Agricultural News
Poultry Litter Oversight Continues With Funding From Poultry Federation
Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:31:39 CDT
The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry (ODAFF) has been working in conjunction with the poultry industry and local municipalities to protect Oklahoma’s watersheds. In 1998 the Oklahoma legislature passed the Oklahoma Registered Poultry Feeding Operation (RPFO) Act. This act requires Poultry Operators to have mandated litter management training as well as an approved Animal Waste Management Plan (AWMP) and maintain records of poultry waste removed from or applied to the premises.
ODAFF has employed two soil scientists who have developed 863 (AWMP) plans for land owners over the past six years. Due to state budget cuts the funding for these two positions was no longer available. Therefore, The Poultry Federation, a non-profit group that supports the poultry industry in Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma has stepped forward with a $43,000 grant to keep these scientists in place.
“Those of us who work in the poultry industry are serious about our responsibility as environmental stewards and we value ODAFF’s efforts to make sure poultry litter is properly used,” said Marvin Childers, president of The Poultry Federation.
Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, Terry Peach noted, “This grant is very similar to the grant provided by the City of Tulsa in the Eucha Spavinaw Watershed.” ODAFF has worked with the city of Tulsa and the Tulsa Metropolitan Utility Authority to employ a special master that oversees two employees that monitor water quality in the Tulsa area.
“We appreciate The Poultry Federation’s willingness to help us retain these important soil scientist positions,” said Terry Peach. “This is another example of how government and industry can work together to support responsible agricultural practices in our great state.”
To learn more about the Poultry Federation, click here.
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