Best Practices PDF

B E S T M A N A G E M E N T P R A C T I C E S
Agricultural
Waste
Management
Agriculture and Forestry

Fisheries, Aquaculture
and Environment
Table of Contents
SECTION A
Introduction ............................................................................ 1
Farm Waste ............................................................................... 3
Best Management Practices ..................................................... 5
SECTION B
Livestock and Poultry Waste Management .............................. 6
Manure Handling and Storage .............................................. 8
Odour Management in Barns and Manure Storage Areas ..... 14
Feedlot Management ............................................................ 17
Land Application .................................................................. 19
Manure Treatment ................................................................ 23
Fly Control ........................................................................... 25
Milkhouse Waste ...................................................................... 26
Livestock Pasturing .................................................................. 33
Waste Forage ............................................................................ 37
Seepage From Farm Silos ......................................................... 38
Dead Stock Disposal ................................................................ 39
SECTION C
Potato/Vegetable Waste Management ...................................... 42
SECTION D
Farm Plastics and Other Wastes ............................................... 45
Section A - Introduction
griculture is the • Describe management and
largest contributor facility options for dealing
of any resource sector, with waste.
to the economy of Prince Edward • Compare the potential impact
Island. It is also a large generator of various options.
of waste materials. • List contacts and other sug-
This booklet is a practical gested readings.
guide to help the agricultural
community continue to be more It will not answer every ques-
environmentally responsible and tion on waste management but
gain maximum return from their it can help make decisions on
waste resources. Achieving farm planning and day-to-day
environmental objectives in an operations.
increasingly competitive busi-
ness climate requires access to
the best and most up-to-date Environmental Farm Plans
information available.
This booklet will: This booklet is designed to be
• Provide practical information used as a supplemental resource
to maximize the benefits and document to the Environmental
minimize negative impacts of Farm Plan workbook developed
handling waste. by the Atlantic Farmers Council.
• Look at the environmental Farm plans are developed by
risks associated with some individual farm families to help
waste management practices. them identify areas of potential
environmental risk on their farm.
The planning process begins
with an individual farm review
under each of the following
categories:
• soil and site characteristics
• farmstead and homestead
• livestock and poultry
• soil and crop management
• sensitive ecological areas
• hedgerows
Agricultural Waste Management 1

The next step is to develop an Introduction
action plan to address identified
areas of concern. Farmers need • outlines the environmental
to analyze their situation and de- challenge presented by agricul-
cide what can be done and when. tural waste management.
Farm planning highlights • introduces how best manage-
opportunities for pursuing both ment practices can be used on
business and environmental ob- the farm to protect, conserve
jectives at the same time. Plan- and reuse resources while
ning will also help farm operators minimizing negative impacts
decide what tradeoffs might be on the environment.
effective when business and
environmental objectives com-
pete. Understanding the best Livestock and Poultry
management practices is an Waste Management
essential part of developing
a sustainable farm plan. • discusses waste management
in the livestock and poultry
Technical advice is available sectors.
from the Department of Agricul- • emphasis is placed on manure
ture and Forestry and Depart- management, feedlot and pas-
ment of Fisheries, Aquaculture ture management, milkhouse
and Environment. wastes and dead stock disposal.
This booklet is presented in

four sections: Horticultural Waste
Management
• discusses potato, other vege-

table and fruit wastes.
• highlights the environmental
concerns associated with
handling wastes.
• suggests acceptable options
for disposal.
Farm Plastics
• discusses the best manage-
ment practices for handling
farm plastics in both the
livestock and horticultural
sectors.
2 Agricultural Waste Management

Farm Waste
he first goal of any waste In addition to these, all farm
management system is to operations generate plastic waste
maximize the economic material ranging from silage wrap
benefit from the waste to pesticide or drug containers.
resource and maintain acceptable
environmental standards. To be
practical, the system must also be Management that puts into
affordable and suitable to the practice the principles of the
operation. If wastes are not four Rs of Reduce, Reuse,
properly handled they can pollute Recycle and Recover is the
surface and groundwater and best first option:
contribute to air pollution. • Reduce the amount of waste
Most people think of manure product generated;
first when they think of farm • Reuse the waste product on
waste. While manure is an impor- the farm or provide it for
tant component, farm waste in a others to use; and
livestock operation can also • After reducing and reusing as
include waste forage, dead stock, much of the waste product as
silage effluent and milkhouse possible, recycle the product
waste. In horticultural operations, either on-farm, such as with
culls, diseased product, wash line land application of manure,
sediment and processing plant or off-farm, such as with plastic
wastes are common by-products. recycling programs.
• Recover methane gas from
manure waste.
Only after considering the

four Rs should farm waste be
disposed of.

Farm Waste By-product and handling are substandard
as a Resource these wastes can degrade the
environment on and off the farm.
Many farm by-products can be
economically valuable resources
when managed correctly. Ma- Relevant Guidelines and
nure, for example, is a valuable Regulations
resource because of its fertilizing
and soil conditioning properties. Farmers should be aware of the
Horticultural washwater can be environmental guidelines and
economically recycled. Farm regulations which apply to farm
plastics can be recycled or operations in Prince Edward
reused. If systems for storage Island. These are:
Provincial National
PEI Pesticide Control Act Pest Products Control Act

PEI Plant Health Act Fisheries Act
PEI Planning Act Canadian Farm Building
Code 1990
PEI Wildlife Conservation Act Canadian Code of Practice for

Environmentally Sound Hog
Production (Canadian Pork
Council)
PEI Environmental National Building Code
Protection Act of Canada
PEI Guidelines for Disposal
of Cull Potatoes
PEI Guidelines for Disposal
of Dead Farm Livestock
Guidelines for Manure
Management for PEI
PEI Farm Practices Act

These documents are available from Island Information Service and
local, federal and provincial resource departments.

Best Management Practices
he best management not acceptable to be competitive
practices (BMPs) rein the global marketplace at the
ferred to in this booklet expense of the environment.
are practical guidelines
drawn from research and on-farm
experience. They also reflect Water
Best Management Practices relevant regulatory requirements All water for human consump-
integrate principles of and approved guidelines. tion and most water for other
production, business purposes on Prince Edward
Island comes from groundwater.
goals, sustainability and The Challenge Because the upper layer of soil is
environmental quality generally thin and the underlying
Our society is increasingly bedrock aquifer is extensively
in farm resource concerned with the environmen- fractured, all areas on the Island
management systems. tal consequences of all activities. are susceptible to groundwater
Farming operations are no contamination.
exception. Fish and wildlife are dependant
Our dependence on ground- on clean surface water resources
water, the delicate balance of our and their abundance contributes
coastal estuaries and the eco- to the Island economy through
nomic importance of tourism tourism, sportfishing, hunting,
each provide ample reason to trapping and wildlife observation.
use the best management prac- Coastal estuaries of Prince
tices to handle wastes. Edward Island have some of the
most productive shellfish grounds
in North America.
Green Consumerism
Accepting the environmental
challenge and projecting a Climate
public image of good environ- Agricultural activities both
mental stewardship can provide absorb and produce “green-
producers with a competitive house” gases. Gases such as
advantage. While governments carbon dioxide, methane and
and international bodies propose nitrous oxide block the escape
formal solutions, consumers are of heat energy and produce a
encouraging changes in the warming trend in the earth’s
marketplace. “Green consumer- atmosphere. Crop growth
ism” is a growing trend that is be- requires carbon dioxide while
coming an increasingly important animal production and vehicle
factor at home and in many of the operation emit carbon dioxide.
countries that are markets for Improved treatment, handling
Canadian agricultural products. and utilization of manure offers
Powerful consumer actions have the greatest potential for the
the potential to affect the price reduction of these gases from
and marketability of products. In agricultural sources.
a broader economic context, it is

Section B - Livestock and
Poultry Waste Management
Manure Management odours and the potential for
water pollution. With good
he increasing size of manure management practices,
farm operations in proper storage facilities, and
Prince Edward Island adequate separation distances
and the expanding between non-compatible land
residential land use in rural areas uses, most environmental prob-
has greatly increased environ- lems can be avoided.
mental concerns over nuisance Manure management encom-
passes manure collection, storage,
transport and land application.
The goal of manure management
must be to maximize the soil
amending value of manure and
minimize the potential for envi-
ronmental degradation.
Nature of the Resource
Manure and contaminated runoff

water are valuable sources of
fertilizer and organic matter for
soil. Manure is a dynamic organic
material, continually undergoing
biological and chemical changes.
The value of manure as a fertilizer
depends on the quantity and form
of nutrients present when it is
applied to land. Each phase of
management may result in losses
of, or changes to, the beneficial
nutrients in the manure.
Manure includes the faecal and
urinary wastes of livestock and
poultry, plus materials such as
bedding and added water. The
combined moisture level of
faeces and urine ranges from
75% in poultry manure to 85%
for swine manure. Depending
Before and after - installation of proper manure storage system. on the amount of water or
bedding added, manure can
be solid, semi-solid or liquid.

Manure contains about 75% Manure has potential to pol-
of the nutrients fed to livestock lute surface water and ground-
including nitrogen, phosphorus water through:
and potassium. Animals use only • direct animal access to water-
about 25% of nutrients and ways
excrete the rest. About 50% of • runoff from manure stockpiles,
nitrogen and 75% of potassium barn yards and feedlots
in manure is found in the liquid • seepage from manure storage
portion. Therefore, it is impor- areas
tant to contain the liquids for • overflow from storage areas
land application. Almost all the • runoff from fields where
phosphorus is in the solids. manure has been applied
When manure is diluted by • runoff from pastures
water, nutrient concentrations
are reduced.
Surface water problems which
may result include:
Environmental Issues • harmful effects on fish from
oxygen depletion in streams,
Manure management practices ponds, and estuaries
have the potential to degrade • nutrient enrichment of water
the surrounding air and water. systems due to increased levels
Odours are an unavoidable of nitrates and phosphates
consequence of animal produc- which can cause eutrophication
tion and are the most apparent (algae blooms) of surface
problem associated with manure. waters
Minimizing problems associated • human and animal health
with odours requires respect for hazards including high concen-
individuals, in addition to good trations of bacteria in shellfish
management practices.
Manure and associated waste-
water can be farm liabilities if
they are not handled properly.
Potential liabilities include:
• Bacterial and nitrogen con-
tamination of water supplies.
• Potential disease in humans
and livestock due to patho-
genic bacteria.
• Dangerous gases produced in
manure storage in the absence
of oxygen. These gases include
ammonia; methane, which is
odourless; and hydrogen sul-
phide, which smells like rotten
eggs. High concentrations of
these gases can be harmful to
the health of animals and
humans.
Proper manure storage will minimize the impact on the natural environment.
• Nuisance to neighbours due
to odours from manure.

