TITLE 35: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
SUBTITLE E: AGRICULTURE RELATED WATER POLLUTION
CHAPTER II: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
PART 560
DESIGN CRITERIA FOR FIELD APPLICATION
OF LIVESTOCK WASTE
SUBPART A: INTRODUCTION
Section
560.101 Purpose
SUBPART B: DESIGN CRITERIA
Section
560.201 Nutrient Loading
560.202 Method of Application
560.203 Proximity to Water
560.204 Flooding
560.205 Waterways
560.206 Frozen or Snow-Covered Ground
560.207 Rainfall
560.208 Odors
TABLE A Approximate Quantitites of Total Manure, Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium
Excreted by Different Livestock Species
TABLE B Approximate Nutrient Content of Wastes from Management Systems
TABLE C Approximate New Yield of Nitrogen for Various Waste Management Systems
APPENDIX A Agronomic Fertilization Rates for Various Illinois Crops
APPENDIX B Universal Soil Loss Equation
AUTHORITY: Implementing and authorized by Section 4(m) of the Environmental Protection Act
(Ill. Rev. Stat., 1981, ch. 111 1/2, par. 1004(m)), and authorized by Rule 105(a) of Chapter 5 (35
Ill. Adm. Code 502.305(a)).
SOURCE: Filed April 5, 1976, effective April 15, 1976; codified at 6 Ill. Reg. 10558.
SUBPART A: INTRODUCTION
Section 560.101 Purpose
a) The subject of Chapter 5 of the Illinois Pollution Control Board Rules and
Regulations (Title 35, Subtitle E, Chapter I) is Livestock Wastes. Rule 104(e) of
Chapter 5 (35 Ill. Adm. code 501.405) calls for the adoption of guidelines for
livestock waste application to land.
b) This technical policy statement has been developed in response to Rule 104(e) (35
Ill. Adm. code 501.405), which reads as follows:
Field Application of Livestock Waste. The quantity of livestock waste
applied on soils shall not exceed a practical limit as determined by soil type,
especially its permeability, the condition (frozen or unfrozen) of the soil, the
percent slope of the land, cover mulch, proximity to surface waters and
likelihood of reaching groundwater, and other relevant considerations.
These livestock waste application guidelines will be adopted pursuant to
Rule 105, unless otherwise provided for by Board Regulations.
c) The application of livestock wastes to the land is an acceptable and established
practice in Illinois. However, when wastes are not applied in a responsible manner,
they can create pollutional problems. The emphasis in land application should be on
waste utilization rather than waste disposal. Considering the nutrient value of
livestock wastes there exist economic incentives for the efficient utilization of these
nutrients. Environmental concerns should also dictate the wise management and use
of livestock wastes.
d) The intent of this document is to present livestock waste application guidelines for
the livestock producers of Illinois. The guidelines must of necessity be given in
general terms and cannot apply to each particular farm situation. It is the
responsibility of each individual who is applying livestock wastes to land to do so in
a manner which will not cause pollution problems. In some cases, this may require
either more or less stringent application restrictions than indicated by these
guidelines.
SUBPART B: DESIGN CRITERIA
Section 560.201 Nutrient Loading
a) Livestock waste application should not exceed the agronomic nitrogen rate, which is
defined as the annual application rate of nitrogen that can be expected to be required
for a reasonable anticipated crop yield. It should be recognized that, in most cases,
if the agronomic nitrogen rate is met, the phosphorus applied will exceed the crop
requirements. Thus, in order to make the best use of phosphorus resources, it may
be advisable to apply wastes at the agronomic phosphorus rate. It will be considered
acceptable, however, to apply at the nitrogen rate. Appendix A contains some
general information on agronomic fertilization rates for various Illinois crops.
b) The nutrient contents of livestock wastes are highly variable even on an individual
farm. The best way to determine nutrient contents is to perform an actual chemical
analysis. Table 1 and Table 2 are intended to serve only as an aid in estimating the
nutrient value of various forms of livestock waste.
c) The values in Table 2 may be used to approximate the amount of nitrogen applied in
the soil when application is by either of the following methods:
1) Soil injection
2) Surface application immediately followed by incorporation.
d) When livestock waste is surface applied and allowed to dry before incorporation,
some ammonia nitrogen loss can be expected. This loss may be in the range of 25 to
50 percent of the total nitrogen applied. Greatest losses may be expected for wastes
with high ammonia nitrogen contents, such as poultry manure or liquid swine
manure. The nitrogen values in Table 2 may be reduced by 25 to 50 percent to
approximate the amount of nitrogen actually reaching the soil when surface
application is used.
e) Not all of the organic nitrogen applied in any one year becomes available for crop
use during that year. After a series of approximately equal annual applications
(perhaps five years), the nitrogen applied in a year is about equal to the amount of
nitrogen available to the crop for that year. For example, if organic nitrogen is
applied each year at a rate of 150 pounds per acre, the nitrogen annually available to
the crop would reach a level of 150 pounds per acre after about five years.
