The Industry and the

Environment

Interest Approach

Todays Plan
Todays plan includes

Environmental Protection
Nutrient Management Plans
Protecting the Number One Asset

Environmental
Protection

Environmental Protection
Producers recognize their
responsibility for environmental
or natural resource management.
Environmental/natural resource
management can impact:
Animal well-being
Public health and perceptions
about swine production
Income

Environmental Responsibility
Pork producers understand the
tremendous responsibility placed
on them. Thats why every day,
they demonstrate that they truly
care about:
Their animals
The environment
The communities they serve

Environmental Challenges
1. Air Quality

Odors

Ammonia

Particulate matter,
including dust

2. Water Quality

Runoff

Sulfur compounds

Odors
Swine operations produce odors because of animal manure and other materials
involved with the production of animals.

Sulfur
Compounds

Feces
Feed
+
+
Urine
Waste

Bacterial
fermentation
process

Odors

Ammonia
Compounds

Sulfur Compounds
Sulfur compounds occur from
the anaerobic microbial
decomposition of sulfate
compounds.
Hydrogen sulfide is one of the
major odorous sulfur
compounds.
Anaerobic is a biological
process that occurs in the
absence of oxygen.
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Ammonia
Animals are fed high-protein
diets containing nitrogen
which aids in protein
production
Non-metabolized nitrogen is
excreted as a waste
component
Ammonia results from the
microbial breakdown of
nitrogen compounds

10

Particulate Matter and Dust

Particulate matter and dust are comprised of liquid or solid particles.

Particles are carried by the air, which in turn, affects air quality.
Odors can also be carried by particulate matter and dust.
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Water Quality Issues

Runoff is precipitation or other water that moves from land to a body or source of water.
Runoff is a form of water pollution. It affects:

Rivers/Streams

Lakes

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Activity
The local newspaper publishes an opposition article about a
new swine operation opening in the county. The article states,
Owners of swine operations lack the environmental
knowledge to effectively protect it.
With a partner, craft a response to the newspapers editor
discussing the following:
Explain the environmental concerns associated with
swine production
Explain why environmental protection is important to
swine operations
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Nutrient Management
Plans

Nutrient Management Planning

So how are producers
environmentally friendly?
Through nutrient management
planning, which involves:
Managing animal manure
and effluent
Minimizing the risk of
environmental pollution
Maximizing utilization of
manure's nutrient value

15

Nutrient Management Plans

The two key nutrient management
planning components are:
Collection
Redistribution
Soil and manure analysis
Crop utilization
Erosion/runoff control

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Dry Manure
Manure occurs in two forms:
dry and liquid.
Dry manure usually occurs in
outdoor production operations.
Dry manure cannot be injected
into the soil, so it requires
additional management
practices.

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Liquid Manure
Liquid manure is usually associated with environmental controlled
facilities and can be handled using two methods.
Pits

Located under the building

Can be a stand-alone method
or used with a lagoon

Lagoons

Located outdoors
Pond-like structure

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Activity
You work for an environmental consulting firm and were hired to help
develop a nutrient management plan for an operation with 2500
finisher pigs and 750 acres of cropland.
In groups of three, discuss and record the following:
What are the two main components of a nutrient management plan?
Who should be involved in the planning process?
What practical measures can the group think of to reduce potential
air and water quality concerns?

You have five minutes to complete this assignment.

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Protecting the Number One

Asset

Environmental Management
Producers implement management practices that benefit the
environment while still considering their own economic needs.

Application
management
Landscaping
Covers
Composting

Barriers
Filtration systems

Water Quality Concern

Feed formulation

Runoff Reduction

Particulate Matter
Air Quality Concern

Air Quality Concern

Odor Reduction

Geography
Timing
Application amount

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Feed Formulation

Adjust specific amino acids in

feed rations to alter the crude
protein content
Optimizes nitrogen conversion
into proteins - reducing the
amount of ammonia forming
compounds produced by the
animal

22

Application Management
Manure can be distributed onto fields as a valuable source of
fertilizer. Odor reduction follows these main principles:

Location manure is
injected below the soil
surface

Timing - producers must

consider the humidity,
temperature, and ground
conditions before
application

Manure analysis is
used to calculate the
amount of manure to be
applied per acre based
on crop requirements
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Landscaping and Trees

Trees and shrubs act as a filter reducing the movement of odorous
compounds in the air.

24

Covers
Covers reduce both the
radiation and the wind velocity
over the liquids surface.
This helps control the
decomposition process and
reduces the movement of air
particles that may contain
odorous compounds.

Image note: Straw being blown on a

lagoon to reduce odor emissions

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Composting
Composting provides an aerobic
environment which reduces the
concentration of odorous
compounds.
Some producers remove the solids
from the manure effluent heading to
storage. The liquid is land applied
as a liquid. This reduces odors
significantly.

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Barriers and Filtration

Barriers

Biofilters - remove odorous compounds and dust

from the air
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Redistribution
Geography Considerations

Slope of the ground

Location of the field in relationship to a waterway(s)
Distance from surface or groundwater
Soil type

Timing and Application Amount

Determine if the ground is ready for application (ex: not frozen)
Test the soil to determine its nutritional deficiencies
Analyze the manure to ensure its nutrient composition is appropriate
for the target field
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Neighbor/Community Consideration
If producers are applying manure
in close proximity to neighbors or
public areas, they should be
considerate of the potential
impact.
Producers should try to:
Avoid applying manure on
weekends and holidays
Determine if a special event or
gathering is to take place and try
to avoid application during those
days/times
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Interest Approach Review

30

Pork Bowl Review

Divide into teams of four

Pick a pig breed as your team name

Rules:

To answer a question, raise your card

Teams score one point for each correct response

If answered incorrectly, another team gets to answer

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Summary
In this lesson, you learned to
Identify potential environmental impacts associated with swine
production
Explain the importance of a nutrient management plan and the
techniques used to implement the plan
Identify management practices and techniques employed by
production operations that minimize environmental risks

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