The Commission recommends that the MACS Program be expanded to allow non-animal growers who store and apply manure to be eligible to receive State assistance for the construction of manure storage sheds. Of course, the State should be careful not to invest money in such structures if the land on the requesting farm does not need additional phosphorus as determined by the phosphorus-based nutrient management plan recommended by the Commission earlier in this Report. The expansion of the MACS Program in the manner we describe is important as the State seeks to limit the application of additional phosphorus to land that does not need it, and as the State explores the redistribution of manure to farms that can use it, as we discuss below. Advancing technology has reduced the frequency of required whole poultry house cleanings. Poultry manure accumulates in the bedding of the poultry house for several years.
Nutrients accumulate as the manure accumulates.
While nitrogen levels stabilize after the third flock of birds, phosphorus levels continue to increase. Techniques are being developed to apply a litter treatment that will stabilize manure phosphorus into environmentally inactive forms. The Commission encourages the University System of Maryland and the industry to develop and, when appropriate, implement the use of such litter treatments. Low phytic acid corn. It is estimated that a low phytic acid corn will be commercially available by the year 2000.