currently has a negative reputation within big source of odors. Broadcasting manure weekend, call the neighbors ahead of
amanda
the community the idea of expansion is causes the most odors because the time and let them know your plans.
bound to bring opposition, without obvi- manure is flung into the air. This releases It is important to develop a good rela-
mEddLES ous efforts to establish positive goodwill. more odors than direct injection. Direct tionship with the community around you
E
These citizens are concerned with water injection is the best alternative, but work- in order to operate smoothly. Education
nvironmEntaL
and air quality. They usually are not ing the manure into the ground after sur- can be a strong tool for your neighbors.
StEwardShip
against animal agriculture but want to face application can help reduce the Talk to them or invite them over for a
with oLC
maintain a healthy and enjoyable lifestyle. length of time the smell hangs around. tour. Lastly, remember to be considerate
One step you could take is to discuss Your decision of when you apply of your neighbors and that they are prob-
ByAMANDAMEDDlESANDJoNrAuSch, with them the practices your operation should use some common sense. ably more sensitive to the odors than
oSuE ENviroNMENtAlMANAGEMENttEAM uses to avoid air and water pollution (such Applying Friday through Sunday will someone who works around it everyday.
Before You Build part 4, neigh-
as incorporation of manure and following likely irritate the neighbors more than on Making a few small changes can make a
bor and community relations
recommended setbacks from environmen- days when they are at work, assuming big difference when it comes to neighbor
tally sensitive areas). This will help them off-farm employment. If it is a nice warm and community relations.
Neighbor and Community Relations is
understand that spreading manure doesn’t weekend, chances are, people are proba- To see a complete version of the Site
the fourth and final part of the Before You
equal pollution and health risks. It may bly outside working or playing and don’t Considerations and past articles visit
Build article series (see February 2009,
help to let them know the benefits of want to be disrupted by odor. They also oema.osu.edu/OEMAPublications.htm
March 2009 and April 2009 issues for pre-
manure. A couple of these could be the may be planning on having guests over. and click on the first link “Site
vious articles). Neighbor and community
recycling of organic matter and nutrients If it is crucial that you apply on the Considerations for Production Facilities.”
relations are directly related to the produc-
needed to produce healthy crops.
tivity of your farm, and are a critical part of
Aside from community education,
environmental stewardship.
there are a few things that you could do
Keeping good relations with the com-
FDA delays BSE-related feed ban
around the farm. One you have probably
munity is important in reducing com-
heard before is landscaping. This gives a
The Food and Drug Administration Over the past two decades, science-
plaints toward the operation and could
farm “curb appeal” and will create an
(FDA) announced last month a delay in the based measures have proven successful in
make the future possibility of expanding
image of a well-kept farm. Windbreaks
implementation of the final rule titled, preventing and reducing the spread of
much easier. In addition, time spent build-
will help in keeping the odors from drift-
“Substances Prohibited from Use in Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)
ing these relationships, at your choosing,
ing toward neighbors and add to the
Animal Food or Feed.” in the United States. Furthermore, the inci-
can maximize your time during critical
landscaping of the farm. Windbreaks can
The final rule, which would have gone dence of BSE worldwide has dramatically
periods when labor is at a premium.
be a good investment in reducing odor
into effect on April 27, is now delayed 60 decreased due to the many measures put
If you are in a situation when you can
complaints, however, may take a number
days to June 26. The agency is taking this into place, including a series of interlock-
predict complaints, then you should
of years to establish. Covering a manure
action in response to comments from ing safeguards and science-based mitiga-
make an effort to discuss your produc-
storage facility is a more complete way of
affected parties, particularly those in the tion practices.
tion practices with your neighbors. The
reducing odors. There are a variety of
rendering industry, expressing concerns “We must continue to look to the sci-
more they understand what is involved
covers available to fit different farm
about their ability to fully comply with the ence to avoid over-regulating the industry
with modern production agriculture, the
needs and goals. Doing some research is
rule by the April 27 effective date. In addi- and creating policy that doesn’t meet our
better the chances are that complaints
the best way to determine which cover
tion, some affected parties are finding it objective of a safer animal health system,”
toward your operation will decrease.
will fit your farm.
difficult to identify appropriate alternate Parker said.
As mentioned earlier, if an operation
The applying manure also can be a
ways of disposing of cattle material that Since 1997, the United States has pro-
may no longer be rendered for animal feed hibited ruminant feed from including
use once the rule takes effect. parts of other ruminants. The enhanced
The FDA also provided seven days for feed ban would move beyond the current
Looking For Hard Work
public comment solely on the question of ban in that it would prohibit certain cat-
whether to delay the effective date, not on tle-derived risk materials from all animal
the merits of the ban itself. This drew criti- feed. Beginning as early as December
cism from some in the livestock industry. 2008, many renderers stopped picking up
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Association (NCBA) has opposed the nomic realities of this proposal, accord-
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enhanced feed ban since its proposal in ing to NCBA.
2005 and continues to urge FDA to open “This rule has essentially ended render-
the rule to public comment and delay ing services in many parts of the country,
implementation until they have had ade- and left producers with no legal alterna-
quate time to consider the many problems tives,” Parker said.  “These are 1,200
Also available in a deck over model
caused by the ban. pound animals. It is unrealistic and sim-
“Members of Congress and the Senate plistic to think that producers can dispose
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have joined NCBA in petitioning the FDA of them in their backyards. The environ-
to reopen the rule itself for public comment mental and economic consequences are
so that the people impacted by the rule can enormous and FDA has the responsibility
share their stories,” said Elizabeth Parker, to consider those concerns before imple-
chief veterinarian for NCBA. menting this rule.”
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Extension addresses dairy farm issues
“Reducing costs to improve short-term ing Ohio dairy producers: nutrition, crop
cash flow” is the theme of a series of Ohio and feed costs, reproduction and health,
State University Dairy Issue Briefs calf and heifer management, business
launched by OSU Extension’s Dairy issues, and people and stress management.
Working Group to aid livestock producers Some of the briefs currently posted
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facing critical economic issues. include: using corn silage to reduce cash
“Plummeting prices in the dairy indus- feed costs, re-evaluating the culling policy,
try are creating critical cash-flow and long- changing from a confinement system to a
term survivability issues on Ohio’s 3,328 grazing system, removing diet additives to
dairy farms,” said Dianne Shoemaker, an reduce short-term costs, are silage crop
OSU Extension dairy specialist. “Cost-cut- inoculants worth the cost, would earlier
ting decisions must be made with full weaning save money and the status of
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For information & a dealer nearest you duction and economic consequences.” The completed briefs, as well as future
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Through a series of 26 Dairy Issue briefs, can be found at dairy.osu.edu, or by
Gordonville, PA
Briefs, OSU Extension’s Dairy Working contacting Dianne Shoemaker at 330263-
Dealerships available in select areas.
5873
Group is addressing five key areas impact- 3799 or shoemaker.3@osu.edu.
28 Livestock • Ohio’s Country Journal • May 2009
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