By Kelly Patches
The State Conservation Commission (SCC) has recently updated the standard animal weights used in Nutrient Management Plans. These new weights will go into effect on October 1, 2019.
Animal weight is part of the equation in calculating the number of animal equivalent units (AEUs). This information is then used to determine if a farming operation falls under the state’s definition of Concentrated Animal Operation (CAO) and/or the federal definition of a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO). Animal weight is also used to calculate the amount of manure generated if farm records are not available.
Weight changes and/or clarification of age ranges were made to several species of livestock, including dairy, beef, swine, poultry, sheep, goat, veal, bison, and llama. For some of these species, definitions for animal age categories were clarified. No weight changes were made for alpaca, horse, donkey, mule, and deer. Table 1 shows the new dairy and swine weights; Table 2 shows the new poultry categories and weights.
The new weights will become effective on October 1, 2019; this is the start of Crop Year 2020. If the new weights cause an operation to be newly defined as a CAO, that operation will need to submit a nutrient management plan for the 2020 Crop Year. If the new weights cause an operation to be newly defined as a CAFO, that operation will need to submit an administratively complete CAFO permit by April 1, 2019, in order to have the permit approved by October 1, 2019. If you currently have an Act 38 Nutrient Management Plan, work with your plan writer to review these changes. You can also contact your local County Conservation District to help you review these changes for your specific operation.
All related publications are in the process of being updated on the PA Nutrient Management Website. All revised weights will be published in the October 2017 version of the Nutrient Management Technical Guide once it is made available. Version 6 of the Nutrient Management Plan spreadsheet with the new weights will also be made available this October.
Table 1. Updated Dairy and Beef Weights
Table 2. Updated Poultry Categories and Weights
Source: psu.edu