Manual of Best Management Practices - Maine

Manual of Best Management

Practices

For Maine Agriculture

Maine Department of Agriculture, Food & Rural Resources Division of Animal Health & Industry January 2007

Best Management Practices for Maine Agriculture

Acknowledgements

This Manual of Best Management Practices for Maine Agriculture, published in January 2007, is the first comprehensive compilation of agriculture-related best management practices ever published in the State of Maine. It is a work that has been in progress for many years, and has reached completion through the efforts of many individuals. These individuals either have written text for the Manual and/or contributed lists of potential best management practices for the Manual, or have reviewed its contents for clarity and technical accuracy. We acknowledge their contributions below:

Principal Authors

Hugh M. Coxe Mark F. Hedrich

New England Planning Concepts, Yarmouth, Maine Nutrient Management Coordinator Maine Department of Agriculture, Food & Rural Resources

Maine Department of Agriculture, Food & Rural Resources

Robert Batteese Jonathan Chalmers Shelley F. Doak Gary Fish Clinton V. Giustra John Harker Donald E. Hoenig, V.M.D. Craig Leonard Peter N. Mosher, Ph.D. David P. Rocque William M. Seekins, Ph.D.

Acting Director, Division of Plant Industry Agricultural Compliance Supervisor Director, Division of Animal Health & Industry Environmental Specialist Livestock Industry Specialist Agricultural Resource Management Specialist State Veterinarian Agricultural Compliance Supervisor Director, Office of Agricultural, Natural & Rural Resources State Soil Scientist Agricultural Resource Management Coordinator

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Randy Doak Paul Hughes Mary Thompson

District Conservationist State Resource Conservationist District Conservationist

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Best Management Practices for Maine Agriculture

Maine Department of Environmental Protection

Mark A. King Norm G. Marcotte Donald T. Witherill

Environmental Specialist Environmental Specialist Director, Division of Watershed Management

Agricultural Industry Specialist

Lauchlin W. Titus

Certified Professional Agronomist

University of Maine Cooperative Extension

Mark Hutchinson Rick Kersbergen

Extension Educator & Professor Extension Educator & Professor

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Best Management Practices for Maine Agriculture

Summary Table of Contents

I. Introduction............................................................................................................. 1 A. Purpose of the Manual.................................................................................... 1 B. History of Development of BMPs for Agriculture in Maine ........................... 3 C. Continued Development of BMPs ................................................................... 5

II. Explanation of General BMPs and Site Specific BMPs ......................................... 6 A. Definition of BMPs ......................................................................................... 6 B. Use of General BMPs ..................................................................................... 7 C. Development of Site Specific BMPs ................................................................ 8

III. General BMPs for Maine Agriculture................................................................... 10 A. Erosion and Sedimentation Control .................................................................... 11 B. Manure Management............................................................................................ 14 C. Pest Management ................................................................................................ 18 D. Nutrient Management ......................................................................................... 22 E. Irrigation Management ....................................................................................... 26 F. Livestock Management ........................................................................................ 27 G. Odor Control ....................................................................................................... 28 H. Insect Management ............................................................................................. 30 I. Noise Control........................................................................................................ 33 J. Farm Management ............................................................................................... 34

IV. List of References ................................................................................................. 37 A. References by Reference Number ................................................................. 37 B. Reference Documents ? By Category in Alphabetical Order ....................... 67

V. Index ..................................................................................................................... 92

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Best Management Practices for Maine Agriculture

Detailed Table of Contents

I. Introduction.............................................................................................................. 1 A. Purpose of the Manual ............................................................................................ 1 B. History of Development of BMPs for Agriculture in Maine .................................. 3 C. Continued Development of BMPs .......................................................................... 5

II. Explanation of General BMPs and Site Specific BMPs ....................................... 6 A. Definition of BMPs................................................................................................. 6 B. Use of General BMPs ............................................................................................. 7 1. Contour Plowing ........................................................................................... 11 2. Interseed Row Crops..................................................................................... 11 3. Rotated Crops ............................................................................................... 11 4. Buffer Strips .................................................................................................. 11 5. Strip Crop...................................................................................................... 11 6. Crop Residue................................................................................................. 11 7. Vegetate Highly Erodible Areas ................................................................... 12 8. Cover Crops .................................................................................................. 12 9. Divert Surface Waters ................................................................................... 12 10. Stabilize Surface Water Diversion ................................................................ 12 11. Sediment Basins ............................................................................................ 12 12. Limit Livestock Access To Sediment Producing Areas ................................. 12 13. Limit And Stabilize Livestock Crossings of Streams..................................... 13 14. Locate or Develop a Stable Stream Crossing For Farm Equipment............ 13 B. Manure Management ............................................................................................... 14 1. Determine Manure Application Rates .......................................................... 14 2. Buffers or Setbacks ....................................................................................... 14 3. Manure Nutrient Value ................................................................................. 14 4. Apply Manure at Appropriate Rates ............................................................. 14 5. Uniform Application ..................................................................................... 14 6. Reduced or Non-Application Areas .............................................................. 14 7. Timing Manure Applications ........................................................................ 15

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