Manure Handling • Liquid - contains less than
5% solids. The additional liquid
and Storage comes from washing and
spillage from watering systems.
Livestock manure is classified as When agitated, liquid manure
either a solid, semi-solid or liquid can be pumped or moved by
using the following criteria: gravity flow. Milkhouse wash-
• Solid - contains greater than water and other types of waste-
20% solids. Bedding material water are often added to the
contributes to the solids con- liquid manure. Manure which
tent of the manure. It can be includes bedding or waste feed
stacked and handled by any will require dilution if it is to be
equipment that will move bulk handled as a liquid.
materials
• Semi-solid - (also referred to The moisture content of the
as slurry) - contains 5% to 20% manure determines the type
solids. Semi-solid manure is of handling and storage system.
produced in livestock housing Most new swine and dairy
systems where limited bedding operations use liquid systems,
is supplied. The resulting semi- while the majority of beef and
solid does not flow as readily poultry producers on Prince
as liquid manure, nor can it be Edward Island have solid manure
piled like solid manure. handling systems.
Storage
A manure storage facility which

is of sufficient size reduces the
chance of pollution from spills
and allows land application to
take place when soil is dry, when
crops require nutrients, and
when work schedules permit.
• Manure storage should be

large enough to store manure,
bedding, wasted feed, precipi-
tation and all liquids for at
least 210 days. A one year
storage capacity is optimal.
• On PEI, the required volume
Liquid manure storage - circular concrete tank. of open manure storages and
confinement yards will have
to be increased by 0.6 cubic
metres/sq metre (2 cubic feet/
sq ft) of surface area to allow
for precipitation.

• Proper management of all
liquids is essential for effective
and economical manure
handling and storage. Since
all water which comes into
contact with manure must be
handled as a waste, the key to
efficient management is to
minimize that contact.
• Surface runoff should be
diverted away from livestock
and manure storage areas.
• Runoff from solid manure
storage and exercise yards,
milking centre washwater, silo
seepage and livestock housing
washwater must be stored and
properly handled to ensure
Solid manure storage - curbed concrete slab with ramp. that groundwater, streams and
other surface waters are not
polluted.
Solid Manure
There are three common and
acceptable ways of storing solid
manure. These are related to the
kind of livestock or poultry hous-
ing system in use. Farmers should
consider animal density and roof
costs versus the cost of runoff
collection systems when planning
a solid manure storage system.
In Barn (solid manure pack) -
Manure can be stored where
produced, in confined, bedded-
pack housing systems. These are
most commonly used for dairy
and beef cattle. Dry manure
In barn storage - manure pack. poultry housing systems also
store the manure where poultry
are housed.

As well, frozen ground during the
winter months can increase the
risk of runoff. Loss of nutrient
content of the manure can also
be an important consideration.
Where the practice of field
storage is used, a number of
precautions should be employed.
Field piles should not be located
within 300 metres (984 ft) of a
public water supply or within
90 metres (300 ft) of a water-
course, natural wetland or
residential well. Manure piles
should not be located in areas
subject to accumulated surface
runoff or where flooding can
occur. Discharge of contami-
Solid or semi-solid manure storage - concrete slab with sidewalls and drive-in nated runoff to road ditches
ramp. should not be permitted.
Curbed concrete slab with

runoff retention - Manure is Semi-Solid Manure
removed and stored on a curbed There are two common and
concrete pad with a runoff acceptable ways of storing semi-
containment system. Manure is solid manure.
usually moved by a tractor with Curbed concrete slab with
a scraper blade, a front-end load- earthen banks - This type of
er, a stable cleaner and elevator/ storage requires a sloped con-
stacker or by a ram/piston crete floor, concrete curbs
pump/air mover system. and ramp to allow easy tractor
Curbed concrete slab with access. Earthen sidebanks must
roof - Manure is removed to a be properly designed and con-
roofed storage area with a constructed to prevent seepage.
crete floor and partial sidewalls Environmental approval will
constructed of reinforced require certification by a quali-
concrete. fied engineer. The sloped floor
allows the liquid portion of the
manure to flow to the lowest
Field Storage of Manure point, where it can be removed
Field storage of manure is a by pumping. The remaining
practice sometimes used in solids can be removed by a trac-
conjunction with reduced storage tor fitted with a front-end loader.
capacity at the barn. This practice Concrete storage - Where soils
is generally not recommended are low in clay content, semi-
due to the high permeability of solid manure may best be stored
PEI soils and the fractured nature in a roofed structure with rein-
of the underlying bedrock. forced concrete sidewalls on
three sides. A concrete floor
sloping downward from the

when manure is agitated prior
to removal, so barns should be
well-ventilated.
Exterior Concrete Tank -
Circular or rectangular tanks
with reinforced concrete walls
and floors; may be partially or
entirely in-ground. Covers may
be installed to reduce odours,
to keep out precipitation or to
ensure safe operation. Covers
chosen to reduce the strong
odours common to liquid stor-
age can include temporary
floating straw crusts, tarpaulins,
plastic domes or permanent steel,
wood or concrete structures.
For safety reasons, in-ground or
Liquid manure storage - underbarn concrete storage with slatted floor (under partially in-ground storage outside
construction). the barn must be fenced or have a
reinforced concrete cover which
open side is required to contain will support vehicle traffic. The
drainage of the liquid portion. floor elevation of the storage
The floor should be sealed at must be 0.5 metres (1.6 ft) above
the walls to prevent seepage. the maximum water table and
bedrock elevation.
Earthen Lagoons - Generally,
Liquid Manure PEI soils are too permeable to
All liquid manure storages must consider this option without the
have some type of impermeable installation of a liner. Earthen
enclosure, including concrete lagoons are not as environmen-
tanks, above-ground glass-lined tally reliable due to the risk of
steel tanks and earthen ponds. puncturing the liner during
These storage systems can be cleanout. The liner must have a
covered or open. Liquid manure permeability rating of 10-7 cm/sec.
storages are most common in Environmental approval will
confined swine operations and require certification by a qualified
free stall dairy systems. Common engineer. Soils must be tested to
types of liquid manure storage determine their permeability.
on PEI are: Other suitable liners include
Underbarn Concrete Storage - bentonite and geotextile materi-
Rectangular tanks with reinforced als. The floor elevation of the
concrete walls sealed to a con- storage must be 1 metre (3.3 ft)
crete floor; may be located below above the maximum water table
a slatted barn floor. Toxic and and bedrock elevation.
explosive gases may be produced

Planning Changes to Your
Manure Handling and
Safety Storage System
Making a change in the way
Safety design features and signage are especially important for manure is handled is usually ex-
liquid storages. They should include these measures: pensive because it often requires
• Safety Fences/Walls - a permanent safety fence or wall at least a fundamental change in the way
1.5 metres (5 ft) in height should protect open liquid storages many other things are done on
without fixed covers. This discourages access, particularly by the farm. When planning changes
children or livestock. Fences should be chain-link type. to your manure handling and
• Concrete Liquid Manure Storage Covers - should be designed storage system or constructing a
to support tractor loads if the tank cover is close to ground level. new system, consider the follow-
To avoid accidental access, the tank should be at least 0.6 metres ing basic elements:
(2 ft) above ground if the top is not designed for access. • storage capacity for at least
• Locking Devices for Covers - should be used. 210 days
• Signage - all access points must be marked with suitable safety • safety concerns
signs. • comparative cost of manure
handling systems
Farm operators should also observe the following safety practices: • labour efficiencies
• Never enter a liquid manure tank without a self-contained • the quality and adaptability
breathing apparatus coupled with a 3-person buddy system and of the current equipment
a lifeline. The gases generated by liquid manure can be toxic • requirements for new equip-
and suffocating. Ventilation when agitating and pumping a ment
manure tank is essential. • flexibility in the system and
• Open flame should not be allowed near a liquid manure tank. location for future expansion
The methane gas produced by liquid manure is highly explosive. • moisture content of manure
• the location of the storage in
relation to neighbours, streams,
wells and groundwater
• the type of storage in relation
to groundwater table and soil
conditions
• method of collection and barn-
to-storage transfer
• potential nutrient losses
• application method
• requirements to handle other
liquids such as milkhouse
washwater and bathroom
wastewater
• preventing water pollution
• minimizing odours
Curbed concrete manure storage with safety fence.

Runoff Containment • Contaminated runoff from
manure storage and livestock
Runoff management consists of areas must be contained and
two elements: decreasing the handled as part of the manure
amount of water being contami- handling system. Runoff may
nated by livestock operations be added to an existing liquid
and ensuring that contaminated manure storage provided the
runoff is contained so that it storage has the capacity to
will not degrade the surround- handle the additional volume.
ing environment. Excess water in liquid manure
storage does increase hauling
• Every effort to reduce the and spreading costs. It also
volume of runoff coming onto tends to hinder the formation
a livestock site will pay off in of a surface crust, resulting in
reduced storage size and costs. increased nitrogen losses and
All runoff should be diverted odour generation.
away from livestock housing • Where solid manure systems
and manure storage areas. are used, runoff must be
Perimeter diversion ditches, handled separately. Runoff
berms and dykes, and grassed should be diverted to a sepa-
or paved waterways can all be rate liquid storage system. The
effective depending on the required storage volumes will
topography of the site. depend on local precipitation
• Roofed exercise yards will and the size and surfacing of
eliminate runoff. the livestock area.
• The use of eaves troughs on all • Contaminated runoff can be
roofs will allow roof drainage treated in a constructed
to be controlled and diverted. wetland.
Setback Considerations
Adequate separation between

livestock facilities and neigh-
bours is one means of compen-
sating for normal odour produc-
tion, reducing the potential for
nuisance conflicts. Proximity to
developments can determine the
potential for future growth of
the operation. Greater separa-
tion distances afford more
opportunity for odours to be-
come diluted by mixing with
the air. When evaluating sites for
Farm with urban encroachment. new operations only, you must

select a location that will impact Watercourses, Wetlands,
on as few neighbours as possi- and Wells
ble. Proposals for all new or
expanded livestock operations Plan the location of livestock
are reviewed by the Department facilities and manure storage to
of Fisheries, Aquaculture and maximize the separation distance
Environment. from watercourses, wetlands, and
The recommended minimum wells. This is particularly impor-
separation distance (MSD) tant with earthen storages and in
between a livestock operation areas where the groundwater
and a single residence or resi- table is shallow or where bedrock
dential and recreational areas is found close to the surface of
varies with the following factors: the ground.
• size of the agricultural opera-
tion measured in animal units • Wells should be located uphill
• degree of expansion from from storages and constructed
existing operation in a manner that will reduce
• type of manure storage the risk of pollutants entering
• type of housing the well.
• type of livestock • Grouting the annular space
outside the casing with ce-
In general, larger separation ment or bentonite grout must
distances are recommended as be carried out.
the size of the operation in-
creases. Municipalities may
require different siting criteria Odour Management
from those recommended here.
The location of new operations in Barns and Manure
must always be cleared with Storage Areas
municipal authorities. Municipal
property maps are very useful for Odour is a part of livestock
evaluating new sites. For informa- farming. Odours from livestock
tion on minimum separation facilities and manure storage and
distances, the reader should refer handling have the most public
to “Guidelines for Manure Manage- impact. The best time to incor-
ment for Prince Edward Island”. porate odour management
considerations is prior to the
Required Minimum Separation Distance Between Manure construction of new livestock
Storage and Watercourses, Wetlands, and Wells buildings. Separation distance
is the single most important
Distance to element in avoiding odour
Watercourse, Source of Domestic conflicts with neighbours.
Storage Type or Wetland, m (ft) Water, m (ft) When manure management
On-Farm Storage systems are properly designed
Facility 90 (300) 90 (300)* and operated, nuisance odours
Field Storage 90 (300) 90 (300)* can be reduced.
Composting 90 (300) 90 (300)*
* public water supply 300 m (984 ft)

