HomeMy WebLinkAboutP-23-81 CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT D.N. SMITH, M,C.I.P., Director
HAMPTON, ONTARIO LOB UO TEL.(416)263-2231
REPORT TO THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING OF JANUARY
19, 1981.
REPORT NO. : P-23-81
SUBJECT: Manure Storage Facilities
File: 28.1
BACKGROUND:
At the Council meeting of November 3, 1980, the following
resolution was adopted by Council:
#C-80-1414 "That at the present time in the Town of
Newcastle there is a very dangerous situation
existing as there are many fertilizer pits
allowed which are not fenced in and I am
moving that the Planning staff be asked to
make a recommendation at the Planning and
Development Meeting."
In accordance with this resolution staff have written to
Mr. R. Stork of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and have been
advised that the onus is on the operator of a farm to erect a "strong"
fence around a manure storage facility. Mr. Stork has quoted relevant
sections from the Agricultural Code of Practice and the Ontario Farm
Productivity Incentive Program, which would apply to the protection of
a manure storage facility. A copy of Mr. Stork's letter and sections as
quoted by him are attached for your information.
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COMMENT:
Staff note that manure storage facilities are satisfactorily
controlled through the Agricultural Code of Practice and enforcement
of this Code of Practice is basically left up to the Ministry of Agri-
culture and Food as well as the Ministry of the Environment. In addition,
staff note that under new legislation of the "Trespass Act" anyone tres-
passing on a property where a manure storage facility exists is doing so
essentially at his own risk and must proceed with caution.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is respectfully recommended:
1. That Planning and Development Committee recommend to
Council that this report be received for information.
Respec 1 submitted,
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EP:lb D. N. Smith, M.C.I.P.
January 13, 1981 Director of Planning
ul;
Ontario
Ministry of
Agriculture 234 King St. E. ,
and Food Bowmanvi Z Ze, Ontario
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EXTENSION BRANCH December 19, 1980
Mr. Ernie Pella, 9�
Planning Technician,
Planning & Development Department, AT
Corporation of the Town of Newcastle,
Hampton, Ontario
LOB 1JO
Dear Sir: Re: REQUIREMENTS FOR MANURE STORAGE FACILITIES
Further to your letter of December 3rd, I am writing to provide
you with information on the above-mentioned facilities.
I am enclosing copies of pamphlets that would pertain to manure
storage facilities,
1) AGRICULTURAL CODE OF PRACTICE - Refer to Pages 19 - 21 inclusive on liquid
manure systems. - Point number 4 on Page 19 refers to potential safety
hazards associated with in-ground manure storage facilities. - We strongly
recommend that anyone putting in a liquid manure storage tank put a strong
fence around it. - A cover can be used, but in many cases, this is quite
expensive and probably would be recommended only where odor from liquid
manure becomes a problem.
2) ONTARIO FARM PRODUCTIVITY INCENTIVE PROGRAM - This is a grant program
available to farmers for construction of new farm buildings, erosion
control devices and manure storage facilities. - Refer to Page 4 of
brochure, Note #1 under Manure Storages. A snow fence is not considered
satisfactory.
As I indicated to you on the telephone, these types of storages
are not referred to as fertilizer pits. Farmers have below or above-ground,
concrete or metal storage structures or below-ground, earthen lagoons for
holding and storage of livestock manure, In turn, the manure is returned to
the land as a valuable component of any cropping program.
I would hope that if the Town of Newcastle is going to develop a By-
Law regarding livestock manure storage facilities and any requirements for
fencing, that the By-Law refers to manure storage structures rather than
fertilizer pits. If our Agricultural Engineer or any of us can be of assistance
in this regard, please call our office.
We work with the Ministry of Environment regarding the Agricultural
Code of Practice, and the agree with the requirement for fencing. To my know-
ledge, they have no other requirements regarding liquid manure storages, unless
there is a specific odor problem, which cannot be controlled.
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I hope this information is of use to you. If you have any
further questions, please feeZ free to contact me at 623-3348.
