Opportunities Opportunities Lessons Learned Using Lessons Learned - - PDF document

Lessons Learned Using Lessons Learned Using Vegetative Environmental Vegetative Environmental Buffers for Poultry Farms Buffers for Poultry Farms

Bud Malone Bud Malone Extension Poultry Specialist Extension Poultry Specialist University of Delaware University of Delaware July 31, 2007 July 31, 2007

NRCS Training Denton, MD

Opportunities Opportunities Using Trees for Using Trees for Vegetative Vegetative Environmental Environmental Buffers Buffers

European Tree Programs European Tree Programs

Australia Australia Europe Europe Brazil Brazil

Delmarva Delmarva

VEB Is Not New VEB Is Not New Planting Trees and Shrubs for Planting Trees and Shrubs for Curtailment of Dust and Air Pollutants Curtailment of Dust and Air Pollutants

Pilot program for cost share developed by Pilot program for cost share developed by U of Conn. CE and Conn. State ASCS U of Conn. CE and Conn. State ASCS Office in 1991. Office in 1991.

Timing of Initiative Not Right for Conn. Timing of Initiative Not Right for Conn. Delmarva NO trees or scrubs next to houses. Delmarva NO trees or scrubs next to houses.

DMV Nuisance DMV Nuisance Complaints Complaints

(conversion to tunnel (conversion to tunnel ventilation in 1990s) ventilation in 1990s)

Industry Issues, Industry Issues, Trends & Trees Trends & Trees

Rural encroachment + conflict/zoning Tunnel, windowless houses larger farms & expansion Emissions Stakeholder meeting Dec. 2000

Initial Test Encouraging Initial Test Encouraging

• Dust and ammonia

Dust and ammonia reduction with a reduction with a single , immature single , immature Leyland cypress Leyland cypress tree: tree:

• 30% less dust

30% less dust

• 18% less ammonia

18% less ammonia Goals of Vegetative Environmental Buffer (VEB) Goals of Vegetative Environmental Buffer (VEB)

1.Visual screen 2.Windbreak + Shade 3.Vegetative filter

• 4. Biosecurity

Funding for VEB Studies Funding for VEB Studies

Sussex Conversation District- 2001 (demo

planting)

Delaware Landscape and Nursery Assoc.-2001

(tree species)

EPA/DNREC NPS Program Section 319-2002 (air

& water quality)

NRCS Agroforestry-2002 (implementation) US Poultry and Egg Assoc.-2002 (production) USDA/NRI -2004 (continuation of environment

and implementation)

2001 Demo 2001 Demo Tree Plan

Tree Plan

• Tree plan =

Tree plan =

• East:

East: red cedar red cedar for screen for screen (visual + noise) (visual + noise)

• North:

North: red cedar red cedar for for windbreak windbreak

• West:

West: red cedar red cedar+ +white pine white pine for for windbreak, screen & filter. windbreak, screen & filter.

• South:

South: white pine white pine+ +red cedar red cedar for screen for screen

N

Lessons Learned! Lessons Learned!

Plan/plant early! Cheap not best Irrigate Weed control White pines??? Care???

Production Production Benefits Benefits

• Reduce snow drifting

Reduce snow drifting

• Reduce heating cost

Reduce heating cost

• Reduce cooling cost

Reduce cooling cost

• Maintain fan efficiency

Maintain fan efficiency

• Reduce airborne farm

Reduce airborne farm-

• to

to-

• farm disease spread

farm disease spread

Temperatures in Sun vs Shade Temperatures in Sun vs Shade

20 F 30-40 F

Surface Temperatures Surface Temperatures Around Houses Around Houses

91 F 149 F

Influence of Woods on Broiler Influence of Woods on Broiler Production (USPEA Funding) Production (USPEA Funding)

Microclimate

DMV Wind Avg = 5.5 mph

• Max. = 15 mph

Fan Performance Broiler Performance

Temperature differential on E-W wooded farm compared to the E-W open farm.

N Average 9am to 4 pm Temperature Increase for Wooded Farm During Warm Weather +7 F +2 F +3 F + 5 F + 3 F

S E W

Implications of farms surrounded by dense woods:

Heat accumulation on S and W sides in warm weather Although less wind chill in winter, may have colder

night time air temperatures

VEB to Reduce VEB to Reduce Backpressure on Fans Backpressure on Fans

• 15 mph = 15.5%

15 mph = 15.5% reduction in fan cfm reduction in fan cfm and 4.4% increase and 4.4% increase in amperage. in amperage.

