Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center Website
NMPF has been participating in a project to develop a comprehensive website intended to connect dairy producers and their advisors with experts on water quality issues. The new Livestock and Poultry Environmental (LPE) Learning Center, which is funded through a grant from USDA, is a unique partnership of land grant universities and public and private organizations involved in animal manure management issues.
The initial efforts and funding for the LPE Learning Center are being focused toward identifying and developing user-friendly information for animal agriculture related water quality issues. The LPE Learning Center Priority Issues are:
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Alternative Technologies-- Assemble information related to manure treatment beyond land application of raw manure or wastes.
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Capturing Manure Value-- Pull together resources related to species and location differences in manure, finding and developing new markets, tools for valuing manure, and co-processing with other wastes.
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Integrated Nutrient Management-- Assemble resources related to nitrogen management, nutrient management plan (NMP) implementation, and integrated nutrient management (whole farm balance and phosphorus index limits).
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Pathogens and Pharmaceuticals-- Gather information related to types of zoonotic pathogens, fate and transport in soils and water, BMP's for minimizing risks, antibiotic resistance, source tracking, and current pharmaceutical use in livestock production.
Over the next year producers will have the opportunity to participate in web cast seminars viewed from their computer and conducted by national experts from USDA ARS, land grant universities, and EPA addressing topics such as "The Value of Manure", "Sustainable Nutrient Planning", and "Our Changing CAFO Rules". The LPE Learning Center will create unique connections between national experts and individuals and organizations actively engaged with livestock and poultry producers.
