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Main > Regional Themes > Animal Manure & Waste Management
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| Overview |
Concerns exist about the leaching, runoff, and discharge of nutrients and pathogens from livestock
effluent into groundwater and surface waters.
This problem is created by the expansion of many livestock and dairy production
operations that increase the number of animals while utilizing
the same land base, in order to stay economically competitive.
In Hawaii and the Pacific Island territories, the limited land area has
created special  concerns in the management and disposal of livestock effluent.
Intense rainfall and tropical storms, along with the short path of pollutants to the receiving
waters, affect the water quality of the region. Besides contamination to sensitive coastal and coral reef environments,
piggery effluent represents a significant source of fecal contamination, and/or zoonotic disease. Pacific islands in the Regional Water Program that are affected by piggeries include the Northern Marianas Islands, American Samoa, Micronesia, and Palau. Adoption of the best animal waste management
practices can reduce the introduction of pollutants
from farms into the water supplies, helping to improve water quality. |
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| Objectives |
- Groundwater and surface waters (including streams, estuaries, coastal, and coral reef environments) are better protected from contamination by animal wastes
- Producers have a greater knowledge of nutrient cycles, environmental concerns, and the potential for zoonotic disease
- Livestock production economics are improved by implementation of whole farm nutrient management strategies
- Livestock producers are considered good stewards of the environment
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| Progress |
The regional project supported development of two alternative waste management systems in the Pacific islands; a modified dry litter waste management system (DLWMS) and a portable pen. Workshops were conducted in the Northern Marianas, Guam, Micronesia,  and Palau reaching over 150 farmer and agency participants. USEPA Region IX and Pacific Island Extension agents are optimistic regarding the dry-litter/composting approach and are actively pursuing voluntary adoption of the BMPs. Research conducted at the University of Nevada indicates that Leptospira appear to be best adapted to warm environments and neutral to slightly alkaline environments and can survive in fresh water or moist soil for months. This regionally supported research has identified ranges of temperature and pH conditions lethal to common variants of Leptospira. The information is critical for managing the pathogen, and has been requested by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Pacific Basin office for developing a composting standard to reduce the risk of off-site transport of spirochetes from infected pigs. |
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Past Projects Under USDA CSREES
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| An Alternative Waste Management System to Swine Operations for Water Pollution Control Programs in the American Pacific |
Alan Sabaldica, Northern Marianas College Cooperative Extension
Lawerence Duponcheel, Northern Marianas College Extension
Carl Evensen, University of Hawaii
Glen Fukumoto, University of Hawaii
Conducted a series of workshops that introduced local pig farmers to two affordable and environmentally appropriate waste management systems for swine; the dry litter system, and the portable pen system. Read More >
CONTACT
Allan C.Sabaldica
phone: 1 670 433 2576/0639
fax: 1 670 433 2161
email: Allans@nmcnet.edu
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| Demonstrating Best Management Practices on Piggeries in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands |
Lawerence Duponcheel, Northern Marianas College Extension
Carl Evensen, University of Hawaii
Demonstrated to sustainable agriculture operators the benefits of incorporating animal wastes as
amendments to existing fertilization regimen for local cropping systems. The project will provide
outreach to local farmers with the intent of demonstrating the agronomic value of animal waste
amendments. This will encourage environmentally responsible behaviors in respect to the
disposition of small-scale animal operation wastes. Demonstration will be accomplished by
means of pilot site and local cooperator instruction.
CONTACT
Lawerence J. Duponcheel
phone:
670-433-0639
fax: 670-433-2161
email: lawontinian@pticom.com
FUNDING
was provided by CSREES Southwest States & Pacific Islands Water Quality Program |
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| Land Application of Livestock Manure in Hawaii and the American Pacific |
Carl Evensen, University of Hawaii
Research is required to determine how nutrients from manures become available to crops and
how these nutrients are retained, released, and utilized when applied to tropical soils.
Specifically, this project is designed to:
1. determine the maximum application rates of livestock waste (effluent and manure) which
can be safely used over time;
2. the interactions of nutrients (especially phosphorus) in tropical soils to which manures are
applied; and
3. contribute to the development and adoption of environmentally sound, comprehensive
nutrient management plans (CNMPs) on livestock farms in Hawaii and the American
Pacific.
CONTACT
Carl Evensen
phone:
808-956-8825
fax: 808-956-6539
email: evensen@hawaii.edu |
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| Leptospirosis and Compost Treatment |
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Mark Walker and John Parker, University of Nevada, Reno
Lawerence Duponcheel, Northern Marianas College
Brian Rippy, American Samoa Soil and Water
Conservation District
To develop a reliable model of survival of
pathogenic Leptospira spirochetes based on duration of
exposure to ranges of temperature and pH expected in
passive composting systems of the type that might be used in
the western Pacific to reduce the risk of off-site water
contamination with Leptospira spirochetes in piggery
wastes. PDF
CONTACT
Mark Walker
775-784-1938
fax: 775-784-4789
email: mwalker@cabnr.unr.edu
FUNDING
was provided by CSREES Southwest States & Pacific Islands Water Quality Program
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