RAIN WATER COLLECTION FOR POULTRY PRODUCTION

Alabama Mountains, Rivers & Valleys RC&D Council, Inc.

Mike Roden, Executive DirectorJay Grantland, Projects Manager

C ON S E R VAT I O

N IN N O

VAT I ON S G

R A N T

C I G

ARE YOU READY?!

WHERE WE ARE….

HISTORICALLY THE AMRV-RC&D HAS BEEN VERY ACTIVE IN WASTE MANAGEMENT

“ALTHOUGH WE HAVE INFORMED THE BIRDS OF THESE REGULATIONS, THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING TO DECREASE THE AMOUNT OF MANURE PRODUCED DURING THESE

CRITICAL TIMES”.

“This is the first time in 20 years it’s cost me money to grow chickens,” said Holly Pond farmer Terry Carr Friday. “Our chickens haven’t performed like they should. The thing about it is, I’m still doing everything I’ve done—to the tee—for the last 20 years, and the only variable, really, that’s outside my control is the water. I’m not the only one out this way who’s having the same problem at the same time.”

CULLMAN TIMES SUNDAY, AUGUST 29, 2010

WHY?

“Global water consumption doubles every 20 years due to population growth…..a factor that has not only contributed to water scarcity but also growing strains on all facets of agriculture.”

Southeast Farm Press

COSTS “a four-house poultry operation typically

uses 1 ¾ to 2 million gallons of treated water each year, leading to annual operating costs of between $4,000 and $10,000 , depending on prevailing water rates. In fact, water, along with electricity and propane, are the primary factors rapidly eating away at poultry growers’ profitability and, ultimately, their prospects of staying in business.”

Gene Simpson, Auburn University Extension System (NPTC)

WHY?Rural Water Rates Rising Faster Than Any Other UtilityLow Profit Margin for Poultry GrowersWater QualityWater Seepage into Poultry Houses from Roof Rainwater runoff

NUTRIENT RUN-OFF REDUCTION

Large roof surfaces have the potential to convey tremendous volumes of water which can transport nutrient & sediment in the water.

WATER FOR BIRDS AND COOL CELLS

Rainwater harvesting can provide readily available cost-effective water for birds and cool cells.

WE ALL KNEW WHAT WE WANTED BUT WE DIDN’T UNDERSTAND HOW TO GET

IT….

Auburn University$8,000 National Poultry Technology CenterAMRV-RC&D$50,000 CIG Grant NRCS$20,000 Al Assoc RC&D$5,000 CAWACO RC&D$1,275 AMRVRCDFARMER$12,000 BRAE Rainwater Company$$$$$$

THE TEAM

WHAT THE FARMER NEEDED….

OUR APPROACOUR APPROACH

SO WE DECIDED TO WORK SMARTER…..

SOME OF US NEEDED MORE SMARTS…..

Drinking Water Quality

Poultry Company Approval

Bio-SecurityCosts

CHALLENGES…

HOW IT WORKS1)Collection & Conveyance: Gutters

2) Storage: 80,000 gal tanks

3)Water Treatment: Ozone / Chlorination

4) Delivery: Gravity flow ..all tanks connected at the bottom5) Redundancy: Ozone/Chlorine

Power loss switch

(1)THE GUTTERS…..

(1) ALTERNATIVE GUTTER6 inch double wall corrugated pipe.

(2) STORAGE TANKS…

60,000 GALLONS INITIALLY

TANK INSTALLATION

80,000 GALLONS TOTAL STORAGE

(3) WATER TREATMENT

DELIVERY…CONNECTED

FINAL AS-BUILT CONCEPT

SURPRISES

Condensation

FARM TOURS……

FIELD DAYS…LOCAL AG PARTNERS

FIELD DAYS…ELECTED & AGENCY OFFICIALS

THE RESULTS

METER READINGS

Sep2010

Dec 15 2010

Jan 5 2011

Jan17 2011

Mar 1 2011

Mar 23 2011

Apr 25 2011

Rainwater(thousands of gallons)

0 182 256 302 346 463 495

City water(thousands of gallons)

0 281 295 328 374 398 427

WATER USED DURING ONE FLOCK-Feb 11th thru Mar

23rd(7 days short of an entire flock)

RAINWATER CITY WATER

Thousands of gallons of water 155 27

WHERE WE ARE…….

THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL?

NRCS EQIP COST SHARE PILOT IN ALABAMA

NEXT STEP…….

I HOPE WE HAVE BEEN CLEAR….

IF WE HAVEN’T SHOWN YOU WHAT YOU WANTED TO SEE…

WE’RE SORRY

CALL US…..W

E ARE A

LWAY

S

ON THE J

OB….

MI K

E . RO D E N @

A MR V R C D . C

O M

J AY. G

R A N T L A N D @A M

R V R C D . CO M

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"All programs and assistance of the USDA-NRCS and AMRV-RC&D are available without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer."