I've visited with numerous farmers and non-farmers alike about controlling odor from agricultural operations. The farmers are recognizing that the only way they will stay in business in some locations is to make sure odors or water pollution don't trigger a complaint by neighbors. Non-farmers (and some farmers!) who call are objecting to farm odors and want to know who is the regulatory agency to contact. In some cases, their concerns are legitimate; others are "smelling with their eyes" rather than their noses.
In excessive agricultural odor situations, the only legal recourse is through a civil suit. As a result of a 1983 state regulatory exemption, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources won't prosecute on these odor complaints.
While you cannot totally eliminate the risk of odor complaints, here are a few tips to help prevent problems.
Watch prevailing winds. Warm weather breezes will carry odors toward neighbors to the north and east. If the air is damp and still, the odors will travel downhill (in any direction) following the same drainage pattern as water. Odors can travel several miles, depending on size and type of operation, topography, and weather conditions.
Reduce odors by not overloading lagoons and by frequently moving manure to storage instead of leaving it on open lots. Spread manure on dry, windy days for quickest odor dilution. Observe DNR's minimum separation distances (see Table 1) when spreading. Keeping greater distances away is encouraged.
Finally, evaluate likely residential growth before expanding any existing facilities. "Being there first" does not guarantee immunity from litigation. Your farm's best defense begins with keeping a tidy road-front appearance and good public relations with neighbors.
Table 1. Separation Distances for Land Application of Waste.
| Location | Minimum Distance in Feet |
| From public roads, streams & lakes | 50 |
| From property boundaries | 50 |
| Between human dwellings & manure solids spreading areas | 50 |
| Between human dwellings & waste irrigation wetted areas | 150 |
| From water supply wells, sinkholes & losing streams | 300 |
| On fields exceeding 10% slope | Not allowed |
| On fields with a flood frequency greater than once every 10 years | Not as sole spreading site |
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Webpage maintained by: Bob Schultheis Natural Resource Engineering Specialist Email comments to: schultheisr@missouri.edu Last revised: 07/15/2011 |
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