Evaluating Feedlot Runoff Pollution and Ways to Reduce Impacts
Bruce Wilson, Professor
David Schmidt, Assistant 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 a literature
review of contaminants in feedlot runoff,
- Update the FLEval
model with the results of the literature review, and
- Develop
a 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
A literature review has been conducted to summarize
activities since the original FLEval model was developed.
Rainfall data
for selected stations in Minnesota has been summarized. This
information is used used to predict annual loadings by dividing
the year into winter, spring, summer, and fall events. Feedback
from users is currently being obtained with the new model.
In addition to modifying FLEval, a more process-based approach
is being developed for feedlot runoff. This approach uses
the
WINDS module developed as part of the Mn/DOT project. In addition
to runoff, algorithms are being developed to predict nitrogen
and phosphorous discharge from feedlots.
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