April 29, 2008
SUBJECT: LTP – EQIP Animal Mortality Facility - Rotary
Drum Composters
Purpose: To provide guidance for implementing Animal
Mortality Facility, practice code 316, using a mechanical rotary drum or other similar
design composter.
Expiration Date: September 30, 2008
Background: This is a treatment
component of an agricultural waste management system for biological
stabilization of organic material. New
technology has emerged in the livestock production industry using a mechanical rotary
drum composting system. It is becoming
popular for small poultry (20,000-40,000 birds) operations. However, industry information indicates it
will work with other types of livestock.
We have decided to do a pilot program in
Implementation: The mechanical rotary
drum composting system will be allowed to be used following Indiana NRCS Standard
316, Animal Mortality Facility specifications and will be eligible for EQIP
financial assistance on a limited basis. The design, cost estimate, and location will
be approved by Mike Cox, State Conservation Engineer, and Jim Dunaway, Acting
ASTC - Programs prior to starting the installation.
The commercial units are
usually mounted on steel skids which could allow the unit to be moved. Therefore, as a minimum, contract reviews
would have to assure that the composter is being used for the intended
conservation purposes and is only being used on land under EQIP contract.
The payment rate for the
mechanical
rotary drum composter will be based on the cost list/payment
schedule established for the Fiscal Year of the EQIP contract. For FY 06 and FY 07 contracts the payment
will be calculated on the square footage needed as if the original concrete or
wood wall mortality composter listed in the contract was being installed. For FY 08 contracts, the payment is based on
$425 per animal unit being composted.
Refer to the EQIP guidance document for the specific year for additional
details. For FY05 and older contracts,
contact Jim Dunaway, Acting ASTC - Programs for guidance.
Existing practice caps will
not be exceeded and the cost share in the contract will not be raised except
where the square footage of the practice must be adjusted based on the herd
mortality.
DIST: 0
The Swine Composter
Sizing Worksheet and the Poultry Composter Sizing Worksheet can be found under
the Indiana Handbook Supplement IN-10-2 on the Indiana Directives web site at
An electronic version
of the Swine Composter Sizing
Worksheet can be found at http://www.in.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/engineering/SpreadSheets/Swine%20Composter.xls
.
If EQIP participants are
interested in using the mechanical rotary drum composter, Area Engineers should
contact Mike Cox for information that will be needed for the initial design
review and approval.
EQIP participants should
be willing to cooperate with NRCS and provide loading, operation and usage
information and allow NRCS reasonable access to the facility for the purpose of
evaluating the functionality of these composters.
Questions concerning this bulletin may be
directed to Jim Dunaway, Acting ASTC - Programs, at 317-290-3200, ext. 334, or
Mike Cox, PE, State Conservation Engineer, 317-290-3200, ext. 353.
/s/
JANE E. HARDISTY
State Conservationist