Journal of Nutrient Management (ISSN# 26902516) is published four times annually in February, May, August, and November by W.D. Hoard & Sons Company, 28 Milwaukee Ave. West, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin 53538 Tel: (920) 563-5551. Email: info@ jofnm.com Website: www.jofnm.com. Postmaster: Send address corrections to: Journal of Nutrient Management, PO Box 801, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin 53538-0801. Tel: (920) 563-5551. Email: info@jofnm. com. Subscription Rates: Free and controlled circulation to qualified subscribers. For Subscriber Services contact: Journal of Nutrient Management, PO Box 801, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin 53538, call (920) 563-5551, Email: info@jofnm.com.
ach of us is on our own journey of life. There are different people we meet along the way who share experiences with us, but the whole package of a lifetime of memories belongs to just one person.
When we work with others and try to understand their perspective, there’s a familiar saying to guide us: “Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes.” The idea is that we should put ourselves in another person’s position to know where they are coming from.
Many farmers choose their profession because they like to work independently; they want to be their own boss. While that career does offer plenty of opportunities to be self-sufficient and work autonomously, no one is truly farming on their own. Agriculture is a web of experts: farmers, veterinarians, agronomists, engineers, service providers, and so many more. The expertise these individuals bring to the table help improve each farm and the agriculture industry as a whole.
The notion of understanding other viewpoints pops up a few times in this issue. On page 24, custom manure hauler Megan Dresbach shares what she believes people in her profession wish their clients realized. From equipment capabilities to regulations to balancing multiple customers, it helps manure applicators do their job if their farmer clients understand what they are capable of. Open communication was also emphasized — which is something that benefits any relationship!
Our customers have another interesting viewpoint to consider. We can gripe about the general public’s lack of knowledge about farming and where their food comes from, but their opinions of production agriculture matter. What they deem as important has direct and indirect impacts on how we raise our animals, manage our crops, care for the environment, and market our products.
The article starting on page 16 shares examples of advertising campaigns centered around consumers’ interest in sustainable agriculture. We often only get one opportunity or a few words on
a label to connect with a consumer and potential customer. Putting ourselves in their shoes helps us promote a product in a way that resonates with the average American.
I recently found myself with some car trouble on a hot Sunday afternoon. As I stood in a store parking lot with the hood of my vehicle up and my two young kids in tow, a kind couple pulled up in their car and asked what was going on. Once they heard the situation, they jumped to action, calling a local automobile supply shop and then driving to the store to pick up the needed part.
Upon their return, I tried to offer them a gift in exchange for their kindness, but they adamantly refused. I thanked them again for their compassion, but it didn’t seem like enough. They didn’t know me, and I would never see them again. They certainly didn’t have to help me. But their act of kindness got me back on the road, and it served as the perfect backdrop to teach my children about generosity and the work of good Samaritans.
This experience underscored the fact that there are really good people in the world, and no doubt, agriculture is filled with folks who rally to help others in need. We often hear stories of neighbors who came together to assist after a barn fire or harvest a crop when one of their own experienced injury or death. Time and money can be in short supply for farmers, but that doesn’t stop them from jumping in to help one another.
It isn’t always possible to fully understand what another person is going through. We never know the physical, mental, or emotional battles someone may be facing in their own body or mind. But what we can do is try to support people in their times of need, and before we jump to conclusions, let’s walk a mile in someone else’s shoes — or in the case of agriculture, their boots.
Until next time,
Abby
POLICY WATCH
UNITED STATES
Four ag groups filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to preserve certain rights granted to livestock producers. The National Pork Producers Council, American Farm Bureau Federation, U.S. Poultry and Egg Association, and United Egg Producers filed a defense against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) rules amid attempts by activist groups to change the regulations.
Current rules exclude agricultural stormwater discharges, but a lawsuit led by Food and Water Watch seeks to remove this stipulation. If passed, this would require all CAFOs to either obtain Clean Water Act permits or provide evidence that they are not discharging into Waters of the United States (WOTUS).
“If successful, this lawsuit would upend livestock environmental regulations around the country, causing millions of dollars of lawsuits, fines and challenges — setting the industry back decades,” according to the National Pork Producers Council.
OREGON
In Oregon, the Linn County Board of Commissioners amended a setback rule for CAFOs. The original rule, passed December 12, 2023, required farms to have a 1-mile setback between livestock buildings and nearby residences if applying for a new or renewed CAFO permit. No specific species were listed. However, after concerns from agricultural groups, the board discussed and then approved an amendment to clarify that this rule only pertained to CAFO-sized poultry farms. County-based setback limits are now allowed since CAFO reforms were passed last year by the state’s legislature.
MINNESOTA
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) released proposed updates to the State Disposal System (SDS) and the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) feedlot permits. One proposed change is that farmers who apply manure in the fall must grow cover crops or switch to spring application. Farmers will also need to visually inspect fields during application, once a day, and within 24 hours of a rainfall if manure was not incorporated. Lastly, farmers who receive manure from a permitted farm must follow the requirements of the permit. Public hearings were held in July, and comments can be submitted until August 9.
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MINNESOTA
Heavy rainfall and historic flooding in southwestern Minnesota caused 17 manure pits on 15 farms to overflow, the Star Tribune reported. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is monitoring the situation in Rock, Nobles, and Jackson counties and will help mitigate any potential damage from the spills. The released liquid was contained to nearby fields, and nothing has been discharged into a river or stream, according to the MPCA.
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Opening doors for feed regulation
Positive developments have been made in animal agriculture regulation of certain feed ingredients, although more work remains.
by Leah Wilkinson
Oftentimes, people think most of the information coming out of Washington, D.C., is not positive or productive for animal agriculture. The headlines seem to discuss more regulations coming down the pike or uncertainty with the upcoming presidential election.
It is not all bad news, though. There are some small steps of progress being made that will help farmers with productivity, the environment, and even food safety — via the feed they provide their animals.
Pushing for change
The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) has been advocating for the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) to change the way it regulates certain animal feed ingredients. After years of waiting, the CVM recently rescinded a 1998 policy that regulated feed ingredients as animal drugs if the ingredients made animal production or environmental claims. That policy effectively stopped innovation in the feed industry, given that no feed company could traverse the lengthy animal drug approval process, nor should they have had to since these ingredients work solely within the digestive tract of the animal.
In recent years, the CVM and Congress started to see how far behind the U.S. feed industry and animal agriculture is to the rest of the world, where many countries already modernized their regulatory systems to keep pace with the evolving science around
animal nutrition. While the wheels of government do not always turn quickly, they do turn, and our industry must be ready when they start rolling to take advantage of them.
A meeting of the minds
Recently, the University of California, Davis, held its State of the Science Summit, where over 250 experts came together to discuss the research, applicability, and regulatory challenges in enteric emissions reduction strategies in animal agriculture. I joined others in speaking about the important role feeding strategies can play in the reduction of enteric emissions in ruminants.
