Progress 09/15/01 to 09/14/05
Outputs
Management of livestock manures and effluent is a serious concern for livestock producers in Hawaii and the American Pacific. This project has been conducted from 2001 to 2005 to study land application of livestock waste (effluent and manure) and promote the development of comprehensive nutrient management plans (CNMPs) on livestock farms in the islands. Nutrient contents of animal manures, compost and effluents, P availability from manures, P runoff studies, and nutrient uptake by tropical grasses irrigated by effluent, have been previously reported. A series of 8 livestock producer workshops were held in December 2002, May 2003, July 2003, and May 2004 on the Islands of Oahu, Maui and Hawaii to extend project results. These were attended by over 100 participants representing all livestock industries. A final statewide presentation by the project on the soil and crop benefits of manures and effluents was held at the 2004 Hawaii Agriculture Conference in October 2004.
Over 70 farm and community leaders attended these sessions, which have helped to open markets and build demand for composts and manures produced by Hawaii livestock industries. A series of four workshops on Animal Waste Management were held in Guam and CNMI (Saipan, Tinian and Rota) in summer 2004, with over 115 attending. An invited working session was held at the EPA Pacific Islands Environment Conference in June 2005 on Guam, attended by 40 Pacific Island participants. These workshops have raised awareness of issues and promising practices throughout the Pacific. Composting and dry litter systems are being implemented in Guam, CNMI, Palau and Pohnpei. The American Samoa EPA invited project personnel to consult in November 2005 to promote piggery waste management systems to reduce a serious outbreak of Leptospirosis. Livestock operations in Hawaii were surveyed in 2001, which showed high water use, accumulation of effluent in earthen lagoons and limited land application of manures
or effluents among livestock producers. Only 3 farms had CNMPs in 2001. A follow up producer survey was conducted in Hawaii in 2005. Highlights of this survey included: 12 producers had approved CNMPs; common management practices were composting, manure sales, effluent irrigation and reduced water use; industry concerns included high feed, fuel and transportation costs, and regulations; about 40 percent of previously interviewed producers had closed. Information and practices developed in this project will continue to be demonstrated in Hawaii and the American Pacific Island through a number of projects and extension programs.
Impacts
Previous impact reports described the relevance of studies of animal waste composition, nutrient (especially P) retention on tropical soils, and nutrient removal by tropical forage grasses irrigated by effluents. These findings are very timely due to increasing recognition of the value of organic nutrient sources to agricultural, landscaping and nursery operations in Hawaii. Similarly, the livestock industries in Hawaii are beleaguered by increasing costs and regulations, so development of markets for former waste products provide a welcome income stream. Numerous poultry, dairy and swine operations are capitalizing on these opportunities, especially selling composts and manures. A large dairy on Oahu is establishing a 5 acre effluent irrigation enterprise for forage production, while several dairies on the island of Hawaii are irrigating pasture with effluent. These practices have been promoted by project activities and help to solve problems of both waste management
and high feed costs. Project outreach activities to Pacific Islands will continue through a series of research projects and extension programs, primarily funded by the USDA and USEPA. Tremendous benefits are anticipated in reduced ground and surface water contamination by nutrients and pathogens, particularly in smaller islands where waste management practices have been almost nonexistent. Of particular importance is control of the widespread disease Leptospirosis, which is often transmitted to humans by pigs. Practices promoted by this project will have a major impact on reducing this deadly disease.
Publications
- Fukumoto, G.K., DuPonte, M., Ching, L., Lee, C.N., Powley, J. and Kawabata, A. 2002. Livestock Producer Nutrient Management Planner: A Waste Management Planning Guide for Hawaii Livestock Producers. University of Hawaii, Cooperative Extension Service. 71 p.
- Hue, N., Fukumoto, G., Duponte, M., Ching, L., Evensen, C. and Powley, J. 2004. Manure Sampling, Nutrient Content, and N Mineralization. In J. Deenik and N. Hue (eds.) Integrating Animal Waste Issues into Nutrient Management Recommendations for Hawaii Soils. University of Hawaii - CTAHR & USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. pp. 11-20.
