Dairy Lagoons

[dave_shelby]

I have been considering buying a farm. Many of the farms for sale now are dairy and some have lagoons and some do not. Those that dont tend to be older, and have a simple pit. This leads to my question: what is the alternative solution to a lagoon? How is the manure collected otherwise?

And also - if I want to convert a dairy farm is there anything to be aware of with lagoon destruction? EPA?

 

[TexasBred]

If the lagoon is full of manure and water you'll probably have to check with TNRCC and get a permit and do it to their specifications. On the other hand...I'd probably just pump the water out onto the pasture ,fill it in with dirt and not say a word to anyone.

 

[dun]

Contact your state department of Natural resources, or maybe your extension service can point you in the right direction.

 

[dun]

If the lagoon is full of manure and water you'll probably have to check with TNRCC and get a permit and do it to their specifications. On the other hand...I'd probably just pump the water out onto the pasture ,fill it in with dirt and not say a word to anyone.

Once it's pumped, if there is any manure left in the bottom deeper then a couple of inches, don;t just put dirt over it. I've pulled too many people out of old lagoons that they thought were solid ground and drove over them.

 

[TexasBred]

If the lagoon is full of manure and water you'll probably have to check with TNRCC and get a permit and do it to their specifications. On the other hand...I'd probably just pump the water out onto the pasture ,fill it in with dirt and not say a word to anyone.

Once it's pumped, if there is any manure left in the bottom deeper then a couple of inches, don;t just put dirt over it. I've pulled too many people out of old lagoons that they thought were solid ground and drove over them.

True...I've seen some older ones with a heck of a stand of coastal bermuda growing on the surface and were still being used.