VEB to Reduce VEB to Reduce Backpressure on Fans Backpressure on Fans

• VEB reduces wind

VEB reduces wind directed toward fans & directed toward fans & aids in maintaining fan aids in maintaining fan efficiency efficiency

VEB Design Considerations for Poultry Farms. VEB Design Considerations for Poultry Farms.

N

S E W

Design Considerations:

Increase porosity (>spacing, deciduous trees, shrubs)

• n prevailing summer wind side of farms.

Increase density (<spacing, evergreens, multiple rows)

• n winter wind side and opposite fans

Reduce Farm Reduce Farm-

• to

to-

• Farm Air

Farm Air-

• Borne

Borne Disease Transmission Disease Transmission

LT spread on Delmarva (Johnson, et.al. 2001) LT spread on Delmarva (Johnson, et.al. 2001)

• Distance from LT farm not as important as

Distance from LT farm not as important as direction of wind from that farm direction of wind from that farm

• Downwind farms 4x more likely to get LT

Downwind farms 4x more likely to get LT

• N

N-

• S oriented houses 40% more likely to get LT

S oriented houses 40% more likely to get LT than E than E-

• W houses

W houses

• Conventional houses 3

Conventional houses 3 ½ ½ more likely to get LT more likely to get LT than tunnel houses than tunnel houses

VEB = 16% less aerobic bacteria aerosols VEB = 16% less aerobic bacteria aerosols

Between Houses on Same Farm Between Houses on Same Farm

Environmental Benefits Environmental Benefits

• Reduce ammonia

Reduce ammonia

• Reduce runoff

Reduce runoff

• Reduce groundwater nitrates

Reduce groundwater nitrates

• Convert CO

Convert CO2

2 to O

to O2

2

• Low cost program to

Low cost program to partially

partially address

address future air quality & emissions challenges future air quality & emissions challenges

Test Site for Measuring Efficacy of Test Site for Measuring Efficacy of Vegetative Environment Buffers Vegetative Environment Buffers

30’ 10’ 8’ BC 16” LC 14” RC 8’

EPA/DNREC 319 funding

March 2002

VEB Opposite Tunnel Fans VEB Opposite Tunnel Fans “ “Reduces Reduces” ” Dust (57%), Ammonia Dust (57%), Ammonia (55%) and Odor (27%) (55%) and Odor (27%)

X X

2002-2007 data 42 sample days

Wind direction and crop behind VEB Wind direction and crop behind VEB “ “appears appears” ” to influence odor reduction to influence odor reduction

Soybeans in 2002 & 2004 (~28%) Corn in 2003 & 2005 ( ~0%) Need openness behind VEB VEB near odor source more effective (50’vs200’)

Impact of a Poultry Farm on Impact of a Poultry Farm on Nitrate Nitrate-

• N (8

N (8’ ’ wells) wells)

15 3 71 195 Litter Stockpile

Water Quality at UD VEB Planting Water Quality at UD VEB Planting

1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 Spring & Fall 2004 to 2007

Nitrate Nitrate-

• N (ppm) in Test Wells

N (ppm) in Test Wells

2 4 6 8 10 12 UG VEB DG House DG VEB 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 UG VEB DG House DG VEB

All Well Data Questionable data removed Questionable data removed

• 51%
• 20%

Neighbor Relations Neighbor Relations Benefits: Benefits:

• Creates positive image

Creates positive image

• Landscape appearance &

Landscape appearance & increase property value increase property value

• Blocks view of houses, waste

Blocks view of houses, waste facilities and routine farm facilities and routine farm activities activities

• Out

Out-

• of
• f-
• Sight

Sight-

• Out

Out-

• of Mind!!
• f Mind!!
• Attractive farms have less odor

Attractive farms have less odor ( (Mikesell, et. al., 2001)

Mikesell, et. al., 2001)

• Reduces odor, dust, feathers,

Reduces odor, dust, feathers, noise, etc. noise, etc.

DMV Neighbor Relations Trends DMV Neighbor Relations Trends

• Increasing number of nuisance complaints and

Increasing number of nuisance complaints and more stringent zoning ordinance. more stringent zoning ordinance.

• ~ 40% complaints are dust/feathers, 40% odor

~ 40% complaints are dust/feathers, 40% odor & 20% visual, noise, etc. & 20% visual, noise, etc.

• Direction/location of tunnel ventilation a

Direction/location of tunnel ventilation a major issue. major issue.

• Proactive industry neighbor policy with bmp

Proactive industry neighbor policy with bmp’ ’s s (includes VEB) (includes VEB)

Dust Dust Odor Odor Visual Visual Economics Economics

VEB Challenges VEB Challenges

Poor soils Moisture extremes Marginal care/maintenance Species resistant to ammonia

emissions and particulate loading

90% Tree Mortality 90% Tree Mortality

• Proper distance, tree

Proper distance, tree selection & design? selection & design?

• High particulate

High particulate loading loading

• Drought

Drought

• Insects

Insects (Maintenance!!!!!!!) (Maintenance!!!!!!!)

Compacted Subsoil!!! Compacted Subsoil!!!

Moisture Stress Moisture Stress

Maintenance and Care Maintenance and Care

Dust! Dust!

White Pine White Pine Nelly Stevens Holly Nelly Stevens Holly Red Cedar Red Cedar Leyland Cypress Leyland Cypress

Netting to Reduce High Particulate Netting to Reduce High Particulate Loading Loading

• Wic. Soil Cons. District

Blowing or Washing to Removal Blowing or Washing to Removal

• f High Dust Load?
• f High Dust Load?

Develop and Evaluate Misting Develop and Evaluate Misting System for Trees at Tunnel Fans System for Trees at Tunnel Fans

• Increase

Increase efficacy? efficacy?

• Wash

Wash-

• off dust
• ff dust
• Reduce stress

Reduce stress

(NRCS Agroforestry funding) (NRCS Agroforestry funding)

Develop tree plan Develop tree plan before before building building poultry houses! poultry houses!

VEB Distance from Fans

• Fan efficiency decreased

<4 times fan diameter

• Plume distribution 10

times fan diameter

• Planting distance near

maximum plume distance ???

Rule Rule-

• of
• f-
• Thumb

Thumb

• Minimum of 10x fan diameter (ie 4ft diameter

Minimum of 10x fan diameter (ie 4ft diameter = 40 ft) = 40 ft)

• Add ~5ft for each additional fan (ie 3 fans = 55

Add ~5ft for each additional fan (ie 3 fans = 55 ft) ft)

VEB Too Close to Fans VEB Too Close to Fans

Fan Type on Tree Growth Fan Type on Tree Growth

2 4 6 8 10 12 Temperature Difference (F) 2' 12' 22' Distance From Sidewall

Temperature Difference Between Fan and Open Area During Cold Weather

Fan Open 82.0 83.0 84.0 85.0 86.0 87.0 Temperature (F) 2ft 12ft 22ft 42ft Distance From House

Summer Tunnel Fan Temperature Plume (Fan On)

Fan Open

• Dust on trees with

Dust on trees with complex leaf shapes not complex leaf shapes not as much concern as as much concern as feather/down matting!!! feather/down matting!!!

• Planting distance and

Planting distance and tree selection critical tree selection critical

• pposite fans!!!
• pposite fans!!!

Distance May Depend on Tree Selection, Distance May Depend on Tree Selection, Density and Arrangement of Plant Material Density and Arrangement of Plant Material

Deciduous or waxy leaf tree as prefilter

Distance from Distance from Tunnel Fans Tunnel Fans

(13, 26 and 39 (13, 26 and 39’ ’ for GGA, RC for GGA, RC HW; SH, Shrubs) HW; SH, Shrubs)

Distance from Tunnel Fans Distance from Tunnel Fans

(13, 26 and 39 (13, 26 and 39’ ’ for GGA, RC and HW) for GGA, RC and HW)

• 13 ft all die

13 ft all die

• 26 ft some HW live

26 ft some HW live

• 39 ft some HW live

39 ft some HW live

• GGA, RC, SH??

GGA, RC, SH??

• Shrubs encouraging

Shrubs encouraging

Trees Between Houses for Shade Trees Between Houses for Shade (and Emissions?) (and Emissions?)

