Hello, everyone! Thank you for tuning into the Barnyard Broadcast! Today, we are taking a look at the world of Manure and Odor Management. When we are running our operations, this management might not be at the top of the list. But this episode's guests bed to differ! We are delighted to have on the podcast Dr. Bob Mikesell, Dr. Robb Meinen, and Brady Seely! Please check out their bios below! As always, if you have any questions about manure or odor management or any other livestock topic, please reach out to your local livestock educator or visit extension.psu.edu. I will also link some of the resources that are available that were referenced in the episode!

DEP Clean Water Academy - https://pacleanwateracademy.remote-learner.net/

State Conservation Commission - https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dep/programs-and-services/water/bwrnsm/nonpoint-source/conservation-district-support/state-conservation-commission

Find your County Conservation District - https://pacd.org/?page_id=59

What are the 4 Rs - https://www.tfi.org/insights/nutrient-stewardship/what-are-the-4rs/

Penn State Agronomy Guide - https://extension.psu.edu/the-penn-state-agronomy-guide

Please keep an eye out for our next episode!

Guest Bios

Dr. Bob Mikesell- Dr. Bob Mikesell serves as a Teaching Professor and Undergraduate Coordinator in Penn State's Animal Science Department. He also serves as a technical consultant for Pennsylvania's Odor Management Program, training certified odor management planners. Bob and his wife Capri raise Maine Anjou beef cattle and Quarter Horses on their mountain-top Cambria County farm.

Dr. Robb Meinen- Robb Meinen is the Director of the Pennsylvania Nutrient Management Education Program. He holds a unique combination of a Soil Science PhD, an Animal Science MS, and an Agricultural Systems Management BS. While these degrees are from different disciplines and departments within the Penn State College of Agriculture, Robb currently resides in a fourth department, Plant Sciences, as an Assistant Research Professor. Robb strives to simultaneously advance agricultural production and the environment. For 25 years he his university role has been funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to provide certification to Nutrient Management Planners and Commercial Manure Haulers/Brokers. He has twice been recognized with the highest environmental award in Pennsylvania, plus the highest environmental award in the swine industry. He co-instructs Penn State’s Nutrient Management course and is involved with national efforts such as the North American Manure Expo, Waste to Worth Conference, and Manureshed Research.

Brady Seeley- Brady Seeley is the Director of the Nutrient Management, Odor Management, and Manure Hauler and Broker Programs with the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission. Brady has worked for the State Conservation Commission for 5 years in various roles within the Nutrient and Odor Management Programs. Prior to his work with the SCC, he worked for the Cumberland County Conservation District as their Chesapeake Bay Technician. Brady holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Resource Management and was raised on a small family dairy farm in Bradford County, PA.

Photo credit: Mike Houtz