Topics covered in this special edition on EPA changes

Soil testing will become of greater importance in the planning and record keeping a farmer must do on land receiving manure under proposed EPA rule changes. Here, John Lory, at left, Commercial Agriculture environmental nutrient management specialist, examines a soil sample with Glenn Clifton, Prestage Farm in North Carolina. Lory's North Carolina visit was part of a five-state National Pork Producers Council study made to estimate the cost and benefits of new EPA rules.

More operations regulated

* Operations with fewer animals are regulated.
* All operations above the regulated level must apply for a permit, or document they do not need a permit.

* Swine and poultry operations must have no discharge; lagoons must never overflow.
* Dairy and beef operations will likely need monitoring wells to demonstrate no movement of nutrients to ground water.
* An approved plan for closing a manure storage unit.

* Weekly inspection of storm water diversions.
* Daily inspection of drinking water lines.
* Weekly monitoring and record of manure depth in storage structure.

* Keep extensive field-by-field records on manure and crop management including soil test results, soil phosphorus status, yield goals, actual yields, manure test results, and manure application method and rate.
* Spend an estimated 80 hours per year on record keeping and nutrient management planning activities.
* Maintain records for at least five years.

* A permit nutrient plan written or approved by a certified planner.
* Sample manure one to two times per year.
* Apply manure based on the phosphorus status of the soil.

--No manure application on high-risk fields.
--Apply manure based on a phosphorus removal rate on high-risk fields.
* Only apply manure at times and rates appropriate for crop fertilization.
* Never apply within 100 feet of a stream, lake, or other sensitive area.

* Existing permitted CAFOs will need to comply with components of the new rules when they are released 12-15-02.
* Operations newly defined as CAFOs will need to comply by 12-15-05.