Environment

Each year National Hog Farmer magazine and Pork Checkoff join forces to recognize up to four top environmental stewards in the U.S. pork industry. Applications or nominations are due by March 31, 2012....More

The eXtension Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center offers two new publications focusing on air quality. Download “Biofilters for Odor and Air Pollution Mitigation in Animal Agriculture” at http://www.extension.org/sites/default/files/BiofiltersforOdor%20FINAL.pdf. A recent North Carolina State University publication provides an update on manure additive options. Download a PDF of “Additives for Improving Hog Farm Air Quality” at http://www.extension.org/sites/default/files/HogAir%20additives%20FINAL.pdf....More

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has extended the public comment period for the proposed National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) Reporting Rule to Jan. 19, 2012.  The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) had requested a 60-day extension to the original Dec. 20 deadline for filing comments. Instead, EPA granted a 30-day extension to the comment period....More

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced it has revised its national conservation practice standard on nutrient management in order to help producers better manage the application of nutrients on agricultural land. The inclusion of a “4R” Nutrient Stewardship plan calling for the right nutrient source at the right rate, the right time, and in the right place was applauded by organizations such as the Fertilizer Institute (TFI).  ...More