Agricultural best management practices help minimize air, soil and water pollution. Plant nutrients, bacteria, sediment and crop chemicals can be mitigated so that pollution of ground and surface water is curtailed. Livestock odors can also be minimized. A goal of the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers is to help farmers implement sustainable farming practices that assist Iowa farm families in raising livestock responsibly and successfully.

Before construction of any new livestock farm can begin, check to see if a Manure Management Plan (MMP) needs to be filed and approved. There are many resources to help farmers implement best management practices.

GENERAL RESOURCES

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

• AgSTAR – a collaborative program sponsored by EPA and USDA that promotes the use of biogas recovery systems to reduce methane emissions from livestock waste.
• Animal Feeding Operations, Best Management Practices

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION

• Manure Management and Odor Publications
• Using Manure Nutrients for Crop Production

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY/IOWA MANURE MANAGEMENT ACTION GROUP

• Commercial Manure Applicators
• Manure and Nutrient Plans, Permits, Regulations
• Manure Management and Testing Service Providers

NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICES

• Confined Livestock and Manure Nutrients
• Electronic Field Office Technical Guides
• Information for Iowa Farmers

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

• Animal Production Information

On September 11, 2013, EPA Region 7 and the Iowa DNR signed a “work plan agreement” that established guidelines for evaluations of livestock and poultry farms. The work plan stems from a petition filed by environmental groups in 2007, claiming DNR does not comply with the Clean Water Act and that the EPA should take over the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. This agreement is designed to strengthen Iowa’s implementation of the federally authorized NPDES program and is an important step toward retaining authority to implement the federal program in Iowa.

The work plan obligates DNR to evaluate livestock farms larger than 300 animal units and document whether the farms are in compliance with the Clean Water Act. It is estimated that over 8,500 livestock farms will be evaluated in the next five years.

“Livestock regulations are complex, sometimes ambiguous and are constantly changing,” says CSIF Executive Director Brian Waddingham. “For Iowa’s livestock and poultry farms to prosper, farmers must know and understand state and federal regulations and the resources available to help them remain viable on the land for generations to come.  The resources below will help livestock farmers better understand how the work plan agreement will affect them and their farm.”

A Lender’s Perspective (video)
Jim Knuth, Senior Vice President, Farm Credit Services of America

EQIP Funding Available to Help Farmers Make Changes (video)
Paul Goldsmith, EQIP Coordinator, Iowa NRCS

Low-Interest Financing Through State Revolving Loan Fund (video)
Tony Toigo, Loan Program Coordinator, IDALS

Checklist to Prepare Your Farm For a DNR or EPA Inspection (PDF)

For more information, or to set-up a no-cost, confidential farm consultation, contact the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers here or by calling 800-932-2436.

While Iowans strongly support farmers and give them high marks for trustworthiness and importance, they do have questions related to specific farming practices. These may include such topics as odor, water quality, property values, use of roads and bridges and proximity of other farms. These factors make proper siting of a new livestock barn critical.

The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers can assist you with a site analysis. A thorough analysis takes into account the location of neighbors, public use areas like parks and lakes, topography and prevailing wind directions. When considering potential building sites, be mindful that Iowa’s prevailing winds, especially during spring and summer, blow from the southeast to northwest. Potential livestock odor can be managed with proper siting and various other solutions. When considering various forms of odor control, ask these questions:

• Where is the odor primarily coming from?
• Is the system affordable?
• Does it provide the best results for the money?
• What can I realistically expect it to accomplish?
• Can I manage this system effectively on my farm?

The most effective odor control will always be a combination of techniques designed to fit each specific farm. Many resources are available via the links below to help you choose the optimum location for your livestock farm as well as information on odor mitigation.

Iowa State University Extension

• Animal Agriculture and Air Quality
  

Pork Information Gateway

• Siting and Building Considerations to Reduce Odor Potential from Swine Facilities

In addition, the Green Farmstead Partner Program, sponsored by the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers with the help of the Iowa Nursery and Landscape Association, helps livestock farmers improve water and air quality, reduce odor, improve aesthetics and enhance neighbor and community relations.