Effects of Setbacks in Controlling Antibiotics and Antibiotic-Resistant Genes Following Swine Slurry Application

At least 34 states require setback distances between where manure is applied and selected landscape features such as surface waters, open tile intake structures, well heads, and other conduits to surface and ground water. As an example, Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality- Confined Animal Feeding Operations Rules require a setback distance of 35 feet when manure is applied up gradient on a site containing permanent vegetation. When there is no permanent or insufficient vegetation, manure must be applied 100 feet up gradient. Statutes in some states require setback distances to be a few hundred feet in length. Intuition would indicate that land application should not occur immediately next to a water course. However, there is little technical information available identifying the setback distance required to significantly reduce the transport of potential contaminants from cropland areas. In this study, the effects of setbacks in controlling antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes following swine slurry application will be measured.