Distance from neighbours and The following factors control
non-agricultural land use will these processes:
determine the level of technol-
ogy and management required to • Bacteria which are found in
minimize nuisance odours. The manure are responsible for
most common and effective creating odourous gases as
odour control methods are they break down organic
based on reducing the amount material. Aerobic bacteria,
of odour-causing gases produced which require oxygen to
and released to the atmosphere survive, produce mostly car-
and dispersing odours as bon dioxide which is essen-
quickly as possible. tially odourless. Anaerobic
bacteria, which thrive in the
absence of oxygen, tend to
What Causes Odours produce odourous compounds
such as ammonia and hydro-
The biological breakdown of gen sulphide. The type of
manure produces ammonia, bacteria present may vary at
hydrogen sulphide and other different locations throughout
compounds such as mercaptans the manure handling system.
and amines. Combinations of Generally, aerobic bacteria are
these compounds can produce located near the surface, while
offensive odours at very small anaerobic bacteria are beneath
concentrations (parts per bil- the surface.
lion). The types of compounds • Temperature controls the rate
produced depend on the biologi- of bacterial action. The higher
cal processes which take place the temperature, the faster the
in the manure. biological action and therefore
the greater the gas production.
This explains the fact that
fewer odours are produced
in cold weather conditions.
• Moisture is required for biologi-
cal activity to take place. The
bacterial activity slows and can
be stopped as manure is dried.
Moisture also makes anaerobic
conditions more likely in the
manure and thereby encourages
the activity of odour-causing
anaerobic bacteria.
Concrete liquid manure storage, with cover for odour control.

• Type of waste material or BMPs for Odour Control
manure affects the types and in Livestock Facilities
quantities of gases produced.
For example, liquid poultry • where storage is outside the
manure will produce more facility, collect and transfer
hydrogen sulphide than solid manure from the barn to
manure from broilers. Also, the storage on a daily basis
addition of milkhouse wastes • ensure that sufficient bedding
to manure storage can worsen is added to absorb liquids with
the odour problem. solid manure handling systems
• Particle size or surface area • maintain water systems to
also affects the rate of odour prevent leakage
generation. The greater the • use a pressure washer to clean
surface area present, the faster buildings
the bacterial action proceeds. • clean and disinfect buildings
• Chemicals may alter the proc- between successive groups
ess to reduce or increase the of livestock
number and types of odours • keep dust levels low since
produced. odours are absorbed and
carried in the air on dust
Often, odours are formed as particles; add moisture or oil
the manure breaks down in to feed as a dust suppressant
storage, and remain trapped • maintain recommended air flow
in the manure until they are through livestock buildings
released when the manure • clean and maintain ventilation
is agitated, moved, or spread. fans and shafts
The goal of odour management • locate exhaust outlets for maxi-
is to reduce the frequency, inten- mum air dilution; higher outlets
sity, duration and offensiveness generally provide greater dilu-
of odours and to manage the farm tion of exhaust gases
in a way that creates a positive • locate exhaust outlets to take
attitude toward the operation. advantage of the prevailing
winds; face them away from
the nearest neighbour’s resi-
dence if possible
• do not exceed recommended
animal densities for livestock
buildings
BMPs for Odour Control

in Manure Storage
Most odour-causing gases are

formed when manure is in stor-
age. In practice, most manure
storage is anaerobic. The anaero-
bic conditions promote odour
Roof exhaust outlets to maximize air dilution. production. These gases either
escape from the storage to cause
immediate problems or are
released later during spreading.

Liquid versus solid. Typically and permit application to
fewer odours are produced by coincide with the most appro-
solid manure handling systems priate timing and weather
than by liquid systems. An conditions.
undisturbed solid manure stack • Separate the liquid and solid
is self sealing so few odours are portions of manure in storage
given off until the pile is dis- to reduce the promotion of
turbed. With open liquid storage, anaerobic conditions.
odours are common. Weather, as • Avoid the addition of silage
well as the addition of manure, effluent and waste forage
can agitate the slurry-causing products to the manure stor-
gases to be given off. age reservoir. These combina-
Covering a storage is an tions create strong odours.
effective way to minimize odour • Discharge the inlet pipe below
generation. Storage covers: the liquid level to avoid surface
• reduce occasional manure agitation in a liquid storage
agitation caused by wind and system.
rain; and • Plant a buffer zone of trees
• reduce the movement of or construct an earthen berm
odourous air from storage areas around the manure storage to
to neighbouring residences. reduce the movement of air
over the manure surface. This
When evaluating manure has the added benefit of remov-
storage options, consider the ing the storage from the sight
following guidelines to reduce of neighbours.
the potential for nuisance odours: • Treatment technologies are
available and can be used in
• Provide additional storage rare cases when dealing with
volume for greater flexibility severe odour problems. Treat-
in the timing of manure applica- ment systems must be designed
tion. This can reduce the to handle the manure volumes
likelihood of storage overflow generated by the livestock
operation.
Feedlot Management
Feedlots are intensive operations
where livestock are kept in a
confined area and all food and
water are delivered to the ani-
mals. The livestock can be either
totally confined indoors, out-
doors, or a combination of the
two. Animal densities for outside
lots will depend on whether the
lot has a soil base or is hard
surfaced. Space requirements
can be less than 4.5 square
Combination indoor/outdoor feedlot.
metres (50 sq ft) per head for
yearling beef cattle.

Example of a Feedlot Area Runoff Control System • A thorough cleaning of the
feedlot once a year is recom-
mended. Over cleaning will
tend to remove the compacted
and impervious soil and in-
crease the possibility of down-
ward nutrient movement.
4
3
5 Liquid Systems
Liquid systems use a slatted floor
1
barn with no bedding. Liquid
2 1. Settling basin manure systems for beef opera-
2. Collection basin
3. Mounds tions are uncommon because of
4. Slope 2-4% the associated high costs of the
5. Waterer systems compared to other
alternatives.
Site Selection
• Avoid sites with permeable
soils and/or fractured bedrock. Runoff Control
Groundwater contamination
would be a high risk on these Feedlots that are exposed to
sites. precipitation are likely sources
• Maintain recommended prop- of surface and groundwater
erty setbacks from water- contamination. The need for
courses, wells, and neighbour- runoff control cannot be over-
ing properties. emphasized. Legislation now
• Provide adequate lot slopes on requires that feedlot areas incor-
outside lots for surface drain- porate a system to collect and
age. store contaminated runoff.
• Allow for potential expansion. It may be more economical
• Prevailing wind direction to house beef cattle in a totally-
should be taken into account confined, naturally-ventilated
in siting livestock facilities. facility than to provide collec-
• Wind protection will enhance tion and storage of contaminated
livestock performance. runoff from an outside feedlot.
• Ensure that upslope runoff is
diverted away from the feedlot.
BMPs for runoff control
include:
Solid Systems • Diversion ditches or dykes
should be constructed to
Most confined livestock areas use direct surface water runoff
a bedded pack. For well-bedded away from the site.
areas much of the liquid is ab- • Grass filter strips where
sorbed, resulting in minimal seep- appropriate.
age. Regardless of the amount of
bedding, however, all seepage and
runoff must be contained on the
feedlot property.

Feedlot runoff will be easier • Provide well-bedded dry
to control if the feedlot yard is resting areas. This results in
graded. This requires a 2-4% cleaner cattle, better overall
slope away from the feed area sanitation and less odour from
or shelter. Runoff from each the lot area.
yard should be directed to a • To avoid continuous wetting
collection basin or to the ma- of manure, prevent watering
nure storage. The size of collec- facilities from overflowing.
tion basins to store runoff from • Time the cleaning process in
confined livestock areas depends relation to seasonal weather
on the size of the runoff area and conditions i.e. temperature,
the amount of precipitation. For wind, etc.
PEI, allow 0.61m3/m2 (2 cubic
feet per square foot) of surface Overall, maintain a neat ap-
area. Runoff control systems pearance around the feedlot.
should be designed by an engi- Well-placed visual screens and
neer. The volume of runoff can shelterbelts ensure a positive
be reduced by limiting the size of public perception. For a more
the confinement area. Collected detailed discussion of odour
contaminated runoff can be management see page 14 (Odour
either applied to the land or Management in Barns and Ma-
treated in a constructed wetland. nure Storage Areas).
(See page 30.)
Land Application
Odour Management
Spreading manure on land is
Frequent cleaning and a high a highly desirable method of
level of sanitation are the most recycling a natural, organic by-
effective ways of minimizing product of livestock production.
odours from feedlots. Key A sustainable agricultural system
measures are: should include manure as a
• Keep the animals as clean and fertilizer for crop production.
dry as possible. Wet manure Manure is readily available with
on the warm body of an a minimal input of energy and
animal accelerates bacterial can significantly decrease crop
growth and increases odour. production costs.
• Scrape manure from the lot
surface frequently. Drainage
becomes less effective as
manure accumulates.

Most livestock operations are To maximize the utilization
surrounded by large areas of of manure nutrients by crops:
productive agricultural land. To • Have a sufficient land base for
prevent damage to crops, mini- manure spreading.
mize the risk of pollution and • Test soil and manure to deter-
obtain the maximum benefit of mine nutrient levels.
the manure as a fertilizer, manure • Understand the release rates
application rates should match for nutrients in manure.
the crop nutrient requirements. • Calculate crop nutrient de-
Too much of a good thing can mands.
lead to problems. Manure is an • Prevent the loss of nutrients in
excellent fertilizer which poses surface runoff.
an environmental risk only when • Reduce the loss of nitrogen to
mismanaged. the atmosphere.
Animal manure can be a valu- • Minimize soil compaction and
able soil amendment. When problems with soil structure.
properly managed, it not only acts • Prevent leaching of nitrates
as a source of plant nutrients, but into groundwater.
also helps improve soil tilth, • Prevent pollution of water-
structure, aeration and waterways by manure runoff.
holding properties through the • Minimize odours during
addition of organic matter. spreading.
Application Rates
Manure application rates should

be determined as part of an
overall nutrient management
plan. Do not try to provide all
nutrients for a crop with ma-
nure. It is not likely that manure
will release its nutrients at the
right balance and time for your
crop. Also, not all manure will
have the right composition to
meet crop requirements.
Field application of solid manure.

• Test the macro-nutrient (nitro- larger areas. Avoid yearly applica-
gen, phosphorus and potas- tions to the same land unless both
sium) content of your manure. a soil and manure test show there
• Test the soil to determine is no risk of reaching excessive
nutrient levels. nutrient levels.
• Know the nutrient needs The rate at which you can
of the crop being grown. apply liquid manure will also be
• Set a realistic target of provid- limited by the soil’s ability to soak
ing up to 75% of the required up the liquid before it runs off.
nitrogen with manure. The Tillage before application may
balance would be provided by help if high rates are planned.
fertilizer. You need to know
how much is applied in either
case. Spreading Considerations
While the nitrogen require- • Manure should be incorpo-
ment is the key factor in decid- rated into the soil as soon as
ing the amount of manure to possible after spreading. This
apply, phosphorus and other will minimize the potential for
elements can also increase to odour complaints and pollu-
excessive levels in fields where tion from runoff and will
manure is applied every year. ensure that maximum fertilizer
An adequate land base is benefits are gained from the
important to get the full benefits manure. It is recommended
of manure. Long-term benefits that surface applied manure be
increase if manure is spread over incorporated within 24 hours
of application.
• Injecting liquid manure di-
Manure Application Calendar
rectly into most soils is the
November to mid-April best practice if it can be done
• Manure should be going into storage, not on fields. before preparing the seed bed
• Do not spread on frozen, bare, or snow-covered land. or during the cropping season.
Nutrients are readily available
Mid-April to mid-June to growing plants.
• Apply to land growing annual crops before planting. • To avoid soil compaction
problems, do not apply manure
Mid-June to August under wet soil conditions.
• Inject liquid manure between rows of growing row crops. • Manure must not be discharged
• Apply manure to cereal land immediately after harvest and prior or allowed to enter any water-
to conservation tillage. course.
• Manure should not be spread
September to October within 30 metres (100 ft) of a
• Apply manure to grassland. Avoid applications in areas subject watercourse on slopes less
to concentrated runoff and avoid tillage until after October 15. than 5% and within 60 metres
• Apply to annual crop lands that will be planted with winter (200 ft) of a watercourse on
cover crops. slopes greater than 5%.

Timing Considerations Odour Management
It is usually best to apply manure Manure spreading is the most

before, or early in, the growth common cause of nuisance
stage of any crop. Some forms odour. There are many factors
of nitrogen are available immedi- that contribute to the produc-
ately to plants. In addition, nu- tion of odours during applica-
trients in organic form may be tion. The following management
released throughout the growing practices are the best method of
season. If manure is spread late minimizing the possibility of
in the growing period or after complaints:
the growing season, there is
reduced benefit to the crop, and • Keep transport equipment
there is an increased risk of clean and well maintained to
nitrate leaching to groundwater ensure that manure is not de-
or surface runoff contaminating posited on public roads. Do not
watercourses. overload equipment. If a spill
occurs, clean the road promptly.
• Avoid transporting manure on
RELATIVE LIKELIHOOD OF public roads during periods of
ODOURS BEING OFFENSIVE DUE high traffic such as rush hours
before and after work, or
TO TIME OF MANURE APPLICATION* during lunch break.
• Check the weather conditions
General Detailed Odour Offensiveness before spreading. The best
Low Moderate High weather for spreading is sunny
days with windy, cloudy nights.
Time of Year Spring Sunshine will dry the manure
Summer quickly, preventing further
Fall odour production. Turbulent
air movement dilutes odours.
Time of Week Weekdays Rain removes odours from the
Weekend air. However, the worst condi-
Holidays tions are damp, humid weather
with light winds. Still air
Time of Day Early Morning keeps the gases in the area
Morning and moist conditions allow
Noon for more odour production.
Afternoon • Spread in the morning when
Evening air is warming and rising, rather
Night than late in the afternoon.
• Consider when possible the
Wind No Wind
implications of spreading on
Light
holidays and weekends when
Strong
neighbours are most likely to
Humidity Dry be affected by odours.
High Humidity • Notifying neighbours prior to
During Precipitation spreading on adjacent proper-
ties is a “good neighbour” policy.
From Odour Control Guidelines for Livestock Operators, P. Jacobs & Associates Ltd., 1994.
* Based on various studies and on personal observations of the authors.

• Apply composted manure to
pastures and hay fields. Where
this is not possible, apply
manure in a very thin layer so
that it will dry in five days or
less. This will also prevent fly
propagation.
• Keep the discharge height of
the slurry as low as possible
to reduce odours during land
application.
• Choose discharge methods
that are most effective for
odour control. From most
to least effective are:
- Dribble bars or booms
- Bottom discharge tanker
- Top discharge tanker
Liquid manure injection system.
Manure Treatment
• Do not exceed recommended
rates of application for your Treatment of manure is designed
soil type. Generally, the worst to reduce the pollution potential,
period for odours is during the make handling easier and/or
first 12 to 48 hours after increase the value of manure.
spreading. With very heavy Treatment can be either physical,
application rates, odours could biological or chemical.
last up to 10 days. Physical treatments such as
• Incorporate manure into the separation of solids from liquids
soil as soon as possible after are usually considered primary
application. Spread and till treatment.
methods reduce the release Biological treatment methods
of odours. Injection of manure are usually categorized as either
directly into the soil is an anaerobic or aerobic to describe
excellent method of odour the type of bacteria that are
control. With injection, odours encouraged to break down the
are less detectable at 70 metres solids in the manure. Composting,
(230 ft) than they are at 400 naturally aerated lagoons, oxida-
metres (1,300 ft) from surface tion ponds, mechanical agitation
applied manure.

or pumping and air injection are sition, the microorganisms con-
examples of aerobic treatment sume oxygen while feeding on
methods. Anaerobic methods organic matter. Composting
include anaerobic ponds and reduces both the volume and
digesters. mass of the raw materials while
Many of these treatment systems transforming them into a valuable
have not been totally successful in soil conditioner.
on-farm applications. Either the
treated wastes would still pollute The Benefits of Compost:
the environment, or the systems • compost adds organic matter,
are too costly to be economically improves soil structure, re-
feasible. Producers should give duces fertilizer requirements
serious consideration to the and reduces the potential for
economic and social benefits soil erosion.
derived from treatment technolo- • composting involves an in-
gies before investing. As technolo- crease in expenditure, how-
gies continue to be developed, a ever the increased market
suitable system may be found. potential and soil conditioning
properties offer benefits.
• markets for compost are
On-Farm Composting readily available. Potential
of Manure buyers include home garden-
Composting is the aerobic de- ers, landscapers, vegetable
composition of organic materials farmers, operators of golf
by microorganisms under control- courses, etc.
led conditions. During decompo- • composting reduces the
weight and moisture content
and increases stability of
manure. Compost is easier to
handle than manure and stores
well without odours or fly
problems, thus lowering the
risk of pollution and nuisance
complaints.
• composted manure is less
susceptible to leaching and
further ammonia losses.
Composting high-carbon
manure/bedding mixtures
lowers the carbon/nitrogen
ratio to acceptable levels for
land application.
• proper temperatures within
the compost pile will reduce
pathogens.
• potential reduction in soil-
On-farm composting. borne plant diseases.

Composting systems used Compost applications to land
on farms: should be based on soil test
Passive composting - involves results and crop needs. This is
simply stacking the materials in to prevent a nutrient imbalance
piles to decompose over a long from occurring and to make
period of time with little agita- efficient use of compost.
tion and management.
Windrow composting - the
materials are formed into long Fly Control
narrow windrows which are
mechanically turned. Flies near livestock and poultry
Aerated static pile - the facilities and manure storage areas
most common approach, uses are a nuisance to farm operators
blowers to force air though and neighbours. Flies may also
pipes and into the pile. transmit disease from one farm to
In-vessel composting - the another. A successful fly control
materials are contained within program can involve:
bins, reactors, or buildings where • regular removal of manure and
a high level of control of mois- wet feed from the building: at
ture and oxygen is provided. least once every seven days dur-
ing the fly breeding season to
In terms of cost, labour, break the reproduction cycle
management and process speed, • avoiding the scattering of
the windrow and aerated static manure and feed outside the
pile systems are comparable. building during barn cleaning
In-vessel composting is generally operations
more expensive but results in • keeping the manure collection
better control over the process, area dark
a higher quality product, and • providing screens on all open-
less odour. ings in buildings
The location of a composting • keeping the manure in en-
site should provide: closed structures if possible
• easy access with a minimum • prompt disposal of dead
of travel and materials handling. animals and afterbirth
• a firm surface to support • regular cleaning and disinfec-
vehicles under varying tion
weather conditions. • use of biological controls
• appropriate separation dis- i.e. parasitic wasps
tance from wells, watercourses
and neighbours. In situations where these
• minimal risk of groundwater management options are not
contamination. sufficient to control the prob-
• good surface drainage. lem, spraying with insecticides
• grading for containment of may have to be considered.
surface runoff.

Milkhouse Waste
andling milkhouse • the type of milking system;
wastewater has • the bulk tank system;
become increasingly • the floor wash down;
important as dairy • other uses ie. udder wash,
operations become larger and water conditioners, etc.
more automated. Quantities and
strength of wastewater from The average daily production of
milking parlours vary from farm washwater on a per milking cow
to farm. basis is 14.1 litres (3.1 gallons).
Modern milking parlours and The disposal of this washwater
pipeline milking systems utilize has become a major environ-
large quantities of water. The mental concern.
volume of water used depends on: Wastewater contains milk
• the management practices solids, fat, detergents, acid clean-
associated with the milking ers and sanitizers, manure, soil
facility; particles, and other substances.
Washing Operation Washwater Produced

Litres (Imp. Gallons)
Bulk Tank
Automatic 190-225 l (42-50 gal)/wash
Manual 115-150 l (25-33 gal)/wash
Pipelinea (in parlour) 285-475 l (62-104 gal)/wash
Bucket Milkers 115-150 l (25-33 gal)/wash
Miscellaneous Equipment 115 l (25 gal)/day
Cow Prep
Automatic 4-17 l (0.8-3.75 gal)/cow
Manual 1-2 l (0.2-0.4 gal)/cow
Milkhouse Floor 38-76 l (8-16 gal)/day
Parlour Floor Without Flushing 150-285 l (33-62 gal)/day
Parlour and Holding Area Floor
with Flushing
Parlour Only 75-114 l (17-25 gal)/cow/day
Parlour and Holding Area 95-150 l (21-33 gal)/cow/day
Holding Area Only 38-76 l (8-16 gal)/cow/day
a. Volume increases for long lines in large stanchion barns

Source: Midwest Plan Service, 1995.

