Animal Waste Management Systems are designed for the proper handling, storage, and utilization of wastes generated from animal confinement operations and include a means of collecting, scraping, or washing wastes from confinement areas into appropriate waste storage structures. Lagoons, ponds, or steel or concrete tanks are common structures used for the treatment and/or storage of liquid wastes while storage sheds or pits are used to store solid wastes. Controlling runoff from roofs, feedlots, and "loafing" areas are also part of these systems. Adequate storage ensures wastes are only applied when crops can use the accompanying nutrients and soil and weather conditions are appropriate.

Funding Source

Cost-share grants are available to install these systems through the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share (MACS) Program and USDA’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).