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October 20, 2000

Compost plan a win-win situation

By Ned Meister
Director, Commodity/Regulatory Activities

Cow manure and clean water. We all know they don't mix. That's why some problem-solving agriculture, environmental and Central Texas leaders have developed a program to ensure they don't.

Waco sits downstream from Erath County, home to over 200 dairies and 41,000 dairy cows. The nutrient run-off from these dairies, along with direct discharges from muncipalities, contribute unwanted nutrients and excessive phosphorus levels in Lake Waco.

Dairy farmers, however, have embraced an innovate solution to the problem of nutrient run-off: composting. The plan is a win-win situation for dairy farmers, the citizens of Central Texas, and the environment. Composting could cut as much as 70 to 80 percent of the amount of dairy waste that gets into the Bosque River. Further, it's a solution that doesn't boast onerous government regulations but embraces and encourages private sector incentives.

State Rep. Kip Averitt was joined by Sen. David Sibley and Rep. David Lengefeld in developing the plan, which has garnered support from the dairy industry as well as from key state agencies involved in implementing the plan, including the Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission (TNRCC) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

Members of the dairy industry and water experts have known for years that composting is a great idea. However, the practice hasn't been used much because transporting manure to a composting site has always been cost prohibitive for dairy farmers.

But now, state government and industry leaders have worked out a plan to make composting a viable option that accomplishes two simple, but essential goals. First, it jump-starts the production of compost. Under the plan, local dairies can send their manure to compost facilities free of charge.

Second, it provides a market. Under the plan, the hundreds of thousands of cubic yards of manure generated by Erath County dairies will be composted and used by the TxDOT in its struggle to improve roadside vegetation by giving the agency a source of low-cost, but highly effective, soil amendment. Plan visionaries also logically see a future market composed of Central Texas home- owners eager to improve lawns and gardens.

This is not a pilot program. While initial funding for composting will come from the Environmental Protection Agency and state programs focused on cleaning our state water supplies, the program is expected to be fully self-sufficient within three years.

And benefits abound under the plan announced by Rep. Averitt. Waco residents get cleaner drinking water. Dairy farmers have an environmentally-friendly way to dispose of their manure that does not involve heavy government regulations. The plan allows TNRCC to meet federal and state requirements for reducing nutrients in local watersheds. And, more vegetation as the result of composting will reduce erosion and allow all of us to enjoy prettier roadways.

Finally, this solution is an excellent example of how our government and local leaders can work together at all levels and develop market-based solutions that will preserve a valuable local industry while improving the quality of life for all Central Texans.