Wisconsin Ag News Headlines

DATCP Calls on Producers to Evaluate Odor and Emissions
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 03/10/2006

Wisconsin farmers are needed to participate in a project to evaluate the best methods of controlling odor and air emissions produced by dairy and livestock operations. According to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, the Dairy and Livestock Air Emission/Odor Project is a 30-month project to evaluate the air emissions and odor levels from several dairy and other livestock operations. The project will compare emissions and odor levels both before and after the installation of best management practices.

"We now have a livestock siting rule that incorporates standards, including odor from livestock operations, to establish predictable outcomes for issues related to locating and expanding livestock operations," said Rod Nilsestuen. "Having the best science available is a critical component of our decision making."

The project is funded by a Conservation Innovation grant worth nearly $650,000 provided by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. The federal funding will be used mainly to provide cost share assistance and other incentives with participating farms that agree to install best management practices that are believed to reduce air emissions and odors.

The total cost of the project is estimated to be $1.3 million with the additional funds and in-kind contributions provided by the State of Wisconsin.

"We have worked with a steering committee that represents organizations and stakeholders with a vested interest in this project. The committee members want to further the knowledge of the current technologies to reduce air emissions and odor levels in livestock operations," Nilsestuen said. "The Wisconsin DNR will also begin in 2007 to implement regulations related to air emissions from livestock operations."

The steering committee is specifically requesting proposals for the installation of practices such as covered manure storage structures, reduced solids of manure in storage structures, animal lot design and management, and freestall alley scraping. The project will also evaluate one or more existing manure anaerobic digesters to evaluate the impact on air emissions and odors. Manure digesters have been installed on a few livestock operations to produce energy.

The two page application for participating in the project can be found on the DATCP Website at http://www.datcp.state.wi.us then search on 'odor project' or click on the "Farming and Agriculture" button, then look for the project link under the 'Livestock' heading. You can also call 608-224-4603 to have an application mailed. The applications are due by March 29.

The project is a cooperative effort with DATCP, NRCS, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Agricultural Stewardship Initiative, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Dairy Business Association, Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin, Midwest Environmental Advocates, University of Wisconsin-Platteville Pioneer Farm, and the University of Wisconsin Discovery Farms.