South DakotaConcentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) Training Scheduled

An environmental training session for operators of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO), is set for March 3 in Huron at the Crossroads Convention Center (100 Fourth St. S.W.).

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. in Huron. 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 SDSU Extension, South Dakota State University, the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service are offering the training.

Training meets CAFO permit requirements and provides Certified Crop Advisor Credits

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 for are also available for attending this program.

In the fall of 2015, the S.D. Department of Environmental and Natural Resources started the process of reissuing its general water pollution control permit for concentrated animal feeding operations and the public comment period on the draft permit has closed. A contested case hearing will be scheduled in 2016 with a final general permit containing the final permit conditions issued thereafter.

The proposed permit requires existing permitted operations to obtain coverage under the proposed permit between one to four years after it is issued.

The proposed permit requires existing permitted operations or an onsite representative to have attended an approved environmental training program within the last three years.

This current training program meets the training requirement of the proposed permit as long as it is attended within three years of any existing permitted operation obtaining coverage under the new permit.

Producers and any other interested individuals who are not currently applying for a permit can also benefit from the information and are encouraged to attend.

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.

Speaker line-up & presentation details

Erin Cortus, SDSU Environmental Quality Engineer will discuss water quality;

Bob Thaler, Professor & SDSU Extension Swine Specialist 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;

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.

Erin Cortus, Assistant Professor & SDSU Extension Environmental Quality Engineer 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.

To register for the training, contact Erin Cortus, Assistant Professor & SDSU Extension Environmental Quality Engineer at (605) 688-5144.

–SDSU Extension