Beneficial Management Practices: Environmental Manual for Dairy Producers in Alberta

These farm practices guidelines were developed for Alberta dairy producers with the co-operation of industry, government and interested stakeholders to create greater awareness and understanding of beneficial environmental practices. Information presented in this publication is based on the best available research data and years of experience. The guidelines are intended to provide a range of management options for dairy operations of various sizes. This manual is a living document and will be updated regularly to incorporate additional proven technologies and information on environmental practices. Individuals not experienced in dairy production practices should not extract portions of this publication, nor draw inference, without considering all aspects of production. These guidelines should not be adopted literally into legislation, in whole or in part,
by any level of government.

Developed by:
Alberta Milk
Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development

Funded by:
Alberta Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture Program, Alberta Agriculture,
Food and Rural Development
Canadian Adaptation and Rural Development Fund, Agriculture and Food Council,
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Acknowledgements:
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
Alberta Association of Agricultural Fieldmen
Alberta Environment
Alberta Health and Wellness
Alberta Milk
Environmental Law Centre
Intensive Livestock Working Group
LandWise Inc.
Natural Resources Conservation Board
Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration
Texas A & M University
The Wilson Law Office
University of Alberta

View/Print Manual by Chapter

1.0 Introduction - 178K PDF - Approximate download time is 1 minute.

• 1.1 Client and Objective
• 1.2 Background

• 2.1 Air Quality
• 2.2 Odour
• 2.3 Dust
• 2.4 Gases
• 2.5 Pesticides
• 2.6 Pharmaceuticals
• 2.7 Pathogens
• 2.8 Soil Erosion, Compaction and Salts
• 2.9 Excess Nutrients
• 2.10 Other Water Concerns
• 2.11 Nuisance

• 3.1 Environmental Law Relating to Dairy Production
• 3.2 Regulatory Approvals for Dairy Operations

• 4.1 What is Conflict?
• 4.2 Preventing Conflict
• 4.3 Managing Conflict
• 4.4 Resolving Conflict

• 5.1 Site Selection
• 5.2 Site Planning
• 5.3 Shutting Down Livestock Operations

• 6.1 Manure Collection and Housing
• 6.2 Dairy Wastewater Handling Systems
• 6.3 Feeds and Nutrition

• 7.1 Manure Storage Design Considerations
• 7.2 Types of Storage
• 7.3 Manure Storage Capacity
• 7.4 Managing Manure to Control Odours
• 7.5 Safety Precautions When Managing Livestock Manure
• 7.6 Maintenance of Earthen Manure Storages
• 7.7 Monitoring Earthen Manure Storage Performance
• 7.8 Runoff Control from Manure Storage
• 7.9 Manure Transportation
• 7.10 Manure Treatment

• 8.1 Nutrient Value of Manure
• 8.2 Manure and Soil Analyses
• 8.3 Crop Nutrient Requirements
• 8.4 Method of Manure Application
• 8.5 Time of Application
• 8.6 Calibration of Spreading Equipment
• 8.7 Record Keeping
• 8.8 Other Beneficial Management Practices
• 8.9 Manure Management Planning Case Study

• 9.1 Disposal of Dead Animals
• 9.2 Disposal of Veterinary Waste
• 9.3 Disposal of Chemical Farm Waste
• 9.4 Leaks and Spills
• 9.5 Options for Disposal of Contaminated Soils

• 10.1 Resource List for Dairy Producers
• 10.2 Pathogens and Diseases Related to Dairy Manure in Alberta
• 10.3 Spreading Equipment Calibration

• Phosphorus is elemental P.
• Phosphate is P₂O₅, which is a fertilizer unit.
• Potassium is elemental K.
• Potash is K₂O, which is a fertilizer unit.
• N is nitrogen.
• Organic-N is organic nitrogen.
• Total-N is total nitrogen.

• 1 kilogram (kg) = 2.205 lb. = 35.28 ounces = 1,000 grams
• 1,000 m = 3,281 feet = 39,370 inches = 0.6214 miles
• 1 m³ = 1,000 litres = 264.2 gallons (U.S.) = 220 gallons (Imperial)
• 1 ha = 10,000 m2 = 107,639 ft2 = 2.471 acres
• 1 kg/ha = 1.12 lb./ac.
• 1% = 10 kg/tonne = 10,000 mg/kg = 10,000 parts per million (ppm)
• 1 ppm = 1 mg/kg (solid) or 1 mg/L (liquid)
• 1 lb. of P = 2.29 lb. of P2O5
• 1 lb. of K = 1.2 lb. of K2O
• 1 ppm N, P or K (in 6 inches or 15 cm soil depth) = 2 lb. of N, P or K/ac.
  = 2 kg of N, P or K/ha
  i.e. If the lab report shows that P content in soil is 20 ppm, this is equivalent to: 20 x 2 = 40 lb. P/ac. or 40 kg P/ha.