Dairy Compost Utilization
Central Texas’ dairy industry comprises 165 dairies and more than 100,000 cows.This abundance of dairy operations creates potentially hazardous wastewater runoff that can pollute the area’s waters. Increased concentrations of ammonia, nitrogen, phosphorus, and fecal bacteria are being found in parts of the North Bosque River, Upper North Bosque River, and the Leon River. A positive correlation appears to exist between waste concentrations from dairies and the decline of water quality in the surrounding area.
Through funding provided by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the Texas Water Resources Institute and Texas Cooperative Extension (TCE) are working in a joint effort to expand the marketing of dairy compost from the Stephenville area. To support this effort,TCEQ is administering an incentive program for public entities that purchase dairy compost. By establishing a sustainable market for this natural manure product, both the dairy producer, the end-user, and the environment benefit.
Dairy compost is an organic soil amendment created from naturally decomposed dairy waste materials. Large portions of plant nutrients ingested by cows appear in the manure and its compost, which, like other compost, can be applied to gardens, fields, or yards to improve soil structure and land fertility.
Objectives
- Inform dairy compost facilities about the production of a high-quality, uniform product.
- Provide research data and educational demonstrations on dairy compost usage emphasizing cost-effectiveness, product safety, and environmental sustainability.
- Assist end-users in acquiring and appropriately utilizing dairy compost.
- Increase compost usage by public entities and private citizens by advertising the TCEQ Composted Manure Incentive payment.
Components
- Education and Marketing: Educational and marketing activities include an assessment of dairy compost production practices and market potential in the region. Accordingly, educational materials and events are being developed to inform public and private sectors about the uses of dairy compost.
- Incentive Programs: Incentive payments for dairy compost purchased from TCEQ-approved compost facilities in the North Bosque and Leon River Watershed are offered to Texas state agencies, local governments, and other state-funded entities.
- Research: Applied research studies are refining recommended rates of compost use on common turfgrass varieties, landscapes, forages, and row crops. Additionally, soil and water quality evaluations are being conducted, which follow various dairy compost application rates and timings to ensure environmental sustainability.
Collaborators
- Texas Cooperative Extension
- Texas Water Resources Institute
- Texas Agricultural Experiment Station
- Brazos River Authority
- Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
- Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board
Funding Agencies
- Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency