New York Dairy Completes Large Scale Conservation Project

An aerial view of the conservation practices installed that make up the waste management system Full screen view

This sand separator cleans and recycles sand that is used for bedding in the dairy barn Full screen view

September 20, 2011

One of New York's dairies has recently completed a large scale project to create a new, state-of-the-art manure management and bunk silo waste system for their 1,400 head dairy and livestock herd. Funding and technical assistance for the project was provided by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) through the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) and TeamAg, an agricultural consultant.

“The project eliminated barnyard and bunk silo storm water runoff at the farm protecting a nearby creek while creating a manure storage system,” said Scott Fitscher, District Conservationist for the USDA NRCS. “The dairy has also implemented a sand separator to clean and recycle sand that is used for bedding in the dairy barn.”

“For us, one of the biggest improvements is that instead of spreading daily, we can now store the manure and apply it to our crop fields at the best time. This allows us to spread on more fields when our crops need it the most, reducing our need for fertilizer,” said the farm's owner. “During heavy rainfall events in the more sensitive times of the year the improvement in water quality from runoff of our land base is obvious.”

With offices in nearly every county in the United States, NRCS works with landowners and communities to improve soil, water, air, plants, wildlife, and energy use. Examples of projects include barnyard improvements, installing a rotational grazing system, and fencing animals out of watercourses.

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to farmers to help plan and implement conservation practices to protect the environment while helping producers meet Federal, State, Tribal and local environmental regulations. If you are interested in how you can protect natural resources on your farm or forestland, please contact please contact your county NRCS office.