Livestock production is an important, but not the largest, source of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphate that are introduced into the environment in the United States. Human sewage, manufactured fertilizer, private septic systems, atmospheric deposition and residential fertilizer are all contributing factors to excess nutrients in surface and groundwater.
Modern pork production operations utilize manure storage and handling structures that safely contain manure at the production site. Swine manure from concentrated feeding operations is required to be land applied in a manner that does not cause surface or groundwater pollution. Pork |
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producers continue to develop innovative methods, like soil injection, that effectively eliminate odor, dramatically reduce runoff potential and increase the plant availability of the valuable nutrients in manure.
Concentrated pork production operations are subject to comprehensive regulations at the federal and state level. Pork producers have taken the lead in working with EPA, state regulators and environmental organizations in developing additional, science-based options for regulatory programs.
Nearly 900 pork producers have complied with KDHE’s state-mandated requirements for the size of their operation. This includes: over 100 producers with NPDES permits, over 600 producers with state permits and over 100 producers with state certifications.
For decades, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment has required pork producers to control enough land to utilize the manure produced by the operation.
Kansas pork producers with over 1,000 Animal Units are now required to submit a Nutrient Utilization Plan showing the fields where plant food will be applied.
Pork producers have also led the agriculture industry in the development of environmental education and management training programs. Since 1999, producers with over 1,000 Animal Units have been required to attend a training session in order to receive their certification to land-apply manure. The pork industry provided materials from the Environmental Assurance Program. This notebook includes information in key areas such as manure nutrient planning, land application, water and air quality, pollution prevention, recordkeeping and community relations.
Pork producers are committed to sound, science-based management of their operations. The pork industry will continue its effort to lead the pork industry around the world in environmental excellence.
For more information on pork production and the environment, see environment in the Producer Section.
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