Released: May 16, 2002

Also see: June 2002 Dairy Month news package

Cost-Share Programs Help Dairies Manage Waste, Protect Environment

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Dairy producers in northeast Kansas are taking advantage of cost-share programs funded by public and private groups to build waste management facilities that help them protect water and other natural resources near their farms.

The impact, so far, seems significant. A recent analysis by Kansas State University indicates that for every dollar invested in the cost-share program, the return to environmental protection is $2.86.

"We found overall that this is a very good program," said Mike Vogt, a K-State Research and Extension agricultural agent in Marshall County, who conducted a study of 10 northeast Kansas dairies in cost-share partnerships.

In his study, Vogt found that in northeast Kansas, several organizations – through the region’s Dairy Environmental Cooperative – contributed $108,000 to local producers. In turn, those producers matched the contribution with $200,800 for a total environmental benefit of $308,800, he said.

Many public organizations and government agencies offer grant money or other funds to producers, who must then provide a "match" of in-kind time and labor, or out-of-pocket expenses. In some cases, the producer’s portion is matched by another cost-share group or organization.

"The systems that are installed are expensive ($21,000 or more for a 100-cow dairy), so we need these cost-share programs to defray the [producer’s] costs," Vogt said.

Producers are voluntarily installing new waste management systems, but by taking the initiative to do so, they are avoiding regulations from being imposed by federal or state agenices.

"Some of the potential changes in current environmental regulations [being considered] that may impact the dairy industry include reducing the size of dairy that is required to obtain a federal permit and have a nutrient management plan," said Joe Harner, a K-State engineer who has designed several of the state’s dairy waste systems as part of the demonstration phase. "On a state level, pastures used for grazing cows and heifers could be impacted if regulations are adopted to meet the [water quality] goals set in a certain watershed."

Waste systems being built at Kansas dairies include concrete bunkers for manure storage, wetlands and lagoons. Yet, while being good environmental stewards is important, producers are lining up for the cost-share programs for other reasons – such as having more time for themselves.

"Dairy producers are beginning to see waste management issues as part of the ‘dairy complex,’" Harner said. "Prior to making investments in more facilities or cows, they are beginning to evaluate how these decisions will impact their manure handling system and practices."

And, Harner adds, instead of hauling manure daily, producers can build waste systems that can store manure for up to 120 days. They can apply the manure as fertilizer when they need it, instead of being forced to apply it at less-than-ideal times.

"During inclement weather, they no longer have to apply manure to wet or frozen ground," Harner said. "In most cases, we have seen some increase in cow numbers and performance since the producer has more time each day to focus on the cows rather than remove manure."

Harner said the dairyman is "regaining control" of the dairy.

"They no longer have to haul manure every good day of the year," he said. "They can breed cows, go fishing, participate in family activities or whatever since the pressure to get the manure hauled has diminished."

Vogt’s study takes into account only the value of structures built to protect environmental resources. It’s more difficult to place a value on manure or the farmer’s time, but if one considers those two factors, the economic return of cost-share partnerships is even greater, he said.

K-State officials said future waste management studies will look into measuring the amount of phosphorus on the dairy farm, and various ways it leaves the farm. Managing phosphorus likely will be the target of future federal regulations, they say.

For more information on cost-share programs, interested persons can contact their local Extension office.

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Pat Melgares, News Coordinator
pmelgare@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News