Summit attendees from the United States remained reluctant to get their hopes up since, as of mid-May, there were no approved feed ingredients for this intended use available in the market. To their surprise, just a few
days following the summit’s end, the CVM announced its intention to utilize enforcement discretion for certain animal drug requirements for Bovaer. Bovaer is a feed ingredient, approved in 58 other countries, that can now be marketed in the United States for the reduction of enteric methane in lactating dairy cows.
This action was made possible because the CVM rescinded its restrictive policy memo. That meant the product did not have to undergo many more years past the two it already had undergone through the decade-long animal drug approval process.
There’s more to do
The hard work of modernizing U.S. feed regulations is not done, though. Animal food innovators still need a clear regulatory path for other animal foods that can reduce enteric methane emissions, enhance animal production, and improve food safety. While the CVM made progress by changing its policy, legislation is needed to clearly provide the agency with a pathway to approve these products so that it does not live in an “enforcement discretion” gray area forever.
The feed industry needs to know, and so do livestock producers, that these novel feed ingredients are safe and achieve their intended effects. Animal food companies need assurance, before investing in the U.S. regulatory system, that their research and development will pay off. Otherwise, they will not invest in the American marketplace.
This is why the AFIA, along with nearly 200 animal health and climate-related organizations, a growing number of bipartisan members of Congress, and several administration officials, have been calling for passage of the Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development (Innovative FEED) Act (H.R. 6687/S. 1842), which will give certainty to animal feed innovators, producers, and consumers.
Put simply, the Innovative FEED Act will amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish a new category of animal feed additives that do not impact animal nutrition. Rather, they act in the animal’s gut to provide health or production benefits, reduce emissions, or address human food safety concerns. These animal feed ingredients would be subject to the FDA’s rigorous Food Additive Petition process before gaining market approval,
ensuring safety for the animals that consume them and the people who eat the resulting foods.
Another aspect the AFIA is working on is getting these types of innovative feed products, once FDA-approved, into the hands of producers by supporting the Enteric Methane Innovation Tools for Lower Emissions and Sustainable Stock (EMIT LESS) Act (S. 4056). The EMIT LESS Act will incentivize farmers and ranchers to use them to start reducing U.S. enteric methane emissions sooner. In particular, the bill will expand the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s research capabilities for products (such as feed additives) and feeding practices that reduce environmental emissions and create voluntary incentives through conservation programs to speed up farmers’ and ranchers’ use of those products.
In agriculture, we recognize that
even the greatest invention can fail if it does not fit into the production system, which slows adoption. We will need farmer incentive programs and carbon credit capture mechanisms to reap the full benefits of these next-generation feed technologies.
It has taken many years to get the wheels of Washington, D.C., to turn toward progress on regulatory modernization for the animal food industry. At the AFIA, we are excited and look forward to bringing more ingredients to the animal agriculture community to improve productivity, provide environmental benefits, and tackle food safety challenges. ■
IN THE FIELD
MANAGE NITROGEN WITH A BUDGET
Reducing unnecessary nitrogen inputs saves time and money and lowers the risk of groundwater contamination.
by Guolong Liang
Nitrogen is at the center of agronomy, climate change, and water quality conversations. Farms are striving to achieve higher yields and quality while reducing emissions and leaching losses by improving their nitrogen use efficiency. We need to understand how nitrogen behaves in our agroecosystems, how to evaluate the nitrogen budget, and ways to minimize nitrogen loss.
Nitrogen (N) cycles continuously between inorganic N, organic N, and gaseous N on farm fields. Consider the soil as a piggy bank for nitrogen. After nitrogen is “deposited” through inputs, it can also be withdrawn from the soil via crop harvest, volatilization, denitrification, runoff, erosion, and leaching. In other words, the cycling forms of nitrogen follow the law of conservation of mass, meaning that within the boundaries shown in the nitrogen cycle (Figure 1), nitrogen input equals the sum of nitrogen changes in the soil and nitrogen removed from the soil.
The nitrogen budget can be represented like this:
N input = N removal +/- changes in N storage
Times of higher risk
Fall and spring are particularly vulnerable to nitrate leaching because that is typically when much of our groundwater recharge occurs. The months following harvest through planting of the following year’s crop
are also times when most row crop agricultural systems are void of vegetation to help with interception and/ or water and nutrient uptake during the shoulder periods of the growing season. Cover crops, interplanting, and other strategies that promote living cover can help mitigate the risk of loss during these critical times.
With projections of higher precipitation in parts of the country in the future, the risk of losing nitrogen through leaching also rises. Under conventional tillage, 84% of drainage
events occurred from January 1 to June 30. It has also been found that close to 75% of nitrogen leaching loss occurred from April 1 to June 30. Intense drainage, high soil residual nitrogen from various inputs (such as fertilizer, crop residual, and manure), and low nitrogen uptake from crops in early growth stages could result in high amounts of nitrate leaching in the spring. As a result, finding ways to secure residual soil inorganic nitrogen during the shoulder season will minimize the risk of nitrogen loss.
Figure 1. The nitrogen cycle
Source: F. Arriaga and A. Cates (2023). Soil Health and Water Quality.
Consider the budget
Understanding nitrogen use in a budget may reveal opportunities to reduce unnecessary use of nitrogen inputs, which saves time and money and reduces contamination to groundwater. Make decisions about how much inorganic nitrogen to apply after considering your soil type, preplanting soil nitrogen testing, manure, legume, and irrigation nitrogen credits if applicable.
Concentrations of nitrate-N in irrigation water of a recent study were determined to be between 1 and 45 mg/L NO3 -N, which adds an additional 0.2 to 10.1 pounds of nitrogen per inch of irrigation water applied. Nitrate added through irrigation water can be directly absorbed by plants.
based nitrogen budgets, Kevin Masarik at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension has developed a web-based tool named the “Nitrate Leaching Calculator,” which allows users to input environmental conditions, nitrogen inputs, and outputs. With this tool, you can understand the potential nitrogen loss from fields under specific management practices and compare different management scenarios. You can find the Nitrate Leaching Calculator and other upcoming related training opportunities at UW-Madison Division of Extension Agriculture Water Quality Program’s website.
Table 1 is an example of a nitrogen budget, including one field’s environmental factors, inputs, outputs, and
leachable nitrogen refers to the potential of nitrogen loss in pounds per acre.
Stay on track
Keep pace in the relay race of nutrient cycling by using cover crops. Nitrogen is like a baton in a relay race among crops and soil (Figure 2). After nitrogen is removed via harvest, soil inorganic nitrogen levels remain high in some fields.
In wet years with heavy snow and rainfall, the risk of nitrate leaching intensifies. To retain nitrogen at the end of the growing season, use a cover crop like winter rye, that efficiently scavenges nitrogen.
In a field research study on cover crops and nutrient management in Wisconsin from 2014 to 2017, researchers found
AGRICULTURAL CONCRETE
Figure 2. Relay race of nitrogen in the growing year
To retain nitrogen at the end of the growing season, a cover crop like winter rye that efficiently scavenges nitrogen can be used.
that winter rye’s average dry biomass is over 2,000 pounds per acre, while uptaking more than 50 pounds of nitrogen per acre. In the spring, nitrogen from terminated cover crops will return to the soil as inorganic nitrogen and continue in the nutrient cycling process.
