Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: A nutrient management tool has been developed and is in use on small farms. This tool allows small farmers to complete nutrient management plans. These plans are shorter than longer plans required for CNMP's. They include sections for determining manure production, manure storage and water quality, and determining spreading rates on different crops. The program will be made more accessible for public use. A research project is also being conducted with a byproduct called Okara from soybeans processed to make soy milk. This product is high in protein and fat and has been used as a protein supplement in dairy cattle diets. Studies are planned to determine digestibility and feeding value in ruminant diets. In addition, support has been given to Nutrient Managment Planners in the state to aid in the development of nutrient management plans. This has included educational support and assistance in maintaining certification for planners and support as a direct liaison with the State office of the NRCS. PARTICIPANTS: Extension Specialists, Agents, and Staff from Rutgers University State Department of Agriculture USDA-NRCS TARGET AUDIENCES: USDA-NRCS PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Project currently undergoing a rewrite and currently referred to as NE temp1661. TARGET AUDIENCES: Livestock farmers Extension personnel State Department of Agriculture and other regulatory personnel Farm Bureau PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
1. Consulting nutritionists and nutrient management planners have been trained to develop and implement NRCS Nutrient Management 592 plans. 2. Educational meetings to inform farmers about nutrient management requirements have been conducted throughout New Jersey. Over 1000 producers have been trained in how to develop their own nutrient management plans. One of the outputs of this project is a computer program that assists producers in nutrient planning. It is currently being used in the state. 3. County extension staff have complete or are in progress with 15 CNMP's within the last year. Support for these has included educational meetings, and direct assistance int he preparation of CNMP's.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: A nutrient management tool is being developed for small farms. This tool will allow small farmers to complete nutrient management plans. These plans will be shorter than longer plans required for CNMP's. They include sections for determining manure production, manure storage and water quality, and determining spreading rates on different crops. The program will be made more accessible for public use. A research project is also being conducted with a byproduct called Okara from soybeans processed to make soy milk. This product is high in protein and fat and has been used as a protein supplement in dairy cattle diets. Studies are planned to determine digestibility and feeding value in ruminant diets. PARTICIPANTS: Extension Specialists, Agents, and Staff State Department of Agriculture USDA-NRCS TARGET AUDIENCES: Livestock farmers Extension personnel State Department of Agriculture and other regulatory personnel Farm Bureau USDA-NRCS PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Project currently undergoing a rewrite and currently referred to as NE_temp1661.