Livability Between Houses & High Emission Loading Area Livability Between Houses & High Emission Loading Area

Impact on Health May Take Impact on Health May Take Years Years

Eastern White Eastern White Pine Pine

Emissions kill within 1 yr Very difficult to establish Deer damage

Demo Farm Tree Mortality Demo Farm Tree Mortality

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 HW GGA WP 3 Yr Mortality

Eastern Red Cedar Eastern Red Cedar

Advantages: Advantages: Density, diverse soils, hardy Disadvantages: Disadvantages: Except seedlings, limited availability Mortality from particulates Defoliate due to ammonia? Some bagworms Some storm damage

Spartan Juniper Spartan Juniper

Advantages: Advantages: Good density and growth Attractive Columnar shape Disadvantage: Disadvantage: Some wind and bag worm damage

Leyland Cypress Leyland Cypress

Advantages: Advantages: Available at low cost Attractive Good growth Disadvantages: Disadvantages: Mortality and maintenance issues!!!

Green Giant Green Giant Arborvitae Arborvitae

Advantages: Advantages: High ammonia emissions Available and reason cost Hardy and more disease resistant than leyland cypress Disadvantage: Disadvantage: Matting if first row opposite fans

Steeds and Nellie Stevens Holly Steeds and Nellie Stevens Holly

• Advantages:

Advantages: High dust/particulate loads

• Disadvantages:

Disadvantages: Poor livability/moisture stress!!!

Bald Cypress Bald Cypress

Advantages: Advantages: Hardy and wind tolerant Good in wet areas

Hybrid Willow Hybrid Willow

Advantages: Advantages: Fast growth!!! High emission, nutrient and moisture conditions

March 2005 June 2006

Rose Acre Complex Rose Acre Complex

(5 yrs) (5 yrs)

Wind Damage Wind Damage – – Too Much Water? Too Much Water?

March 2007 June 2007

Hardy Shrubs Hardy Shrubs

Elaeagnus Fruitlandii Euonymus Manhattan

Between House Plantings Between House Plantings

Nellie Stevens Holly Honey locust Chinese juniper Hybrid willow Osage orange

New, Tuff New, Tuff-

• As

As-

• Nails Plant!!

Nails Plant!! Poke Berry!!! Form of Plant Form of Plant Material Material

High Mortality-jp 1-2 gal opt size/$-jp Plant Shock Cuttings if water

Proper installation, water and weed control perhaps Proper installation, water and weed control perhaps more important than plant form. more important than plant form.

Irrigation Methods Irrigation Methods

Hand: Time & Commitment Bury supply line and emitters: Effort & $$$ Drip: Installation, water use & placement Punch emitters and cover with poly/weed mat.

½” pipe with one .9 gal/hr emitter Operate 1 hr/d; 2 hrs/d if dry, issue with high iron water-jp

Weed Control Demo Weed Control Demo

Cumulative White Pine Mortality (%) Cumulative White Pine Mortality (%)

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Control Herb Poly WM

% Growth of Green Giant Arb % Growth of Green Giant Arb – – 1.5yrs 1.5yrs

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 Control Herb Poly WM

Proper Design, Installation, Maintenance Proper Design, Installation, Maintenance and Care! and Care! Design VEB For Each Side of Each Design VEB For Each Side of Each Farm And Try To Meet ALL Objectives Farm And Try To Meet ALL Objectives

South North East West

NRCS CanVis Software

Poultry Farm Site Houses + 1 Yr Trees Houses + 5 Yr Trees Houses + 10 Yr Trees

Summary Summary

• Emission reductions

Emission reductions encouraging, continue encouraging, continue to better define this program to better define this program

• Provides a long

Provides a long-

• term, low

term, low-

• cost,

cost, partial partial solution to emerging poultry industry solution to emerging poultry industry issues issues (maybe one of most cost (maybe one of most cost-

• effective

effective BMP BMP’ ’s for emissions) s for emissions)

• Neighbor relations has driven interest

Neighbor relations has driven interest (local/national/international) (local/national/international)

Summary (cont.) Summary (cont.)

• VEB concept has been well received

VEB concept has been well received (national /international) (national /international)

• Growers need technical assistance in

Growers need technical assistance in designing, implementing and designing, implementing and maintenance of VEB maintenance of VEB

• Poultry companies committed to VEB for

Poultry companies committed to VEB for farms farms