- Evensen, C., Hue, N., Fukumoto, G., DuPonte, M., Ching, L. and Powley, J. 2004. Manure Solids and Effluent Sampling, Analysis and Recommendation Guidelines. In J. Deenik and N. Hue (eds.) Integrating Animal Waste Issues into Nutrient Management Recommendations for Hawaii Soils. University of Hawaii - CTAHR & USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. pp. 21-31.
- Wilcox, A. and Yost, R.S. 2004. Evaluation of the Influence of Sodium and Other Dispersive Agents on Effluent Irrigated Soils in Hawaii. In J. Deenik and N. Hue (eds.) Integrating Animal Waste Issues into Nutrient Management Recommendations for Hawaii Soils. University of Hawaii - CTAHR & USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. pp. 32-38.
- Yost, R., Uchida, R., Silva, J., Evensen, C. and Hue, N. 2004. Upgrading and Revising FACS (Fertility Advice and Consulting System). In J. Deenik and N. Hue (eds.) Integrating Animal Waste Issues into Nutrient Management Recommendations for Hawaii Soils. University of Hawaii - CTAHR & USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. pp. 57-62.
- Valencia Gica, R., Yost, R., Wilcox, A., Porter, G. and Evensen, C. 2004. Nutrient utilization and effluent cleanup potential of tropical forage grasses. Poster presented at the 2004 American Society of Agronomy Meeting, Seattle, Oct 31 to Nov 4, 2004.
- Erwin, S., Evensen, C. and Yost, R. 2004. Feedback to FACS Recommendations, Suggestions for Improvements and Increasing User-Friendliness. In J. Deenik and N. Hue (eds.) Integrating Animal Waste Issues into Nutrient Management Recommendations for Hawaii Soils. University of Hawaii - CTAHR & USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. pp. 82-90.
- Fukumoto, G.K., Evensen, C.I. and Castro, L.F. 2004. Livestock Producer Nutrient Management Planner: A Waste Management Planning Guide for Pacific Island Livestock Producers. University of Hawaii, Cooperative Extension Service. 17 p.
- Evensen, C., Hue, N., Yost, R., Fukumoto, G., DuPonte, M., Ching, L., Powley, J. and Delisle, L. 2004. Nutrient Management of Livestock Manure in Hawaii. Poster presented at Sustainable Land Application Conference, Orlando, Jan. 4-8, 2004.
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
Three workshops were conducted to introduce the Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning process to 47 Hawaii livestock producers on 3 islands in May 2004. Participants were presented with the latest EPA regulations affecting CAFO and AFO, USDA funding opportunities, and special interest topics on manure management. Faculty from the University of Hawaii and Northern Marianas College, in conjunction with USDA-CSREES cooperators and EPA, addressed swine effluent problems in the Pacific in three education workshops for over 100 participants in the Northern Marianas in July and August 2004. A manual was developed and distributed specifically addressing the interests and needs of farmers in the American Pacific. Two sessions were presented at the 2004 Hawaii Agriculture Conference that shared practical, "real-world" experiences about the soil and crop benefits of manures and composts in production agricultural operations. The first session featured Dr. Marc Buchanan, an
experienced agricultural consultant and researcher from California, who discussed the value of rich organic fertilizers and how to integrate them into profitable crop, landscaping, or nursery operations. In the second session, a panel of Hawaii farmers and businessmen explained the composting process and benefits, their successes and challenges and answered audience questions about use of composts and manures. The effects of dairy effluent application to grass forage and pasture on two soil types reported last year continued on the islands of Oahu (Mollisol) and Hawaii (Andisol). Yields and nutrient uptake of the effluent irrigated grasses were extremely high, especially on the Mollisol, with estimated dry matter yields of 60-70 tons/ha/year, N uptake of over 1000 kg/ha/year, and P uptake of 200 kg/ha/yr for several of the grasses. Data was also compiled in a "Preliminary Update on the Hawaii Livestock Industry", in planning for a detailed survey to be carried out in 2005. Initial
studies show a decline of 39% in the number of livestock producers in Hawaii over 2000 to 2004.
Impacts
Composition of manures in Hawaii were similar to the mainland US, except for higher Cu and Zn contents. In studies of phosphorus retention on Hawaiian soils, a highly weathered tropical soil (Oxisol) retained much more P against runoff than did a less weather soil typical of the US grain belt (Mollisol), which indicates that some soils in Hawaii have much higher P retention than is typical for the mainland US. Tropical forage grasses have high nutrient uptake and year round growth in Hawaii which indicate potential for very high manure and effluent application rates. Nutrient removals from intensively managed tropical grasses were found to be very high, with estimates for some grasses to be over 1000 kg N/ha/yr and 200 kg P/ha/yr. High soil retention of P and high nutrient removals by forages indicate that higher manure application rates are environmentally acceptable in these tropical areas, as compared to the mainland US. This information is being communicated to
the NRCS and State of Hawaii water quality regulators for use in assessing nutrient management plans. Surveys of manure management by Hawaiian livestock producers showed high water use, accumulation of effluent in earthen lagoons and limited land application of manures or effluents. Through this project, producers in Hawaii are beginning to develop comprehensive nutrient management plans and these procedures have been extended to Guam and American Samoa.
Publications
- Fukumoto, G. and Wimberly, J. 2004. A Portable Dry-Litter Pig Pen. University of Hawaii, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. AWM-2.
- Fukumoto, G., Evensen, C. and Castro, L. 2004. Livestock Producers Nutrient Management Planner Guidebook: A Waste Management Planning Guide for Pacific Island Livestock Producers. University of Hawaii, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.
- Fukumoto, G. 2004. The Forages Website: Nutrients. [WWW document]. URL http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/ctahr2001/InfoCenter/Forages/nutrients.ht ml
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Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/03
Outputs
This project involves research and education on land application and crop utilization of nutrients in livestock waste. Partners in these activities include Land Grant Universities in Hawaii, Guam and American Samoa and the NRCS. Nutrient contents of animal waste and compost were determined from over 300 samples collected throughout Hawaii and waste sampling and handling protocols were developed. Manure analyses are quite similar to reported values from the US mainland except for Cu which is up to 10 times higher and Zn which is up to 5 times higher in Hawaii manure solids. These higher Cu and Zn contents have not yet been explained. In preliminary phosphorus runoff studies, two soils (a Mollisol and Oxisol) were placed in plastic trays with 1000 mg P/kg as chicken, swine manure or TSP and inclined to create a 5% slope (50 cm long). Sprinklers simulated rainfall and phosphorus was measured in the runoff collected. The Oxisol retained much more P than the Mollisol.
Amounts of P released to the runoff water varied with source and time: fastest with the inorganic P (treble-superphosphate) and slowest with the composted swine manure. Studies of nutrient uptake by tropical grasses indicate high nutrient uptake potential and improvement of forage quality. Large expanses of range and abandoned sugarcane land in Hawaii are extremely nutrient depleted and would benefit from such fertilization. Five grasses were selected for manure application studies: 1) Signal Grass, 2) Suerte Paspalum, 3) Puerto Rican Star Grass, 4) Bana grass, and 5) Guinea Grass. Two sites were selected for field studies of effluent application to forage grasses. The maximum amounts of N and P which can be safely applied will be studied for dairy effluents on Mollisol and Andisol soils with contrasting P sorption characteristics. Both sites are commercial dairies. We will quantify the effects of application of dairy effluent at rates of 0.5 and 2.0 Potential Evapotranspiration (PET)
on P sorption/desorption, nitrate leaching, soil permeability, forage production and nutrient uptake. The first of a series of livestock producer workshops were held on three islands in Hawaii in December 2002 to acquaint producers with preliminary project results, changing environmental regulations and the need to develop nutrient management plans. Project partners from Guam and American Samoa attended the December workshops, toured Hawaii farms and discussed common needs with project personnel. Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning (CNMP) workshops were held in May and July 2003 for 10 of the largest livestock producers in Hawaii, representing swine, poultry, dairy and beef industries. All began to develop CNMPs for their operations. These planning workshops are a joint effort of the Hawaii Cooperative Extension Service and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Surveys of Hawaiian livestock producers showed high water use, accumulation of effluent in earthen lagoons
and limited land application of manures or effluents.
Impacts
Composition of manures in Hawaii were similar to the mainland US, except for higher Cu and Zn contents, which has not yet been explained. In studies of phosphorus retention on Hawaiian soils, a highly weathered tropical soil (Oxisol) retained much more P against runoff than did a less weather soil typical of the US grain belt (Mollisol), which indicates that some soils in Hawaii have much higher P retention than is typical for the mainland US. Tropical forage grasses have high nutrient uptake and year round growth in Hawaii which indicate potential for very high manure and effluent application rates. Predicted nutrient removals from intensively managed tropical grasses are reported to approach 750- 1500 kg N/ha/yr and 75-150 kg P/ha/yr, which we hope to confirm through this project. High soil retention of P and high nutrient removals by forages may indicate that higher manure application rates are environmentally acceptable in these tropical areas, as compared to the
mainland US. Surveys of manure management by Hawaiian livestock producers showed high water use, accumulation of effluent in earthen lagoons and limited land application of manures or effluents. Through this project, producers in Hawaii are beginning to develop comprehensive nutrient management plans and these procedures will be extended to Guam and American Samoa in the next year of the project.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/01 to 09/30/02
Outputs
This project involves research and education on land application and crop utilization of nutrients in livestock manure. Partners in these activities include Land Grant Universities in Hawaii, Guam and American Samoa and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The project is designed to determine (1) the maximum application rates of livestock manure (manure and effluent) which can safely be used over time, (2) the interactions of nutrients (especially P) with tropical soils to which manures are applied, and (3) contribute to the development and adoption of comprehensive nutrient management plans on livestock farms in Hawaii and the American Pacific. Nutrient contents of animal manure and compost were determined from over 200 samples collected throughout Hawaii and manure sampling and handling protocols were developed. Experiments on P availability were carried out on three tropical soils using six rates of manure application. About 4 to 5 times as much manure-P
application was required to reach the same extractable P level on the Andisol studied as on the Mollisol or Oxisol. Chicken manure also produced higher extractable P than swine manure or TSP. Preliminary phosphorus runoff studies were also conducted in the greenhouse on a Mollisol and Oxisol. Studies of nutrient uptake by various tropical grasses indicate high nutrient uptake potential and improvement of forage quality. Large expanses of range and abandoned sugarcane land in Hawaii are extremely depleted in nutrients and effluent from livestock lagoons could substantially improve the production and quality of forage grasses grown on these soils. Five grasses were selected for subsequent effluent application studies: Signal Grass (Brachiaria decumbens), Suerte Paspalum (Paspalum atratu), Puerto Rican Stargrass (Cynodon nlemfuensis), Dwarf Napier (Pennisetum purpureum), and Guinea Grass (Panicum maximum). Three sites were selected for field studies of effluent application to forage
grasses. Livestock operations in Hawaii were surveyed in 2001. A total of 58 farms (most of the state's large operations) were surveyed via interviews, including 27 swine, 10 dairy, 3 poultry, 5 beef, 6 slaughter facilities and 7 other operations. These were generally well-established family farms, averaging 35 years in business. Less than 7% of managers were under 30 years of age and 26% were over 60 years old. Many of the manure management systems employed reflect an era of simple planning and minimal regulations. Waste management systems on most farms are characterized by high water utilization (71% with pen flushing), earthen lagoons (60% of farms), no crops raised, only 40% had off-farm transfer of nutrients, and only 3 farms had Manure Management Plans. A series of livestock producer workshops are planned for December 2002 to acquaint producers with preliminary project results, changing environmental regulations and the need to develop nutrient management plans. Project partners
from Guam and American Samoa will attend the workshops, tour Hawaii farms and discuss common needs with project personnel. Development of P risk evaluation and GIS planning aids were also initiated.
Impacts
This first year of project activities has laid the groundwork for project research and public outreach efforts. Manure samples from Hawaii had similar analyses to comparable samples from the Continental US. However, soil phosphorus absorption rates were found to be quite variable for different Hawaiian soils and some soils (eg. Andisols) had far higher P absorption capacities than most other US soils. Similarly, preliminary studies on tropical forage grasses indicate extremely high nutrient uptake potential, which, coupled with year round growth conditions, indicate that very high applications of manure and effluent may be possible on tropical livestock operations. The need for nutrient management planning on Hawaii's livestock farms was clearly indicated by survey results which showed high water use, accumulation of effluent in earthen lagoons and very limited use of the nutrients or water. Similar situations have been described by project partners in Guam and
American Samoa.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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