Environmental training for operators of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations to be held Aug. 19

BROOKINGS, S.D. – An environmental training session for operators of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), is set for Wednesday, August 19, 2015 in Huron.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Crossroads Convention Center (100 Fourth St. S.W.). The cost is $50 and includes lunch, breaks and training materials. The program begins at 8:50 a.m. and concludes at approximately 4:45 p.m.

Specialists from South Dakota State University, SDSU Extension, South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Natural Resources Conservation Service are offering the training.

This training fulfills the environmental and manure-management training requirement to obtain a livestock permit for CAFOs from the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Certified Crop Advisor credits are also available for attending this program.

“Producers and any other interested individuals who are not currently applying for a permit can also benefit from the information,” said Erin Cortus, Assistant Professor & SDSU Extension Environmental Quality Engineer. “Current federal (EPA, USDA) and state water pollution control programs encourage livestock producers, even those who do not need permits, to voluntarily adopt livestock production and manure management practices that protect water quality.”

Agenda

Cortus will discuss water quality during the morning session. SDSU Extension Swine Specialist, Bob Thaler will lead a session on livestock nutrition options for reducing nitrogen and phosphorus content of manure. Jason Roggow, a natural resources engineer with the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources, will give an overview of the South Dakota DENR Livestock Permit program.

In the afternoon, Anthony Bly, SDSU Extension Soils Field Specialist, will discuss managing nitrogen and phosphorus in land applications of manure. Bly, along with Jason Gilb, Conservation Agronomist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service will go through nutrient management planning worksheets. John Lentz, Resource Conservationist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service will cover implementing conservation practices to improve sustainability.

Cortus will conclude the day’s training with a session on air quality and odor.

“Past attendees of this program have come away with at least one new practice they consider adopting related to land application, livestock feeding, air quality or soil conservation,” Cortus said.

Registration information

To register for the training, call Candy Rogness at 605-688-5141.