Environmental Concerns Best Management Practices
The following table shows Proper milkhouse washwater

typical waste strengths for management should consider
milkhouse washwater. options for reduction and reuse.
Milking Centre Washwater

Reduce
Parameter Concentration
• Manual washing and prepping
(mg/l)
of cows uses less water than
Total Solids 1417-3506 automated systems.
• Mechanically removing manure
Suspended Solids 171-996
and wasted feed from the
Oil and Grease 5-330 parlour prior to wash down
reduces waste volume and
Biochemical Oxygen Demand 207-1530
strength.
Chemical Oxygen Demand 542-4554 • Manually check water hardness
and iron content, and calibrate
Total Phosphorus 35-288
cleaning equipment annually.
Total Nitrogen 14.9-37.4* Adjust chemical cleanser
Source: Urgel Delisle (1990), except for * = B.C. Farm, Lo, K.V. et al., 1988. concentrations based on the
quality of the washwater.
• Design the milking parlour to
*Notes: minimize washwater require-
TOTAL SOLIDS includes all solid materials either dissolved or suspended in the ments. Drain locations and
washwater.
floor slopes are important.
SUSPENDED SOLIDS refers to the amount of material suspended in the washwater
which could be removed by filtration. The level of suspended solids in milking
centre washwater gives a good indication of the clogging potential of the material
in underground infiltration systems. Reuse
• Feed the first rinse of milking
OIL AND GREASE originate from the biodegradable fats and oils in milk. High levels equipment to calves. This will
of oil and grease will result in considerably larger scum and sludge accumulations
in septic tanks containing milking centre washwater. Oil and grease that moves reduce the amount of milking
into the leaching bed can clog and seal tile lines as well as the trenches, often centre washwater by 15-20%.
resulting in complete failure of the bed system. • Feed pre-cooler water to
BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND (BOD) is a measure of organic waste strength livestock. Pre-coolers are used
and is usually reported as the amount of oxygen consumed over a specified period to lower milk temperature
of time. High BOD loading can depress the dissolved oxygen concentrations in before it enters the bulk tank.
receiving waters to levels that affect aquatic organisms. High BOD levels in milking • Many new dairy operations
centre washwater are an indicator of high organic levels as a result of milk, manure, have underground tanks to
etc., present in the waste product.
store washwater. Use this
CHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND (COD) is a measure of the amount of oxygen re- water to wash parlour floors
quired to chemically oxidize the organic matter in the washwater. Like BOD, COD and drain to manure storage.
is an estimation of the amount of organic material present.
• Recycling washwater reduces
TOTAL PHOSPHORUS includes soluble phosphate generally in the form of PO4 and the amount of chemical cleans-
organic bound P (phosphorus bound to soil). Soluble phosphate can be released ers required. Washwater can
and is readily available for algal growth. Phosphorus originates predominantly from
the detergents and phosphoric acid used in the wash cycles during the cleaning of be used from one cleaning
the milking system. cycle to the next.
• Make sure that reused water
TOTAL NITROGEN includes organic and inorganic nitrogen and ammonia. Ammo-
nia is the major nitrogen parameter of concern due to its toxicity for fish and other does not increase bacterial
aquatic animals. In treatment trench systems, nitrogen is normally converted to counts.
nitrate (NO3) which can contaminate groundwater. Nitrogen originates from ma-
nure or nitrogen based detergents.

Handling and Advantages
Treatment Options • an existing storage with ad-
equate capacity can be utilized
Regardless of the disposal sys- to store milkhouse waste;
tem used, it must be properly • better agitation can be
designed, installed and operated. achieved through the extra
To select and design the best volume of liquid milkhouse
system for your farm, you need waste making it easier to
to know your approximate daily pump to a spreader;
washwater production. Measure • storage can be sized to handle
your actual water use by install- the additional wastewater;
ing a water flow meter, or esti- • best option if washwater
mate it using a calibrated pail. contains the first rinse and/or
has a high solids content.
Liquid Manure Storage

Disadvantages
Farms equipped to handle liquid • lowers fertility value of manure;
manure can divert milkhouse • requires up to 25% increase in
effluent to the liquid manure manure storage capacity;
storage. The combined milkhouse • the increased volume must
waste and manure is eventually be spread on fields, adding
applied to the land with liquid to handling costs.
manure following proper manure
management guidelines.
Settling Tank and In
Sample Illustration of Sediment Trench & Treatment Trenches Ground Disposal Field
Treatment Trenches This system is similar to a house-

hold septic system but instead
Milkhouse
Sediment Tank handles the wastewater for the
milking centre. It also requires
proper site conditions. If the
soil is too shallow to bedrock,
has low permeability or a high
water table, another manage-
ment system may be required.
Surface This system requires careful
Earth Backfill
In This Area design installation and manage-
Pump-out Openings ment to ensure long-term success.
24”
Inlet Outlet Filter

Cloth
13" Baffle Advantages
Inlet
• does not impact the capacity
24"
24" 3/4 - 1" 4" Diameter of manure storage and handling
Baffle Crushed Stone Septic Tile
3-4" Flow-
Outlet In This Area systems;
Thru Openings
• relatively low cost.
30 - 40"
Sediment Tank Treatment Trench

Disadvantages • your washwater is relatively
• first rinse, milk from treated free from solids;
cows or colostrum must be • you are willing to restrict the
diverted from the system; water that enters the system to
• does not work in areas with a minimum;
low permeability or high water • you are willing to collect the
tables; first rinse from the milking
• requires careful management equipment;
and maintenance; • you are willing to prevent milk
• sludge levels within the tank from going down the floor
should be checked and re- drain.
moved as required.
To prevent whole milk from
Conventional in ground dis- reaching the disposal field system,
posal fields have been used it is recommended that a double
extensively in the past and with compartment septic tank with
proper design, management and proper baffles on the inlet and
soil conditions, these systems outlet pipes and a storage capac-
can work quite well. ity for several days of milkhouse
Historically, many systems effluent be installed. Allowing the
have failed due to the disposal milk several days residence in the
of excessively high strength tank will allow most of the milk
milkhouse washwater through fats to separate and form a layer
the system. at the top of the tank which must
You may consider this system if: be periodically pumped. A mini-
• you do not have or are not mum retention time of four days
planning to build a liquid is recommended, but six days is
manure or runoff storage; preferred.
• the soil has good drainage Research and experience have
characteristics; shown that constructing the
disposal fields to promote
aerobic conditions for a period
of time between milkings will
greatly improve the reliability
and useful life of these systems.
This will allow microbial activity
to oxidize some of these materi-
als and prevent trench sealing.
Vegetative Filter Strip Bed
Testing in the Maritimes has

shown that a grassed filter strip
can also be an effective and
economical milkhouse
wastewater treatment alterna-
tive. As the wastewater flows
down a filter strip it evaporates
Vegetative filter strip bed. or infiltrates into the soil. The

Advantages
Grass Filter Bed (Top View) • does not impact upon existing
Milking Centre Wastewater manure storage or handling;
• relatively low cost.
Settling
Basin Inlet Pipe
Disadvantages
• first rinse, milk from treated
Spreader Strip or
Pipe for distribution cows or colostrum must be
diverted from the system;
• requires careful management
0% Slope and maintenance;
• solids must be removed regu-
larly from the settling basin to
Fence to Uniform Slope prevent overflow to the grass
exclude livestock 0.5% to 5% filter strip;
• may not provide optimal
Vigorous uniform treatment during the winter
growth of grass months.
Minimum Area Constructed Wetlands

Milking Centre Wastes - 4.65 square metres (50 sq ft) per cow
Filter Strip Size - 164 square metres per cubic metre (50 sq ft per Constructed wetlands are shal-
cubic foot) of wastewater. Length is equal to twice the width. low, man-made aquatic systems
that can provide an environment
soil and plant media filter out for treating agricultural runoff
and biodegrade the fine solids and wastewater. Constructed
and organic material. Nitrogen wetlands have been utilized as
and phosphorus are taken up by treatment systems for a number
the plant life and absorbed to of wastewater sources including:
soil particles.
The design of an effective filter • milkhouse washwater;
strip includes a settling basin • manure storage and feedlot
ahead of the filter strip, a spread- runoff;
ing device at the entrance of the • drainage tile outflow;
filter strip to ensure even flow • agricultural field surface runoff;
across the strip and provisions to and
alternately apply wastewater to • food processing wastewater.
two parallel strips. This will
allow the filter strip a rest period Constructed wetlands utilize a
during which no wastewater is series of physical, biological and
applied. chemical processes which facili-
tate the treatment of wastewater.
Wetlands have been con-
structed on agricultural opera-
tions throughout Atlantic Canada
and many have been extensively
monitored. The concentration of

• Site selection is important. The
wetland will be more economi-
cal to construct if it is located
close to the wastewater source
and if the wastewater can flow
by gravity to the wetland.
• Perform soil permeability tests
early in the planning stage. If
the hydraulic conductivity is
greater than 1x10-5 cm sec-1, a
clay or synthetic liner will be
required. This will greatly add
to the cost of the wetland and
may be a reason to consider
other options.
• Many agricultural wastewater
sources produce small volumes
of effluent. During the summer,
evaporation rates from the
Constructed wetland. wetland are often higher than
inflow volumes. Additional
waste-water pollutants including water from other sources such
suspended solids, nitrogen, phos- as roof gutters may have to be
phorous and faecal coliforms, as added to the system.
well as BOD and COD levels, have • Wastewater must be retained
been reduced by 70-98 %. in a settling pond prior to
entering the wetland to allow
for adequate separation of
Design Considerations solids. This pond should be
• Before construction, hire a less than 1 metre (3 ft) deep
qualified engineer to design to reduce odour potential.
the wetland and obtain re- • Wetlands are more efficient
quired building and environ- during summer months. It
mental permits from the PEI may be desirable to design
Department of Fisheries, the settling pond to be large
Aquaculture and Environment. enough to store the entire
• Constructed wetlands should volume of wastewater pro-
only be designed as secondary duced during the winter and
or tertiary wastewater treat- to discharge it to the wetland
ment systems. The size of a during the summer.
wetland must be based on the • The proposed site must be
inflow volume, the concentra- surveyed to produce an accu-
tion of pollutants in the rate topographical map.
wastewater, and the desired
level of treatment.

• Constructed wetlands may • Possible addition of water to
contain one cell or several the wetland during prolonged
individual cells depending upon dry periods to prevent stress
the topography. If the construc- of aquatic vegetation and
tion site is on a slope, it may be cracking of a clay liner.
desirable to construct individual • Eventual excavation of sedi-
cells in a terrace type system. ment and plant material from
The length of each cell should the wetland cell if there is an
be twice the width. The topog- accumulation of phosphorous.
raphy should be relatively level • Control of muskrat populations.
over the entire cell to ensure an
even depth of water. Individual
wetland cells should include Flocculator
both deep and shallow zones.
Shallow zones should have Another innovative new technol-
water depths ranging between ogy recently introduced to the
15-30 cm (6-12 in). Deep zones Maritimes involves the use of
help to evenly distribute water chemical treatment reactors
and add to the retention time as or flocculators to remove the
wastewater passes through the majority of phosphates and
wetland. Deep zones should suspended solids from the
constitute 25% of the surface milkhouse effluent.
area and they should be at least The effluent is transferred from
1 metre (3 ft) deep to prevent the milkhouse to a reactor and a
growth of aquatic plants. proportionate amount of hydrated
• The outflow from a constructed lime is added to the reactor. The
wetland should receive final mixture is allowed to settle
polishing by discharging it to undisturbed for two hours. Then
a tertiary pond or grassed the clarified liquid is discharged
waterway. to the disposal field system while
• Aquatic vegetation (cattails and the sludge is sent to the manure
bulrushes) is best established by storage. This technology is rela-
transplanting root stock from a tively new and its cost efficiency
nearby natural wetland. The for treatment of milkhouse waste
roots should be planted at a requires more evaluation.
density of at least one
plant per square metre Milkhouse Wastewater Flocculator
(10 sq. ft). A permit is
required from the PEI
Department of Fisheries,
Aquaculture and Envi-
ronment to remove
cattails from existing
wetlands.
Management to achieve
maximum performance
of the wetland may
include:
• Eventual removal of
solids from the pre-
treatment settling pond.

