Farm Waste
Burning
Yard waste- originating on the farm may be disposed of by open burning. In addition, waste produced by clearing, grubbing and construction activities may be burned. However, burning must be limited to areas located at least one-quarter mile from an inhabited building.
Dead animals- may be incinerated on site. No permit is required from DNR. Emission of particulate matter must be controlled. Equipment is available commercially which should ensure compliance with emission standards if properly sized, operated and maintained. Local ordinances may be more restrictive.
Paper or plastic pesticide containers (except those formerly containing organic forms of beryllium, selenium, mercury, lead, cadmium or arsenic) and seed corn bags resulting from farming activities on the premises can be burned. Such burning is limited to areas located at least one-quarter mile from any inhabited building, livestock area, wildlife area or water course. The amount of bags or containers should not exceed one day’s accumulation or 50 pounds, whichever is less.
Farm buildings- may be burned on the premises provided all chemicals and asphalt shingles are removed. Burning may be conducted only when weather conditions are favorable with respect to surrounding property and permission from the local fire chief is obtained in advance of the burning.
**Burning Residential household waste is permitted provided there is not a more restrictive local ordinance.**
Burying
If farm machinery, vehicles and equipment used on the premises cannot be recycled, they may be buried on the site. All fluids--including motor oils,
motor fuels, lubricating fluids, coolants, solvents and agricultural chemicals--must be drained and all batteries and tires must be removed.
Ashes- from the burning of trees, stumps and brush may be buried.
Farm buildings- may be buried provided they are emptied of any contents not authorized for burial.
Dead animals- may be buried on site on any given acre per year in the following quantities: seven (7) slaughter or feeder cattle; forty-four (44) swine (butcher or breeding); seventy-three (73) sheep or lambs; or four hundred (400) poultry carcasses. All other species will be limited to two (2) carcasses per acre. Animals which die within two months of birth may be buried without regard to number.
All dead animals, farm waste, and farm buildings- must be buried in moderately well to excessively drained soils as defined by tables in the county soil survey published by the U.S. Soil Conservation Service. Other soils may be used if artificial drainage is installed to maintain a water level of more than two feet below the carcasses. The depth of the burial pit shall not exceed six (6) feet. Buried animals and buildings of waste must be immediately covered with a minimum of six (6) inches of soil and finally covered with a minimum of twenty-four (24) inches of soil (thirty [30] inches of soil in the case of dead animals).
Farm waste, farm buildings, and dead animals must be buried with the following separation distances:
*100 feet from any private well
*100 feet from any body of surface water
*200 feet from any public well
*50 feet from adjacent property line
*500 feet from existing neighboring residence
Outside the boundaries of a flood plain, wetland or shoreline area
Iowa Farm*A*Syst
Farm*A*Syst is a national program which originated at the University of Wisconsin in 1991. Forty-six states and U.S. territories have taken the basic Farm*A*Syst
material, modified it to fit their locale and are currently distributing it. In Iowa, Farm Bureau has taken the lead in adapting the national model to meet the needs of Iowans.
The goal of Farm*A*Syst in Iowa is to reduce the risk of water pollution, particularly drinking water pollution, by providing a simple, totally confidential assessment for farms and acreages. Farm*A*Syst also alerts rural residents if their current practices violate Iowa law.
The material is simple and easy to understand. The evaluation can be completed by the acreage owner in private, or with the help of local technical specialists. If the
acreage owner has questions or needs additional assistance, the Farm*A*Syst material directs them to professionals. Farm*A*Syst may be a first step for farmers and acreage owners before costly and comprehensive environmental audits are needed. Farm*A*Syst encourages voluntary environmental protection.
The publications are designed to give the reader some background on the subject matter so they can complete a short assessment of their current practices. The materials are written so that farmers and acreage owners who value confidentiality can use the materials without having to seek outside advice.
