North Carolina Association of County Agricultural Agents 2001 Annual State Meeting Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort, Asheville June 26-28, 2001

Livestock Feeding/Waste Managment Structures

Livestock farmers must provide winter feed for cattle for extended peiods when weather and soil conditions are not conducive to high animal and machinery traffic. Often livestock must be fed in accessible places on the farm that are limited by excessive soil moisture and freezing and thawing action. These factors generate mud and animal wastes that leach or run off into nearby streams.

The feed and waste management structures are designed to address this problem. By locating them on low ridges, with significant buffers from streams and supported by all weather access, dry stack waste storage, and heavy use areas surounding the facility to direct runoff, leaching of animal waste to streams can be significantly reduced or eliminated.

King Farm Bison

King Farm's bison herd is the largest bison farm in the Southeast, with 250 head of bison. They have been raising bison for 15 years for the gourmet food and health food markets. They sell meat to restaurants and stores, and the production is totally organic. The farm runs the bison on pasture, and buys all their hay and feed. Their future goals are to develop internet marketing and agri-tourism opportunities.

Contact Steve Duckett for additional information.