Livestock Pasturing
he pasturing of cattle is Health and Productivity
a common practice on Concerns
most PEI dairy and beef
farms. Traditionally, it Supplying abundant quantities
was desirable to have a pasture of fresh, clean drinking water
that had a watercourse running is critical for good health and
through it to allow for conven- maximum productivity of cattle.
ient watering of livestock. Cattle that have direct access
However, more recently it has to watercourses, for drinking
become the recommended purposes, can experience the
practice to restrict livestock following problems:
from having access to water- • Decreased water consumption
courses because of their impact resulting in reduced productiv-
on water quality and the damage ity. Cattle are less likely to drink
that they cause to the riparian sufficient quantities of water if
zone. It has also been found that it has been contaminated by
cattle are healthier and more their access to the watercourse.
productive if they are provided • Reduced productivity due to
with a fresh source of water. lost grazing time. Cattle enjoy
Many farmers have fenced loafing in streams and they will
livestock out of streams and not be productive if they are
have implemented practical not foraging. If a stream is the
watering alternatives. This has only watering source, cattle
proven beneficial to both the may have to spend excessive
health of the cattle and the time travelling to obtain water
environment. because streams are often not
strategically located in the
pasture.
• Increased risk of disease
transmissions. Cattle can
contract Leptospirosis, Salmo-
nella, Bovine Virus and algae
poisoning, especially if the
water is slow moving or
stagnant.
• Increased udder problems
from mud and dirt buildup.
Calves have more difficulty
nursing and mastitis is more
prevalent.
• Increased stress to feet and
legs if animals have access to
steep and/or unstable stream
banks.
• Increased risk of abortion if
cows slip on steep slopes.

Best Management Practices
To reduce the impact that pastur-

ing livestock have on a water-
course, the following practices
are recommended:
• Restrict livestock access by
fencing off streams, wetlands,
ponds and marshes and pro-
vide livestock with an alter-
nate source of water. The
wider the buffer between
the fence and the stream, the
better the filtering capacity
of the riparian zone.
• Provide stream bank protec-
tion in highly disturbed areas
Fencing protects sensitive habitat areas. to prevent further erosion.
Use vegetative measures where
Impact on Watercourses possible. Rock riprap under-
lain with a suitable geotextile
If cattle have access to water- is also an option.
courses, including springs, • Manage pastures to reduce the
ponds, streams, wetlands and concentration of manure and
estuaries, the following impacts maintain permanent forage
can be observed: cover. Vigorous forage growth
• Unstable stream banks due to on pastures protects soils and
loss of vegetation. minimizes runoff. Avoid heavy
• Widening of watercourses and traffic areas by increasing the
reduced stream velocities due number of in-pasture watering
to the hoof action of livestock. locations.
• An increase in water tempera- • In cases where pastures exist
tures as shade cover is on either side of a water-
destroyed. course, a livestock stream
• A reduction in the ability of the crossing should be con-
area surrounding the water- structed and maintained.
course to filter and absorb The crossing should have
contaminants (ie nitrates, faecal fences on both sides. Culverts
bacteria, etc.) which may be or wood structured bridges
contained in surface runoff. provide good crossings. Costs
• A reduction in the quality can be kept to a minimum if
of fish and wildlife habitat. the crossing does not have to
• An increase in faecal bacteria support farm equipment.
contamination and nutrient
loading in the watercourse. A Watercourse/Wetland Altera-
This can result in shellfish tion Permit is required from the
closures and restricted use PEI Department of Fisheries,
for recreational purposes. Aquaculture and Environment
if any excavation is required
within 10 metres (33 ft) of a
watercourse or if a stream
crossing is being installed.

• Dependable in winter with the
use of either energy-free or
electric bowl technologies.
Gravity flow systems:

• Will work on sites where there
is sufficient elevation differ-
ence along a length of a water-
course for water to gravity
flow through a pipe from an
upstream location to a water-
ing tank.
• Works best on a watercourse
with grades along its length
that are greater than 3% and
with stream banks that are not
significantly higher than the
Stock tanks provide a convenient, reliable source of water.
stream bed. Most PEI streams
have grades less than 1%, thus
Alternate Watering Systems making it difficult to install
an in-stream system.
On PEI, the following alternate • Pastures with continuous flow-
watering systems have been ing springs on the upper slopes
utilized by farmers to water cattle: are excellent candidates for
gravity flow systems. A continu-
Farm wells ous flow of water from the
• Most flexible, reliable and cost spring can be gravity fed
efficient source of water. through a polyethylene pipe to
• Water can be pumped long a watering tank. The water
distances [PEI installations are level in the watering tank is
up to 900 metres (3,000 ft)]. controlled by a second pipe
• Water is conveyed in that discharges the overflow
polyethylene pipe ranging back to the stream.
in size from 1.9-3.2 cm • Greatest advantage is that they
(.75-1.25 in) diameter. do not require any type of
• Polyethylene pipe can be pumping equipment.
buried below frost or laid • Dependable, low cost and low
on top of the ground. maintenance.
• If pastures are at an elevation • Capable of watering large herds.
below the farm well, water can • Dependable in winter.
be gravity fed to the watering • Less flexible than farm wells
stations. when used with intensive
• Capable of watering large grazing systems.
numbers of livestock.
• Ideal for intensive grazing Hydraulic ram pumps:
systems. Water can be readily • Installed in running water.
made available in each pad- The falling water produces
dock. This will reduce the a hammering effect in the
distance cattle need to travel hydraulic ram pump that forces
and increase productivity. a portion of the water into a
stock tank or storage reservoir.

• Every 30 cm (1 ft) of vertical Bilge pumps:
drop in the pump will produce • A bilge pump is a marine sump
300 cm (10 ft) of vertical lift. pump that is placed directly
• Capable of watering large into a watercourse and is usual-
numbers of livestock if water ly powered by a 12 volt battery.
is pumped to a reservoir that • Capable of supplying large
feeds the stock watering tank. volumes of water [1-2 litres/
• Poor option for intensive second (1000-2000 gal/hr)]
grazing system. over a short time period.
• These pumps can offer reliable • Low cost and portable system.
service but require an appro- • Management required to charge
priate location, good system and switch 12 volt batteries
design and proper installation. after a few days of operation.
• Unable to pump water over
Pasture nose pumps: long distances, therefore water-
• Operated by a cow pushing ing stations are usually located
its nose against a lever which 3-4.5 metres (10-15 ft) from the
primes the pump and delivers edge of the stream.
approximately 1 litre (0.2 gal)
of water into the bowl. Solar systems:
• Can lift water up to 8 metres • Use the power of the sun to
Livestock operating a pasture nose (27 ft) vertically and 38 metres charge a 12 volt pumping
pump system to water. (125 ft) horizontally. station.
• Will work with any water • A water reservoir is recom-
source that has at least a 15 cm mended in addition to the
(6 in) depth of water at all stock tank to allow for reduced
times. efficiency on cloudy days.
• Easy to install and easy to • Can be custom-designed based
relocate. on topography and the
• A single pump can supply number of head to be watered.
water for up to 30 head of • Ideal for large pastures at
cattle. However, the number of remote sites.
head per pump is a function of • Not cost effective under
pasture size. On large pastures intensive grazing systems.
where cattle tend to water as
a group, the number of head Wind powered pumps:
watered per pump should • Wind power is an alternate
be reduced because only one energy source that can be
animal can water at a time. applied to pumping water
Multiple pump installations for livestock.
are practical with larger herds. • These systems are very com-
• Not suitable for young calves mon in Western Canada but
because they have difficulty have not been used extensively
operating the pump. on PEI in recent times and
• Not dependable when tem- would require further evalua-
peratures drop below freezing tion for local conditions.
point.

Waste Forage
aste forage is a there is also the potential for
normal by-prod- leachate or seepage waste from
uct of any live- storage areas. Silage can be stored
stock feeding in vertical silos, horizontal silos, or
system. It includes waste hay, in round bales wrapped in plastic.
waste silage and silage effluent.
Environmental Concerns
Hay
While forage waste is costly to
When hay is harvested, it is producers, it is also an environ-
allowed to dry to less than 15% mental concern.
moisture. When it is stored and
fed, it poses no environmental • Silage seepage can leach into
hazard. Hay that is wasted during the groundwater and can
feeding usually becomes incorpo- contaminate watercourses
rated with the straw and manure. if runoff is not controlled.
•Burning waste forage can
cause nuisance odours and
Silage contribute to air pollution.
• Silage waste can also create
The potential for waste from nuisance odours.
silage feeding systems also exists.
However, because silage is har-
vested and stored at a much Best Management Practices
higher moisture content than hay,
Reduce waste forage by:
• Storing bales of hay under
cover.
• Harvest and store only as
much forage as will be re-
quired for the coming year.
• Harvest silage at the optimum
moisture content to minimize
the potential for seepage.
• Use waste forage as a mulch
to provide protection from soil
erosion in recently harvested
potato fields rather than hauling
it to the woods or burning it.
It will add organic matter to
cultivated soils.
• Compost waste hay and silage.
This will require addition of a
Waste forage being used as a mulch for erosion control after potato harvesting. nitrogen source such as manure.

Seepage From Farm Silos
ilage seepage presents most significant groundwater

several concerns for the contaminant from this group.
agricultural industry. The greatest percentage of silage
seepage is produced within 5 to
• Contamination of surface and 10 days after filling the silo.
groundwater.
• Deterioration of the silo struc-
ture. Best Management Practices
• Odours.
• Seepage from the silo, along
Silage effluent has extremely with the surface water runoff
high BOD values, which are from open bunker silos, should
approximately 200 times as be collected and stored since
strong as raw domestic sewage. this material is highly contami-
A significant discharge of effluent nated. During the cropping
into a watercourse can remove so season this contaminated
much oxygen that fish and other material can be spread regularly
aquatic creatures die immediately. on land.
With respect to groundwater • Harvest silage/haylage at low
quality, silage leachate contains moisture, i.e. below 60%
nutrients, acids, minerals and moisture content for tower
bacteria. Nitrate-nitrogen is the silos and below 65% for hori-
zontal silos.
• Adding absorbents which are
designed to take up excess
moisture will result in low or
no seepage production. Mate-
rial that can be used include
oatmeal, dried sugar beet pulp
and dried corn cobs. To be
effective, enough material
must be added to absorb the
anticipated seepage.
• Silos should be covered - this
prevents rain water from
entering and leaching through
the silage/haylage.
• Divert all surface water away
from the silo site.
• For new silos, install seepage
collection and storage systems.
Harvesting silage at proper moisture levels will minimize the risk of seepage.