More information and forms are available at http://www.ifbf.org/farmasyst
Yard waste- originating on the farm may be disposed of by open burning. In addition, waste produced by clearing, grubbing and construction activities may be burned. However, burning must be limited to areas located at least one-quarter mile from an inhabited building.
Dead animals- may be incinerated on site. No permit is required from DNR. Emission of particulate matter must be controlled. Equipment is available commercially which should ensure compliance with emission standards if properly sized, operated and maintained. Local ordinances may be more restrictive.
Paper or plastic pesticide containers (except those formerly containing organic forms of beryllium, selenium, mercury, lead, cadmium or arsenic) and seed corn bags resulting from farming activities on the premises can be burned. Such burning is limited to areas located at least one-quarter mile from any inhabited building, livestock area, wildlife area or water course. The amount of bags or containers should not exceed one day’s accumulation or 50 pounds, whichever is less.
Farm buildings- may be burned on the premises provided all chemicals and asphalt shingles are removed. Burning may be conducted only when weather conditions are favorable with respect to surrounding property and permission from the local fire chief is obtained in advance of the burning.
**Burning Residential household waste is permitted provided there is not a more restrictive local ordinance.**
Burying
If farm machinery, vehicles and equipment used on the premises cannot be recycled, they may be buried on the site. All fluids--including motor oils,
motor fuels, lubricating fluids, coolants, solvents and agricultural chemicals--must be drained and all batteries and tires must be removed.
Ashes- from the burning of trees, stumps and brush may be buried.
Farm buildings- may be buried provided they are emptied of any contents not authorized for burial.
Dead animals- may be buried on site on any given acre per year in the following quantities: seven (7) slaughter or feeder cattle; forty-four (44) swine (butcher or breeding); seventy-three (73) sheep or lambs; or four hundred (400) poultry carcasses. All other species will be limited to two (2) carcasses per acre. Animals which die within two months of birth may be buried without regard to number.
All dead animals, farm waste, and farm buildings- must be buried in moderately well to excessively drained soils as defined by tables in the county soil survey published by the U.S. Soil Conservation Service. Other soils may be used if artificial drainage is installed to maintain a water level of more than two feet below the carcasses. The depth of the burial pit shall not exceed six (6) feet. Buried animals and buildings of waste must be immediately covered with a minimum of six (6) inches of soil and finally covered with a minimum of twenty-four (24) inches of soil (thirty [30] inches of soil in the case of dead animals).
Farm waste, farm buildings, and dead animals must be buried with the following separation distances:
*100 feet from any private well
*100 feet from any body of surface water
*200 feet from any public well
*50 feet from adjacent property line
*500 feet from existing neighboring residence
Outside the boundaries of a flood plain, wetland or shoreline area
Iowa Farm*A*Syst
Farm*A*Syst is a national program which originated at the University of Wisconsin in 1991. Forty-six states and U.S. territories have taken the basic Farm*A*Syst
material, modified it to fit their locale and are currently distributing it. In Iowa, Farm Bureau has taken the lead in adapting the national model to meet the needs of Iowans.
The goal of Farm*A*Syst in Iowa is to reduce the risk of water pollution, particularly drinking water pollution, by providing a simple, totally confidential assessment for farms and acreages. Farm*A*Syst also alerts rural residents if their current practices violate Iowa law.
The material is simple and easy to understand. The evaluation can be completed by the acreage owner in private, or with the help of local technical specialists. If the
acreage owner has questions or needs additional assistance, the Farm*A*Syst material directs them to professionals. Farm*A*Syst may be a first step for farmers and acreage owners before costly and comprehensive environmental audits are needed. Farm*A*Syst encourages voluntary environmental protection.
The publications are designed to give the reader some background on the subject matter so they can complete a short assessment of their current practices. The materials are written so that farmers and acreage owners who value confidentiality can use the materials without having to seek outside advice.
More information and forms are available at http://www.ifbf.org/farmasyst