From a nutrient management perspective, be mindful of the trade-off of using cover crops. Adjust manure nitrogen credit from the previous application depending on cover crops biomass. ■
The author is an outreach specialist with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension’s Agriculture Water Quality program.
Table 1. Nitrogen balance example on a nonirrigated field with excessively well-drained sandy soil with less than 2% of organic matter
Crops and environmental factors
Crop type
STOP STORAGES FROM OVERFLOWING
Heavy rainfall creates a risky situation when it comes to potential runoff, and this is something farmers must monitor closely. “Managing runoff from open lots and outdoor manure storages during wet weather is crucial for protecting water quality, public health, and the environment,” wrote Daniel Anderson, Beth Doran, and Kris Kohl in an Iowa State University Extension article.
“The number one goal of management must be preventing a holding pond or manure storage from overflowing,” the extension specialists noted. The effluent discharged from a manure storage structure is concentrated and could lead to fish kills if it travels to a body of water. In addition, over-top-
CAPACITY THAT KEEPS APPLYING
ping earthen berms can compromise the strength of the manure storage and lead to a catastrophic discharge.
Although applying manure to wet soils is not ideal, it is better than allowing a storage basin to overflow, the authors noted. Pastures or hayfields are preferable because they are better able to support equipment and are less likely to allow the nutrients to run off. Look for fields with less slope to give the manure time to soak into the soil and avoid application in wet spots. During application, watch for runoff and stop immediately if signs of potential runoff develop.
Diversion channels or berms can be used to keep clean water out of a manure storage, but periods of wet
weather can cause these diversions to lose their shape and effectiveness. Check these areas from time to time. Vegetative buffers can be established around open lots and manure storages to help filter and absorb water as well. The use of settling basins also helps remove solids from runoff water before they enter the manure storage.
In an open lot, maintain a 3% to 5% slope away from feedbunks and toward drainage collection areas. In addition, keep fence lines clear of obstacles that prevent good drainage.
“By combining site selection, structural and vegetative practices, and nutrient management, farms can mitigate the risks associated with runoff,” the extension specialists concluded.
At Oakridge Dairy, manure travels through an anaerobic digester. After that, the solids are removed to be used as bedding, and the remaining manure is stored in a lagoon until it is applied to the farm’s fields.
ROOM TO DREAM
Growth doesn’t always mean adding animals or acres; this East Coast dairy continues to improve and expand in other ways.
by Abby Bauer, Managing Editor
Within eyeshot of Ellington in north central Connecticut sits Oakridge Dairy, the state’s largest dairy farm. With a population of 19,000, Ellington is no small dot on the map, but it pales in comparison to the 30 million people that live within 100 miles of the farm.
This large population base is a reason why there aren’t many large dairies in New England, but it has opened new doors of opportunity for the Bahler family, which has been farming here since 1890.
Adolph Bahler immigrated to the United States from Europe, and he first set his sights on farming with some family members in the Midwest. At a time when everyone else seemed to be moving west, drought conditions led Adolph to move back east, settling in Connecticut.
In the early 1900s, Ellington was known as the “milkiest mile in America,” with more milk produced in this small stretch than anywhere else in the country. Eventually, many of the farms sold out, but the Bahler family remained focused on dairy production and purchased more land near their home farm as it became available.
A man with a plan
After more than 100 years in dairy production and with several family members involved in the farm’s own-
ership, the business dynamics had gotten complex. By 2013, it was time to restructure the dairy, and the farm’s ownership and management were separated in 2014.
There was not room to expand the farm size-wise in this area, but there was plenty of potential for growth in other ways. That is what intrigued fifth-generation farmer Seth Bahler to unexpectedly return to his dairy roots. Bahler grew up in the house that now serves as the headquarters for Oakridge Dairy. His future plans, however, did not include working on the farm. Although his dad was an owner of the dairy, he left the farm when Bahler was young to pursue other career opportunities. Following in those foot-
steps, Bahler worked briefly as a plumber after high school and then started his own construction business that he ran for six years.
Bahler sold the construction business about the same time the family was deciding what the next steps were for the dairy. Bahler didn’t see himself joining the operation, but he listened to what was being proposed, and he began to change his mind.
“I saw a lot of opportunity,” he said. Bahler is a self-proclaimed dreamer, and at that time, the farm needed some direction and a launch into the future. “When I realized the dreams and opportunities were endless here, it suited me,” he noted.
Bahler worked on the dairy a few months and then was quickly tasked with helping the farm and family transition to the next generation. “We had to change a lot of things over the last 10 years, and change is hard,” Bahler shared. There were tough decisions to make, and it was not fun at first, he admitted, but now that they are on the other side of the tunnel, there is a lot of excitement.
The farm still has multiple owners, including Bahler’s parents and siblings, who serve on the board of directors but are not actively involved on the farm. The board meets quarterly, plus there is an annual meeting for all the farm’s owners.
Bahler is the CEO, and while he calls himself a farmer, he is more of a visionary for the farm. “My passion is more on the business end, the growth side,” he explained.
He complimented their amazing staff members who take care of the cows and crops day to day, including David Moser, their operations manager. Bahler said their team is always looking for ways to improve cow management and health, focusing more on prevention than reaction. “We have some really good people that make that happen every day,” he said.
A new location
Rather than making a lot of capital investments at their original farm site, Bahler said they decided to start new at a greenfield site just down the road. They toured other dairies in search of what would be best for the cows and the people working with them. They built a new cross-ventilated freestall barn and parlor and moved the cows in 2017.
Today, their herd of 2,600 Holsteins is milked three times a day in a 72-cow rotary parlor. The herd averages 87 pounds of milk per cow per day. The cross-ventilated barn features 180 fans on the outer walls, with a wind speed goal of 10 miles per hour. Cows are grouped by age, with 250 to 300 cows per pen.
Also built at the new location was a dry cow barn, a commodity shed, and other feed storage. Calves are born on the farm and then transported to the original location, where they are first raised in individual pens and then moved to calf hutches. After weaning, they are moved to group pens with freestalls bedded with manure solids. At 6 months of age, the animals are trucked to a heifer raiser in Pennsylvania before returning to the farm as bred heifers.
Heifers and cows are bred with sexed semen, then after the third lactation, they are bred to beef sires. A few of these crossbred animals are raised, but the majority are sold as calves.
Manure solids are used as bedding in the freestalls for the lactating cows, dry cows, and heifers.
Making use of manure
From day one, cows in this facility have been bedded with manure solids. During each milking, manure is vacuumed out of the alleyways and sent through a solids separator. The solids collect in a pile right in the freestall barn and are then delivered to the stalls. The farm team has been happy with this bedding source, and Bahler said it has been even better since an anaerobic digester was built on
The digester is owned and operated by SJI, an energy
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Solar panels adorn the roof of the dry cow barn and provide about a quarter of the farm’s energy needs.
services holding company based in Folsom, N.J. Oakridge Dairy is paid for providing manure for the digester, and that manure is then used to produce renewable natural gas. The gas is refined on site and then shipped away.
