03/19/1993

Lagoon Pumping Demonstration Held at Substation

CROSSVILLE, Ala. - As water quality issues become more and more important, farmers are becoming increasingly concerned about properly handling livestock waste. Information on how to handle that waste was offered recently during an animal waste lagoon pumping demonstration held at the Sand Mountain Substation in Crossville.

"Water quality is becoming more important and the need for properly managing lagoons has become more evident," said John Eason, superintendent of the Substation. Research underway at the Substation, an outlying research unit of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station at Auburn University, has been evaluating the use of a constructed wetland to help filter lagoon water. While that system shows promise for future use, the most common disposal method for lagoon waste is to apply it to agricultural land.

According to Tom McCaskey, professor of animal and dairy sciences at Auburn University who has been heading the wetlands project, waste management does not stop at the lagoon. "The primary purpose of a lagoon is as a storage facility until you can get the waste out on to the land," he said. "Lagoons are not a final waste treatment step. The waste undergoes a partial treatment in the lagoon, but we still rely on the land for final disposal."

McCaskey noted that lagoons eventually will get too full to be effective and not only must be pumped, but also agitated so that solid material in the water is removed.

Vic Payne, an environmental engineer with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Soil Conservation Service, said there are several reasons to pump lagoons. He noted that pumping lagoons will help prevent overflow and avoid a buildup of sludge in the lagoon. Pumping also allows farmers to use the nutrients in the waste material on their land and crops and provides a source of moisture for plants.

"Those farmers who have been pumping their lagoons have had good results," he said. Payne also pointed out that farmers who do not properly handle lagoon waste can face substantial fines if the lagoons begin to threaten water quality.

Raymond Hamilton, coordinator of the Sand Mountain/Lake Guntersville Watershed Conservation District, discussed the Conservation District and its purpose. He explained that the Conservation District was formed in the 1980s because of problems with water quality. The group is working on such issues as dry stacking poultry litter, fencing livestock out of streams and also is helping provide equipment for people who want to pump lagoons.

Following these remarks, those attending the demonstration were given a chance to see a pumping system in action.

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News from:

Office of Ag Communications & Marketing

Auburn University College of Agriculture
Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station
3 Comer Hall, Auburn University
Auburn, AL 36849
334-844-4877 (PHONE) 334-844-5892 (FAX)

Contact Jamie Creamer, 334-844-2783 or jcreamer@auburn.edu
Contact Katie Jackson, 334-844-5886 or smithcl@auburn.edu

March 19, 1993