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MISSOURI
Agriculture is one of Missouri's largest industries, and agricultural land
covers more than 13 million acres or 70 percent of the state. Agricultural
activities that fail to consider water quality present the greatest potential
for nonpoint source pollution in Missouri. Therefore, state nonpoint source
efforts focus on preventing agricultural NPS pollution.
Poultry Composter Solving Disposal Problems
A rapidly expanding poultry industry, section 319 funds, and a willing
partnership among agencies, processing companies, and growers add up to a
successful demonstration project. They also equate to a rapidly accepted
composting process to solve Missouri's growing waste disposal problem.
Some 88 million broilers and 17 million turkeys are grown annually in
Missouri--mostly in the five-county region of Barry, Jasper, Lawrence,
McDonald, and Newton--and the - number is expected to double within five years.
An estimated 5 percent mortality rate from each flock leaves southwest Missouri
with the problem of annually disposing of 17.3 million pounds of dead birds.
Traditionally, carcasses have been buried in pits. However, in a karst terrain
with fractured limestone, caves, sinkholes, and rapid transit from surface to
groundwater, this method threatens water quality. Inadequate pit management
also leads to odor problems and the potential to spread disease to other
flocks. Burning is seldom used because it is energy intensive, requires high
capital outlay and operational costs, and can damage air quality. Missouri was
ripe to investigate a new composting method. Composting developed in Maryland
and Delaware in the 1980s as an alternative to burial pits that contaminated
shallow groundwater. Composting is environmentally sound, practical and easy to
use, reduces pathogens, and does not attract insects or produce offensive
odors. It stabilizes nutrients, allowing the end product to be safely used to
fertilize pastures or cropland.
Composting breaks down organic materials by microorganisms such as bacteria
and fungi. Dead poultry, litter or "cake" (a mix of bedding material and
manure), and straw are layered according to a "recipe" to obtain the
appropriate carbon/nitrogen ratio for microorganism growth. The aerobic process
excludes bacteria that cause decomposition and offensive odors and produces
heat (100-150 degrees F), the key factor in reducing pathogens and preventing
insect breeding.
Beginning in 1990, section 319 provided $63,000 of the $99,000 in federal
funds. Matching grants from the industry and the state made up the total
project cost of $199,000 (Table 7-3). The Southwest Resource Conservation &
Development Council (RC&D) provided financial sponsorship and management.
Five poultry processing companies (Simmons Industries, Inc; Tyson Foods, Inc;
George's; Butterball Turkey Co.; and Hudson Foods) each selected an interested,
progressive grower. Growers agreed to operate composters as recommended, keep
required records, attend quarterly meetings, and allow and participate in tours
and field days at their facilities--within biologically sound guidelines set by
the processing companies. Participants, including agency staff, attended State
Department of Agriculture biosecurity training and agreed on notification
procedures and practices to prevent the spread of disease between flocks. An
understanding of biosecurity concerns was key in obtaining a high degree of
company cooperation.
In constructing demonstration composter units, growers tailored units to
fit their operation and equipment. SCS provided engineering review of building
plans and construction oversight. Project funds paid for materials; the
industries and growers covered construction costs.
In 1991 and 1992, each demonstration site hosted a field day. University
Extension provided information and education activities, including developing a
general composting guidance booklet and five guide sheets featuring individual
demonstration units. During this period, the project sponsored 10
demonstrations for - specific growers. Three workshops on composting and other
poultry waste best management practices were open to all growers, company
representatives, agency personnel, and the public. The project continues to
provide ancillary tours and training programs for agency staff. Growers and the
public are rapidly accepting the composting process. In 1991, the ASCS adopted
the poultry mortality disposal process as an acceptable, cost-sharable practice
in Missouri.
By September 1992, the five companies estimated that 40 percent of their
growers had composter units and were requiring new growers and encouraging
existing growers to install composters. In the five-county area, some 7.8 -
million pounds of carcasses--45 percent --are being composted annually. From
this total, 253,731 pounds of nitrogen, 22,433 pounds of phosphorus, and 7,727
pounds of potassium are being applied to land in a safer, stabilized form,
according to an independent project evaluation conducted by Southwest Missouri
State University (Tables 7-4, 5, and 6). Other industries have shown interest
in the process. Some swine producers are experimenting with composting, with
500-pound whole sows being successfully composted. State trout agencies are
composting fish and fish waste from dressing stations, and the state highway
agency is investigating composting for animals killed on roads.
Some 20,000 turkeys killed in flash flooding were composted, where once pit
burial would have been used. This large-scale experiment successfully provided
a quick, safe disposal method; the lessons learned will help the state develop
a composting policy and procedure for catastrophic events. The high level of
cooperation among participants has resulted in a network and in heightened
awareness of environmental concerns. In fact, the SCS and the Missouri Poultry
Federation funded an SCS employee for one year to help poultry producers
prepare and begin approved waste management plans. In addition, University
Extension has produced a guide sheet on composting layer mortalities in its
water quality series.
Quick acceptance and adaptation of the composting process likely occurred
for several reasons. Initial investment and operational costs are low. The
process is forgiving-- ingredients, handling methods, and timing are not
critical. Operation and disposal are not aesthetically objectionable. And
finally, because of public environmental awareness and pressures, livestock -
producers are taking a new look at traditional practices and their
environmental impacts.
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