Impacts
Educational meetings to inform farmers about nutrient management requirements have been conducted throughout New Jersey. Over 1000 producers have been trained in how to develop their own nutrient management plans. One of the outputs of this project is a computer program that assists producers in nutrient planning. It is currently being used in the state.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Outputs in the current year were focused on outreach to small farmers in New Jersey and to other states with farmers classified as small. On March 11-13 of 2008 an Animal Waste Training Conference was held in New Brunswick, NJ. This conference was supported by the USEPA and USDA-CSREES. This, "Train the Trainer," conference focused on teaching nutrient management professionals who work with small farmers the principles of preparing nutrient management plans. Attendees came from the USEPA, New Jersey State Departments of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, the New Jersey State Soil Conservation Districts, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Rutgers Cooperative Extension, etc. The course consisted of one and a half days of classroom instruction and one day of on-farm tours. Participants received CEU credits as Nutrient Management Planners and a Certified Crop Advisors. This meeting was especially timely as New Jersey prepares to implement a statewide animal waste management rule requiring all farmers to implement nutrient management plans. A follow-up was conducted on farms that currently have implemented Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans. Approximately 25 farms were followed up. Two Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans were rewritten in the process; the remainder is still being tabulated. Rutgers Cooperative Extension is continuing to develop a digital program for writing nutrient management plans on small farms. This program is written in the Flash programming language and will be available on compact disk as well as online. It is focused on small farmers to help them develop their own nutrient management plans. It is designed mostly for farmer users, but can be used by professionals as well. The State of New Jersey is in the process of developing a Statewide Animal Waste Management rule. This rule will require all producers to comply with the following requirements: 1. Manure storage areas 100 feet away from state waters. 2. Animals in confined areas shall not have uncontrolled access to waters of the state. 3. Land application of animal waste shall be performed in accordance with the principles of the NJDA BMP Manual and the USDA-NRCS Field Office Technical Guide. 4. Animals and related waste from reportable diseases shall not be disposed of until reported to state veterinarian. 5. Any person entering a farm to conduct official business related to these rules shall follow bio-security protocol. Beyond these general requirements all producers must develop an Animal Waste Nutrient Management Plan. Rutgers University Cooperative Extension Service is playing a major role in the educational part of this effort. PARTICIPANTS: Rutgers Cooperative Extension staff. Collaborators from the USEPA, New Jersey State Departments of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, the New Jersey State Soil Conservation Districts, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. TARGET AUDIENCES: 1. Target groups were farmers with or needing to have nutrient management plans. 2. Target groups were nutrient management professionals who were updated with the latest nutrient management information for small farmers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Twenty-three farms with Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans were followed up. Of these, two Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans were rewritten to reflect changes in management. Of the remainder, data was recorded about how well they followed the plan. The March 11-13 of 2008 an Animal Waste Training Conference held in New Brunswick, NJ offered CEU credits for Participants. Over 20 participants received CEU credits as Nutrient Management Planners and/or Certified Crop Advisors.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Rutgers Cooperative Extension is completing a nutrient management self-certification computer-program for livestock producers in New Jersey. This program utilizes a fill in the blank approach to making a nutrient management plan. Farmers will be able to enter information relative to farm size, animal units, field size and cropping systems to develop a manure use and disposal plan. In addition, respondents will answer questions related to manure storage, water quality and barnyard runoff, field slope, presence of water and wetlands, pasture and cropping management, erosion control, feed management, and stream access to develop risk information on the farm. These will help producers to describe their operations and plan for the future. Producers targeted in this projected will be mostly small producers. The product will be used to educate as producers fill it out. For example, when producers fill out the section on barnyard runoff, they will be lead through a series of questions related to storm water runoff and barnyard management on their farm. The document will contain links to Rutgers Farm Assist and other related fact sheets about barnyard runoff management. We are nearing completion on this project and will begin use later this year. In New Jersey, the state Department of Agriculture is in the final stages of developing its Animal Waste Management Regulations that will require facilities with as few as 8 animal units to develop animal waste management plans. When implemented, agricultural management professionals in New Jersey will assist livestock operations in preparing environmentally responsible animal waste management plans. We are planning a three-day conference scheduled for March 11-13, 2008 to present the fundamentals of small farm nutrient management and associated regulatory requirements. Its purpose is to introduce newcomers to nutrient management and provide a refresher for technical assistance providers and educators. It will also provide valuable perspectives for government officials interested in understanding the challenges faced by animal farms operating in rapidly developing areas, where farms and suburban communities must coexist. Beyond content, this training will provide a unique opportunity to network with farmers, assistance providers, educators and regulators. The training is being offered in New Jersey to help facilitate the successful implementation of the Animal Waste Management Regulations. It is also being convened as a national training pilot. The content and format will be made available as a template that can be adapted by other jurisdictions to address local conditions. Continuing Education Credits will be offered through the New Jersey NRCS for those who want to keep up their Nutrient Management Certification. This program is described fully at: http://www.tetratech-ffx.com/RutgersEPAtraining/ PARTICIPANTS: Michael L. Westendorf, Rutgers University Extension Specialist Jeffrey L. Potent, Rutgers University Extension Specialist Zane Helsel, Rutgers University Extension Specialist David Lee, Rutgers University County Agricultural Agent Steve Komar, Rutgers University County Agricultural Agent Robert C. Mickel, Rutgers University County Agricultural Agent Monique Purcell, New Jersey Department of Agriculture Jim Sadley, New Jersey Department of Agriculture Frank Minch, New Jersey Department of Agriculture Ferdows Ali, New Jersey Department of Agriculture Fred Kelly, USDA-NRCS An upcoming conference will help to train nutrient management plan developers in New Jersey. These developers will develop plans for small farmers. TARGET AUDIENCES: Small to mid-size livestock farms in the state of New Jersey. Also targeted are agricultural professionals who will work with small farmers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The project is much larger than dairy and beef. The development of nutrient management plans focuses on all livestock species.

Impacts
This program is expected to reach several thousand small farmers in New Jersey. These will be required to implement nutrient management plans. The digital product described above will be helpful as they do this. The conference described will facilitate training of the assistance providers who will help in plan development.

Publications

• Westendorf, M. L. and C. A. Williams. 2007. Nutrient Management on Livestock Farms: Tips for Feeding. Rutgers Cooperative Extension. New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. Rutgers University. Factsheet. Series. FS1064.

Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06

Outputs
Rutgers Cooperative Extension is completing a nutrient management self-certification computer-program for livestock producers in New Jersey. This program will be available as a web-application or on a CD. It allows for simple determination of animal units and acres for accurate unit and density determinations, a simple menu-driven planning process for determining where to spread and how much manure to spread, a simple one-page farm description, and a question and answer walk-thru to allow farmers to describe management practices. Some of the management practices surveyed are barnyard runoff and management, manure storage, manure spreading practices, manure disposal (if off-farm), stream access and control, erosion control, and animal diet. Producers targeted in this will be mostly small producers. The product will be used to educate as producers fill it out. For example, when producers fill out the section on barnyard runoff, they will be lead through a series of questions related to stormwater runoff and barnyard management on their farm. The document will contain links to Rutgers Farm Assist and other related fact sheets about barnyard runoff management.

Impacts
Eight Salem County and six Sussex county dairy and horse farms participated in a feed and manure analysis study. The goals of the study were to educate farmers about the need for proper diet formulation, to determine the amount of money lost due to overfeeding, and to use each farm as a local feeding and manure management demonstration. Since diet is one of the major means by which nutrients enter a farm, it is important for livestock owners to understand the importance of feeding balanced diets, of managing feed supplies, and of not overfeeding. Activities associated with the project have consisted of regular educational meetings, informational materials made available to producers, on-farm walk-thru and management discussions conducted by Cooperative Extension and NRCS when appropriate. Consulting nutritionist visits with farmers have helped to determine the sufficiency of feeding practices. Results have been used in outreach to all New Jersey Farmers.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05

Outputs
Eight Salem County New Jersey dairy and horse farmers are participating in a feed and manure analysis study to determine if animals are overfed. The goals of the study are to educate farmers about the need for proper diet formulation, to determine the amount of money lost due to overfeeding, and to use each farm as a local feeding and manure management demonstration. Six more farms have been sampled in Sussex County. Since diet is one of the major means by which nutrients enter a farm, it is important for livestock owners to understand the importance of feeding balanced diets, of managing feed supplies, and of not overfeeding. These farmers and others will be trained in properly monitoring animal diets. Activities associated with the project consist of regular educational meetings, informational materials made available to producers, on-farm walk-thru and management discussions conducted by Cooperative Extension and NRCS when appropriate. Consulting nutritionist visits with these farmers will help to determine the sufficiency of feeding practices. Results will be used for outreach to all New Jersey Farmers. Rutgers Cooperative Extension Program is developing a nutrient management self-certification computer-program for livestock producers in New Jersey. This program will be available on a spreadsheet and allow for 1) simple determination of animal units and acres for accurate unit and density determinations, 2) a simple menu-driven planning process for determining where to spread and how much manure to spread, 3) a simple technique for uploading pictures, farm diagrams, etc. into a document, 4) a simple one-page farm description, and 5) a question and answer walk-thru that will allow farmers to describe current management practices (management practices surveyed will be barnyard runoff and management, manure storage, manure spreading practices, manure disposal (if off-farm), stream access and control, and erosion control). This product will be used to educate as producers fill it out. For example, when producers fill out the section on barnyard runoff, they will be lead through a series of questions related to stormwater runoff and barnyard management on their farm. The document will contain links to Rutgers Farm Assist and other related fact sheets about barnyard runoff management. These links will help producers to fill out the form in each of the six areas. The key to this program is that it is farmer-driven and voluntary. It is designed to be used by farmers in the small to mid-size (<300 animal units) range. This program has been in development since late summer 2005. It his hoped that by next year this program will be mostly finished and in testing.

Impacts
Fourteen farms in Salem and Sussex Counties have had sampling of feed, forage, and manure on their farms. These results have been and will be used by a consulting nutritionist to educate these farmers about proper feeding management practices. The development of a computer program for developing Animal Waste Management Programs. The program is partly complete and has been presented to several groups of people. It will soon be field tested by Rutgers Cooperative Research and Extension staff.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04

Outputs
Eight Salem County dairy and horse farmers are participating in a feed and manure analysis study to determine if animals are overfed. The goals of this study are to educate farmers about the need for proper diet formulation, to determine the amount of money lost due to overfeeding, and to use each farm as a local feeding and manure management demonstration. Six more farms have already been selected for sampling in Sussex County. Since diet is one of the major means by which nutrients enter a farm, it is important for livestock owners to understand the importance of feeding balanced diets, of managing feed supplies, and of not overfeeding. Activities associated with the project consist of regular educational meetings, informational materials made available to producers, on-farm walk-thru and management discussions conducted by Cooperative Extension and NRCS when appropriate. Consulting nutritionist visits will help farmers to determine the sufficiency of feeding practices.

Impacts
In New Jersey, in addition to playing an important role in the states economy, livestock animals help to maintain open, green spaces that add to the scenic beauty of the state. The land on which these animals are kept is often very valuable. To be good stewards of the land, farmers should manage their farms in a way to minimize the potential for negatively impacting the environment with horse manure. Nitrogen and phosphorous are the nutrients of greatest concern whenever environmental water quality is considered. Overfeeding of nutrients in livestock diets will result in excess excretion. It is expected that this project will help local dairy and horse farmers to better monitor and manage their animal diets resulting in a decreased level of nutrient excretion and greater profitability due to better nutrient management.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03

Outputs
Animal manure is traditionally viewed as a resource to be used by spreading it on the soil. It provides improved soil fertility, soil tilth, and increased water holding capacity. It increases soil organic matter and decreases the need for chemical fertilizers. However, when not managed correctly, it can become an environmental pollutant by running off the soil or leaching through it. Some of the concerns about nutrients relate to the overfeeding of these in animal diets. Nutrients may be overfed to ensure their adequacy in diets, resulting in excess waste excretion, nutrient runoff, and pollution. During the duration of this project we will be collecting samples on four participating bovine and four equine farms in the Salem River watershed, located in the south part of New Jersey and designated as an impaired watershed. The project will include monitoring each individual farms feed management program, and dietary analysis, which will be compared to Nutrient Requirement Tables from the National Research Council (NRC). In addition, we will be monitoring manure nutrient content and monitoring stream water quality nearby. We plan to extend this project to the Walkill River watershed in the northern part of New Jersey.

Impacts
Nitrogen and phosphorous are the nutrients of greatest concern whenever environmental water quality is considered. Overfeeding of nutrients in livestock diets will result in excess excretion. It is expected that this project will help local dairy and horse farmers to better monitor and manage their animal diets resulting in a decreased level of nutrient excretion and greater profitability due to better nutrient management.

Publications

• Animal Waste Management. In: The Reporter's Environmental Handbook. 3rd Ed. B. M. West, M. J. Lewis, M. R. Greenberg, D. B. Sachsman, and R. Rogers ed. Rutgers University Press. Piscataway, NJ. August 2003 Publication. Page 87-95.

Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02

Outputs
Currently we are working in several areas: 1. Use of non-traditional feeds as ruminant feeds, 2. Composting of animal manures, and 3. Developing procedures and protocols for raising dairy heifers. As the raising of dairy heifers expands on the Rutgers University, Cook College campus we will be conducting research about the use of non-traditional feeds such as brewers byproducts as feedstuffs. Our dairy heifer agreement with the University of Delaware is also allowing us to develop protocols and management schemes for dairy heifers. Finally the composting work done at Cook College has established some proper conditions for composting. Our plan is to initiate the composting of all animal manures produced on the Cook College campus.

Impacts
We hope to maintain the vitality of dairying and large animal production in New Jersey by providing both productive and financially viable options for livestock producers. The use of dairy heifers is an excellent option for livestock producers on New Jersey open spaces and pasture land. Our research and outreach will help producers with waste management and with new options for dairy production.

Publications

• Brewing Byproducts: Their use as Animal Feeds. In: Alternative Feeds for Beef Cattle. G. Rogers and M. Poore, ed. The Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice. W. B. Saunders. Philadelphia, PA. July, 2002 Publication. Page 233-252.

Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01

Outputs
In the past year I have been involved in various outreach efforts to New Jersey dairy farmers. The New Jersey Animal Agriculture Alliance is a group that meets regularly to assist New Jersey producers and environmental management is one of the main topics for discussion. In addition, I have received (along with several other individuals) training about the LPES (Livestock Poultry Environmental Stewardship) curriculum. The LPES curriculum is the result of a joint EPA/CSREES funded project for developing state of the art educational materials on animal waste management. I have used these curriculum materials in several meetings around the state. For the coming year, we are planning to initiate several on-farm demonstrations with dairy farmers within a New Jersey watershed. We will use the LPES materials on dairy nutrition and nutrient excretion to encourage individual producers to manage diets to minimize nutrient excretion. This project will have cooperators from both extension and NRCS.

Impacts
Impact is expected to be reduced excretion of waste nutrients due to optimal feeding levels. As farmers adopt the use of Best Management Practices they should see resulting cost benefits and environmental sustainability. The demonstrations will also serve as forums for reaching out to other dairy farmers.