/Yours tru Zy,
RDS:BL Rodney D. Stork,
Assoc. AgricuZturaZ Representative,
Durham County
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Liquid Manure System
Because liquid manure is likely to be more odourous than dry manure, the
requirements for this system are more restrictive. However, many farmers
appr�eiiae-tfie majoi an age of more compete mechanization.
The following guidelines should be adhered to as closely as possible:
I. Sufficient storage capacity for at least 6 months should be provided. On
many farms it is necessary to store manure from December until May,especially
if the manure is to be applied after corn is planted. Any reduction from this
capacity must be evaluated by the Agricultural Engineer or the Soils and Crops
Specialist,considering factors such as geographic area,climate, cropping program
and manure spreading schedule. When calculating storage requirements, include _
water used during clean-up,water spillage from drinking devices and water added
for dilution.
2. Untreated liquid manure should be spread when the ground is not frozen. It
should be incorporated into the soil within 24 hours if it is applied closer than
1,000 feet from a non-compatible use (such as a building for human occupancy
or food preparation). The timing requirement depends on factors such as
weather conditions,actual distances to neighbours or intensity of odour.
Incorporation can be accomplished by:
(a) plow-down
(b) discing
(c) soil injection
The liquid manure must be completely covered by soil, and not left in open
furrows.
3. Because reinforced concrete liquid manure storages are expensive, a number
of farmers are considering tite building of excavated basins with earth sides. It is
important to recognize all the possible problems which can result from such a
storage. Tile following should be considered:
(a) is there sufficient clay content to prevent seepage of nutrients into
ground-water supplies?
(b) can erosion of banks by rainfall and during agitation be prevented? A
concrete floor and stub wall will minimize this problem.
(c) can a safe pumping platform be constructed?
(d) a safety fence is imperative.
(e) is a dyke or ditch around storage needed to prevent entry of surface
wa to r?
4. It is extremely important that everyone appreciate the potential safety
hazards associated with liquid manure storages.
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(a) all accessible liquid manure storages must be protected by either a
permanent top or at least a safety fence.
Liquid manure, that has not been aerated, generates a number of gases
such as methane (no odour), hydrogen sulphide (rotten egg smell),
ammonia (pungent smell) and carbon dioxide (no odour). Specific
concentrations of these gases can present a hazard to both human and
animal life either because of amount of gas present or the exclusion of
oxygen, Complete ventilation of buildings and manure tanks is a must
when pumping. Never enter a liquid manure tank unless you are sure
there is sufficient oxygen present and you have a helper outside the
tank.
(c) Methane is highly explosive in concentrations of 5 - 15%. Open flame
should not be tolerated near a liquid manure tank.
Liquid Manure Storage Facilities
In-Ground Tanks
These may be rectangular tanks or large diameter circular tanks.
Advantages
1. Gravity flow from collection area to storage possible.
2< Aesthetically acceptable if a top is provided.
Disadvantages
1. Very expensive
° 2. Requires a safety top or safety fence
3. Shortage of available qualified contractors
4. High ground-water table is a problem.
Above-Ground Tanks
These are usually concrete silos 20-30 fe.,t in diameter.
Advantages
1. Liquid usually crusts over, and so odour production is minimized until
liquid is pumped.
2. Very acceptable aesthetically
3. Relatively safe
4. Many silo contractors are interested in off-season construction.
5. High ground-water table not a problem
6. No excavation necessary although a good foundation is required.
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Disadvantages
1. Requires pumping into storage every few days from sump
2. Requires elaborate agitation equipment. This is especially true for beef
and dairy manure which separates into a thick floating layer which is
difficult to homogenize.
3. Getting a plumber to provide service is difficult.
Operation of a Liquid Manure Tank
1. Because liquid manure must be pumped either into storage or out of
storage,it is necessary that it be sufficiently diluted for efficient pumping. Swine
manure normally does not require further dilution.The pump should be selected
to suit the system chosen. Experience will indicate the capabilities of Your
punip. it is better to err on the wet side or t e first year. Additional water
requires more storage capacity,and should be kept at a minimum.
