Heath Mello of Omaha says a stiffer fine would prevent truck drivers from dumping livestock manure onto city streets.

WI continues under manure runoff warning

The vast majority of Wisconsin is at high risk of runoff over the next three to 10 days, according to the state’s runoff risk advisory forecast.

Midwest Manure Summit February 26-27

The 2013 Midwest Manure Summit is being held February 26-27 at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Green Bay, WI.

WI DNR asks farmers not to spread manure

With unseasonably warm temperatures and rain coming, farmers in WI are being asked not to spread manure on fields to reduce the risk of runoff.

Appointments made to CA enviro committee

California Senate leader Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) has said reform of the state’s environmental protection laws is a priority this year.

American Biogas Council, US Composting join forces

The American Biogas Council (ABC) and the U.S. Composting Council (USCC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to help accelerate the growth of the industry.

ISU Extension offers dry manure workshops

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is offering manure applicator certification workshops for dry/solid manure operators.

Manure boat rescues farm from stinky lagoon

About the size of a football field, a lagoon with room for seven million gallons of manure and sand was filling up, creating a dilemma at Hy-Light Farms.

Shaping nutrient policy through education

Water quantity may be the headline issue, the negotiation toward local water quality policies will also impact future generations of farmers.

EPA administrator Jackson announces resignation

EPA administrator Lisa Jackson is stepping down after nearly four years.

4-H Canada celebrates 100 years

The Canadian 4-H Council has announced a series of initiatives and events for 2013 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of 4-H in Canada.

WA dairy industry fires back over nitrate report

The Washington dairy industry has taken aim at a federal report that identified dairies as the likely contributors to nitrate contamination in Lower Valley wells

VT winter manure spreading ban begins

Vermont's Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets recently issued a reminder that the winter manure spreading ban came into effect December 15.

U.S. ag census coming in the mail

The 2012 Census of Agriculture is currently being mailed to millions of farmers and ranchers across the United States.

Waste to Worth travel scholarships available

The planning committee for the Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center National Conference is offering travel scholarships to the conference.

EPA will not tighten farm dust regulations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has updated its national clean air standards without tightening “farm dust” standards.

A dairy making sure manure isn’t wasted

Albert Straus of Straus Family Dairy uses the manure from his 300 cows in a methane digester that provides 960 kilowatt hours of electricity every day.

Limits on winter manure application in IA

Iowa law limits liquid manure application from Dec. 21 to April 1 if ground is snow-covered. If manure can be injected or incorporated, it can be land applied.

Deadline here for OH manure plans

All livestock farms in the Grand Lake Watershed must have nutrient management plans as of Dec. 17, 2012, and more than a dozen have failed to file.

CIFS launches expanded education program

The Canadian International Farm Show has organized an expanded educational program for all attendees of the event.

Ontario Agri-Food Education has resources for Canadian Agriculture Literacy Week

OAFE will be celebrating the second annual "Canadian Agriculture Literacy Week" in classrooms across the nation from March 3rd to March 9th, 2013...

Gift for the custom applicator who has everything

When you think of beautiful women, you don’t think of crap - unless you're discussing the 2013 Ladies of Manure Calendar.

IA commercial manure applicator training Jan. 4

Commercial manure applicators in IA can attend three hours of training on Jan. 4, 2013, to meet commercial manure applicator certification requirements.

Cow manure powers milk trucks

AMP Americas is now operating its trucking fleet on renewable natural gas produced from the country’s first agricultural digester project.

WA digester systems ramp up efficiency

A new $13.5 million manure digester system planned for two dairies near Sunnyside, WA, could resolve federal allegations they are polluting drinking water.

MDA holding 2013 nutrient management conference

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) invites farmers & other agricultural professionals to a free conference on February 19, 2013, in Fergus Falls, MN.

IA to host meetings on NM plans

Three public meeting have been set on Iowa’s Nutrient Management Strategy, an plan the state has offered up to cut pollution from farms and sewage-treatment plants.

OH chief vows to enforce farm manure rules

Ohio’s top soil and water official promised action against farmers in the Grand Lake Watershed who violate new manure rules.

The complicated origins of E. coli

Researchers investigating the origins of E. coli in a California watershed found that animal production facilities were not to blame, but urban runoff.

Chesapeake Bay chicken manure lawsuit wraps up

A closely watched lawsuit over chicken manure pollution on the Eastern Shore is in the hands of federal Judge William N. Nickerson.

Tons of manure buildup may cost CA dairy $1.4M

California water cops is proposing fining a local dairyman nearly $1.4 million, saying he allowed tens of thousands of tons of manure to accumulate on his farm.

Five reasons producers and agri-businesses should use social media

Social media is here to stay and it's a natural fit for the agriculture and agri-food industry...

Winter application of manure regulated in DE

Delaware farmers are being reminded they should not apply nutrients to the ground during the winter months by the Delaware Department of Agriculture.

SD colony neighbors file appeal over manure pad

Neighbors of Riverside Colony north of Huron, SD, have filed a second appeal after the colony received a permit to build a turkey manure storage pad.

IA company simplifying manure management

An Iowa-based company is using a well-established manure pit product combined with a new delivery system to simplify manure management on hog and dairy farms.

Australian pig farm goes carbon neutral

Harnessing the power of animal waste to become a carbon neutral farm; that’s what a piggery – home to 22,000 pigs – in Australia is doing.

Proposed IL dairy may close before opening

A controversial plan to build the largest dairy in Illinois has been put out to pasture, state officials announced recently.

Collegeville manure site sparks debate

A proposal to expand how much turkey manure can be stockpiled by a trucking company near St. John’s University may receive approval despite opposition from neighbors.

OARDC hosting compost bedded barn workshop

The Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) will host a workshop on compost bedded pack dairy barns on Dec. 5.

North American Manure Expo brings all facets together

University of Wisconsin Extension and the Professional Nutrient Applicators Association of Wisconsin teamed up in August 2012 for the North American Manure Expo with a theme of Professional Manure Management.

Technology and turkeys

In 2006, the Bullard family was growing crops and raising hogs and decided to expand their operation by raising turkeys.

Poultry litter a ‘gas’

Like clockwork, South Carolina farmer Marc Marsh watched a manure broker cart away and market the poultry litter gleaned from cleaning out his 12 barns after his pullets matured or egg layers reached the end of their productive lives.

Editorial: November-December 2012

In early October, testimony finally began in a lawsuit that pitted the Waterkeeper Alliance of New York City against Hudson Farm, a small poultry operation in Maryland, and Perdue, the poultry integrator the farm produced for.

Emissions from feedyards monitored in TX study

A researcher with Texas A&M AgriLife Research is exploring the nitrous oxide and methane emissions from beef cattle feedlots and what can be done to control it.

MDA issues guidelines for new NM regs

The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) has issued new guidelines for farmers outlining actions necessary to comply with the state’s new NM regulations.

UNL Extension manure TV program airs in Dec.

A University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension television program highlighting the profession of animal manure and nutrient management will air in December on NET2.

Kelley Manufacturing wins AE50 Award

It was announced recently that Kelley Manufacturing had won a 2013 AE50 Award for its KMC 6400 Litter Windrower.

Jamesway Pumpeller wins AE50 Award

Jamesway Farm Equipment’s Pumpeller hybrid manure pump is one of several manure application and handling technologies that earned a 2013 AE50 Awards.