After its 21-day stint in the digester, the manure heads back to the barn to go through the separator. The anaerobic digestion process helps lessen the pathogen load in the manure solids, which is an added benefit for cow health. Bahler said the anaerobic digester also reduces odor and the amount of solids the farm needs to handle. The remaining manure is stored in a covered lagoon.
In all, the business owns and rents about 3,600 acres of cropland. Manure from the herd is injected into the fields in spring and fall, and they use no-till practices for their crops. All farmwork and manure application is handled by the farm team.
Beyond the production of natural gas, energy is also produced by the 752 solar panels that cover the roof of the dry cow barn. This energy is used to power that barn and some other equipment on the dairy.
The ability to make adjustments that benefit the environment is important to the farm’s ownership team. “I like to say we’ve been here for five generations, and we want to be here for another five,” Bahler explained. “We are doing everything we can to hand down a better farm and a better planet.”
Milk delivery in a modern era
Being land locked and surrounded by people, Bahler knew they built a dairy
here they could not duplicate. But what they did have was good community support, and that’s where Bahler’s visionary mindset came into play.
“Being a commodity producer in Connecticut doesn’t really make sense,” he said. “So, if we could find a way to get to the consumer and build a brand around that, it had a lot of opportunity.”
He continued, “We knew people were buying online and looking for convenience, so we thought, ‘Let’s take a page from the past and put some technology behind it.’”
Enter The Modern Milkman. Five years ago, they established the technology to launch an online ordering system and started bottling milk from Oakridge Dairy. Deliveries to customers began in 2019, and Bahler said the COVID-19 pandemic springboarded their business.
Milk is sold in glass bottles, a feature that fits well into their sustainable farming model. Milk was originally bottled at a rented facility, but that did not allow for growth. A new bottling plant was built just across the road from where Bahler’s great-grandfather started farming, and production began there this spring.
About 4% of the farm’s milk is being bottled, and a portion of that is delivered direct to about 7,000 customers. Bahler has big growth goals for the business, with plans to be bottling 10% of their milk by the end of this year, and then even more in the years ahead. They are looking to build additional distribution sites, including one closer to New York City in southern Connecti-
Milk, sold in glass bottles, and other locallyproduced food items are ordered online and delivered to the customer using a fleet of The Modern Milkman trucks.
cut and another near Boston. Milk is delivered to customers once a week by a fleet of cow-spotted trucks. People can buy products beyond milk, too. Oakridge Dairy has partnered with more than 20 local businesses, allowing customers to purchase baked goods, meat, and much more through The Modern Milkman. Bahler called it a “farmers market on wheels.” The glass bottles are picked up weekly and reused.
“It is hard for us to be a low-cost commodity producer,” Bahler reiterated. “But we have advantages other parts of the country don’t have. We are close to the consumer.”
That proximity to people makes their farm very visible, and they embrace that.
“Our goal is to be super transparent,” Bahler said. “We want to be more sustainable and be good stewards of what we are given. We are trying to build a brand around that so people
can trust us.” Their milk is also sold at Big Y convenience stores, with goals to expand those distribution channels as well.
The consumer connection
This need and desire to connect to their consumers led to the hiring of Kaylee Hill, the farm’s public relations and people operations manager. Hill grew up in Ellington with a love for animals, which led her to pursue a degree in agriculture at SUNY-Cobleskill. She interned at Oakridge Dairy one summer, helping with social media and public relations, and then was hired full time after graduation.
Hill spearheads their weekly farm tour program, which began last October. Tours are offered twice a day, mainly on Fridays, and people sign up for a slot online. Their tour bus fits 23 people, and the group travels around the dairy, making stops at the parlor and freestall barn to learn where milk comes from.
“We have gotten a very good response to the tours so far,” Hill noted.
Farm tours and the creamery help tell the story of Oakridge Dairy, Hill said. They are a piece of the community’s past, but they are also an important part of the future. Not only are
they providing a product, but the farm currently employs 62 people as well. Although Bahler did not expect to be an employee and employer in the dairy industry, he is thankful that he is.
“I’ve learned a lot and appreciate the business we are in,” Bahler said. “The people I work with here are great, and the people in the dairy industry are top-notch.”
Even with all the excitement and potential brimming from Oakridge Dairy, the reality is that they need a good business model to move forward in a way that is environmentally friendly and economically viable. “We’re always trying to improve every aspect,” Bahler said. “We are trying to get more done with less and improving efficiency in everything we do. We are trying to be better than we were yesterday.” With that philosophy, Bahler hopes they can serve customers, make room to grow, and carry on their family’s legacy for another five generations. ■
FAST UNLOADING, EXCELLENT MATERIAL BREAKUP
David Moser, operations manager; Kaylee Hill, public relations and people operations manager; and Seth Bahler, CEO, are part of the team that keeps everything running smoothly at Oakridge Dairy.
Keys to sustainable marketing Environmental
impact is a top concern for consumers across the U.S. by Kathryn E. Childs
Poo is renewable. It’s energy,” sings the lead cow puppet of Real California Milk’s “We’ve Got Cowpower” ad.
In the video, a herd of animated cows (and manure) perform a musical number about the positive environmental impact of digesters.
CEO of the California Milk Advisory Board John Talbot showed the video as part of his presentation at the California Dairy Sustainability Summit in March. Its purpose, Talbot said, was to make the topic of sustainability palatable and interesting to consumers.
According to research done by the California Milk Advisory Board, roughly 60% of all consumers in the U.S. are concerned with sustainability, and 58% are concerned with sustainability within dairy specifically.
However, scientific terminology can sometimes get in the way of apt eco-conscious branding, causing consumers to
reach for whichever item is most simplistic in its description without digging deeper. This means the responsibility lies with producers and manufacturers to accurately and adequately advertise dairy products in line with the sustainable practices from which they originate.
“If we’re going to be successful in this area, we have to understand consumer sentiment,” Talbot said. Not just producing, but listening, too.
He also admitted to the difficulty in addressing such. “California’s sustainability messaging catalogue is 15 pages,” Talbot noted. “How could we possibly fit that onto one package of cheese?”
Real California Milk’s official campaign slogan — “Forget horsepower. California’s got cowpower.” — was an attempt to emphasize farmers’ unique ability to use natural resources already on their farms to contribute to improving agriculture’s environmental footprint. It was Talbot’s team’s way of showing consumers that
the industry was capable of and willing to meet them where they were.
Their message not only gave a nod to dairy’s storied history with sustainable agriculture and characterized modern leaps and bounds, but it did so in a fun and engaging way, piquing consumer appreciation for Real California Milk, and thus, dairy products at large.
Let’s break it down
Talbot noted that the video was found to successfully deliver new information to and entertain consumers, as well as improve overall perceptions of the California dairy industry.
Still, how exactly was this achieved?
• What was the problem? Manure (methane emissions are significant).
