June 13, 2008
LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS SHOULD CHECK MANURE STORAGE
MEDIA CONTACT: Wayne Farrand at (515) 281- 8877.
DES MOINES - As rainfall continues to pummel Iowa, the DNR cautions livestock producers to check their manure storage structures, which could be threatened by saturated soils.
Both concrete and earthen structures could be endangered if groundwater levels rise higher than were expected when the structure was designed.
"The danger comes when a concrete manure storage structures is pumped out or has liquid levels lower than the groundwater level," said Wayne Farrand, supervisor of the DNR's wastewater engineering section. "That's when high ground water levels put pressure on the sidewalls and flooring. They can easily collapse a wall or float the structure if the forces are too great."
Farrand added that even structures that have a groundwater-lowering feature could be impacted. That would most likely happen if the drainage tiles are submerged, overcome or plugged.
If producers see walls or flooring on a belowground tank beginning to bow, they may want to fill the tank to equalize pressures and prevent total collapse.
Earthen basins can also be in jeopardy. Again, equalizing the inside liquid elevation to match the groundwater level may reduce the risk.
Normally the DNR's field office staff will work with producers to minimize risks and impacts if an emergency exists. However, the DNR is asking producers in the eastern part of the state to contact a private consultant for assistance as field office staff are assisting municipalities.
Writer: Wayne Farrand, Karen Grimes
SEPTIC HAULERS MAY NEED ALTERNATE SITES FOR DISCHARGING DNR
field offices can assist in finding new locations
MEDIA CONTACT: Mike Wade, DNR Manchester field office, (563) 927-2640
DES MOINES - With floodwaters overwhelming or shutting down numerous wastewater treatment plants, the DNR is encouraging septage haulers to find alternate sites for discharging sewage.
Septage haulers, which pump out private septic systems, normally take sewage to nearby wastewater plants for treatment. However, many treatment plants are now unable to take the excess sewage or are unreachable due to floodwaters. Floodwaters and saturated soils are also ruling out land application in a number of areas.
The DNR is encouraging septage haulers to delay pumping tanks for a couple of weeks if possible. If septage haulers can not find a location to land apply sewage according to state or local rules, the DNR encourages them to call their local DNR field office for assistance in locating a wastewater treatment plant that may be able to accept the sewage.
DNR field offices include:
Manchester: (563) 927-2640
Mason City: (641) 424-4073
Spencer: (712) 262-4177
Atlantic: (712) 243-1934
Des Moines: (515) 725-0268
Washington: (319) 653-2135
Writer: Jess Brown
LIVESTOCK MANURE NOW OK FOR SOYBEAN FIELDS
MEDIA CONTACT: Gene Tinker at (563) 927-2640 or gene.tinker@dnr.iowa.gov
DES MOINES - A much-discussed rule limiting manure on crop fields that are planned for soybean production is now effective, but has limited effect on soybean producers this year.
"Producers who are worried about getting crops in don't need to worry this crop changes about the limit on manure application on land that will be planted to soybeans," said Gene Tinker, DNR animal feeding coordinator.
The rule applies only to liquid manure from confinements or settled open feedlot effluent from facilities that are required to have a manure management plan or nutrient management plan. It limits land application to 100 pounds of available nitrogen on ground where soybeans have been planted, are growing or will be the next crop growing in a field where the crop has been harvested.
After June 1 of each year, the 100 pound limit on nitrogen is no longer applicable based on the assumption that changes in crops may be necessary due to weather events. Consequently, producers can plant (or replant) soybeans after June 1 in fields that have already received manure at an application rate suitable for a corn crop.
Writer: Karen Grimes