SlurryKat announces worldwide distribution

SlurryKat, a slurry-handling specialist company based in Waringstown, Northern Ireland, has announced an international distribution program.

AD to be completed at WI dairy by fall 2013

Rosendale Dairy and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Foundation are just weeks away from breaking ground on a project that will create electricity from manure

Livestock manure impact on groundwater study

The Alberta Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is conducting a study to examine the impact of livestock manure of groundwater quality.

Chore-Time to market Qalovis Farmer Automatic Energy's manure drying systems in North America

Chore-Time Egg Production Systems has entered into an exclusive arrangement with Qalovis Farmer Automatic Energy to market its manure drying systems in N.A.

DeLaval barn system controller wins award

At EuroTier 2012, a European trade show dedicated to agriculture, DeLaval’s barn system controller (BSC) was awarded the EuroTier silver medal for innovation.

CT company turns horse manure into fuel

A Connecticut company is using manure from state horses to make bricks for heating and there is a growing demand for the product.

Dairy waste’s impact on water focus of CA ruling

A Sacramento appeals court recently rejected part of California’s rules for protecting underground water from dairy cow waste.

Smell of pigs raises blood pressure

It would seem the smell of a hog farm is more than just an annoyance to some people; it could also have an impact on their health.

VA farmers learn about chicken manure application

Farmers in Virginia are learning new technology to use on their farms to help utilize resources they might already have, such as chicken manure.

Midwest Pork Conference will include manure issues

The 2012 Midwest Pork Conference, being held Dec. 4, will feature discussion of manure management issues and Indiana’s CAFO rules.

Ont. farmer faces fine over manure storage

An eastern Ontario hog raising company and its director have been fined $10,000 for failing to comply with an Ontario Environment Ministry order.

Manure management meeting planned in PA

The Cambria County Conservation District will meet with farmers and anyone with an animal operation to outline how to develop a manure-management plan.

Delmarva poultry industry escapes major damage

The Delmarva peninsula’s poultry industry is up and running after emerging from Superstorm Sandy relatively unscathed.

Aussie manure injector delivers to the roots

Farmers in Australia are trying out a new direct drill manure injector that delivers manure directly into the soil with little waste.

EPA’s Halloween surprise, another comment period

On October 31, 2012, the EPA announced another round of comments on the Clean Water Act regulation for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs).

ID study will examine manure’s impact on crops

The Idaho Barley Commission is funding an eight-year study examining long-term analysis of how manure affects crops commonly used in southern Idaho rotations.

NY gov plans to ease regulations for farmers

Costly state regulations regarding farm expansion and manure may be relaxed by NY Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo to entice farmers to grow their operations.

USDA patents method to reduce ammonia emissions

Capturing and recycling ammonia from livestock waste is possible using a process developed by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) researchers.

Agriculture and food production contribute significantly to GHG emissions, says report

An analysis by the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security, says that feeding the world contributes 29 per cent of GHG emissions.

Lagoon treatment study receives funding

Sustainable Conservation was recently awarded a $484,000 grant to demonstrate the effectiveness of a biological system to treat lagoon water on a dairy in CA.

New PE short course targets swine design engineers

The University of Missouri Extension Commercial Agriculture (CA) Program is offering a new three-day seminar for swine producers and design engineers.

New air permits in CA going into effect

Phase two of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District air quality rules for dairies, known as Rule 4750, is beginning to take effect.

Using manure to mend mine-damaged soils

A USDA-ARS research team is studying whether adding beef cattle manure compost to post-mining sites would help jump-start re-vegetation.

MN hog farm pays penalty for manure violation

A Minnesota hog producer had agreed to pat $14,000 fine for pumping manure into a field that drained into a nearby creek.

Chicken manure trial wraps up

The trial in a federal lawsuit over alleged water pollution from an Eastern Shore chicken farm wrapped up Wednesday.

Arkansas farmers sue over arsenic in rice

Three Arkansas farming operations have filed suit against several companies and farms, alleging arsenic found in Arkansas rice is caused by chicken manure.

Government invests in reducing greenhouse gas emissions on-farm

The Canadian government has made an investment of $350,000 to develop cost effective tools to reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions on farm.

MD farm bacteria levels blamed on cows

Cows, rather than chickens, caused the pollution for which an Eastern Shore farm couple and Perdue are being sued, says expert witness.

WA dairy operating new manure separator

The owner of a Mabton, WA, dairy says he has a solution to manure separation and management with a new $1.5 million system he's installed on his 5000 cow dairy.

Groups threatens WA dairies with lawsuit

Four Yakima Valley dairy farms are being threatened with lawsuits after a Environmental Protection Agency report blamed them for contaminating residential wells.

UC-Davis scientist to chair UN panel

Frank Mitloehner, an air quality specialist at the University of California-Davis, has been appointed to the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organization panel.

KS Farm Bureau hosting poultry litter meeting

Kansas Farm Bureau is sponsoring a special southeast Kansas producer meeting concerning nutrient management for poultry litter on Oct. 26.

Quick ruling expected in MD chicken manure trial

A fast-moving, but emotional civil trial pitting environmentalists against family farmers could end in the next day or two

Manure field days for small feedlot operators

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is hosting two Iowa manure management and runoff control demonstration field days at the end of October.

Police called to rowdy IA meeting

It would appear a recent meeting of the Iowa Environmental Protection Commission was a bit rowdier that initially thought.

MDA receives funding for manure transport program

The Maryland Department of Agriculture received $500,000 in additional funding to expand its Manure Transport Program.

Tempers flare at IA manure management meeting

Iowa Environment Protection Commission members bombarded with insults from environmentalists after panel lets stand rule allowing application of liquid manure.

CA town officials could shelve manure project

Norco in California may again delay its decade-long study of a $36 million manure-to-energy project.

Deadline for NRCS conservation applications

November 16 is the deadline for applying for 2013 Farm Bill conservation program financial assistance from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

MN board to decide need for hog feedlot study

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Citizens Board will decide whether an Environmental Impact Statement is needed on the proposed hog feedlot.

MD’s revised NM regs go into effect today

Maryland's revised nutrient management regulations go into effect today, Oct. 15, 2012.

Eastern Shore poultry pollution trial opens

Lawyers in a lawsuit targeting an Eastern Shore chicken farm and poultry company Perdue presented different previews of the case as the trial began in Baltimore.

IN agency offers settlement to hog farm

An eastern Indiana hog farm will plant more than 500 trees as an air emissions buffer and pay a $1,000 fine under a settlement for an alleged fish kill.

WI workshop to discuss manure composting

Farmers who may be considering composting as an alternative method for managing manure are being invited to a workshop October 20 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Producers should prepare barns for winter

Pork producers with mechanically ventilated barns should spend time preparing their facilities for cooler weather this fall in preparation for the winter season.

Wastewater biofilter tested on CA dairy

Victor Fanelli, a Hilmar dairyman, recently volunteered his farm as the test site for what scientists are calling a wastewater biofilter.

New nutrient management team at UD

The University of Delaware College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Cooperative Extension has hired two new researchers to work with nutrient management.

Maryland Register publishes final NMP notice

The Maryland Department of Agriculture announced its revised nutrient management regulations is published in the October 5, 2012, issue of the Maryland Register.