Publications

• Westendorf, M. L. 2002. Animal Waste Management. In: A Handbook for Environmental Reporters. R. Rogers ed. Perfectly Penned. Hamilton Square, NJ. (In Progress Book Chapter)
• Westendorf, M. L. and J. Wohlt. 2002. Brewing Byproducts: Their use as Animal Feeds. In: Alternative Feeds for Beef Cattle. G. Rogers and M. Poore, ed. The Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice. W. B. Saunders. Philadelphia, PA. (In Progress Book Chapter)

Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99

Outputs
We will participate in at least one of the objectives in the recent rewrite of NE-132. Several demonstration dairy farms will be chosen within the state. These demonstrations will focus on the monitoring of nutrients which are fed. Farmers will work with their consulting nutritionist or feed company as well as appropriate Rutgers Cooperative Extension personnel. Nutrient intake will be monitored using ration balancing computer software. Farmers will make dietary changes focused on optimal feeding of all nutrients.

Impacts
Impact is expected to be reduced excretion of waste nutrients due to optimal feeding levels. The demonstrations will also serve as forums for reaching out to other dairy farmers.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 01/01/98 to 12/31/98

Outputs
Previous research has indicated that the addition of dairy manure on test plots resulted in a decreased need for chemical fertilizers. It was also recognized that cattle manure has an influence not only upon soil fertility, but also in affecting pest populations, such as the case of European corn borer. Yields in previous years reflected the presence or absence of manure. Insect injury thresholds were reached in manured plots in both 1995 and 1996. In 1997 a corn variety was chosen which contains a pesticidal gene taken from Bacillus thuringiensis, a natural pathogen that produces a number of insect toxins, making it possible to plant both BT-containing and non-containing hybrids. In 1997 there were no differences in corn borer infestation or grain yields when non BT-containing hybrids were planted on manured or non-manured plots. Planting a corn hybrid containing BT resulted in less corn borer damage and significantly higher yields on manured plots. Although, the use of BT-containing corn hybrids may be an effective means of pest control and result in yield increases on manured land, 1998 research, not yet completed, has sought to replicate previous years results, especially those seen with corn BT hybrids and the presence or absence of manure. A further project completed is a video entitled, Concepts in Nutrient Management. This video gives an overview of issues related to nutrient management in New Jersey and uses several farms as examples. This video is available through Rutgers Cooperative Extension.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

• Westendorf, M. L., E. A. Chamberlain, and R. C. Mickel. 1997. Concepts in nutrient management. Video Tape. 20 min. Rutgers University Office of TV and Radio. Rutgers Cooperative Extension. New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. Rutgers University.

Progress 01/01/97 to 12/31/97

Outputs
The application of animal manure to cropland is a well-established practice dating back hundreds of years. Besides the effects of soil conditioning and improving soil fertility, recent studies have focused on the role of cattle manure in affecting pest populations. The objective in this study was to determine the effects of applying cattle manure to field corn plots on grain yield and pest insect and disease populations. Grain yield averaged 198, 203, 188 and 134 bushels per acre in manured, manured plus side dress, side dress and control plots, respectively. Tunnels per five stalks, an indication of corn borer activity, averaged 20.3, 20.0, 13.0 and 11.5 in manured, manured plus side dress, side dress and control plots respectively. Yields reflect the presence or absence of manure. Even though the 1996 yields were not statistically different from the side dressed treatment, numerically, the results were similar to previous yields. Higher yields for both years on the plots that had the most corn borer activity support the contention that corn borer is not an economic pest in New Jersey. Thresholds, in terms of insect injury, were reached in all plots in 1996. Results for corn rootworm and for stalk rot were inconsistent. Corn rootworm showed a mild elevation on manured/non-side dressed plots in 1996 while the presence of stalk rot in non-manured plots indicated the presence of exceptional conditions, which ensured high infection rates.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 01/01/96 to 12/30/96

Outputs
The research conducted in this project is a multiple state analysis of manure waste and nutrient flow in dairy systems and its interactions with forages systems and production. The project objectives are as follows: Objective 1. Evaluation of environmental and economic impact of alternative dairy feed systems, manure handling and storage systems, and selected feeding and manure management strategies. (Obj: (1a) Analysis of tillage and manure handling systems; (1b) Evaluation of nutrient blance on the dairy farm; and (1c) Analysis of grazing systems.) Obj. 2. Characterize nutrient flows through the crop, forage conservation, feeding, animal, and manure components of the dairy production system. (2a) Crop components; (2b) Crop conservation; (2c) Animal components, (2d) Feeding alternatives and pasture; (2e) Nutrient flows, losses, and transformations.) The overall goal of the project is to develop improved methods of managing animals to reduce the amount of nutrient wastes, such as nitrogen or phosphorous, which are transmitted into the environment.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications