Evaluating Feedlot Runoff Pollution
and Ways to Reduce Impacts
Bruce Wilson, Professor
David Schmidt, Extension Educator
David Wall, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Aleksey Sheshukov, Research Associate
Reid Pulley, Graduate Student
Funding Source
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 319 Clean Water Partnership
Program
Objective
The overall goal of the study is to improve the management
of feedlot runoff. Objectives are to:
- Conduct literature review of contaminants in feedlot runoff,
- Update the FLEval model with the results of the literature
review, and
- Develop more process-based model of feedlot runoff.
Need or Impact
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Agricultural Research
Service, working in conjunction with four state and federal
agencies, developed an evaluation system to rate feedlot pollution
potential. The resulting computer model, known as FLEval,
has been used extensively in Minnesota since 1982. The model
provides a uniform and objective means of evaluating potential
pollution from feedlot runoff. It is widely used by county
feedlot officers, SWCD, NRCS, and MPCA staff, and watershed
managers. While the current model has been useful, more is
now expected from the model than originally intended. An update
of the FLEval model is needed based on additional research
data collected since its original development.
Project Status
The project has recently been funded. Literature review has
been initiated. Rainfall data for selected stations in Minnesota
has been summarized. This information will be used to allow
FLEval to predict annual loadings.
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