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Pork producers are committed to managing their farms in an environmentally responsible manner in order to protect the environment and conserve the natural resources for future generations. Today's pork production operations capture, treat and recycle the valuable nutrients produced in manure so they can be used as a natural source of fertilizer.
Over the last decade, America's pork producers have played a leading role in advancing animal agriculture's environmental and conservation efforts. Producers work to address environmental challenges in a cooperative and productive fashion by partnering with government, scientists, conservationists and the communities in which they live and farm.
For instance, the pork industry's work on the environment has included helping to develop and advocating for better best management practices (BMPs) in manure containment and use, and working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address air quality.
Many producers have also implemented a comprehensive nutrient management plan (CNMP) which is a conservation plan specific to an individual farm. The CNMP is a compilation of conservation practices and management activities developed for a specific production site that helps ensure that both production and natural resource conservation goals are achieved. In many cases, the plan incorporates practices to use animal manure as a beneficial resource for crop production.
Using manure as a fertilizer is a practice as old as agriculture itself. Applying manure to cropland is less expensive and more environmentally friendly than buying commercial fertilizers and is a benefit to crops and soil. Every living thing needs nutrients to grow. Plants require nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and many other elements to thrive. Most of these nutrients enter the plants through soil and application of manure, which contains these nutrients, is an important part in completing the natural nutrient cycle of agriculture.
Modern pork production operations use manure storage and handling structures that safely contain manure at the production site. Swine manure that is to be land applied is done so in a manner that does not cause surface or groundwater pollution. Pork producers continue to develop innovative methods, such as injecting the manuer into the soil, that effectively minimize odor, dramatically reduce runoff potential and increase the availability of the valuable nutrients in manure to crops and plants.
It is not uncommon to plant trees, bushes and grasses to serve as natural windbreaks and snow fences surrounding farms. These plantings are not only aesthetically pleasing, but they also help producers reduce their energy dependency in the winter and serve as natural wildlife habitat. On the practical side, trees also help odors associated with production dissipate into the air faster.
Conservation buffer strips are a common practice of producers and farmers on their land. These plots can be as simple as native grasses allowed to grow at the banks of a creek or intentional plantings of seed grasses bordering fields or along naturally or man-made waterways. The Natural Resources Conservation Service encourages conservation buffers, adding that they: Control soil erosion by both wind and water, Improve soil quality, Improve water quality by removing sediment, fertilizers, pesticides, pathogens and other potential contaminants from runoff, Enhance fish and wildlife habitat, Reduce flooding,Conserve energy, Protect buildings, roads and livestock, Conserve biodiversity.
Pork producers also lead the agriculture industry in the development of environmental education and management training programs. The industry has funded and developed programs that help train producers in key areas such as manure and nutrient planning, land application, water and air quality, pollution prevention, recordkeeping and community relations.
Pork producers are committed to environmentally sound, science-based management of their operations and the pork industry will continue its effort to achieve environmental excellence.
Over the last decade, America's pork producers have played a leading role in advancing animal agriculture's environmental and conservation efforts. Producers work to address environmental challenges in a cooperative and productive fashion by partnering with government, scientists, conservationists and the communities in which they live and farm.
For instance, the pork industry's work on the environment has included helping to develop and advocating for better best management practices (BMPs) in manure containment and use, and working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address air quality.
Many producers have also implemented a comprehensive nutrient management plan (CNMP) which is a conservation plan specific to an individual farm. The CNMP is a compilation of conservation practices and management activities developed for a specific production site that helps ensure that both production and natural resource conservation goals are achieved. In many cases, the plan incorporates practices to use animal manure as a beneficial resource for crop production.
Using manure as a fertilizer is a practice as old as agriculture itself. Applying manure to cropland is less expensive and more environmentally friendly than buying commercial fertilizers and is a benefit to crops and soil. Every living thing needs nutrients to grow. Plants require nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and many other elements to thrive. Most of these nutrients enter the plants through soil and application of manure, which contains these nutrients, is an important part in completing the natural nutrient cycle of agriculture.
Modern pork production operations use manure storage and handling structures that safely contain manure at the production site. Swine manure that is to be land applied is done so in a manner that does not cause surface or groundwater pollution. Pork producers continue to develop innovative methods, such as injecting the manuer into the soil, that effectively minimize odor, dramatically reduce runoff potential and increase the availability of the valuable nutrients in manure to crops and plants.
It is not uncommon to plant trees, bushes and grasses to serve as natural windbreaks and snow fences surrounding farms. These plantings are not only aesthetically pleasing, but they also help producers reduce their energy dependency in the winter and serve as natural wildlife habitat. On the practical side, trees also help odors associated with production dissipate into the air faster.
Conservation buffer strips are a common practice of producers and farmers on their land. These plots can be as simple as native grasses allowed to grow at the banks of a creek or intentional plantings of seed grasses bordering fields or along naturally or man-made waterways. The Natural Resources Conservation Service encourages conservation buffers, adding that they: Control soil erosion by both wind and water, Improve soil quality, Improve water quality by removing sediment, fertilizers, pesticides, pathogens and other potential contaminants from runoff, Enhance fish and wildlife habitat, Reduce flooding,Conserve energy, Protect buildings, roads and livestock, Conserve biodiversity.
Pork producers also lead the agriculture industry in the development of environmental education and management training programs. The industry has funded and developed programs that help train producers in key areas such as manure and nutrient planning, land application, water and air quality, pollution prevention, recordkeeping and community relations.
Pork producers are committed to environmentally sound, science-based management of their operations and the pork industry will continue its effort to achieve environmental excellence.
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Information provided by: National Pork Board