However, until this equilibrium is reached, greater annual application rates are
needed in order to meet crop requirements.
f) Table 3 provides estimates of annual nitrogen production for various waste
management systems and the corresponding number of animal units needed to
provide 100 pounds of nitrogen per year. These values consider nitrogen losses
during storage and handling, but do not take into account the availability of nitrogen
to the crop after application is made. The values in Table 3 can be used as an aid in
determining the adequacy of the land area for manure utilization for a given
livestock enterprise.
Section 560.202 Method of Application
Surface application may be used when the land slope is no greater than 5% or when the yearly
average soil loss is less than 5 tons per acre (regardless of slope) as determined by the Universal
Soil Loss Equation (see Appendix B). Injection or surface application with immediate
incorporation should be used when the land slope is greater than 5% and the yearly average soil
loss is greater than 5 tons/acre. However, even at land slopes less than 5%, soil losses and
associated pollution may reach an unacceptable level.
Section 560.203 Proximity to Water
Livestock waste should not be applied within 200 feet of surface water unless the water is upgrade
or there is adequate diking. There should be a vegetative strip between the application area and any
surface water. Waste should not be applied within 150 feet of any water well. Conservative
loading rates should be used in the case of a high water table or shallow earth cover to fractured
bedrock. Caution should be exercised in applying wastes, particularly on porous soils, so as not to
cause nitrate or bacteria contamination of ground waters. Such shallow ground waters are often the
source of private wells in rural areas.
Section 560.204 Flooding
Livestock waste should not be applied in a 10 year flood plain unless the injection or incorporation
method of application is used.
Section 560.205 Waterways
Livestock waste should not be applied in waterways.
Section 560.206 Frozen or Snow-Covered Ground
Waste application on frozen or snow-covered land should be avoided. If wastes are spread on
frozen or snow-covered land, such application should be limited to land areas on which:
a) Land slopes are 5 percent or less, or
b) Adequate erosion control practices exist.
Section 560.207 Rainfall
Livestock waste should not be applied during a rainfall or to a saturated soil. Application should
not be made by spraying immediately after a rainfall event. Judgment should be used in planning
waste applications in conjunction with weather patterns.
Section 560.208 Odors
It should be recognized that odors from improperly stored or applied livestock wastes can seriously
interfere with the enjoyment of life and property for people living in the area. Although there will
be some odors associated with land application of livestock wastes, soil injection or
incorporation can significantly reduce these odors. Consideration of climatic conditions and
judicious selection of application areas can also help to maintain desirable relationships with
neighbors.
Section 560.APPENDIX A Agronomic Fertilization Rates for Various Illinois Crops
POUNDS OF NUTRIENT
CROP
AVAILABLE N
P2O5
K2O
Corn for grain
1.3/bu.
.55/bu.
0.28/bu.
Corn silage
7.5/T
3.1/T
9.4/T
Wheat (1)
2.3/bu.
0.68/bu.
2.0/bu.
Oats (1)
1.1/bu.
0.40/bu.
1.5/bu.
Barley (1)
1.5/bu.
0.55/bu.
1.0/bu.
Rye (1)
2.2/bu.
0.69/bu.
1.8/bu.
Grain sorghum for grain
2.0/100 lbs.
0.75/100 lbs.
0.38/100 lbs.
Grain sorghum for silage
7.5/T
3.1/T
9.4/T
Tall fescue
39/T
19/T
53/T
Bromegrass 33/T
13/T
51/T
Sorghum-Sudan 40/T
15/T
59/T
Orchard Grass
50/T
17/T
63/T
Timothy 38/T
14/T
63/T
Reed Canary Grass
55/T
13/T
50/T
Alfalfa (2)
10/T
60/T
Clovers (2)
15/T
60/T
Soybeans (2)
1.1/bu.
2.4/bu.
(1) If straw is removed.
