Lesson 42: Open Lot Animal Housing

Environmental Stewardship Assessment:

The goal of this assessment is to help you confidentially evaluate environmental issues that relate to outdoor air quality. For each issue listed in the left column of the worksheet, read across to the right and indicate the statement that best describes conditions on your farm. If any categories do not apply, leave them blank.

Name of Operation:
Date:

Odor and Dust Management

Open lot design

1. Corral slope?
No slope or slope is toward feed apron or other feed areas. Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Slope is less than 3% away from feed apron or other feed areas.
Slope is 3% to 5% away from feed apron or other feed areas.

2. Adjacent pens?
Pen-to-pen drainage is the norm. Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Pen-to-pen drainage occurs in isolated regions of the facility.
Pens drain discretely.

3. Corral shape?
Pens are irregularly shaped and not conducive to edge-to-edge manure removal. Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Pen shape allows edge-to-edge manure removal.

4. Corral surface?

Corral soil easily erodes and is prone to rills and gullies.

 Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Corral surface is well compacted paved, or constructed of firm stable soil.
Corral surface is concrete.

5. Drainage from corral?
Downstream corral surfaces are part of the runoff storage pond. Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Downstream corral surfaces are prone to temporary flooding.
After a storm event, downstream corral surfaces drain quickly.

6. Runoff control?
Significant manure or runoff is not controlled and regularly pools in areas around open lots. Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Some manure and runoff is not controlled and regularly pools in areas around open lots.
All manure/runoff is contained within runoff control pond.

7. Vegetative barrier?
No vegetative barrier or shelterbest is located downwind of corrals, based upon prevailing winds during times of year of high dust or odor concerns. Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
A dense shelterbelt or other vegetative barrier is located downwind of corrals, based upon prevailing winds during times of year of high dust or odor concerns.

Open lot management

8. Frequency of manure removal
Fewer than twice a year. Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
120- to 180-day intervals.
Every 60 days or less.

9. Operator training in manure removal and pen management
No employee training is offered. Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Manager are knowledgeable in techniques of manure removal and motivation for this practice.
All appropriate employees are trained in techniques of manure removal and motivation for this practice.

10. Pen surface management
Holes, pits, or depressions are regularly corrected. Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Holes, pits, or depressions are corrected only at time of manure removal (commonly collection.Wet areas are manure removal).
Pen surfaces are frequently inspected. Few holes, pits, or depressions exist for water several months between quickly corrected.

11. Water leakage
Overflow waterers and system leaks are not a priority. Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Inspections for overflow waterers and system leaks are infrequent.
Regular inspections are made for overflow waterers and system leaks,
AND
problems are quickly corrected.

12. Manure ridges at fence line
Removal of manure ridges is not priority. Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Manure ridges are removed when pens are cleaned.

During periods of dust problems, the following dust control measures are possible:

13. Dry manure and dust harvested frequently
Fewer than three times a year. Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Manure is harvested frequently (every 120 days under normal conditions and every 30 days under severe drought conditions).
Manure is harvested at least every 60 days (30 days under severe drought conditions).

14. Daily watering of corral surfaces
No additional dust control measures are implemented. Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Corral watering is implemented on at least 50% of occupied lots under severe drought conditions.
Corral watering is implemented on at least 80% of occupied lots under severe drought conditions.

15. Cross fencing to increase stocking density
No additional dust control measures are implemented. Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Increased stocking density is implemented on at least 50% of occupied lots under severe drought conditions.
Increased stocking density is implemented on at least 80% of occupied lots under severe drought conditions.

16. Topical application of crop residue on corrals
No additional dust control measures are implemented. Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Topical application of crop residue is implemented on at 50% of occupied lots under severe drought conditions.
Topical application of crop residue is implemented on at 80% of occupied lots under severe drought conditions.

 

 
Net Survey Score:
Magnitude of risk:

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