• What was the solution? Digesters (convert methane into biogas).
• What was the outcome? Renewable energy (a natural resource becomes fuel for cars, buses, and homes).
• What was the messaging? Dairies can address their environmental impact in-house.
• What was the effect? Consumers were informed and on-board.
By defining the problem head-on and giving clear explanations for how it was being addressed in real-time, the video showcased California’s efforts to mitigate methane emissions and proved that the state and its farmers are as committed to opting for sustainable options as consumers are.
Producers at every level and in every state can do the same by targeting a concern and engaging with it openly, maybe even comically.
Messaging in action
Talbot and his team’s case study of the Real California Milk video proved that the majority of consumers are willing to engage with sustainable messaging; in fact, they actively want it.
Their research exposed the following truths about marketing for sustainability within the dairy industry and actionable possibilities moving forward:
1. Consumers want “sustainable” products. Producers should continue in the pursuit of environmental efforts and make these efforts known.
2. Consumers don’t want to be confused about what sustainable means when making purchases. Avoid scientific terminology when advertising sustainable practices. “Make it simple, engaging, and entertaining,” Talbot said.
3. Consumers are statistically most concerned with animal care and longevity. Practice data transparency regarding feed, resources, conservation, and the like.
While far from universal, implementing these approaches could make a difference in brand recognition and popularity.
The next steps
Moving forward, Talbot’s team plans to conduct package-specific messaging research and in-market packaging testing to determine what words will be most effective on which products.
“Fine-tuning is really critical,” Talbot said. “We have to use as few words as possible, so we want them to be good.”
To tune into what consumers are
thinking and saying about sustainability is, to Talbot, a necessary part of operating in today’s market. The good news is, farmers aren’t alone. There are plenty of resources out there to help producers navigate the ups and downs of eco-conscious dairying. Be on the look out for ways to innovate, and
remember: much of what’s sustainable is already at the farmer’s fingertips. ■
The author is a freelance writer based in Rockford, Ill.
ON THE MOVE
MANURE FOR SALE
Both buyers and sellers of manure need to be aware of its value and the rules for handling it.
by Kapil Arora
High fertilizer costs, compared to prices before the COVID19 pandemic, have made manure nutrients a valuable commodity. According to USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS), commercial fertilizer costs per acre for growing corn in 2023 were almost 50% higher in comparison to 2006 to 2021 averages. Row crop farmers, especially corn growers, can evaluate manure nutrients as an option when negotiating fertilizer purchases. Many livestock producers may have not considered the full value of manure nutrients, but these nutrients can potentially be a revenue source if viewed from the lens of opportunity cost.
Evaluate the manure
Manure nutrients can be compared to commercial fertilizer for the purposes of calculating the nutrient costs for lack of other nutrient opportunities. The DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends report for April 24, 2024, showed prices for anhydrous ammonia as $794 per ton, monoammonium phosphate (MAP) as $830 per ton, and potash as $513 per ton. This translates to $0.484 per pound of nitrogen, $0.696 per pound of phosphorus as P 2 O5 (excluding the cost of nitrogen included in MAP, which has 11-52-0 as common fertilizer composition), and $0.428 per pound of potassium as K 2 O.
The best case scenario for both the buyer and seller of manure is to agree on a nutrient analysis of safely collected representative manure sample(s). Nutrient costs can then be calculated using commercial fertilizer prices.
Let’s take an example of a liquid manure with a nutrient analysis from a certified laboratory of 50 units of nitrogen, 30 units of phosphorus as P2O5, and
25 units of potassium as K 2O. The value of these three macronutrients in 1,000 gallons of liquid manure will be $55.78 using the retail prices listed above.
A goal of applying 200 units of nitrogen per acre for next year’s corn crop will mean that 4,000 gallons of this manure could potentially be used for a nutrient value of $223.12 per acre. This analysis does not include the cost of micronutrients such as sulfur and zinc, which are also present in manure.
A detailed, more expensive manure analysis can show concentrations of several micronutrients if requested from the laboratory. Similar analysis can be performed for other liquid manures (on a per 1,000-gallon basis) or for solid manures on a per ton basis. Variability in analysis is introduced by the type of manure (solid or liquid), storage methods, feed rations, bedding, and so forth. Nutrient costs as calculated above are an estimate — the main thing to remember is that manure is variable by its nature. Manure application method as well as its application timing relative to crop
planting also influences the amount of manure nutrients available for crop usage. For solid manures, not all the nutrients reported on a laboratory analysis are available for use by the crop in the first year after application. Surface applied manures have more environmental losses in comparison to injected or incorporated manures.
A short application window in spring prior to planting and compaction concerns have typically forced a majority of the manures to be fall applied. This, however, can subject manure-applied fields to inclement weather where some of the nutrients may be lost due to environmental conditions. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach publication PMR-1003, “Using manure nutrients for crop production,” goes into further details about nutrient usage and availability.
Know the rules
Manure application in most states is regulated; both livestock producers and crop farmers should verify manure application rules as these can create
THE AMOUNT OF NUTRIENTS found in manure is influenced in part by the application method and timing.
additional expenses. New fields in a manure management plan can add costs for regulatory compliance such as periodic soil sampling, calculating Phosphorus Index, and updating plans with acceptable manure application rates on eligible fields. Usable acres for manure application can potentially be different from total crop acres in each eligible field due to required separation distances associated with method and time of manure application.
Secondly, state departments of agriculture may regulate the sale of bulk animal nutrients in their respective state. For example, in Iowa, the sale of
applying and stockpiling dry manure.
Both buyer and sellers of manure will need to learn such rules and work out the costs before agreeing upon the nutrient value of manure. Apply all manure in such a manner that no water quality violation occurs.
Both buyers and sellers of manure should also consider who will pay for the pumping or loading costs, transportation or trucking costs, and the field application costs including injecting or incorporating manure as regulated. These costs need to be agreed upon separately on a per-load basis or per-acre basis and may be used to adjust the
Lastly, it is an open market where supply and demand rules apply. In areas where manure is abundant, perhaps where there is a concentration of animal production facilities, some livestock producers may be willing to accept a lower price in exchange for guaranteed access to eligible fields for land application of manure. In contrast, if farmland is available abundantly in areas with only a handful of animal production facilities, access may be competitive for the crop farmers wanting to buy manure. In the end, valuing manure is a complex process and comes with several stipulations that must be considered when negotiat-
The author is a field agricultural engineer with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
OPTIONS ABOUND for handling manure
Find the best technologies and practices to work with manure responsibly, safely, and efficiently on your farm.
by Michele Ackerman
Manure handling has always been challenging. It is becoming even more so thanks to climate change, societal concerns, regulations, and economics, according to Peter Wright, an agricultural engineer with Cornell University’s PRO-DAIRY team in Ithaca, N.Y.
Wright detailed strategies for managing these challenges with technology during a “Technology Tuesday” webinar hosted by Penn State. He emphasized the importance of assessing options because there are opportunities to both treat manure and apply it in the field.