2. Because liquid manure separates into 3 distinct areas during storage —
floating solids, liquid area and settled solids,it is necessary to agitate sufficiently
to homogenize the complete contents of the tank before pumping.
3. Where possible,it is advisable to disturb the liquid manure in storage as little
as possible until it is ready for pumping. Crusting will help considerably to
contain some of the odours during the storage period.
4. Avoid additions of hay and other products which could create pumping
problems.
5. Drain all surface water away from storage.
MANURE TREATMENT
Experience has indicated that methods used to treat human sewage have limited
relevance to treatment of livestock manure.This is because costs are prohibitive,
and because of differences in the material to be treated. Also, the accepted
concept for manure use Is conservation and utilization,and not disposal.
Treatment methods for manure should be as simple as possible, and should be
designed to allow maximum utilization. Usually the objective of manure treat-
ment is odour control. However, there may be circumstances when the sale of
the manure Is planned, and so reduction of bulk and other improvements in
marketability will be necessary.
The unpleasant odour of stored manure results from the activity of bacteria and
other micro-organisms in the absence of oxygen. if a low concentration of
oxygen is maintained in the stored manure, almost all odour will be prevented.
Another possibility is the elimination of all microbial activity by chemical treat-
ment.-Both these odour control methods are being actively researched at the
present time.
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ELIGIBLE ITEMS Dry or Solid Manure
EROSION CONTROL DEVICES Concrete pads for the storage of dry manure must
Included here are all devices and land reshaping designed incorporate some method, such as retaining walls, for
to minimize soil erosion. Eligible costs include capital costs controlling liquid runoff.
of devices and charges for earth moving machinery. Use of ASSISTANCE — 40% OF CAPITAL EXPENDI-
the owner's own machinery or the owner's own labor are TURE UP TO A MAXIMUM
not eligible expenditures. OF $3,000 PER FARMER.
Eligible items include:
® grassed waterways 1, ALTERNATE LIVESTOCK WATERING FACILITIES
drop inlet spillways ADJACENT TO WATERCOURSPS
o catch basins When a farmer erects a fence to keep livestock away from
o tile outlet protection a stream or watercourse in order to protect the quality of the
V construction of —terraces water, the following items are eligible:
—contours o materials to construct permanent fencing to keep
• reclamation of h gulley livestock from the watercourses
o seeding or sodding of banks of watercourses and ® watering devices to move water from that surface
control or buffer strips beside watercourses (materi- water supply to livestock.
als only). The cost of bringing hydro to the site can be included.
ASSISTANCE — 40% OF CAPITAL EXPENDI- Wells and ponds are not eligible.
TURE UP TO A MAXIMUM OF ASSISTANCE — 40% OF THE COSTS LISTED
$1,500 PER FARMER. ABOVE TO A MAXIMUM OF
$1,500 PER FARMER.
MANURE STORAGES
The following types of manure storages are eligible. ( EDUCATIONAL AND DEMONSTRATION
PROGRAMS
Liquid and Semi-Solid Manure Under this section, grants are available to farm organiza-
® concrete (ions for educational and demonstration projects which are
o metal eligible under any of the following categories:
o pressure-treated lumber
o erosion control
® earthen banks, if the storage incorporates acceptable a manure storages
loading and unloading facilities and erosion control. o alternate livestock watering facilities
The soil must have sufficient clay content to prevent
seepage of nutrients into groundwater. Coordination of this program is provided by the Ontario
Soil and Crop Improvement Association to promote
Note: 1. All open storages for liquid and semi- technology which has not been accepted locally. Enquiries
solid manure must have either a safety should be submitted to the county or district Soil and Crop
fence or other device for protection. Improvement Association or local Ontario Ministry of
2. Manure equipment is not eligible. Agriculture and Food office. Approval must be obtained
before a project is undertaken. For more details, please
contact the agricultural representative or soils and crops
specialist.
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