IN NEW ENGLAND, MOST BULK BIOSOLIDS ARE USED ON SILAGE CORN AND HAY CROPS DESTINED FOR CONSUMPTION BY DAIRY COWS.

What is "land application?"
Land application refers to the distribution of bulk biosolids to enrich soils on larger tracts of land.

Agronomic rates and agricultural best management practices are required--and important for protecting water quality.

Generally, Class B biosolids are used for land application because they contain higher levels of nitrogen (N), a primary fertilizer nutrient. Laws require that such biosolids are applied so as to provide just the required nutrients to support the crop being grown--this is called the "agronomic rate." By calculating and applying biosolids according to the agronomic rate, farmers and biosolids managers ensure that the land receives few excess nutrients that cannot be used by the crops. This careful planning and use of agronomic rates protects ground and surface waters. The one exception to the use of agonomic rates is when biosolids are used to build a manufactured layer of topsoil. These one-time applications require additional bulk and nutrients to "jump-start" new vegetation and create a thick, healthy topsoil layer. When these manufactured topsoils are created, excess nutrients are controlled by mixing with carbon-rich materials, thus protecting ground and surface waters.

Site evaluation and careful management are required by law

Federal and state regulations require careful evaluation and management of any land application site that receives Class B biosolids; this ensures that biosolids are more carefully managed to protect public health and the environment than any other similar product. In New England, land application programs go through an extensive review and permitting process that includes input from agricultural advisors like cooperative extension, environmental scientists, regulators, and the public. Regulations include requirements for buffer zones and set-backs from water bodies and appropriate timing of application (generally once a year in the early spring or late fall or, in summer, between crops). For additional information, see For Homeowners, Farmers and Growers.

Land application in New England

In New England, most bulk biosolids are similar in consistency to animal manures, are transported in dump trucks or trailers, and are applied with traditional manure spreading machinery.

Many bulk "Class B" biosolids are used on agricultural fields to support the growth of animal feeds--corn and grass hay.

BIOSOLID RECYCLING HELPS FARMERS GROW MORE CROPS...

..CREATE OPEN SPACE

A Maine dairy farm.

...AND ENRICH SOILS.

A New Hampshire dairy farm.

Some bulk biosolids are composted or mixed with pulp and paper mill residuals to create a manufactured topsoil layer on abandoned gravel pits, closed landfills, and other severely disturbed lands. See also Pulp and Paper Mill Residuals.

Some biosolids are distributed with specialized machinery to boost the growth of trees on highly-managed forests.

AERIAL APPLICATION OF A COMBINATION OF BIOSOLIDS, PAPER MILL RESIDUALS, AND WOOD ASH TO AN INTENSIVELY-MANAGED NORTHERN FOREST TIMBERLAND.

THIS TREE IN NORTHERN MAINE HAS BEEN FERTILIZED WITH A COMBINATION OF BIOSOLIDS, PAPER MILL RESIDUALS, AND WOOD ASH. THIS COMBINATION PROVIDES EACH OF THE MAJOR PLANT NUTRIENTS, NITROGEN (N), PHOSPHORUS (P), AND POTASSIUM (K). BY RECYCLING NUTRIENTS TO THE SOILS OF INTENSIVELY-MANAGED TIMBERLANDS, FOREST MANAGEMENT COMPANIES CAN GROW AND HARVEST TREES MORE QUICKLY. IN SOME PLACES, THE INCREASED EFFICIENCY GAINED BY USING BIOSOLIDS HAS MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR FOREST MANAGEMENT COMPANIES TO PROTECT OTHER PARTS OF THE FOREST THAT HAVE IMPORTANT CONSERVATION VALUES.