(2) Legumes can obtain most of their N from the air and are normally not fertilized with
N. However, if included in a crop rotation with nitrogen using crops, they will use
the available N in the soil and not fix N from the air. Therefore, it can be assumed
that they will remove as much N as corn for grain would in the same rotation.
This information is general in nature and may not reflect an accurate recommendation for all areas
or soil types of the State. Any recognized fertility recommendation for Illinois crops, climate and
soils is acceptable in lieu of these general figures. In order to obtain more accurate
recommendations for phosphorus and potassium, soil testing should be done.
Section 560.APPENDIX B
Universal Soil Loss Equation
The Universal Soil Loss Equation is a mathemetical formula which can be used to predict average
soil loss in tons per acre per year under various field conditions. It gives consideration to rainfall
(R), soil type characteristics (K), length and steepness of slope (LS), cropping system (C), and
erosion control practices (P) such as contouring, strip cropping, terracing and straight row farming.
Each of the factors is determined for a specific field condition. Research data from sources such as
the Agricultural Research Service and various universities as well as field experiences of the Soil
Conservation Service and others have been incorporated. Basic climatic data including rainfall
information from the Weather Bureau are used.
Information on the Universal Soil Loss Equation may be obtained from local offices of the
following governmental agencies: University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service, Soil
Conservation Service, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and regional offices of the Illinois
Environmental Protection Agency.
TABLE 1
Approximate Quantitites of Total Manure, Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium Excreted by
Different Livestock Species
LIVESTOCK
TYPE
Fresh Manure
(gal/day)
N
(lb/day)
P2O5
(lb/day)
P
(lb/day)
K2O
(lb/day)
K
(lb/day)
Beef Cattle
1,000 lb., body weight
7.5 0.34
0.25
0.11
0.29
0.24
Dairy Cow
1,000 lb., body weight
11 0.41
0.17
0.074
0.32
0.27
Swine
100 lb., body weight
1 0.045
0.034
0.015
0.036
0.030
Poultry (layers)
4 lb., body weight
0.028 0.0029
0.0026
0.0011
0.0015
0.0012
TABLE 2
Approximate Nutrient Content of Wastes from Management Systems
Nitrogen as N
Phosphorus as P2O5
Potassium as K2O
lb/1000 gal
lb/ton*
lb/1000 gal
lb/ton*
lb/1000 gal
lb/ton*
BEEF:
Pit Storage
25-50
19
30
Open Lot-Runoff
0.5-5.0
0.7-9.7
1.2-6.5
Open
Lot-Solids 10-12
9
13
Bedded Confinement-
Solids
10-15
5-15
10-20
Anaerobic Lagoon
10-15
10-20
25-30
Oxidation Ditch
10-25
15-20
15-20
SWINE:
Pit Storage
30-55
27
34
Open Lot- Runoff
0.5-5
0.5-10
1-7
Open
Lot-Solids 10-12
9
13
Bedded Confinement Solids
10-15
5-15
10-20
Anaerobic Lagoon
10-15
10-20
25-30
Oxidation Ditch
10-25
15-20
15-20
DAIRY:
Pit Storage
20-40
10-15
20-30
Open Lot-Runoff
0.5-5
0.5-5
1-5
Open
Lot-Solids 7-10
1.6-4.6
6.9-6
Bedded Confinement Solids
10-15
5-10
10-15
Anaerobic Lagoon
10-15
5-10
20-25
POULTRY:
25
25
12
*At approximately 50% moisture content
TABLE 3
Approximate New Yield of Nitrogen for Various Waste Management Systems
Approximate Annual Net
Yield of Nitrogen per Animal
Unit (lb)
Approximate # of Animal
Units Needed to Provide 100
lb of Nitrogen per Year
BEEF (1000 lb. Animal Unit)
Pit Storage
43-87
1.1-2.3
Open Lot-Solids & Runoff
50-62
1.6-2.0
Bedded confinement - Solids
74-87
1.1-1.4
SWINE (100 lb. Animal Unit)
Pit Storage
6-12
8.3-16.7
Open Lot-Solids & Runoff
7-8
12.5-14.3
Bedded Confinement-Solids
10-12
8.3-10.0
DAIRY (1000 lb. Animal Unit)
Pit Storage
52-105
1.0-1.9
Open Lot-Solids & Runoff
60-75
1.3-1.7
Bedded Confinement-Solids
90-105
1.0-1.1
POULTRY (4 lb. Animal Unit)
0.4-0.6
167-250