He urged dairy producers to “know and control costs” and keep in mind that they are not stuck doing what they are now. Evaluate the current approach, identify areas for improvement, and be willing to pivot.
The goal is a balanced system in which equipment matches the needs of the farm. This could include the use of custom applicators. Additionally, some dairy farms may benefit from addedvalue opportunities, such as carbon
credits, renewable energy sales, and carbon footprint documentation into the supply chain.
More storage is always better
Undoubtedly, climate change is reshaping the way farmers conduct business. Wetter winters, drier summers, fluctuating temperatures, and intense storms in the Northeast make it difficult to store and spread manure. Environmental concerns, especially about water quality, further complicate manure management practices.
In New York, winter spreading and adverse weather application guidelines are now in place after a series of severe storms and winter melts in 2014 led to manure runoff into several freshwater
lakes. To protect water sources, comprehensive nutrient management plans on concentrated animal feeding operations must now ensure no discharge will occur during a 100-year, 24-hour storm event and identify low-risk fields for emergency manure application. Many other states have also banned or restricted winter spreading, and restrictions for fall spreading could be on the horizon.
The rationale for long-term manure storage is rooted in efficiency and effective soil management. Rather than hooking, unhooking, and cleaning the spreader every day, manure can be hauled to the fields all at once in seasonal weather. Nutrients are better utilized in the spring and summer when plants are growing, and soil compaction is avoided from equipment tracking on wet fields.
In an ideal world, you have sized the waste storage pond correctly based on the comprehensive management plan
and emptied it according to that plan, noted Wright. You have maximized the nutrients going on the fields to meet crop demand and prevented a build-up of solids. You controlled both the drainage area and the production of manure.
Actual management can look far different. Farms often build storage based on what they can afford and run into labor peaks at the same time storage needs emptying.
A farm that needs 12 months of storage but builds on a sixmonth budget is in trouble if it can’t get it emptied in the fall and then runs into a wet spring, remarked Wright. A farm may also struggle to follow the plan if equipment is not ready, labor is unavailable, or the weather is inclement. Nutrients are wasted, solids accumulate, and the potential for manure runoff increases.
An often-overlooked storage stress comes from greater manure production. An obvious surplus comes from having more cows on the farm, noted Wright. But manure volume also escalates as milk production rises and cows are fed more forages and grains.
“For all of these reasons, I think we are going to head into a scheme of more and more storage,” Wright noted.
Storage capacity that enables farms to spread in the summer has the bonus of applying manure to growing crops or when planting cover crops, which is a more efficient utilization of nutrients. There is a significant reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions when manure is not stored during the warmer, more biologically active months as well. The downside is odor, which may be eliminated with innovations in equipment and manure treatments.
Some farms may also be able to utilize frost tillage with low snow cover and 2 to 3 inches of frozen soil. Through capillary action, water is drawn up to the frozen soil and the soil underneath is relatively dry.
“The equipment rides on top of the frozen layer so there is no compaction,” said Wright. “You bust through it and inject (manure) into the dry soil underneath.”
Though it is a specific weather event that cannot be counted on, it does provide a window of opportunity.
Not in my backyard
Community concerns also complicate manure management. As more urban citizens move to rural areas, they become more vocal about manure storage. Safety and pathogens are frequently cited as issues, but the primary motivator is odor.
Public relations are key, so it is important to consider manure storage options thoroughly, commented Wright. Nobody wants to look at or smell manure storage, so choose sites where people can’t see them or create screens to block the view. Consider prevailing winds to ensure minimal impact when spreading manure.
“More farms are turning to satellite storage because it makes a lot of sense,” noted Wright. Often, they are closer to fields in which nutrients will be recycled, can be situated on land more suited to storage, and are less hemmed-in than facilities at the farmstead.
“I have learned over time that the access road is important,” Wright remarked. Originally, people wanted to put them close to the road for access and easy loading and unloading. But moving them back away from a public road out of sight is a
better idea. Remote access also poses fewer safety issues as farm equipment enters and exits the satellite location. Housekeeping is another aspect of neighborly relations. Keep manure handling equipment and storage areas clean. When you spread manure, keep the roads clean, too. Mud is often interpreted as manure, so mud that is tracked out and not cleaned up becomes a public relations problem.
Protecting water downstream
To ensure spillage at the storage site doesn’t drain into the clean water system, pay attention to loading and transfer areas. Evaluate surface flow and slope the loading area back to the storage if possible. Enclose the area and use a pump to direct dirty and clean water appropriately. At satellite locations, consider the distance to a road ditch and what can happen if things go wrong.
Farms can also protect water in ditches and streams by managing subsurface tile drainage with a water control structure on flat fields that adds to or reduces the water table. After harvest, the outlet is raised to increase the water table and reduce nitrate delivery during the off-season. It is lowered before planting to allow the field to drain and then raised after planting to store water while crops are growing.
Another option for the water control structure is a bioreactor that diverts water to an underground carbon source,
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like a bed of wood chips. There it converts nitrate nitrogen to harmless nitrogen gas.
A saturated riparian buffer offers a similar solution. Drainage from the edge of the field is spread out longitudinally through a series of trenches where nitrogen is reduced by vegetation and soils before water flows to the waterway.
Farms should also develop a manure spill response plan that anticipates how to handle emergencies.
An asset or liability?
Manure can be regarded along a spectrum ranging from worthless to a significant source of phosphorus, nitrogen, and organic matter depending on the circumstances. The perception of its value is largely dictated by the cost of spreading manure.
Wright examined this cost on farms in New York and discovered a range of about $30 per cow per year to about $325 per cow per year. Higher costs were generally associated with smaller herds doing daily spreading. However, the largest herds had slightly higher costs than mid-sized herds, likely due to longer transport distances.
Wright also looked at the per-cow cost of hauling methods for small and large herds. For herds with 50 cows, 5,000-gallon tankers are far less expensive to operate than owned drag hoses, hard hoses, and center pivots regardless of distance, ranging from about $80 at 0.5 miles to about $110 at 4.5 miles. For herds with 2,000 cows, a drag hose was the winner at all distances, ranging from about $30 at 0.5 miles to about $50 at 4.5 miles. A center pivot was marginally higher at all distances.
A hard hose ranged from about $52 at 0.5 miles to about $95 at 4.5 miles. Tanker costs were about $30 at 0.5 miles and spiked dramatically at 1.5 miles. Each farm needs to calculate their own costs.
To improve the bottom line, farms may use custom applicators. They can spread the cost over more cows and operate less expensively.
Factors that contribute to spreading costs go beyond herd size, method and distance and vary greatly from farm to farm. Field size, gallons spread per application hour, and efficiency also impact costs.
“Some of the variables you can’t change, but some you can,” Wright said. Take a close look at what you are doing because small changes can make a huge difference in what it costs to spread manure.
Farmers can learn more using a manure value calculator developed by Cornell. The tool can help determine fertilizer equivalent value, break-even hauling distances, and equipment operating and ownership costs. Find it at bit.ly/softwarecalculators.
