Animal Waste Management

The goal of animal waste management is to make best use of the nutrients in manure while protecting natural resources.

When managed properly, manure can be a valuable resource on a farm. It can be a source of nutrients for crop production and can improve soil quality. However, if there is insufficient land to use the amount of manure that is produced or if manure is mismanaged, then risks to water supplies and the environment could result.

New Jersey Requirements

The State of New Jersey requires that all livestock farms proactively address and manage non-point source pollution that may originate from livestock operations. All livestock producers must meet the requirements of the Animal Waste Management Rule. See Agricultural Management Practices to learn more.

Educational Meetings

Rutgers Cooperative Extension is providing a series of educational meetings around the state about preparing your Animal Waste Management Plan (AWMP). These will be regular over the course of the next two years.

eXtension Animal Waste Management Updates

• If a farm animal is sick, should the manure be composted if the intent is to sell the compost to the public? Can the fresh manure be safely applied to pasture land if the animals do not graze on the land for 9 or 12 months (my estimates)? [02/09/2010]
• Upcoming Webcasts [02/09/2010]
• Dairyman at Odds with Pacific Power over Manure Digester [02/08/2010]
• If dairy manure containing antibiotics and hormones is used to fertilize hay fields and that hay is consumed by horses, what are the implications? Is there a way to test hay for these chemicals? [02/08/2010]
• What is the risk of pathogenic transmission from hogs to humans? [02/08/2010]
• How do I minimize the risk of aerosol transmission of pathogens? [02/08/2010]
• Is there any evidence or research on the reduction or elimination of antibiotics or hormones by composting manure? [02/08/2010]

Contents

• Animal Waste Management Home
• What is an Animal Waste Management Plan?
• Agricultural Waste Management Practices
• Preparing Your Animal Waste Management Plan
• Educational Meeting Dates
• Nutrient Management When Spreading Manure
• More Educational Resources
• Where Do I Go for Help?