feedlot runoff management by john andrews, p.e., state conservation engineer 10/16/02 nrcs,...

Feedlot Runoff Management

By John Andrews, P.E., State Conservation Engineer 10/16/02 NRCS, Lakewood, CO

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Intended Outcomes

After this session, the participants will:

Recognize sources of contaminated runoff.

Be aware of feedlot site selection factors.

Understand the features and benefits of common feedlot runoff control practices.

“Runoff control undoubtedly constitutes the single most important technology available to the feedlot industry for preventing discharge to navigable waters of the United States.” (EPA, 1974)

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Runoff Happens ...

Runoff will occur when the depth of snowmelt or rainfall exceeds about 0.5 inches.

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Ft. Collins Rainfall Data

Period of Record 1898-2002

• 38,106 Days of Data

• 8,521 measurable precipitation events (22%)

• 821 events > 0.5 inches

• 90 events > 1.54” or 2yr design storm

• 4 events > 3.54” or 25yr design storm

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Frequency of Feedlot Runoff Events at Ft. Collins, CO.Period of Record 1898-2001

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Feedlot Runoff Events per Year (precipitation > 0.5")

Fre

qu

en

cy

Median = 7 events per yearAverage = 7.9 events per year

During no year on record has Ft. Collins received zero feedlot runoff events.

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Runoff Characteristics

Total Solids, (%) Total N, (mg/l) Total P, (mg/l)Source

Typical Range Typical Range Typical Range

Beef Feedlot Runoff(rainfall)

1.5 0.5–5.0 350 11–8593 300 10-500

Beef Feedlot Runoff(snowmelt)

2 0.8–22.0 1200 190-6528 290 5-917

Beef Lot Runoff Pond 0.3 200 -

Municipal/Residential 0.05 30 10

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Runoff Management Principles

I. Minimize Runoff Volume

II. Collect Runoff (so it can be managed)

III. Separate Solids (decrease management challenges)

IV. Store Liquids (until needed)

V. Land Apply Liquids at Agronomic Rate

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I. Minimize Runoff Volume

Good site location.

Keep “clean” water clean (divert run-on).

Clean lots regularly.

Grade flat lots to drain.

Reduce manure movement off steep lots.

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Minimize Runoff Volume

• Good Site Location

Locate lots to minimize “runon”

Lots slope at 2% to 5%

On soils w/ > 25% clay content

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Click on box to the right to play video clip

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• Other Location Requirements

Room for runoff collection & storage(about 1 acre for 100 to 200 AUs)

Setback >150’ from water courses & wells

Adequate distance from neighbors

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Minimize Runoff Volume

• Keep clean water clean Divert “clean” runoff away from feedlot Exclude roof water

> 5% of total drainage area Collection channels along foundation Roof gutters & outlet piping

Fix leaking water tanks Minimize use of “flow through” tanks

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• Minimize Runoff Volume w/ Appropriate lot sizeType of Animal Earth Lot Area

(square feet per head)Concrete Lot Area

(square feet per head)

Beef Cow & Calf Calf (< 600 lbs) Calf (600-1400 lbs)

300150225

503540

Dairy Calf (< 250lbs) Calf (250-600 lbs) Calf (600-1000 lbs)

125250400

203040

Sheep Rams & Ewes Ewes with lambs Feeder Lambs

304020

12168

(from Murphy & Harner, 2002)

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• Clean Lots Regularly Each time a pen is turned Monthly is better

* Leave 1” to 2” packed manure seal* Clean under fences* Pulling better than pushing

(e.g. use a box scraper or rear mounted blade)

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• Flat Lots Need Drainage

Build mounds

Install collection channels

Fill low spots that pond runoff

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Mounds ...

Add slope to a flat lot

Provide windbreak & warming area

Serve as a low tech compost pile

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Cross Section of a Feedlot Mound

Provide about 30 sq.ft. per AU per side


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Single Row Feedlot Design

Concrete apron

Feed bunk

Waterer

Mound

Channel

Fence

Feed Road



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Steep Lots Need ...