Storage cover opportunities
In the future, farms may be encouraged to cover manure storage to reduce GHG emissions. Storage covers are also a means of reducing manure storage needs. Because solid-liquid separation is required for this setup, the volume of solids will be reduced by about 20%, and precipitation — a significant chunk of the waste storage pond — will be eliminated.
They are expensive, though, and the cost generally cannot be recouped without a grant or the sale of carbon credits. Dairy producers can assess the viability of an impermeable flexible cover and flare system with a worksheet developed by Cornell, which can be found at bit.ly/environmentalcalculators.
Over time, systems to treat manure will get more sophisticated and complex. Anaerobic digestion is a wonderful addition to the mix because it homogenizes manure effluent so it can be treated more effectively, reduces odor and pathogens, improves water quality, and yield renewable energy.
There are countless ways of putting one of these systems together based on bedding type, manure gathering and conveyance setups, treatment system, storage, and desired output. Newtrient has developed a solutions catalog to help dairy producers evaluate technology for these systems. It can be found at www.newtrient.com.
Anaerobic digesters can also help dairy farms deal with environmental concerns about GHG emissions. By capturing these gases, farms can not only reduce atmospheric emissions but also earn revenue from the sale of renewable gas or carbon credits.
By installing an anaerobic digester, dairy farms could potentially cut GHG
emissions in half. Wright estimated that the “typical” New York dairy farm releases four metric tons of CO2 equivalents from long-term manure storage each year. Fossil fuel use for electricity was estimated at 0.58 metric tons of CO2 equivalents per cow per year.
If you put in an anaerobic digester, capture methane, and produce energy, you will wind up with very different results, he noted. The four metric tons of CO2 equivalents will be offset by renewable energy production (typically about 2,000 kilowatts per cow per year), dropping effluent storage emissions to about two metric tons of CO2 equivalents per year.
While there is a significant social cost of carbon saved and energy value, your ability to capitalize on that depends on your situation and location, Wright summed.
Always think safety first
It is important to consider the safety of both people and animals around manure storage. Stored manure generates highly toxic hydrogen sulfide and other gases like methane, ammonia, and carbon dioxide. Be especially care-
ful if you use gypsum bedding because it contains high amounts of sulfur.
Toxic gases can be released during agitation, so keep everyone at a safe distance. When agitating an underfloor pit, provide maximum building ventilation. If human entry is necessary for a rescue situation, use a self-contained breathing device and the buddy system. No matter how manure is stored, transported, or applied, safety must always be top of mind.
The author is a dairy and agricultural writer based in Columbus, Ohio.
MANURE MINUTE
ADDING NITROGEN TO FLOODED FIELDS
This year, fields with flooded areas are fairly commonplace in certain parts of the country that have been plagued by heavy rains over the spring and summer. There are the obvious challenges and decisions that need to be made about planting and replanting damaged crops, but there are also some concerns about nutrient loss.
Fields that have received a lot of rain could have stunted plants or uneven growth. Does this mean the plants are lacking nitrogen, sulfur, and just oxygen?
“A lack of oxygen can mimic nutrient management deficiency,” said University of Minnesota Extension researcher Jeff Vetsch in a “Strategic Farming: Field Notes” podcast. “Sometimes it is hard to know.”
In terms of nitrogen loss, Vetsch said denitrification, which is the conversion of nitrate to nitrogen gas, is a driving factor in wet conditions. At his home base in southern Minnesota, some locations had close to 10 inches of rain in a week. He predicted that some of these areas may have lost up to 50% of the available nitrogen due to denitrification and leaching.
Supplemental nitrogen may be needed, but Vetsch noted that in their years of research, more than 40 to 50 pounds per acre is rarely needed. This year could be an exception, though, potentially requiring 60 to 70 pounds of supplemental nitrogen per acre, especially on fields planted to corn following corn.
Fields experiencing the most nitrogen loss are those that had manure applied in the fall. Application of other nitrogen sources or anhydrous ammonium in the fall would also be more susceptible. However, enough time has passed that Vetsch said almost any applied nitrogen, except for sidedressed nitrogen, could be affected by the conversion of ammonium to nitrate-nitrogen nitrification and lost. “I don’t think there’s any one source that’s safe; even spring applications of ammonia probably still saw some significant loss,” said Vetsch.
This nitrogen can be dribbled or applied using y-drops. If the ability to apply with wide drops is not available, he said rubber hoses can be attached to the nozzles. They will dangle between the rows while driving down the field with the manure dribbling out of the hose.
Ideally, these rescue treatments are applied to growing corn by the V6 or V8 stage, but Vetsch said it can still be beneficial up to the V14 stage. Once plants get to tasseling and beyond, the return on investment becomes less certain, he noted.
Extreme rainfall can cause erosion on fields used to grow feed for livestock, but Vetsch said it also enhances the risk of compaction. “It’s amazing how this rainfall can compact soils,” he noted. “Fields are very hard, and that really hurts infiltration when we get more rain in the days to come.” When applying supplemental nitrogen or other nutrients, be aware of this risk caused by wet conditions and take steps to reduce compaction when possible. ■
From the viewpoint of a manure hauler
There are certain things manure haulers wish their customers and crop farmers receiving manure knew.
by Megan Dresbach
Communication is key. So is understanding the view point of each person in a business deal. Here are some insights I’d like to share from the manure haulers’ side of the desk.
First, manure is not a waste product; it is a valuable nutrient source. Not only does it contain nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, but manure also contains other important soil amendments like organic matter and micronutrients.
As one example, look at how many yield contest winners for the National Corn Growers Association use organic products in their programs. Hint: it’s the majority by a large percentage.
Next, just because you can plant or harvest doesn’t mean I can apply manure. The soil can only hold so much water because it is like a sponge; sponges can only hold so much water before they leak. When a field with recently applied manure leaks, there are numerous problems.
Manure applicators do everything they can to prevent this occurrence. The seed can go into the ground when the ground is a little wet, but manure can’t and shouldn’t.
Know the rules
There is a possibility that a custom applicator does not live close to the customer. Therefore, communication is critical. After a rainfall event, it makes the applicator’s life easier, which in turn makes the crop farmer’s life easier, if the crop farmer communicates when the field will be dry. Ideally, the applicator has this infor -
mation a couple days ahead of time. Communicating with the applicator the night before the crop farmer wants the manure applied places excessive and unnecessary stress on all parties involved. With short notice, the chances of the applicator applying the following day are slim.
Communication fixes most problems. I am a firm believer that there is no such thing as too much communication. I will say this again: Communication is vital to successful relationships, and there is no such thing as too much communication.
Remember that state regulations vary in regard to application and forecasted rainfall events. Just because it’s dry today doesn’t mean it will be tomorrow. As a manure hauler, I cannot risk the heightened chances of a spill.
As applicators, our hands are tied when it comes to the forecast. Trust me when I say this: we want to get the manure removed from storage and applied to the field so the farmer can plant about as much as the farmer does.