Fall manure management

Two important considerations for fall manure application are timing and cover crop management.

Ont. pig barn explosion cause still unknown

Investigators are still working to determine the cause of an explosion at a pig barn near Seaforth, Ont., that seriously injured two males.

Soil nutrients from livestock manure valuable

Farmers who have fields with low in soil nutrient levels should take the efforts to apply manure on fields that need those nutrients.

Two people injured in Ont. barn explosion

A 25-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy are in hospital with serious injuries after an explosion inside a hog barn near Seaforth, Ont.

Fall-applied manure N stabilizers may not pay

A recent research trial report from the Iowa Soybean Association says that while manure is a valuable nutrient source, it has to be managed differently.

EPA report says WA dairies likely nitrate source

federal study released recently points at five Washington state dairies calling them “likely” sources of nitrates contaminating private drinking water wells.

Manure haulers, brokers urged to stay safe

Manure haulers and brokers and agricultural producers are reminded to exercise caution when managing animal waste to minimize health risks.

Farm Power holds open house in WA

Farm Power is holding an open house today (Sept. 28) at its newest community anaerobic digester southeast of Tillamook, WA.

PA farm family has close call with manure gas

A dairy farmer in Pennsylvania had a harrowing day recently after his four and two year old sons were knocked unconscious by manure gas.

NM questions answered during World Dairy Expo

Andrew Craig, a nutrient management specialist with Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources, will be on hand Oct. 5 during the World Dairy Expo.

Manure testing begins in OH

Ag officials in Ohio hope results from manure settling tank tests prove it’s economically feasible to transport liquid hog waste out of the Grand Lake Watershed

New marketing manager at Digi-Star

Robin Starkenburg recently joined Digi-Star LLC in the newly developed marketing manager’s role.

Weird news: Manure & jealousy don’t mix

A New York state highway superintendent has found himself in trouble with the law after allegedly dumping a load of liquid manure into a parked SUV.

Hudson Farm lawsuit parties battle over farm visit

As the October court date for the Hudson Farm lawsuit nears, parties are now debating whether the court should visit the Berlin farm.

WA compost company needs more manure

Organix, a company that sells composted cow manure says business is so good that it needs more manure - lots of it - particularly from dairies in Yakima County.

Nutrient management plans: A study in cause and effect

It seems practical on the surface. Nutrient management plans (NMPs) should supply plants with ideal amounts of nutrients, minimize runoff and maintain or even improve the soil condition.

Using waste water as fertilizer

Sewage sludge, waste water and liquid manure are valuable sources of fertilizer for food production.

Sand-laden manure handling and separation in freezing conditions

Ask someone from South Dakota at what temperature handling sand-laden manure (SLM) becomes problematic and you’ll get one answer – probably something in the neighborhood of prolonged periods below 0 F.

Keep it moving

Wet manure, sand bedding and freezing cold temperatures – these are three ingredients that don’t mix well.

Dairy farm nominated for sustainability

A dairy farm in the Edmonton, Alta., area is doing its part to help improve the operation’s environmental footprint and was recently nominated for national recognition for doing so.

The right move

Tom Roach had been working at dairies for years when in 1981 a small farm he’d worked for in New York State became available.

Options abound for sub-surface drainage management

In August, the Michigan Land Improvement Contractors Association and MSU Extension held a farm drainage and nutrient management field demonstration in Jonesville, Mich., near the Ohio and Indiana borders.

Editorial: September-October 2012

I’m sure most of you are now in the midst of your busy fall period, emptying lagoons and pits of accumulated manure in preparation for fall planting or providing a boost of nutrients to the soil before the dormancy of winter.

Maintaining quality roads in WI a team effort

University of Wisconsin Extension is reminding manure applicators not to forget important details when preparing to haul manure to neighboring fields this fall.

NY senator pushes digesters funding for farmers

A plan spearheaded by Sen. Charles E. Schume could help dairy farmers in NY state purchase digester facilities to convert manure into fertilizer and biogas.

WI releases manure storage safety fact sheet

A new fact sheet – entitled Non-enclosed Manure Storage Safety Tips – is now available from University of Wisconsin Extension.

Iowa hog farmer to pay $15,000 for fish kill

A Peterson, IA, hog farmer has been ordered to pay a $15,000 penalty for an illegal manure application that resulted in a fish kill last fall.

Caution urged when pumping from deep pits

Iowa State University Extension agricultural engineers are urging caution when workers are agitating and pumping manure from pits beneath buildings.

EPA explains CAFO fly-overs in Iowa

At an August 30 meeting in Arcadia, IA, Environmental Protection Agency officials explained their CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation) inspection proces

Take ammonium tests when sampling manure

Taking a manure sample at hauling time will help build a base line of nutrients applied per acre.

Japan creates poo-powered trike

Toto, a name you might’ve seen on toilets and urinals, has built a motorcycle called the Toilet Bike Neo that runs on excrement.

How to work with your custom manure operator

Working with a custom manure operator can make a producer’s job easier but if they follow a few tips from the customer operators, the job can be even easier.

Interpreting manure tests made easier

Getting manure tested is an important part of nutrient management planning.

WelTec BioPower enters biogas business

WelTec BioPower has begun construction of a bio gas plant in Poland.

CA city responds to manure project report

An environmental report on a manure-to-energy project a company wants to build is unclear, poorly written and fails to answer questions about the project.

Water quality plan workshops set for CA

A series of water quality plan and waste management workshops are slated for California North Coast dairy producers on Sept. 10, Sept. 11 and Sept. 18.

Company wants WV poultry litter ban

Aviagen wants to ban litter-based fertilizers around its West Virginia farms because it can allegedly spread disease that may harm birds and people.

CA manure-to-power plant helps neighbors

The city of Tulare has reached an agreement with Colony Energy LLC to develop an advanced odor management plan for the company’s waste processing plant.

Wal-Mart joins agriculture sustainability group

Wal-Mart has joined other Fortune 500 companies in seeking to make agriculture more sustainable.

BMO announces North American farmer drought relief program

BMO Financial Group has announced a financial program that can be used to assist farmers affected by the drought conditions present throughout North America.

Kings County Agricultural Fair may shut down after 117 years

Due to dwindling interest and lack of funding, the Kings County Agricultural Fair may be shutting down after 117 years in operation.

North American Manure Expo this week

The North American Manure Expo is taking place this week at the USDA Dairy Forage Research Centre in Wisconsin.

Indiana duck farm sees power in waste

Culver Duck Farms may be making the move towards renewable energy by using an anaerobic digester powered by non-edible duck parts.

Poultry manure processing plant in the works in CA

Plans are underway to turn 20 acres west of Sutter, CA, into a poultry manure composting facility.

EPA Iowa CAFO meeting August 30

EPA Region 7 representatives will meet with livestock producers on August 30 at the American Legion Hall, 210 W. Head Street, Arcadia, Iowa.

Vermont film documents Cow Power

A young Vermont woman knows a great way to protect the environment – Cow Power, which has become the subject, and title, of her newest documentary film.

Researcher helps remove phosphorus from wastewater

A researcher at Michigan State University is working on developing a new method of removing phosphorous from our wastewater and turning it into fertilizer.

Farm Credit Canada unveils financial results

Farm Credit Canada reported at its annual public meeting on August 15 that it continues to successfully fulfill its mandate through financing and other services.

Successfully managing liquid manure

Bill Knapke, the environmental manager of Cooper Farms in Ohio, recently shared his thoughts on successful management of liquid manure application.

Practicing better manure management in MN

A Minnesota dairy producer hosted a field day recently so participants could learn about the value of manure and the technology available to apply it.

In-crop manure application increases crop yield

In-crop applications of liquid swine manure fertilizer can result in up to a 10 per cent yield increase over the standard fall application according to research

IL EPA seeks court order against hog farm

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has asked the state's Attorney General’s Office to proceed with action against a swine operation.

Fight over PA chicken farm continues

Neighbors of a Pennsylvania farmer are fighting construction of a chicken operation on the property that will house 80,000 birds.

NE senator introduces EPA bill

Senator Mike Johanns (R-NE) has introduced legislation banning the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from conducting aerial surveillance for one year.

CH4 reiterates desire for $15m NY biodigester

Officials from CH4 Biogas recently reiterated their desire to site a $15 million manure and food-waste digester just south of Lowville, NY.

IA hog producer improves manure control

Wayne and Joan Demmer of Epworth, IA, have been working hard over the years to improve manure handling on their hog operation.

AEM elects new directors

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers elected two directors: Tiago Bonomo, president/CEO of McCormick USA & Daniel Miller, president/CEO of Manitou America.

Using wastewater as fertilizer

Researchers have now developed a chemical-free, eco-friendly process that enables the recovered salts to be converted directly into organic food for crop plants.

Livestock feed additives with beneficial effects

Researchers have been awarded a research contract to examine additives used in livestock diets and to evaluate their potential for environmental benefits.

IA commercial manure applicator training Sept. 5

training for commercial manure applicators will be conducted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach on September 5, from 9 a.m. to noon.

Turning manure into asphalt

Managing manure is difficult, but one company is turning it into a products that can be used in the production of asphalt, fertilizer, roofing shingles and more.

Manure project on tap for CA commission

Tulare Planning Commission is holding a public hearing August 7 regarding construction by Colony Energy of an anaerobic co-digester that will use cow manure.

U.S. agriculture colleges see boom in enrollment

Many agricultural colleges in the United States are seeing an increase in enrollment, as student believe they offer a clear path to employment.

EPA doesn’t know where farms are: report

According to a report to Congress, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has failed to regulate pollution from U.S. farms because it lacks information.

Canadian farms becoming larger

In a paper released by the George Morris Centre, they combine new data on total and net returns from farms with existing census data to analyze the trend.

WV officials extend litter rule comment period

Agriculture officials in West Virginia are extending the period for public comment on a proposed emergency rule concerning the application of poultry litter.

UW-Madison receives $7M grant for manure project

University of Wisconsin - Madison has received a $7 million federal grant that will help a large dairy farm near Green Bay convert cow manure into resources.

EPA approves WI program for phosphorous

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved Wisconsin’s program to reduce phosphorus levels in the Great Lakes and Wisconsin's inland waters.

CA community alarmed by manure proposal

Leaders in Eastvale, CA, are alarmed by a neighboring community’s plan to haul tons of horse manure into the city, where it would be incinerated to make energy.

OH Manure Science Review August 9

The annual Ohio State University Manure Science Review is being held August 9 at McClure Farms in Paulding County in northwest Ohio.

IA tour focuses on feedlot manure control

Iowa State University Extension is hosting a free tour of small open feedlot manure control structures & management options on Aug. 7 from 1-4 p.m.

N.A. manure expo to be in Wisconsin

The North American Manure Expo will be in Wisconsin on August 22, 2012 at the USDA-Dairy Forage Research Center farm.

Liquid manure and dry fields can cause problems

Adding manure to dry soils can cause a large amount of problems, and measure must be taken to prevent contamination.

New approach to waste-to-value technology

BDI-BioEnergy International AG has entered into a teaming agreement with the construction firm LPCiminelli, Inc.

Help prevent farm injuries

By joining the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association, you can help prevent injuries and deaths on farms.

NY receives $11 million to protect waterways from agricultural runoff

Governor Andrew Cuomo of NYC has announced almost $11 million in funding to help protect lakes, streams and rivers from agricultural runoff.

Obama administration to help farmers impacted by drought

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced additional assistance in the USDA's conservation programs to help livestock producers in the face of the drought.

FCC annual report shows support from Canadian producers

In 2011-2012, producers and agribusiness operators chose Farm Credit Canada for financial and business services.

Helping pigs to digest phosphorus

Research at the University of Illinois has found that by adding the enzyme phytase, pigs increase their ability to digest phosphorus.

National dairy event coming to Canada February 2013

The Canadian Dairy XPO (CDX), a new large-scale dairy event and a first for Canada, will mix dairy agribusiness, breed associations, and the research community under one huge roof with dairy producers and global industry stakeholders.

Decades of digester development

RCM turns 30 years old this year, making it one of the most established digester manufactures in the field.

U.S. EPA launches biogas tool

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Pacific Southwest Region has launched an online “waste to biogas mapping tool” to support the use of organic waste for energy projects.

New York’s largest biogas power project online

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) joined state and local officials recently at the grand opening of New York state’s largest on-farm, co-digestion biogas power project.

Dynamic duo

Partnership eases path to composting for large Minnesota dairy

Compost is not created equal

After five minutes with Jason Diestel, you quickly learn there is more to compost than meets the eye.

There’s an app for CRAP

Concerned about the cost of operating and monitoring drag hose systems, the cost of unexpected pump shutdowns, and the cost of labor for each drag hose crew?

Weltic Biopower to heat Swiss Army barracks

Weltic Biopower GmbH is building an agricultural biogas plant to heat the Switzerland Army's local training barracks.

Fertilizer regulation tug-of-war in Maryland

Environmental groups are pushing for regulations that could put farms out of business.

New bacteria found in manure

Researchers with the USDA Agricultural Research Service have identified a new bacterium species in a manure storage pit.

Iowa factory farm violates federal clean water act

The EPA has released a report saying that critical elements of Iowa's factory farms are failing to regulate water pollution.

Critics blast proposed Md. Manure rules

A state senator from Harford County is taking aim at proposed regulations intended to keep manure and livestock out of Maryland streams.

Nebraska feedlot to pay $145,000 penalty

Adams Land and Cattle Company, a beef feedlot near Broken Bow, Neb., has agreed to pay a $145,000 civil penalty to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA.

OH composting industry tour Aug. 23

Two large-scale composting facilities in northwest Ohio will be the focus when Composting in Ohio 2012: A Tour of the Industry takes place Aug. 23.

WUD director of environmental services retires

Paul Martin, the Western United Dairymen’s long-time director of environmental services, retired from full-time employment with the organization on July 1.

Two Oregon dairies fined for water discharge

Two dairies in Oregon have been fined for water discharge violations.

OH annual Manure Science Review Aug. 9

Ohio State University is presenting Manure Science Review 2012 on Aug. 9 in northwest Ohio with topics including reducing phosphorus runoff.

New bilingual website on livestock zoning has launched

The Canadian livestock industry, federal and provincial agencies and the Canadian Animal Health Coalition have launched a bilingual website on livestock zoning.

WI farmers warned of spreading manure on cracked soils

Wisconsin agriculture and natural resource officials are urging farmers to inspect fields for cracks and take other precautions when spreading manure.

Ranchers, congressmen protest EPA flyovers

Midwest ranchers are complaining after learning that federal inspectors were flying over their land to look for problems.

Employment their way: Dirty work

Darin Voigt puts up with a lot of crap on his side job – literally. Along with his brothers, Voigt pumps hog manure onto fields to supplement his farm income.

Manure part of the CERCLA discussion

Manure as a “hazardous material” reenters the political conversation periodically, and recently had a U.S. House committee listening to arguments.

Rancher sues Oregon over CAFO case

A Scappoose, OR, rancher convicted of felony water pollution and operating a CAFO without a permit, is suing the state for violating his civil rights.

Economist to address reducing nutrient runoff in OH

Reducing nutrient runoff in Ohio waters may take more creative thinking than imposing water conservation programs, according to an Ohio State University expert.

PA manure management plan workshops

Revised environmental regulations in Pennsylvania require all animal operations, large and small, to have either a manure or nutrient management plan.

Caterpillar holding biogas webcast

Caterpillar will be hosting a webcast, entitled Building Sustainable Energy Programs with Biogas, on July 18, 2012 starting at 3 p.m. (EDT).

New IN CAFO rules require operational changes

Indiana’s new confined animal feeding operation regulations will require producers to change record-keeping and manure management practices, effective July 1.

EPA CAFO meeting being held in Nebraska

U.S. EPA Region 7 representatives are hosting a July 2 public information meeting for livestock producers about the EPA’s inspection program for CAFOs.

Manure runoff in MI results in minor fish kill

Manure runoff from a MI dairy farm made its way into a ditch and then into a nearby county drain resulting in the killing of fish.

Greenhouse gas legislation could be expensive

America’s farmers will face economic challenges due to the EPA’s plan to regulate greenhouse gases, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Compost project in CA on hold

County approval of a proposed chicken manure composting facility near Artois, CA, is on hold for at least 90 days while issues are studied.

U.S. Farm Bill Passes Senate

The Senate recently passed with bipartisan support; will cost nearly $ 1 trillion over 10 years

Convicted farmer seeks expansion permits

A Minnesota hog farmer farmer convicted of a felony for a manure spill 11 years ago is looking to expand his operation.

Manure pits can claim lives

A liquid manure pit claimed the lives of three family members from PA working to agitate and pump the lagoon.

MD nutrient mgmt. certification test set for Aug. 3

The Maryland Nutrient Management Certification Exam will be offered August 3 from 9 to 11 a.m. at locations in Annapolis, McHenry and Salisbury.

Zone tillage company announces partnership

Environmental Tillage Systems (ETS) has formed a new marketing partnership with Puck Custom Enterprises (PCE) of Manning, IA.

Slurry-seeded red clover improves pasture

Michigan State University agriculture engineer Tim Harrigan is taking the technique of manure slurry seeding beyond cover crops to grass pasture renovation.

Maryland plans public meetings for NM regs

The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) will host a series of public meetings across the state to provide information on proposed changes to nutrient laws.

How estrogens persist in dairy wastewater

Wastewater from large dairy farms contains concentrations of estrogenic hormones that can persist for months or even years, researchers report in a new study.

Improving water management on farms

The Canadian Government has invested more than $250,000 to improve computer models based on beneficial management practices on the farm and in agriculture.

France learns about poultry gasification

France, a leading poultry producing company in the European Union, visited Enginuity Energy to learn how to turn agriculture waste into energy.

Entrepreneur pitches manure recycling process

About 60 potential investors recently learned how a new recycling process could help solve Wellington’s illegal horse manure dumping problem.

Canada’s first dairy event coming February 2013

The Canadian Dairy XPO (CDX), a new dairy event and a first Canada, will mix dairy agribusiness, breed associations, and the research community under one roof.

ASABE revises manure odor management standard

The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) recently announced the publication of a newly revised standard on the management of manure odors.

Introducing the Safe Foods for Canadians Act

The Harper Government introduced the Safe Food for Canadians Act today. The Safe Food for Canadians Act will strengthen the Government's ability to protect Canadian families from potentially unsafe food.

Green agriculture research gets government boost

The University of Saskatchewan has received a $3.4 million investment from the Canadian government to investigate ways to reduce greenhouse gases in agriculture.

ND dairy adds value to their manure

Ole and Jessica Johnson of Destiny Dairy near Stanton, N.D., use their operation's manure as a value-added source of income.

IL hog permit approved

The Illinois Department of Agriculture has approved the permit for South Morgan Acres to be built in the northwest part of McDonough County.

Stolen tractor hidden in MB manure pile

A $300,000 tractor stolen from a Manitoba business has been recovered – albeit in much smellier condition than it started in.

Cattle farmers complain of government spying

Cattle farmers are complaining that the EPA is “spying” on their operations by flying airplanes over Midwest cattle feedlots.

Methane fires, explosions in livestock facilities

Methane fires and explosions are growing issues for rural firefighters with livestock confinement facilities in their response area.

McDonald's outlines plan to end gestation stall use

McDonald's USA has shared its 10-year plan to work with its pork suppliers to phase out the use of gestation stalls.

Vétoquinol Canada announces new Regional Sales Manager

Vétoquinol Canada has announced the appointment of James Peel as Regional Sales Manager, Eastern Canada, for the Production Animal Business Unit.

Spreading the easy way Down Under

The need to find an easier way to spread hog manure on farm paddocks was the catalyst for British farmer Frank Harney to purchase the 4000TravelA.

MDA submits proposed changes to NM regs

Following months of negotiations with stakeholder groups, the Maryland Department of Agriculture has finalized its new rules for the use of manure.

WI hosts 2012 North American Manure Expo

If you are interested in the latest equipment and technology for professional manure management, plan to attend the 2012 North American Manure Expo on August 22, 2012.

Asphyxia killed 3 found in MD manure pit

A medical officer has determined that asphyxia killed a PA man and two of his sons whose bodies were found recently in a manure pit on a Maryland farm.

MI field day features farm drainage from installation to nutrient management

The 2012 Farm Drainage and Nutrient Management Field Day sponsored by the Michigan Land Improvement Contractors Association and Michigan State University Extension will be held Aug. 1 and 2, 2012, in south-central Michigan.

B.C. Agriculture Council launches Cowpower!

Half of what a poultry farmer produces is waste. The percentage is perhaps a little smaller but just as significant for livestock producers.

World’s largest pork-specific trade show is back, June 6 to 8

Seeing the pork industry’s newest technologies, participating in business seminars and showing outstanding breeding stock are just a few of the opportunities that draw nearly 20,000 people to the 2012 World Pork Expo.

Research shows manure solids for cow bedding can work

Stall bedding materials for cows are becoming increasingly expensive and difficult to find, prompting some dairy producers to search for alternatives, such as sand and recycled manure solids.

Manure digester helping large hog farm bring home the bacon

When Dennis Brubaker and his business partner, Gerald Stauffer, established Ideal Family Farms LLC, one of Pennsylvania’s largest hog producers, in 2007, they soon discovered that their manure management costs were a major drag on their bottom line and that their energy costs were making it difficult to bring home the bacon.

Wisconsin’s Dane County moves ahead with second AD facility

Wisconsin’s Dane County is moving forward with plans for a second cow power facility, selecting a site for the project, and entering into a new partnership for the project with healthcare provider Gundersen Health System, Dane County executive Joe Parisi announced recently.

Top Hog Operations

Each year the National Pork Board honors farm families that demonstrate a firm commitment to safeguarding the environment and their local communities.

VA dairy producer fined for manure spill

A Timberville, Virginia, dairy producer has paid a $6,825 fine for allowing manure to spill into the North Fork of the Shenandoah River in Virginia.

Feds invest in Manitoba hog research

Two research projects announced recently could help Manitoba hog producers keep clean air in the barns, and better use manure on fields.

Bodies found in MD manure pond

Three bodies have been found in a manure pit on a Kennedyville, Maryland, dairy operation.

Pit foaming continues to perplex researchers

Researchers from several Midwestern universities have teamed up to investigate potential causes and solutions to the problem of foaming manure pits.

Quasar Energy expands, adds CNG pump

Quasar Energy is fueling its trucks from a compressed natural gas fueling station and credit card carrying motorists with vehicles accepting CNG can do the same.

Deal could end stink over chicken manure

A deal between the city of Yucaipa, Calif, and a local egg rancher could end a stink over the spreading of chicken manure.

Date change for Sacramento forum on nitrogen

The Sacramento meeting to discuss management of agricultural nitrogen has been changed to June 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Sacramento.

Inaugural Farm & Food Care executive elected

Farm & Food Care held its inaugural board meeting and elected its first executive at a meeting in Guelph on May 11th.

Additional aid offered for manure relocation

Delaware farmers can soon receive more assistance to move excess poultry manure off their farms to land that can benefit from the addition of manure.

Nitrogen management forums planned in CA

Two nitrogen management forums are being held in California June 12 in Sacramento, CA, and June 18 in Tulare, CA.

New bacterium found in manure

USDA ARS researchers are looking at a range of options for mitigating the odors associated with manure storage, including methods that target bacteria.

UK AD firm Biogen fined for polluting stream

naerobic digestion (AD) company Biogen has been fined £5,000 (about $8,000 US) for polluting a stretch of a stream in the UK.

Poultry manure offers potential fertilizer savings

Substituting artificial fertilizer with livestock manures for potatoes is a fairly unscientific art but this year, a trial is taking place to assess it.

Pork Center of Excellence offers manure fact sheets

The U.S. Pork Center of Excellence offers a variety of fact sheets explaining the science behind odor and manure management techniques.

Manure treatment technology earns enviro award

ElectroCell Technologies, based in Colchester, Vt., was one of 16 recipients of the PA 2012 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence.

Student team wins grant in EPA competition

A team of students from the State University of New York (SUNY) College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) has been awarded $90,000 in funding.

2011 Census of Agriculture Reveals Farm Numbers Shrinking

The 2011 Census of Agriculture reveals that farm numbers are continuing to shrink, the gap between beef and crop farms widened and operator age increased

Ontario dairy constructing AD

Ontario dairy farm constructing anaerobic digester on 600-acre farm; will produce enough electricity to power 500 homes.

Aussie company introduces pig poo power

CRC for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE) has developed digester technology to help deal with China's pork manure issue.

Ohio State anaerobic digestion technology being commercialized

Cleveland-based quasar energy group has broken ground on its first integrated anaerobic digestion system, a patent-pending technology developed by the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) to increase the types of waste that can be converted to biogas for energy and fuel uses.

Wisconsin offering manure runoff risk forecast online

Farmers can now go online for the latest forecast showing the risk that runoff from manure spread on their fields could pose to lakes, rivers or groundwater, state agricultural and natural resource officials say.

Compost from cattle manure finds home in Alberta potato production

Southern Alberta is cattle country but it is also home to a significant agricultural industry where specialty crops are grown. The Kasko Cattle Company, located near the town of Taber, is one example of both industries working together to benefit from the manure generated by the feedlot’s cattle.

OMG, Google invests in North Carolina biogas-to-energy project on hog farm, FYI

In a world where a “like” or “dislike” thumb pointing up or down has immense control over public opinion, an endorsement by Google relating to the carbon credits generated by a project that uses biogas from hog manure to create electricity speaks volumes.

Canadian bio-digester report

The number of manure bio-digesters – and other types as well – is still slowly increasing across Canada these days. This is due to further government support and updated regulations that allow farms to accept off-farm materials, which greatly boost gas production.

Poultry Power

In August 2010, British Columbia’s first biodigester began operating in Abbotsford – using, among other substrates, poultry litter.

N.S. Department of Agriculture Moving Headquarters

34 head office positions at Nova Scotia's Department of Agriculture will be moving from Halifax to Truro-Bible Hill by the end of the year

What’s On Your Plate

A wide -ranging report by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) takes on animal agriculture with a few jabs reserved for supply management.

Agriculture Ministers launch policy framework final negotiations

Canada's Agriculture Ministers met earlier this month in Quebec to launch the final stage of negotiations for the next agriculture policy framework.

Obama administration unveils "Bioeconomy Blueprint"

The White House released a Bioeconomy Blueprint to help biological research to address national challenges in health, food, energy and environment.

Distinguishing fact from fiction in manure separation

Recent research by Prairie Agriculture Machinery Institute suggests that solid-liquid separation could help minimize phophorus pollution from runoff.

Proper run-off control minimizes risk to watercourses

Farmers find it pays to invest in practices to manage manure from their livestock in environmentally sound ways.

Beef feedlot in IA to pay $10,000 fine

Petersen-Bubke, LLP, a beef cattle feedlot in Monona County, Iowa, has agreed to pay a $10,000 civil penalty for violations of the federal Clean Water Act.

DE NM commission releases 2011 annual report

The Delaware Nutrient Management Commission has released its 2011 annual report, documenting the progress of Delaware farmers and other nutrient handlers.

Nitrate workshop May 3 in CA

A public workshop will be held May 3 in Parlier, CA, to provide an opportunity for people to hear about the Nitrate in Groundwater study in the Tulare Lake Basin

Manitoba plans manure system tax credit

A new tax credit for manure management systems is in the first budget by Manitoba’s former agriculture minister delivered recently.

Deadline for farm safety project is looming

The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association deadline to apply for the Canadian Agricultural Society Safety and Health Program is April 27, 2012.

The new AgAnnex

Welcome to the new portal for the Annex Business Media agriculture magazines where we provide readers with a one-stop multimedia platform for agriculture news.

Finalists for conservation award announced in CO

The finalists for the 2012 Leopold Conservation Award in Colorado were recently announced.

OH offering livestock mortality composting workshop

A livestock mortality composting certification workshop is being offered April 19, 2012,at the Washington County Extension office in Marietta, OH.

North American dung beetles like it wild

Little research has been done to investigate dung beetles preferences for dung from exotic mammals found on game farms or re-wilding projects - until now.

WI county moves forward with second AD

Dane County in the state of Wisconsin is moving forward with plans for a second cow power facility.

EPA unveils new permit for Idaho

A new water discharge permit for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) has been released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Boise, ID.

Considerations when hauling manure

When obtaining manure from an outside livestock facility, crop farmers are encouraged to ask about environmental permits at the state and county level.

