EM-122 Vegetated treatment areas: Reducing soil, nutrient, & bacteria runoff from small hog farms

Abstract

Vegetated Treatment Areas (or VTAs) are composed of perennial grasses used to improve runoff water quality associated with livestock, poultry, and other agricultural operations. 70-75% of swine operations nationwide are considered ‘small’ with less than 100 head. Producers need practical, low-cost waste management options to protect local water resources. VTAs are inexpensive alternatives compared to standard waste management systems (i.e. lagoons, etc.), and they help reduce soil, nutrient, and bacteria runoff from small operations with small acreage.