TUCKER, Ga. — It is safe to say that the control of the impact nutrients may have on the environment is the single biggest environmental issue that the poultry and egg industry manage.
While nitrogen and phosphorus are the primary macronutrients required to build foundational cell structures and are essential for all living organisms, an overabundance of these substances in certain environments can create problems.
Litter, which has high concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus, is a valuable organic fertilizer and is highly sought after. We know from experience, however, that despite being an excellent source of nitrogen and phosphorus for row crops, hay and forage pastures, the proper management and end use of litter is a critical aspect of every poultry and egg operation.
Poultry and egg farmers have long understood the challenge of balancing the benefit poultry litter provides with the environmental issues it can generate.
While nutrient pollution is regulated through the Environmental Protection Agency in association with the Clean Water Act, the environmental protection that poultry and egg farmers perform is just as much driven by their bond with the environment.
To recognize the ongoing commitment and allegiance that is demonstrated by poultry and egg producers, USPOULTRY provides an annual award to family operated farms around the country. This award recognizes their efforts to protect and enhance the environment.
The award competition is open to any family farmer that produces poultry or eggs for an integrator or egg processor that is a member of USPOULTRY. Additionally, any independent producer or grower who is a member of USPOULTRY may self-nominate, and each affiliated state poultry and egg association may submit two nominees.
USPOULTRY’s “Family Farm Environmental Excellence Award” evaluates applicants on numerous issues including litter management protocols, regenerative soil practices, nutrient management planning, mortality management, conservation and wildlife enhancement programs, and community involvement efforts that help promote environmental excellence.
Additionally, applicants are asked to provide information on innovative ways they manage their flocks, litter and by-products. The number of novel ideas displayed by these family farms over the history of this award program have been remarkable.
An array of products developed by poultry and egg producers has ranged from liquid fertilizer formulated for specific uses on golf courses and nurseries, the production of pelletized fertilizer inoculated with bacteria to increase its efficacy, and the production of decomposable flowerpots, just to name a few.
Typically, two semi-finalists are selected from four or five sub-regions across the country. Each semi-finalist receives an expense paid trip to attend the International Production & Processing Expo in January, and the overall winner for each sub-region also receives a cash prize of $1,000.
USPOULTRY encourages its integrator members, state poultry associations and its independent producers or grower members to apply for the award program. Applications can be downloaded from the USPOULTRY website at https://www.uspoultry.org/programs/environment/ffee-award/.
The control and mitigation of nitrogen and phosphorus also become a factor during the production of poultry and egg products produced in harvesting facilities and further poultry processing plants.
While a substantial volume of water is used to produce economical, safe and wholesome poultry and egg products, very little is consumed. Instead, this water is collected, treated and returned to the environment. Treating this wastewater is highly regulated, and poultry wastewater treatment facilities are obligated to meet specific water quality targets before water can be discharged back into the environment or to a municipal sewer system. Federal, state and local permits often include limits on nitrogen and phosphorus discharged in treated poultry wastewater.
Poultry and egg wastewater treatment facilities typically operate under a federal permit issued through the Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. Failure to adhere to the wastewater discharge effluent guidelines can bring fines, legal penalties and termination of the facility’s permission to discharge.
Each year, USPOULTRY sponsors the “Clean Water Award” which recognizes the commitment made by poultry and egg industry personnel to mitigate the potential impact of nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater generated from poultry and egg processing facilities. To be eligible for the award, facilities are required to have operated for a minimum of two years with no significant occurrences of non-compliance, notices of violation, or any other type of enforcement action.
A judging committee made up of university personnel and wastewater treatment professionals evaluate the applicants on wastewater treatment efficiency, employee operational training, community involvement or outreach programs, wildlife management or enhancement programs, water conservation/re-use and environmental stewardship programs, and unique or innovative processes utilized at the facility.
Each year, a national award winner and runner-up is named in two categories, “Full Treatment” and “Pretreatment.” Full treatment facilities are those facilities that fully treat their wastewater prior to discharge into a receiving stream or a land application system. Pretreatment facilities are those facilities that discharge pretreated effluent to municipal wastewater treatment facilities for further treatment.
Now more than ever, we must clearly demonstrate the poultry and egg industry’s commitment to protecting the environment.
This year, both the “Family Farm Environmental Excellence Award” and the “Clean Water Award” will celebrate their 25th anniversary. It is through these two programs that we can provide an unarguable account of the long-standing commitment the poultry and egg industry has in addressing the issue of controlling the environmental impact of nutrients.
Please feel free to contact Paul Bredwell at pbredwell@uspoultry.org with any questions regarding the award programs or if you have any questions about other services USPOULTRY provides to its members.
Paul Bredwell is executive vice president of regulatory programs with the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association based in Tucker, Ga. He can be reached by e-mail at pbredwell@uspoultry.org.
