Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #112664
Title: A FUNCTIONAL TREE, SHRUB AND GRASS BUFFER FOR A CONFINED ANIMAL FEEDING FACILITY

Author
item HUNT, R - TREES FOREVER
item CHRISTENSEN, D - TREES FOREVER
item COLLETTI, J - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
item Dinnes, Dana
item Hatfield, Jerry

Submitted to: High Plains Journal
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/6/2000
Publication Date: 12/6/2000
Citation: Hunt, R., Christensen, D., Colletti, J., Dinnes, D.L., Hatfield, J.L. 2000. A functional tree, shrub and grass buffer for a confined animal feeding facility. Innovative technologies for planning animal feeding operations, comprehensive nutrient management planning program and proceedings. p. 192-200.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: In 1999, Trees Forever and Iowa Select Farms, entered into a working partnership and enlisted the cooperation of Iowa State University Department of Forestry, The Agroecology Issue Team of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, and the USDA-ARS National Soil Tilth Laboratory. The partnership as announced at the 1998 World Pork Expo, is a blend of the interests shared by Iowa Select Farms and Trees Forever. As a Trees Forever partner, Iowa Select Farms has agreed to examine the potential long-term benefits of tree, shrub and grass buffers for animal feeding/confinement facilities. In spring of 1999, volunteers and staff from each of the above organizations planted a tree, shrub and grass buffer consisting of more than 1000 woody plants around the Iowa Select Farms Arends Sow Farm facility in Hamilton County, Iowa. The project partners plan to study the buffer's effects on the facility's energy budget, odor control, local residents' perceptions to change in landscape aesthetics and wildlife population response to the change in habitat. Current scientific information and physical characteristics of the facility that guided the buffer design will be presented, along with features of this unique working partnership between non-profit, government, university and private industry organizations. Future research results will be shared with the livestock industry.