from Rutgers University Dept. of Animal Sciences

New Brunswick, NJ — Educators from Cooperative Extension, a unit of Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, will provide training, beginning this month, for equine and other livestock farmers in the development of “Self-Certified Animal Waste Management Plans” as required by the state of New Jersey.

On February 9, the state approved an Animal Waste Management Rule, obliging all livestock owners to proactively address and manage non-point source pollution that could originate from livestock operations, including those housing horses, dairy cows, cattle, swine, goats, sheep, poultry and all other domesticated species considered farm animals. The rule was written to prevent water and other environmental pollution, and it received extensive input from numerous state and federal agencies as well as the private sector.

All operations with eight or more “animal units” (one animal unit equals 1,000 pounds) and fewer than 300 animal units must develop a self-certified Animal Waste Management Plan over the next 18 to 36 months. The training classes led by Rutgers Cooperative Extension will assist farm owners and managers develop and file these plans.

Four locations in Salem, Monmouth, Hunterdon and Sussex counties have been designated for the training, with the first session scheduled for 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, at Rick’s Saddle Shop in Cream Ridge, Monmouth County. Sign-up for the March 12 class is through the Burlington County Extension Office, at (609) 265-5757. The training is free of charge, but participants must register in advance.

Other sessions are as follows:

• March 17 – 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Salem County Extension Office, Woodstown, N.J.; register at (856) 769-0090.
• March 25 – 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Hunterdon County Extension Office, Flemington, N.J.; register at (908) 788-1338 and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Sussex County Extension Office, Newton, N.J.; register at (973) 948-3040.
• March 26 – 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Rick’s Saddle Shop, Cream Ridge, N.J.; register at (609) 265-5757.
• March 31 – 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Salem County Extension Office, (856) 769-0090.
• April 1 – 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., Hunterdon County Extension Office, (908) 788-1338.
• April 7 – 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Salem County Extension Office, (856) 769-0090.
• April 9 – 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Rick’s Saddle Shop, register at (609) 265-5757.
• April 15 – 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., Hunterdon County Extension Office, (908) 788-1338, and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Sussex County Extension Office, (973) 948-3040.
• April 21 – 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Salem County Extension Office, (856) 769-0090.
• April 23 – 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Rick’s Saddle Shop, register at (609) 265-5757.
• April 29 – 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., Hunterdon County Extension Office, (908) 788-1338, and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Sussex County Extension Office, (973) 948-3040.

Dates and times are subject to change, and additional dates will be scheduled. Please visit http://njaes.rutgers.edu/animal-waste-management/meetings.asp for additional information.

All New Jersey operations housing livestock must adhere to the new waste management rules, regardless of the size of the operation. Those required to develop and file plans are assured that the information they provide will be kept confidential.

More information is available at any county Cooperative Extension office. A complete list of offices and contact details may be accessed at http://njaes.rutgers.edu.