The end of the enviropig

A recent announcement has put an end to the enviropig, a University of Guelph research project to engineer a pig that required less feed and supplements.

Digesters in WA get more time to reduce emissions

Legislation relating to anaerobic digesters, farmland protection and livestock disease response have been signed into law by Washington state Gov. Chris Gregoir.

MI orders farm to pay $75,000 fine

A Sanilac County dairy farm has been ordered to pay $75,000 in penalties for an August 2009 manure spill that killed thousands of fish in the Black River.

Weird News: Kazakhstan taxes manure

Kazakh farmers have voiced their opposition to the country’s new ecological legislation that imposes taxation on livestock manure.

Canadian Enviropig project halted

A University of Guelph project aimed at creating a genetically engineered pig whose manure would be less harmful to the environment is being halted.

Canadian agriculture funding cut in the 2012 budget

With the release of Canada's 2012 budget, there was an unexpected surprise for the agriculture sector - $310 million worth of cuts over the next 3 years.

Solid-liquid separation offers alternative for managing phosphorus

Research by the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute suggests solid-liquid separation could help resolve some issues with phosphorus in livestock manure.

Ten simple ways to keep manure out of water

The members of the Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District have ten simple ways to keep manure out of water.

Dairy nutrient management projects eligible for EQIP

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in California announced $8.5 million will be made available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

Australian Pork congratulates innovator

Dr. Sasha Jenkins was recent awarded an Australian Pork award as part of 2012 Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Ag, Fisheries and Forestry.

Court ruling causes FDA to reconsider antibiotic use

A new court ruling says drug makers must prove that livestock antibiotics are not contributing to drug-resistant bacteria and whether they are safe to consume.

OR man gets jail, fine for cattle pollution

An 86-year-old Oregon man has been sentenced to five days in jail and fined $300,000 for allowing cattle manure to enter creeks running into the Columbia River.

Adjusting rations can reduce dairy manure

University of Idaho Extension dairy specialists are determining if feeding strategies could reduce manure production while maintaining animal performance.

Ontario's FIT drops wind, solar pricing, not bioenergy

Ontario's Feed-in Tariff (FIT) program's Two-Year Review Report was released today, recommending a 20 per cent drop in FIT-based pricing for solar, and a 15 per cent reduction for wind-generated power.

No negligence over failure to insure pig manure spill

An insurance agent was not negligent when he failed to sell a Westford, MA, family farm a policy that would have covered a pig manure spill.

WI company moves ahead with Grand Lake project

A Wisconsin-based company announces plan to help take manure out of the Grand Lake St. Marys watershed and convert it to organic fertilizer.

Farmer found dead in manure pit

A farmer was found dead in rural western Minnesota after being reported missing in mid-March.

GSE Lining rebrands to become GSE Environmental

GSE Lining Technology, LLC recently announced the launch of its rebranded identity as GSE Environmental.

WI DNR auditing nutrient management plans

Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources has started to enforce CAFOs implementation of nutrient management plans by performing on-site manure audits.

Mysterious hog farm explosions stump scientists

A strange new growth has emerged from the manure pits of midwestern hog farms. The results are literally explosive.

WA dairy makes organic fertilizer

For the last 15 years, Cow Palace Dairy in Washington state has been dealing with its animal waste by turning it into compost.

Location important factor in starting a CAFO

Running an animal feeding operation (AFO) is all about striking an environmental balance – and following a few suggestions to head off problems before starting up a new facility.

OSHA launches program for WI dairy farms

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established a local emphasis program to protect workers from hazards found on Wisconsin dairy farm.

Feds, Man. provide funding to hog producers

The federal and Manitoba governments announce increased funding under the Manure Management Financial Assistance Program (MMFAP).

Manure next idea for OR site

S&H Logging of Oregon wants to build a composting facility and land mining operation on 25 acres.

On track: January February 2012

As the U.S. biomass thermal and power industry continues to expand, new technologies reporting higher efficiency solutions are being introduced.

In the news: January February 2012

U.S. poultry association announces research results

New technology removes air pollutants, may reduce energy use in animal ag facilities

Researchers from North Carolina State University and West Virginia University have developed a new technology

Benefits abound

A team of bioprocessing engineers with Kansas State University’s Advanced Manufacturing Institute (AMI) has been issued a patent for a system that removes phosphorus from wastewater and addresses environmental regulations.

Productivity and economics of nurse trucks for manure transport

The profitability of livestock operations depends upon the ability to efficiently recycle manure nutrients and reduce commercial fertilizer use.

Environmentally friendly solution offered for manure pit foaming

Three hog barn explosions have occurred in the past few months in Iowa alone

Before there was drag hose – there was L & M Industries Inc.

Industry is rife with stories about individuals jury-rigging equipment and tools to come up with a better solution to manage a particular problem.

Research shows calibration is key to spreading manure for maximum effectiveness

Manure, managed correctly, is a valuable natural fertilizer.

USDA approves $1 million for OH digester project

It was recently announced that $1 million in federal resources has been allocated for a methane digester project in Ohio

Editorial: January February 2012

I’m sure I’ve never told the magazine’s readers this, but I love manure.

Case IH expands precision farming equipment

Case IH will expand its Advanced Farming Systems (AFS) precision farming offering by introducing a new GPS receiver and new variable-rate controller and telematics systems and AFS software.

LWR honored at World Dairy Expo

In the first ever Dairy Herd Innovation Awards, Livestock Water Recycling, Inc. (LWR) earned a place in the top 10 for its manure treatment system.

Perdue AgriBusiness and Fibrowatt Partner on Clean Bay Power Project

Perdue AgriBusiness Inc. and Fibrowatt LLC proposed a heat and power biomass boiler in Maryland from poltry litter, layer hen manure and wood chips.

Creating a sustainability model for swine production

A new tool created by University of Arkansas researchers and their colleagues will help hog farmers increase productivity, decrease costs of production and minimize the environmental impact of swine production in the United States.

On track: November December 2011

Alliance Tire Americas has introduced the FloTruck 382, a new, all-steel radial flotation tire rated for 6,610 pounds at 62 mph (3,000 kg at 100 km/h) and DOT-compliant.

In the news: November December 2011

Agronomy professor Dr. Brad Joern, who has made a name worldwide as an expert on nutrient management, has been selected to receive Purdue University’s 2011 Spirit of the Land Grant Mission Award.

Poultry manure gasifier to reduce nutrients flowing into Chesapeake Bay

The plan by a company called EnergyWorks to build a $30 million thermal gasification plant near Gettysburg, Penn., to process manure generated by the state’s largest egg producer is one of those ideas that seems to have “can’t miss” written all over it.

America’s Egg Powerhouse

Standing in one of the manure pits at a 1.3-million-layer egg farm can be quite the experience.

Innovations: September-October 2011

Wastecorp Pumps, manufacturer of the Mud Sucker® diaphragm pump, has a pump that simplifies the transfer of wastewater, dirty water, slurry and more.

On track: September-October 2011

Massey Ferguson® recently introduced the new Massey Ferguson 7600 Series high-HP row crop tractors to North American producers in search of a versatile, hardworking tractor that combines technology with exceptional comfort features.

New technology could capture ammonia from liquid manure

Though it may not sound very glamorous, a new method of extracting ammonium from liquid animal manure could be exciting news for both confined animal operations and environmental groups, according to a Texas AgriLife Extension Service engineer.

Perfection Injection pioneers manure injection in California

Given its reputation as an environmental leader, one might expect that California would be among the first adopters of new custom manure application technologies.

With feedlot manure, it pays to be precise

The same precision farming techniques that work with crops can work with manure management on cattle feedlots.

Aussie digestive microbes may help lower methane gas from livestock

The discovery that a bacterial species in the Australian Tammar wallaby gut is responsible for keeping the animal’s methane emissions relatively low suggests a potential new strategy may exist to try to reduce methane emissions from livestock, according to a new study.

Compost offers sustainable solution

Si-Ellen Farms has been dealing with growing pains and manure management issues for more than 15 years. They feel only now do they have the ideal program in place.

Innovations: July-August 2011

The Header Series lagoon pump is the latest innovation from Nuhn Industries.

On track: July-August 2011

ChemiGreen Inc. recently announced that Newalta will be distributing and using ChemiGreen’s spill containment systems in Canada and the U.S.

In the news: July-August 2011

Farmers Edge, an independent precision agriculture consulting firm, has been ranked 11th by PROFIT: Your Guide to Business Success in its annual ranking of Canada’s Top 200 Fastest-Growing Companies.

Dairy manure goes urban

When natural ecosystems are replaced by roads, homes, and commercial structures, soil is negatively impacted.

Iowa pork producers seek manure solutions from pit to field

It caught many large hog producers off guard when a few years ago they were required to report the number of animals on their farms to estimate the volume of air emissions coming from their facilities as part of complying with the United States Clean Air Act.

Fine tuning an operation

Brothers Ed and Tom Maljaars went into business together in 2004. They bought a working, 80-acre dairy in Rosedale, B.C., and moved their families out to homes on the property.

Safe manure handling vital

Pathogens in manure can cause health problems if the manure isn’t managed properly.

Will we be side-dressing manure in the future?

The 2011 spring is a reminder of how few days we may have to complete all our spring work; there may not be an opportunity for manure application.

Manure turnover

Continued production of compost using their dairy manure was just too good of an opportunity to pass up for the operators of Nebraska’s Prairieland Dairy, even when they switched from organic compost to inorganic sand bedding.

World Pork Expo

Thousands of people are making plans to travel to the 2011 World Pork Expo.

On track: May-June 2011

Jamesway Farm Equipment recently introduced a new family of PTO Vertical Pumps.

In the news: May-June 2011

Officials with the Gorman-Rupp Company, a manufacturer of pumps and pumping-related equipment, recently announced the company’s Mansfield Division in Mansfield, Ohio, has achieved certification to ISO 14001:2004 for its environmental management system.

Editorial: May-June 2011

As I write this editorial (on May 5, 2011), the sun is shining outside my window. A slight breeze from the northwest is rustling the maple leaves bursting on the tree shading the front lawn. And my two horses are slugging through hock-deep mud, muck and mire in their pasture.

Canadian research examines removal of phosphorus from manure

Since nutrients are brought onto a dairy farm in the form of feed and fertilizer, an equivalent amount of nutrients needs to be removed from the farm to make it sustainable.

Charcoal supplement reduces ammonia

According to a University of Georgia (UGA) poultry specialist, if chickens eat a bit of charcoal it helps lower the amount of ammonia in their manure, which can lead to happier, healthier and more environmentally friendly chickens.

Switch to sand

One thing leads to another. Necessity is the mother of invention. Those old adages are certainly true at Baarsview Farms in Deroche, B.C.

Wiese Brothers

Is burning your manure a better option than land applying or investing in anaerobic digestion? The technology now exists to combust manure to generate power.

Sticking with a system that works

When you find something that works, stick with it. That’s how Malcolm DeKryger, vice-president of Belstra Milling, feels about the two-barn sow unit at Pembroke Oaks Farm, in Wheatfield, Ind. The successful design is something they’ve used at four of their locations.

On track: March-April 2011

JCB recently introduced the newly designed 3230 Fastrac Xtra.

Plan now to attend the World Pork Expo

The U.S. pork industry’s newest technologies, outstanding breeding stock and educational seminars are just a few reasons to attend the 2011 World Pork Expo.

Manure-handling equipment among AE50 winners

Recently, the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) announced the winners of the 2011 AE50 awards, sponsored by ASABE’s Resource magazine.

Editorial: March-April 2011

I love meat. Give me a medium well-done rib steak with a bit of barbecue sauce and a splash of salt, pair it with a baked potato, sour cream and French-cut green beans, and I am in heaven.

BiOWiSH Tech. receives organic certification

BiOWiSH Technologies recently received organic certification from the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) for BiOWiSH™ Manure and Odor Treatment for swine and poultry.

Organix begins shipping RePeet

Organix, Inc. of Walla Walla, WA, recently announced that it has begun shipping its horticultural peat moss alternative, RePeet™, from a dairy in Yakima County, WA.

Trapped sunlight cleans water

According to an article in the journal Biomicrofluidics, published by the American Institute of Physics, a new system that combines two different technologies proposes to break down contaminants using the cheapest possible energy source, sunlight.

Quality Nutrient Spreading LLC

Eggs are big business in Iowa with farms producing anything from shelled eggs to liquid eggs to even dehydrated eggs.

Stoney Point AgriCorp

In the most basic sense, everything within the farm feeds into everything else. This is the objective of Stoney Point AgriCorp, a family-owned cattle-raising farm in Texas that was founded in 1988.

Getting creative

Bill Couser is the owner of Couser Cattle Co., a multi-faceted operation that annually feeds and finishes 5,000 to 6,000 head of cattle, and produces both corn and soybean seed.

Editorial: January-February 201

Recently, the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy released its first progress report, entitled the U.S. Dairy Sustainability Commitment Progress Report, updating the public on what advances the dairy industry has made toward reducing its environmental impact.

Valuing manure nutrient resources

A fundamental question often asked by agricultural producers is how do I value my manure as a nutrient resource?

On track: Janaury-February 2011

Baleen Filters selected among Artemis Top 50

Big foot

Phillip McLain is a man on the move. When he’s not dispatching his five full-time drivers on manure hauls around Statesville, N.C., he’s checking in on his family’s 5,000-acre farm or its oilseed crushing mill, or exploring the latest farm software technology to integrate into his precision agriculture consulting business.

No yolk

Because the United States is the world’s largest producer and exporter of poultry meat and second largest egg producer, there can be little doubt that managing poultry litter is no yolk.

Cows’ GHG emissions measured inaccurately, study finds

Cows may be getting a bum rap over their greenhouse gas emissions — or not. Mathematical equations used in predicting cows’ methane emissions are inaccurate and need improvement to help dairy farmers mitigate greenhouse gas releases

New poultry litter applicator offers hope for Chesapeake Bay

It isn’t even fully patented yet, but the Poultry Litter Subsurfer prototype invented by Agricultural Research Service soil scientist Dan Pote is on order by a research coalition across five Chesapeake Bay states: Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York.

On Track: November/December 2010

New Holland’s new HydraBox™ hydraulic-push box spreaders are built for simplicity, easy maintenance, and fast, productive performance.

Manure cover program introduced in Manitoba

The Alberta government joined with several counties and the local agriculture industry for a four-year project aimed at increasing liquid manure use.

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