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Conclusions: <br /> Future lagoon and settling ponds: <br /> In consideration of the site specific soil conditions at this dairy,prior to the installation of new <br /> settling ponds and lagoon,an exploratory boring to establish the existence of a qualified clay layers below <br /> the bottom of the new structures is recommended to assure proper ground water protection. <br /> Any future expansion of animal units at this dairy should consider several improvements: <br /> •A field water runoff control/recycling system needs to be constructed. My reasoning for this is in <br /> consideration that the predominant soil type,# 193, Madera Sandy Loam, has a slow permeability rate. <br /> Consequently,there is a great potential for runoff from this soil type. Irrigation water will carry nutrients <br /> off site into the areas' drainage system. The drain system for the areas' farming ground eventually enter <br /> the flow of the Lone Tree Creek. <br /> •There needs to be a well designed manure settling pond system installed in conjunction with a <br /> lagoon to increase nutrient laden water storage capacity. Settling solids out of the manure water that will <br /> be used for irrigation will limit the volume of solids that will "plug"the pores of this soil. This soil <br /> already has a slow permeability rate. This soil has a propensity to"plug"with excessive applications of <br /> waste water with a high percentage of solids. <br /> *Farming practices should consider a balance of nitrogen applications in the form of manure solids <br /> incorporated into the soil profile along with liquid application of nutrient water from the lagoon. This is <br /> important because nitrate is held loosely to the anion exchange sites in the soil and moves readily with <br /> percolating soil water. The presence of"organic"matter in the soil enhances anion exchange sites and <br /> increases the soils nitrate retention capability. <br /> Nitrogen Loading Conclusion: <br /> • The current farming operation is adequate to consume the nitrogen that will be produced by <br /> the proposed dairy expansion. <br /> • The nitrogen balancing calculations indicate that a portion of the solids will be required to be <br /> removed from the site,not to be applied to the farming property used in the calculations. <br /> • The current liquids/solids application rates are favorable to the agronomical management of <br /> the soil because of the soil requiring organic materials to increase tilth, water intake rate,water <br /> retention capabilities and nitrate retention capability. <br /> • If more farming property is incorporated into the operation that can receive liquids,more of <br /> the solids can be used on site or more cattle can be housed at the site. <br /> 15 <br />