County offers water test for small livestock producers

Beef and dairy farmers can now evaluate and test how runoff from their cattle yards affects waters below the yard. There also are new resources for farmers with small and mid-sized open lot operations who want to improve runoff management and water quality.

Practical and affordable materials and water test kits for farmers are available through a coalition of commodity groups, educational and public agencies.“These test kits are easy and quick, and the only person who knows the results is the farmer,” said Matt Deppe, CEO of the Iowa Cattlemen's Association.

“Once farmers evaluate the effectiveness of their runoff controls, they can turn to new educational resources designed especially for cattle yards that do not need NPDES permits. These materials guide them to cost-effective ways to change their yard management or control structures that will better protect Iowa's waters,” he said.

For many farmers with small and mid-sized operations, visually inspecting the cattle yard, and testing for ammonia in waters that run below the cattle yard can ease concerns about meeting state regulations on water quality. While there may be other potential problems, like high bacteria levels, ammonia tests are fast and simple to do.

A video, fact sheets and other resources for small beef and dairy outdoor lots are available on the Iowa Manure Management Action Group's (IMMAG) Web page.

The time to inspect and test is during or shortly after a rainfall, when water is running off the cattle yard.  The water quality testing kit is available from the Johnson County Extension office.  Please contact Johnson County Extension by calling 319-337-2145 to determine the availability of the kit for use on your farm

Educational and testing materials are part of the Water Quality Initiative for Small Iowa Beef and Dairy Feedlot Operations, a two-year plan to provide resources for farmers with small or mid-sized open lots.

Partners in the project include the Iowa Cattlemen's Association, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa State Dairy Association, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which has provided partial funding through a Section 319 grant.