Dead Stock Disposal
he disposal of dead Environmental Concerns
animals must be in
accordance with the PEI Dead animals are a health risk to
Guidelines for Disposal humans and farm animals. They
of Dead Farm Livestock. These may be carriers of disease. If not
guidelines are designed to protect promptly removed or disposed of,
the public and animal health and carcasses will also attract rodents,
to reduce the risk of contamina- flies, and nuisance wildlife, as well
tion of drinking water supplies as producing offensive odours.
and surface water resources. All
livestock and poultry operations
need a management plan for dead Options for Disposal
animals. Afterbirth in livestock
operations and eggs in poultry Dead animals should be removed
operations are additional wastes from the building as soon as
which should be handled in a possible and disposed of in
similar manner. an approved manner within one
day. Livestock and poultry can-
not be disposed of in manure
storage or be spread onto the
land with manure. Under no
circumstances should dead
animals be left lying around the
farm buildings for an extended
period of time. Feeding car-
casses to wildlife is not an
acceptable disposal method
and should not be used.
While health and environmental
concerns are most important,
ensuring that disposal activities
are not unsightly will create good
will in the community. Trees,
shrubs and windbreaks can be
used to screen disposal sites.
Disposal options are covered
in order from most to least
acceptable.
Composting of dead stock carcasses.

• Dead Animal Removal • A carbon source will be re-
Service quired to ensure that the
A dead animal and poultry re- proper carbon:nitrogen ratio
moval service removes carcasses of 25:1 is present for the
to be rendered. Poultry and other composting process to take
small animals must be stored in place. Sawdust is an ideal
freezers and held for pickup. carbon source.
Livestock should be picked up • Temperatures throughout
within 48 hours of death. For a the compost pile must exceed
current list of livestock removal 55°C (130°F) for adequate
companies, call the PEI Depart- reduction of pathogen levels.
ment of Agriculture and Forestry. • Moisture content of the com-
post pile should be in the 50-
• Composting 60% range.
Composting of poultry and other • The composter should be
small agricultural animals is located in an area that is well
considered a low cost, environ- drained, accessible and away
mentally acceptable method of from areas that are sensitive
disposal of dead stock. The use to groundwater contamination.
of composting technology in the If a facility is constructed for
disposal of poultry and hogs is composting, it should consist
becoming more widespread. of a concrete pad, roof, and rot-
Some basic requirements for resistant construction materials.
carcass composting are: • The composting site must be
• An aerobic environment must located a minimum of 90
be maintained. metres (300 ft) from a water-
course or domestic well.
Sample Composter Layout Using Hay Bales • All contaminated runoff from
the compost site must be
- collected. Clean surface water
should be directed away from
the composting facility.
• The finished compost can be
spread on the land.
• Capacity of the composting
facility must be sufficient to
dispose of the normal mortality
rate. Expanded capacity to con-
tain an excessive mortality rate
is desirable but not essential.

Additional information for on- of Fisheries, Aquaculture and
farm composting of dead stock Environment, a burial site
can be obtained from the PEI may be located closer than
Department of Agriculture and 300 metres (1,000 ft), but at
Forestry fact sheet “Composting no time will the Department
of Swine Carcasses - Turning a approve a site less than
Problem into an Asset”. 150 metres (500 ft) from
a drinking water source.
• Subsurface Burial • at least 60 metres (200 ft) from
Burial should be considered only any fresh water stream, pond,
as a last resort. Subsurface burial estuary or coastal area.
is not recommended due to the • at least 30 metres (100 ft) from
potential for groundwater pollu- any public right of way.
tion. It is permitted as long as
the criteria listed below are met. All buried poultry and live-
Burial sites should be staggered stock must be covered on the
throughout the property, not same day they are buried with a
concentrated in one location. minimum of 0.6 metres (2 ft) of
Burial sites must be located: earth. Subsurface burial should
• at least 300 metres (1,000 ft) only be considered under the
from any drinking water supply following conditions.
or well. With prior written
approval from the Department • At locations where the water
table does not come within
600 mm (24 in) of the pit
bottom and where soil is well
aerated.
• At locations where the floor
of the burial pit is at least
0.6 metres (2 ft) above bedrock.
• At locations not subject to
surface runoff, ponding or
flooding.
• Open trench pits are not
acceptable.
Roofed composting facility.

Section C - Potato/Vegetable
Waste Management
otato production is a Options for Disposal
large and growing indus-
try on Prince Edward Disposal options are covered in
Island. This success in order from most to least accept-
production is accompanied by an able.
increase in the volume of wastes - value-added processing
associated with grading and - animal feed
processing. These wastes include - composting
culls, diseased product, washline - land spread
sediment and processing plant - burial
effluent.
Value-Added Processing
Environmental Concerns Dehydration of cull and other
waste potatoes (smalls) is a very
• Potato/Vegetable wastes pose effective and efficient method
a plant health issue for the of turning a waste material into a
industry as diseases such as ring value-added product. This process
rot, blight and viruses can be dehydrates the raw potato into
spread from culls that are not dry material such as potato flakes
properly disposed of. and granules. These products are
• Proper storage and disposal is used in the food industry to create
required to protect ground and new recompositioned potato and
surface water. other food products. On Prince
• Odour generation from decom- Edward Island, the dehydration
posing waste can be a nui- process can handle upwards of
sance to neighbours. 200 tonnes/day of waste potatoes.
Nature of Waste Disposal Options
Dehydration Animal Land

& Processing Feed Composting Spread Burial
Culls ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Diseased Products ✖ ✖ ✔ ✖ ✔
Rock/Low Organic ✖ ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔
Wash Line Sediment ✖ ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔
Processing Plant
Waste ✖ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✖

Animal Feed
Cull potatoes and processing
vegetable wastes are an excel-
lent energy source suitable for
finishing rations in beef feedlots.
Culls and processing plant
wastes are normally delivered
to the farm in 10-30 tonne loads.
These products should be stored
away from direct sunlight in a
three-sided concrete storage with
a roof. The concrete floor in the
storage should be sloped to the
back to retain seepage. Ideally, a
potato waste storage should be
located beside a manure storage
to allow drainage of excess liquid
Potato dehydration plant. into the manure storage.
Cull potatoes and processing
This process also generates plant wastes can also be
other waste streams. The recom- ensilaged. Advantages of ensiling
mended disposal options for these include a longer storage life, more
waste materials is as follows: consistent quality product and a
• Low organic waste (rocks and better insurance of continuous
silt): silt is returned to the land, supply. Potato waste can be
rocks are buried. ensiled by itself in a bunker if the
• Wastewater: treated to approved product is chopped or pureed
standards and discharged. prior to ensiling. It will take 7-10
• Waste sludge from treatment days for potato waste to ensile
process: land applied in accord- and it is preferred that the mate-
ance with regulations. rial is not fed within 21 days.
Alternatively, potato culls and
processing plant wastes can be
ensilaged by placing them in
layers in the silo with well-wilted
hay crop silage at a 2:1 ratio.
A mixture of three parts potato
waste to one part chopped hay
can also be ensilaged.
Composting
The composting of cull potatoes
and other vegetable wastes
including diseased products is
an environmentally acceptable
method of disposal.
Typical cross section of an on-farm storage for culls and processing plant by-
products.

Mix Ratios for Potato Composting (by volume) permitted within 15 metres
(50 ft) of the edge of a public
Ratio Parts Parts Parts highway right of way.
3:3:1 3 sawdust 3 potatoes 1 manure • Sections of farm fields subject
2:1 2 manure* 1 potato to application must be at least
2:1 2 straw• 1 potato 37 metres (120 ft) from any
2:1 2 leaves• 1 potato watercourse where slopes
average 2-5%, and 107 metres
Note:
*Wet, sloppy manure will not work (350 ft) where slopes average
•Both straw and leaves are bulky and work best if they are wet prior to being added to the pile. 5-10%. Potatoes should not be
spread on slopes greater than
The microorganisms which 10%.
break down the ingredients in • Maximum application rates
a compost pile require specific should not be more than
amounts of carbon and nitrogen 10 tonnes/acre.
for the composting process to • Wash line sediment is removed
work effectively. To obtain the from settling ponds and spread
correct amounts of carbon and on land.
nitrogen, potatoes must be
mixed with other materials for
effective composting. Common Burial
materials which can be mixed The burial of vegetable wastes
with potatoes are sawdust, straw is the least desirable option and
and solid manure. must be done in accordance
The On-Farm Composting of with provincial guidelines for
Manure section (p. 24) contains the burial of cull potatoes.
additional information on
composting methods and • The site should be located at
guidelines. A fact sheet on least 60 metres (200 ft) from
potato composting techniques is any surface water body and
available from the Department at least 150 metres (500 ft)
of Agriculture and Forestry. from any well or water supply.
All sites within 300 metres
(1,000 ft) of a well will require
Land Spread prior inspection and written
The spreading of cull potatoes approval by the Department
on frozen land during the winter of Fisheries, Aquaculture and
is permitted under the following Environment.
conditions: • Large scale burial sites (total
• All potatoes must be spread accumulated tonnage greater
evenly on a field to ensure than 250 tonnes) must have
freezing. Potatoes must not the prior approval of the
be dumped in piles. Department of Fisheries,
• Areas subject to application Aquaculture and Environment.
of potatoes must be at least • Burial should not occur
150 metres (500 ft) away from within two feet of the bed-
any dwelling occupied by rock surface or the water
persons other than the person table. Prior to the excavation
owning and/or disposing of of a burial pit, a test hole
the potatoes. Spreading is not should be dug to determine
the depth to bedrock and
depth to the water table.

Section D - Farm Plastics
and Other Wastes
arms generate a number Proper Disposal of Farm
of other waste materials. Plastics
These include plastics,
chemicals, empty contain- The most ideal method of
ers, building materials, old disposal of farm plastics is to
machinery, animal health care convert the waste into a usable
products and petroleum wastes. by-product such as building
materials, fence posts, recrea-
tional furniture or recycled
Farm Plastics silage wrap. A manufacturing
facility is in operation on Prince
Plastics are used on the farm Edward Island. Landfilling or
in a variety of manners. These burning of farm plastics is not
include silage wrap and nylon recommended.
twine. Plastic film placed on the The Island Waste Management
surface of the soil to enhance Corporation will accept clean,
heat retention is a new tech- dry silage wrap at the East
nique used in agriculture. It is Prince Waste Management
also used for cover and storage Facility. Residents of the East
of forages. Prince area may contact the
corporation office for their
From waste to usable by-product -
silage wrap converted to plastic disposal needs.
lumber.
Steps in Off-Farm Recycling of Plastic Wrap
• Once the plastic wrap is removed, shake it to remove contami-
nants (dirt, haylage, water, ice, etc.). Separate strings from the
plastic.
• Store plastic wrap indoors. This will keep it from further con-
tamination and degradation by sunlight. Some farmers store
plastic on hay wagons inside machinery sheds.
• Keep plastic clean and dry.
• Bale or compact into small square bales for easier handling,
Picnic table constructed from recycled storing and transporting. Bale only with plastic string.
plastic.

