Kansas Conservation Resources and Services

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Livestock Management

What is Livestock Management and why is it important?

All facets of livestock management are important to producers, neighbors of these systems, as well as those who live in urban settings down the road. Livestock Management includes the following:

Livestock waste management structures
Grazing and riparian management
Winter feeding sites
Feedlots and confinement locations
Alternative watering sites

Waste management is one of the most important for obvious reasons. If proper waste management structures are not installed, livestock waste can become a pollutant to nearby water supplies. Why do livestock urine and feces present a water quality problem? The primary concern is excess nutrients; such as nitrogen and phosphorus, and also bacteria from feces entering streams and accumulating to levels that cause health problems. Excessive nutrients may also cause harmful algae blooms and decreased productivity in fish populations.

Grazing and riparian management is important in reducing non-point source pollution emanating from Kansas grasslands. Nutrients, sediment and fecal coliform bacteria entering streams through runoff and direct deposition by livestock are of concern. Proper riparian buffers can assist in blocking those contaminants from entering nearby streams and creeks.

Winter feeding sites can be harmful due to the increase in waste deposits in a small area for a long period of time. Runoff water will carry the pollutants from this excess waste into nearby waters.

Confined Cattle Operation and Stream Pollution - Photo Provided by NRCS

Feedlots and confined cattle operations require proper management techniques to avoid contaminants from entering stream waters, but also to keep livestock drinking waters clean. Much like winter feeding sites, these are relatively small areas for the number of livestock present. The amount of waste product and potential for pollutants to enter streams is at a much higher level with this type of operation. Proper waste management structures become a necessity.

Alternative watering sites assist in keeping livestock out of the creek or stream for which they would normally drink water and excrete waste products. An additional water quality problem, when using streams as the primary source for water, is streambank degradation from frequent livestock use. Streambanks erode quickly if the vegetation keeping the soil in place has been eaten or trampled by livestock. The soil can then be easily washed into the stream, carrying the waste pollutants with it. Streambank degradation will also have a negative impact on water flow and can affect the stream miles down the road.

Kansas State University Contacts:

Joel DeRouchey, Animal Sciences & Industry

Kansas State University

126 Weber

Manhattan, KS 66506

785.532.2280

Joe Harner, Biological & Agricultural Engineering

Kansas State University

147 Seaton Hall

Manhattan, KS 66506

785.532.5813

Kansas Watershed Specialists

Incentive Programs:

Water Resources Cost-Share Program - State Conservation Commission (SCC)

Nonpoint Source Pollution (NPS) Control Fund - State Conservation Commission (SCC)

Riparian and Wetland Protection Program - State Conservation Commission (SCC)

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

Conservation of Private Grazing Land Program - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

Grassland Reserve Program - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

Conservation Security Program (CSP) - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

CSP Fact Sheet

Publications:

K-State Research and Extension

Kansas Livestock Environmental Stewardship - Website

Livestock Waste Management

Waste Water Management

2004 Livestock Waste Training - Materials from a KDHE, NRCS, K-State Research and Extension and Conservation Commission collaborative training session held throughout the state.

Bacterial Contamination of Surface Waters in Kansas

Animal Waste Lagoon Water Quality Study

Grazing and Riparian Management

Grazing Distribution

Managing Kansas Grazinglands for Multiple Benefits

Grassland Water Quality Stewardship Project

Managing Kansas Grazinglands

Understanding Grazingland and Water Quality

Winter Feeding Sites

How Feeding Site Mud and Temperature Affect Animal Performance

Managing Stable Fly Production at Pasture Feeding Sites

Winter Feeding Demonstration