Be aware of setbacks. Legally, depending on the size and state of the operation, we cannot apply manure within certain distances of specific geographical features. We understand that you are going to call the commercial fertilizer retailer and have them spread where we didn’t. We realize this is frustrating and an inconvenience to you. We have sympathy knowing you must add another task to your to-do list. That being said, we cannot legally spread in those areas, and we will not break the law for you.
Make it accessible
Finally, consideration should be made when facilities are constructed or renovated for maneuvering around the lagoon and the pathway to the field. When there is more room around a lagoon, there is more space for equipment to move. This helps improve safety. Ideally, if the lagoon is above ground level, a wide driveway is constructed around the rim.
Today, equipment is much larger and requires more room to operate efficiently. Several manure application companies utilize semitrucks. Sometimes those trucks need to enter a field multiple times a day. Solid, wide, maintained, graded driveways are crucial for less wear and tear on equipment and humans.
I understand this might be considered a luxury to some operations, but it shouldn’t be. An investment in a grader can create significant returns on investment. The smoother the driveway, the faster the trucks run and the less time it takes to apply manure, saving all parties time and money.
These views are from our operations’ real-world experiences. Livestock farmers and crop farmers, I hope you gained some insights on how to work with your applicator better. When all parties work together, everyone wins. ■
The author is the vice president of W.D. Farms LLC in Circleville, Ohio, and blogs as the Ohio Manure Gal.
U.S. Poultry and Egg Association’s Environmental Management Seminar
National Cattleman’s Beef Association Trade Show and Convention
February 4 to 6, 2025
San Antonio, Texas
Details: convention.ncba.org
PLACES TO BE SUPPLIER FORUM
LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING COMMUNITY
Connecting agri-professionals advancing environmental stewardship in animal agriculture.
The Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Community (LPELC) is a network made up of professionals from across the U.S. (and Canada) with an interest and expertise in some aspect of animal agriculture and environmental stewardship. (A nice way of saying we talk about manure….a lot.)
Minnesota Pork Conference
February 11 and 12, 2025
Mankato, Minn.
Details: mnporkcongress.com
Waste to Worth
April 7 to 11, 2025
Boise, Idaho
Details: lpelc.org/waste-to-worth
If you would like us to include your event on our list, please send details to info@jofnm.com.
AGRICULTURAL CONCRETE
JP Tank
317 Kohlman Rd. Fond du Lac, WI 54937 920-948-2286
jptankconcrete@gmail.com jptank.com
Pipping Concrete N6106 County Rd. C Rosendale, WI 54974 920-948-9661
AB Vista 151 Peters Rd, Ste 2001 Plantation, FL 33324 816-225-0874
Bruce.Hageman@ABVista.com ABVista.com
Natural Biologics P.O. Box 221 Newfield, NY 14867 844-628-2465
celrod@naturalbiologics.com naturalbiologics.com
MANURE SEPARATION
Boerger LLC 2860 Water Tower Place Chanhassen, MN 55317 844-647-7867 boerger.com
AL-INS Enterprises, LLC 695 Sullivan Drive Fond du Lac, WI 54935 920-238-5460 aaron.kuhls@al-ins.com www.al-ins.com
MANURE STORAGE
Pit-King®/Agri-King® Inc. 18246 Waller Rd. Fulton, IL 61252 1-800-435-9560 agriking.com/pit-king
MANURE TREATMENT
Ag Odor Control, LLC 609 8th St. Fort Madison, IA 52627 319-470-5727
WayneMarple@gmail.com www.agodorcontrol.com
WASTE HANDLING EQUIPMENT
Cornell Pump Co. 16261 SE 130th Ave. Clackamas, OR 97015 503-653-0330 cornellpump.com
Doda USA
255 16th St. S. St. James, MN 56081 507-375-5577 dodausa.com
Fort Equipment 3216 Wabash Rd Fort Recovery, OH 45846 567-644-5927 fortequip.com
GEA Farm Technologies, Inc. 1385 N. Weber Road Romeoville, IL 60446 + 1-800-563-4685 contact.geadairyfarming.na@gea.com
Pacific Pumping 8941 Jasmine Lane Lynden, WA 360-815-2171 pacific_pumping@yahoo.com
R Braun Inc. 209 N. 4th Ave. St. Nazianz, WI 54232 920-773-2143 RBrauninc.com
WASTE HANDLING SPREADERS
Kuhn North America P.O. Box 167 Brodhead, WI 53520 Kuhn-usa.com
New Leader 1330 76th Ave. SW Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 1-800-363-1771 newleader.com
Oxbo International 100 Bean St. Clear Lake, WI 54005 1-800-628-6196 oxbo.com
WATER TECHNOLOGY
Bauer North America Inc. 107 Eastwood Rd. Michigan City, IN 46360 1-800-922-8375 bnasales@bauer-at.com bauer-at.com
Press Technology & Mfg. Inc. 1401 Fotler Street Springfield, OH 45504 937-327-0755 dberner@presstechnology.com
Don’t see your company listed? Send your company information to marketing@jofnm.com with Professional Directory in the subject line.
Don’t miss the premier sustainability event for agriculture and by agriculture
• Network with 900+ food and ag value chain attendees
• Learn from industry experts and share your expertise
• Advance a shared vision for sustainable and resilient food systems
• Celebrate a decade of cross-sector collaboration and progress in U.S. ag sustainability
TAKE CONTROL OF SAND
KEEP SAND WHERE YOU NEED IT, NOT WHERE YOU DON’T
Sand bedding provides a healthy, comfortable environment for dairy cows. But sand is abrasive, and when mixed with manure, it can become difficult to agitate and pump, expensive to land apply and it is not always the optimal addition to fields.
Choose a manure partner who can help you overcome these challenges and help your herd prosper. Plus, you can REDUCE BEDDING COSTS BY UP TO 95% with efficient sand separation and recovery.
ANAEROBIC DIGESTERS
Without separation beforehand, sand-laden manure is incompatible with anaerobic digester systems.
With sand separation, you can:
Achieve greater than 90% sand recovery
Capture an additional 5% of fines
Success begins with capitalizing on physics, gravity and engineering know-how.
MOVING AND SEPARATING
Sand is tough on equipment, but McLanahan equipment is tougher.
Engineered to outperform standard-duty equipment
Simplifies manure transport and handling
Produces clean, recycled sand suitable for reuse within days
Reduces costly storage cleanouts
Heavy-duty engineered equipment for on-farm conditions for extended life and fewer parts runs.
COW COMFORT
Sand bedding is the gold standard for dairy cows because it’s a forgiving, drier, comfortable deep bed.
Sand bedding:
Increases cow lying time
Decreases lameness
Boosts milk production
Researchers suggest bedding with sand containing less than 3% organic matter and more than 95% dry matter.1
FIELD EFFECTS
Over time, applying sand-laden manure can change the nutrient composition of soils.2
As sand is added to manure, the percentage of N, P, K and sulfur is diminished3
Without sand separation, dairies may add up to 2/3 of a truckload of sand per acre per year
The effects are slow, but cumulative. Research shows adding large amounts of sand to soil can change its texture to include 20% more sand over two decades.3