Pesticide Containers Containers should be rinsed
immediately after use. Waiting
Containers made from plastic are too long allows the pesticide
the most common type used to solution to dry out inside the
hold liquid pesticides. Paper bag container, making rinsing diffi-
containers are used to hold cult and lessening the probabil-
pesticides which are sold in a ity of meeting clean standards.
granular or powder form. The recommended method of
The disposal of empty pesti- rinsing pesticide containers is
cide containers in Prince Edward triple-rinse.
Island is regulated under the
provincial Pesticide Control Act. • Fill empty container about 1/4
full with water and replace cap
securely.
✓ Rinse for value.
Rinsing Containers • Swirl and shake the container
✓ Rinse for safety.
✓ Rinse for the environment.
Rinsing containers removes to rinse all inside surfaces and
Triple-rinse or pressure-rinse pesticides left in the container the handle cavity.
your pesticide containers.
Pour the rinsate into your after emptying. Removing this • Pour contents into spray tank.
sprayer tank.
pesticide: Let contents drain for 30 sec-
• Saves money. Throwing away onds after container is “empty”.
pesticide in an “empty” con- • Repeat three times until
tainer is throwing away money. container is clean. Final rinse
the paper booklet.
• Reduces chances of expo- water should be clear.
sure. Pesticide left in a con-
tainer can poison people, Paper bag containers that have
the clean empty containers
livestock or wildlife. a plastic or foil lining should be
to a designated collection
site.
• Reduces chances of con- single-rinsed. Even after rinsing,
tamination. Pesticide left in a trace amounts of the pesticide
container can contaminate soil, may remain.
surface water or groundwater. All containers not being recy-
cled should be punctured or
crushed so that they cannot be
used again for any other purpose.
Pesticides
Herbicides
Insecticides
Fungicides

Disposing of Paper Bag Containers
Plastic Containers The recommended way to
The recommended way to dispose of empty paper bag
dispose of empty plastic pesti- containers is to take them to
cide containers is to return them a provincial landfill site or the
to the pesticide dealer for recy- Energy From Waste Plant. Strict
cling. Pesticide manufacturers regulations governing what can
and dealers have developed a be disposed of in landfill are
container collection program enforced by the Department
which recycles empty plastic of Fisheries, Aquaculture and
containers. All licensed pesticide Environment. Before pesticide
dealerships accept empty plastic containers can be accepted at a
containers. Containers must be landfill, a disposal permit must
clean, triple-rinsed, and contain be obtained from the Depart-
no liquid material. There are ment of Fisheries, Aquaculture
approximately 2-3 million plastic and Environment. The recom-
containers recycled each year in mended way to dispose
Canada. In 1998, the container of any other empty pesticide
collection program recycled container that cannot be recy-
over 75% of all plastic containers cled is to take it to a provincial
sold on Prince Edward Island. landfill site.
Burning Containers How to get a

The on-farm burning of plastic Disposal Permit
containers or hazardous sub- Producers can call (368-5000),
stances is prohibited by law fax (368-5830), or write (Depart-
under the Environmental Protec- ment of Fisheries, Aquaculture
tion Act - Air Quality Regulations. and Environment, P.O. Box 2000,
Low temperature burning does Charlottetown, PEI, C1A 7N8) to
not destroy the remaining pesti- request a disposal permit for
cides but results in them being plastic or paper bags. A request
vaporized and drifting to other for a disposal permit must state
areas. The breathing of smoke the name and address of the
from these fires can be harmful. producer as well as the number
of containers being disposed of,
type of container, size of the
Burying Containers container, former contents of the
The burying of empty pesticide container, and a statement that
containers, even if they have each container has been prop-
been properly rinsed, is not erly rinsed or emptied. At the
recommended. While properly time of delivery of the empty
rinsed containers do not pose containers to the landfill, landfill
an environmental threat, the site personnel will verify that the
decomposition rate is very slow. containers being delivered are
A plastic container may take the same as the permit states.
several centuries to break down.
A plastic fence post made from
recycled plastic is a much better
gift to your grandchildren.

Site personnel will also inspect Until a collection is organized,
the containers to ensure that producers are advised to store
they are properly rinsed, empty excess pesticides in their origi-
and punctured/crushed. The nal container in a safe, dry area
two designated landfill sites are away from food, pets, children,
in Sleepy Hollow and Wellington and water wells.
Centre.
OTHER FARM WASTES

Excess Pesticide Product
Disposal
Animal Health Care
Unfortunately, as of now, there Products
is no official pesticide disposal
facility on PEI. Pesticide waste Animal health care products
is still taken off-island to facilities include drugs, medicines, oint-
on the mainland. In November ments, insect repellants, vaccines,
1998, an Agricultural Clean-up needles, applicators, disinfectants,
Day was very successful. A great cleaners, rodenticides and fumi-
amount of old and excess pesti- gants. If animal health care
cide was collected and trucked products are improperly disposed
off the island to be disposed of of, they can present health and
in the proper way. Until PEI has safety risks to people (especially
a disposal facility, farmers are children), farm animals, pets and
encouraged to use the following wildlife.
suggestions to help keep excess
product levels down: • Try to use products for their
intended and registered pur-
• Practice responsible purchas- pose before they become
ing. Buy only the amount of outdated or contaminated.
pesticide that will be totally • It is best to store products in
consumed by the farm. their original container in a
• Pass on excess pesticides to clean, dry, frost-free area such
other producers who can as a farm office or utility room.
make use of them. The storage area should be
• Small operators may wish to locked.
buy pesticides as a group with • The product label often gives
other small operators, thereby advice on storage, but if you
reducing waste. This may also are unsure, your veterinarian
be a cost saving measure for or supplier would be able to
operators. help. Typical storages include
locked refrigerators and insu-
lated cabinets.

• Unused animal health care • Reusing or repairing old
products should be left with components can make good
a veterinarian for disposal. If economic sense. Unusable
this is not possible, syringes equipment can be sold to
and drugs should be placed scrap dealers. Before equip-
in a labelled, puncture-proof ment is taken, remove any
container and delivered to the hazardous materials such
Energy From Waste Plant or an as antifreeze, oils or fuels.
approved waste disposal site. • Stoves, refrigerators, water
heaters, etc. can be taken to a
provincial landfill (white goods
Farm Building Materials area) where the items will be
crushed, bailed and recycled.
Even though many building A contractor is hired by the
materials will not adversely affect province to recover the ozone-
the environment, the preserving depleting substances from
materials on many of them could refrigerators before they are
cause problems. Dumping, crushed.
burying or burning this material • All tires should be brought to
on the farm is unacceptable an approved disposal location.
because it could cause pollution
and be dangerous for people,
especially children. Piles of Used Oil
building materials make excellent
havens for rodents. The dumping or burning of oil
Reusable building materials on the farm is not permitted.
should be separated and stored The provincial Used Oil Han-
for future use. Remaining excess dling Regulations require sellers
construction materials should be of lubricating oil to operate a
taken to an approved site for return facility. Used oil, there-
disposal. fore, can be returned to any
dealer on the Island.
Machinery and Equipment
Machinery, equipment, stoves,

refrigerators, bulk tanks and
water heaters become outdated
and must be replaced.

Acknowledgements and Bibliography
The Best Management Practices Photography Canadian Agri-Food Research
for Agricultural Waste Manage- Council. Siting Livestock and
ment Booklet was funded under Barrett & MacKay, Ron DeHaan, Poultry Operations for the 21st
the Canada-Prince Edward Island Delbert Reeves, Tom Duffy, Century; Symposium Proceed-
Water Annex to the Federal/ Graeme Linkletter, Russell ings, Ottawa, ON July 13-15,
Provincial Framework Agree- Campbell, Allan Campbell, 1995. Ottawa, 1996.
ment for Environmental Coop- Jane Palmer, Jamie Coffin,
eration in Atlantic Canada. John MacLeod, Shane Murphy. P. Lane & Associates Ltd. A Review
of Odour Management Technolo-
gies for Use in Livestock Opera-
Participating Agencies Bibliography tions in Nova Scotia. Agriculture
Canada, unpublished, 1993.
PEI Department of Fisheries, PEI Department of Environmental
Aquaculture and Environment, Resources and Department of B.C. Ministry of Agriculture.
PEI Department of Agriculture Agriculture, Fisheries and For- Environmental Guidelines for
and Forestry, Environment estry. Province of Prince Edward Poultry, Dairy, Beef and Pork.
Canada and Agriculture and Island Guidelines for Disposal of 1992-94.
Agrifood Canada. Cull Potatoes. March 1996.
USDA, Soil Conservation Service.
PEI Department of Environmen- Agricultural Waste Management
Writer tal Resources and Department Field Handbook. 1992.
of Agriculture, Fisheries and
P. Jacobs & Associates Ltd. Forestry. Province of Prince Atlantic Committee on Land
Edward Island Guidelines for and Engineering. Constructed
Disposal of Dead Farm Live- Wetlands for the Treatment
Graphic Design stock. March 1996. of Agricultural Wastewater in
Atlantic Canada. Draft, 2000.
TechnoMedia Inc. PEI Department of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Forestry. Potato Nova Scotia Agriculture and
Compost Production and Use. Marketing. Milkhouse Waste.
Technical January 1995. Fall 1998.
Review Committee
PEI Department of Agriculture
Clair Murphy, Jim Young, Delbert and Forestry and Technology and
Reeves and Tom Duffy, PEI Department of Environment.
Department of Fisheries, Guidelines for Manure Manage-
Aquaculture and Environment; ment for Prince Edward Island.
Ron DeHaan and Teresa Mellish, January 1999.
PEI Department of Agriculture
and Forestry. Agriculture Canada and Ontario
Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
Best Management Practices:
Livestock and Poultry Waste
Management. Toronto: OMAF,
1994.

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B E S T M A N A G E M E N T P R A C T I C E S

Agriculture and Forestry

Agricultural Waste Management 1

This booklet is presented in

• discusses potato, other vege-

2 Agricultural Waste Management

Only after considering the

Agricultural Waste Management 3

PEI Pesticide Control Act Pest Products Control Act

PEI Wildlife Conservation Act Canadian Code of Practice for

PEI Farm Practices Act

4 Agricultural Waste Management

Agricultural Waste Management 5

Nature of the Resource

Manure and contaminated runoff

6 Agricultural Waste Management

Agricultural Waste Management 7

A manure storage facility which

• Manure storage should be

8 Agricultural Waste Management

Agricultural Waste Management 9

Curbed concrete slab with

10 Agricultural Waste Management

Agricultural Waste Management 11

Curbed concrete manure storage with safety fence.

12 Agricultural Waste Management

Adequate separation between

Agricultural Waste Management 13

14 Agricultural Waste Management

Concrete liquid manure storage, with cover for odour control.

Agricultural Waste Management 15

BMPs for Odour Control

Most odour-causing gases are

16 Agricultural Waste Management

Agricultural Waste Management 17

18 Agricultural Waste Management

Agricultural Waste Management 19

Manure application rates should

Field application of solid manure.

20 Agricultural Waste Management

Agricultural Waste Management 21

It is usually best to apply manure Manure spreading is the most

22 Agricultural Waste Management

Agricultural Waste Management 23

24 Agricultural Waste Management

Agricultural Waste Management 25

Washing Operation Washwater Produced

a. Volume increases for long lines in large stanchion barns

26 Agricultural Waste Management

The following table shows Proper milkhouse washwater

Milking Centre Washwater

Agricultural Waste Management 27

Liquid Manure Storage

Treatment Trenches This system is similar to a house-

Inlet Outlet Filter

28 Agricultural Waste Management

Vegetative Filter Strip Bed

Testing in the Maritimes has

Agricultural Waste Management 29

Minimum Area Constructed Wetlands

30 Agricultural Waste Management

Agricultural Waste Management 31

32 Agricultural Waste Management