EPA has recently been in the county investigating a local watershed that is identified as impaired due to agriculture activity. This watershed contains 24 farms, of which, 20 are animal feeding operations (18 dairy farms). This watershed is in the heart of Amish country and 23 of the 24 farms are run by an Amish farmer.
To the pleasant surprise of EPA, all the farms used cover crops to some degree, most farms used no-till cropping practices, and most took regular soil tests. On the down side, only 4 farms had manure storage that could last more than 4 months, which means that many were spreading manure during the winter (legal in Pennsylvania, but not recommended), none followed a phosphorus based nutrient management (not required in Pennsylvania), and only three had any type of stream bank fencing or riparian buffers.
EPA also looked at the four key best management practices identified by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, which are buffers, nutrient management planning, cover crops, and no-till/low-till, and found that only two of these practices were consistently utilized in the watershed. Buffers and nutrient management planning were lacking on many farms, although the farms that were required to have nutrient management plans did. Another area of concern was that only 15% of farms had a conservation plan, which is required under Pennsylvania law for all farms.
High adoption of no-till and cover crop practices is evidence that PA farmers continue to be among the most progressive aomng the states.
ReplyDeleteSaying that a P-based nutrient managemnt plan is not required in PA is only half right. The Manure Managment Manual (MMM) Field Application of Manure(DEP document number 361-0300-002)describes approved practices for application of livestock and poultry manure in PA for all livestock and poultry operations in PA.
While the MMM currently does not specifically require a P-based NMP, it does require a written manure managment plan (MMP) for all operations that generate or utilze manure.
No special certification is required to write an MMP and no review of the MMP is required but one must exist on the farm and the farmer must to follow it.
Thanks for the clarification. In regards to the manure management plan, I don't see too many farmers that have a plan or even know that they need one. Some of that stems from the fact that there is little enforcement of manure management plans. Because there isn't any review or special requirements for the plan they are not done or not followed well. A final MMM and enforcement of what is in it are really needed to clear up some confusion and address any lingering manure management issues on farms.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that farms in PA have done a great job in the past, but these new regulations are going to require a whole other level of management and accountability.