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Nitrogen Balance: Nitrogen required at fields 116,250 lbs. N Nitrogen from liquids: 11.038 lbs. N —Nitrogen shortage from liquids: 105,212 lbs. N Nitrogen from solids: 68,303 Nitrogen shortage 36,909 Nitrogen Loading Conclusion The current farming operation is adequate to consume all the nitrogen contained in the liquids and solids generated at the site. l As indicated in the calculations above,the remaining nitrogen that will be in liquids after storage losses in the flush lagoon and irrigation pond are fewer than the calculated nitrogen demand from the proposed farming acreage. Composting of the manure solids will condition the solids prior to application to the farm. Composting converts an organic waste material into a stable organic product by converting nitrogen from the unstable ammonia form _ reamore stable organic form.The end result is a product that is safer to use than raw organic material. Composting can reduce the nitrate content of the solids due to anaerobic bacterial activity.Anaerobic activity will cause demlification of nitrate to convert the nitrates to the gaseous form as nitrous oxide or nitrogen gas during the composting process. This gas then escapes into the atmosphere.Considering that composting is an aerobic activity,anaerobic activity can be controlled by simply turning the material to aerate it at the proper time which is the point at which aerobic bacterial activity has consumed all the oxygen with in the mix. Manure is more carbonaceous than commercial fertilizer and carbon is a common energy source to bacteria.Consequently,some denitification will also take place in the soil naturally. Compost is used primarily as a fertilizer supplement and soil conditioner.Compost improves soil structure and fertility.Nutrients in finished compost will be slowly released over a period of years,thus minimizing the risk of nitrate leaching and high nutrient concentrations in surface runoff. _❑A balanced liquids/solids application rates are favorable to the agronomical management of the soil because of the soil requiring organic materials to increase titth,water intake rate,water retention capabilities and consequently,nitrate retention capability. ❑It is important to apply nutrients through out the growing season as the crop requires d. ❑The lagoon water needs to be managed in such a fashion that the irrigation pond is empty prior to the winter rainfall season,yet not _ applying nutrients to the crops when they are not needed. Over irrigation needs to be at a minimum for nitrates can be pushed through the soil profile due to the low water holding capacity of the farms'soils. Appendix IA Mass Balance of Nitrogen Loading-Additional Properties