Roads & channels aligned on the contour

More frequent cleaning

Consider terraces or other erosion control practices

Buffers between lot & area below it

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Managed runoff from these areas too:

Manure Stockpiles

Composting Areas

Snow Piles

Silage Pit

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Runoff Management Questions

• Can you divert runoff away from the pens?

• What is the slope of your feedlot?

– Is the lot too flat to drain rainfall runoff?

– Are there low areas that pond water on the lot?

– Is the lot so steep that gullies form, or manure piles at bottom?

• Are your pens bigger than they need to be?

• How frequently do you collect manure?

• Do you leave a thin manure layer to seal the surface?

• How do you handle snow?

• How will you collect and manage feedlot runoff?

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Typical Feedlot Components

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Two Basic Types of Runoff Control Options

• Containment

• Discharge

Feedlot Runoff Control Alternatives Based on Pounds of N in the Runoff

Total Annual N in Runoff, lbs

Containment Systems Vegetative Systems

Lagoon

Holding

Pond

Evaporation Pond

Wetland

Infiltration Field

Grass

Filter Terrace

<100 (<2 Acres)*

X X X X X X X

100-500 (2 - 10 Acres)*

X X X X X X

500-1,000(10 -20 Acres)*

X X X X X

1,000 – 4,000(20 - 70 Acres)*

X X X X

>4,000 (> 70 Acres)*

X X

(from Murphy & Harner, 2002)* ~ 50 lbs. per acre of feedlot in Colorado

Feedlot Runoff Control Alternatives Based on Water Surface Evaporation.

XXXX< 30

XXXXX30 – 45

XXXXXX45 – 60

XXXXX> 60

Terrace

Grass

filter

Infiltration field

Wetland

Evaporation pond

Holding

pondLagoon

Vegetative SystemsContainment SystemsFree Water Surface Evaporation inches


Controlling runoff from AFOs with a sediment basin discharging into vegetative system using filter strips

or wetland cells.

Confined Feeding Pens

Sedimentation Channel/Basin

Controlling runoff from AFOs or CAFOs using a conventional total containment structure such as a holding

pond or evaporative pond.

Confined Feeding Pens

Sedimentation Channel

Holding or EvaporativePond

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The size of a vegetative system is based on

hydraulic characteristics, crop nutrient use,

and the water holding capacity of the soil.

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In some watersheds, phosphorus (P)

may be the limiting nutrient rather

than N, and thus the crop uptake of P

becomes the design-limiting nutrient.

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Holding ponds or lagoons are commonly

used for operations greater than 300 AUs

or where space is limited.

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The costs of controlling the runoff from existing

facilities must be weighed against new lot

construction on an alternative location.

Renovation vs. New Construction

Producers constructing new facilities need to

address current regulations and also design for

compliance with future regulations.

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References

Davis, J.G. , T. Stanton & T. Haren. 1995. Feedlot Manure Management. CSU Extension Bulletin 1.220. Colorado State University. Ft Collins, CO.

EPA. 1974. Feedlots - EPA-440/1-74-004-9. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.

EPA. 1976. Manure Harvesting Practices: Effects on Waste Characteristics - EPA-600/2-76-292-9. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research & Development, Ada, OK.

Miner, J.R., F. Humenik, and M. Overcash. 2000. Managing Livestock Waste to Preserve Environmental Quality. Iowa State University Press. Ames, IA.

Murphy, P. and J. Harner. 2002. Open Lot Runoff Management Options; Lesson 22, Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship Curriculum. Midwest Plan Service, Iowa State University. Ames, IA.

MWPS. 1993. Livestock Waste Facilities Handbook, 3rd Ed. Midwest Plan Service, Iowa State University. Ames, IA.

NRCS. 1992. Agricultural Waste Management Field Handbook. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Washington, D.C.

feedlot runoff management by john andrews, p.e., state conservation engineer 10/16/02 nrcs,...

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