Environmental Assessment for Horse Farms

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Environmental Assessment for Horse Farms

• Lee Telega
• Animal Science Department
• Cornell University

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Agricultural Environmental Management
Farming with the Environment
NYS Department of Agriculture
Markets
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On August 24, 2000, at the opening day of the NYS
Fair, Governor George E. Pataki signed into law
legislation creating the Agricultural
Environmental Management Program.
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The Primary Goal of AEM

• Protect enhance the environment while
  maintaining the viability of agriculture in
  New York State.

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Why AEM?

• AEM was developed to help farmers
• Understand Environmental Regulations
  Programs
• Deal with Ag./Non-Ag. Conflicts
• Address Potential Water Quality Concerns on
  Farms

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AEM Principles

• Watershed based
• Voluntary participation
• Document environmental stewardship
• Adopt BMPs consistent with farm resources
• Increase farmers awareness of their potential
  impact on the environment
• Increase non-farmer awareness of Ag.
  environmental benefits to their community

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Local AEM Team Activities

• Identify Prioritize
• Plan Coordinate
• Obtain Funding
• Conduct Outreach
• Evaluate

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The AEM Tiered Approach

• Tier I - Questionnaire
• Tier II - Worksheets
• Tier III - Plan
• Tier IV - Implementation
• Tier V - Evaluation

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Tier II Worksheets

• Farm Managers complete on-site assessments with
  the help of the AEM team
• Documents current environmental stewardship
• Identifies potential environmental concerns

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Tier II Worksheets

• Practice Specific
• Solid Waste Disposal
• Pasture Management
• Petroleum Storage
• Fertilizer Management
• Pesticide Use
• Farm Water Supply
• Manure Management
• Barnyards
• Others

• Farm Type Specific
• Dairy Farms
• Beef Farms
• Horse Farms
• Greenhouses
• Vineyards
• Orchards
• Vegetable Farms

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Tier II Worksheetsfor Horse Farms

• Wash Rack/Trailer Water
• Manure Management
• Storage
• Field Application/Off-farm
• Paddock Management
• Pasture Management

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Format of Assessment Worksheets
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Greatest Environmental Issueson NYS Horse Farms

• Overused, barren paddocks

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Greatest Environmental Issueson NYS Horse Farms

• Manure Storage
• Manure Nutrient Utilization

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Other Environmental Issueson NYS Horse Farms

• Farm dumps, solid waste disposal
• Farm water source protection
• Stream bank erosion??
• Others??

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Do Horse Farms Come Under Environmental
Regulations?

• DEC General Permit for CAFOs
• 500 horses ?Large CAFO
• 150 horses?Medium CAFO
• Requires farm to implement a CNMP
• CAFO Designation for Special Cases
• Have to be causing major problems
• NYS Environmental Conservation Law
• Prohibits discharges into waters of the State

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Environmental Stewardshipis Good Business!
http//www.agmkt.state.ny.us/SoilWater/AEM/AEM.htm
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