Five Components of the Sustainable Cycle:
Nutrient Management
The management process begins with diet formulation. We make a conscious effort to understand the nutritional needs of the pigs
we raise. Our goal is to maximize lean gain by creating a diet that makes the most efficient use of Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN). By maximizing the efficiency of each diet, we can substantially reduce the
amount of animal waste generated.
- We create unique diets to meet the individual needs of each pig at each stage of development. A typical diet is
a blend of corn, soybean meal and wheat midds, with a balance of organic minerals and vitamins to meet nutritional demands.
- Once the feed is created at the mill, it is transported to the production location. Our feed delivery system is
also based on nutritional need.
- This customized feeding process maximizes the efficient use of Total Digestible Nutrients, and minimizes both
wasted feed and animal waste.
Waste Management
The goal of the waste management phase is to effectively utilize the effluent as rich, high quality organic fertilizer.
- Soil samples are taken two time each year, usually in the Spring and Fall. These samples are analyzed and
results used to plan crop nutrient needs.
- In-Stream water monitoring is used to collect more than 600 samples per year to verify that the waters of the
state are not being polluted.
- Four times each year - in March, June, September and November - lagoon water is tested to measure the nutrient
content. Soil under irrigation is tested twice each year and each crop is tested to track nutrients through the cycle.
Irrigation Management
Premium
Standard Farms maintains an extensive irrigation management program to ensure appropriate irrigation procedures are utilized at all times.
- Each winter, our analyst review soil and lagoon analysis data to help determine crop nutrient uptake and
removal. This enables us to plan for the amount of nutrients to be utilized for the upcoming planting season.
- We have developed new equipment such as tool bar irrigation and expanded the use of center-pivots to help
phase-out the use of traveling-gun equipment for irrigation. This will help reduce any application odor and allow for more even distribution.
- Extensive monitoring of storm water run-off and lakes is done each year. Four hundred eighty-one samples of
storm water run-off were collected in 2002. Our fresh-water lakes had 84 samples taken.
- We irrigate onto ground containing a crop that will later be harvested. The irrigant carries valuable nitrogen,
potassium and phosphorus, which penetrate the ground and are used by the plants to enhance growth.
- As the plant grows, it carries the nutrients with it, transferring what was once waste into a valuable resource
- Premium Standard Farms follows strict irrigation guidelines to prevent run-off. Our irrigation crews constantly
monitor lines and equipment.
- A "work-order" is issued by our Environmental Regulatory Compliance (ERC) Department to each irrigation crew.
This work-order details the information needed to properly irrigate an area. Each work order contains strict guidelines from not only us but the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the
University of Missouri.
Crop Management
Crop management involves planting, harvesting, and marketing the crops grown
on land owned and irrigated by Premium Standard Farms. We have re-planted several acres of our ground with grasses - primarily Orchard and Timothy. These grasses reduce erosion, stabilize top soil and provide good
nutrient uptake. The hay is then harvested and sold as a source of feed for north Missouri cattle producers.
- Nutrient testing is part of the process. Samples are taken from the crops harvested to determine the nutritional
value of each crop.
- With the development of waste system technologies like the ones at our Whitetail and Homan Farms, a reduction in
the amount of nutrients in irrigation effluent will be realized. This will lead to more application of effluent to choice locations, reducing the amount of acres irrigated annually.
- Enhanced mapping and tracking capabilities are now being used to allow clearer pictures and maps of areas for
land application.
Lagoon Management
Lagoon management is a process involving inspection, monitoring and sampling. The Missouri DNR checks our data quarterly and annually.
Lagoon integrity inspections are done on a timeline:
- Twice daily
- Once Monthly
- Quarterly by DNR
- Semi-Annually by ERC and Land Resource Management supervisors
Lagoon level monitoring is accomplished by lagoon levels being taken and reviewed weekly
Lagoons are sampled:
- Four times per year for Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium
- Once per year for other chemicals and metals
- Once per year to sample sludge volumes and run analysis
Summary
These five
components: nutrient management, waste management, lagoon management, irrigation management, and crop management, complete Premium Standard Farms' Sustainable Environmental Management System.
This system converts organic waste into a valued resource, and demonstrates Premium
Standard Farms' commitment to environmental leadership in the pork industry.
Updated 8/03
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