Addendum Issued for Big Creek First Quarterly Report

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture's Big Creek Research and Extension Team has issued an addendum to the first quarterly report on its study of a hog farm in the Buffalo River Watershed.

The addendum correctly identifies the fields sampled by the team. The addendum, available as a PDF document, addresses maps in the original report issued Jan. 31, that contained fields that were incorrectly identified in the original management plan for the C&H Hog Farm in Mount Judea.

"With the correctly labeled maps, we want it to be clear that we have taken samples only from fields for which we had authorization from the landowners, regardless of previous labeling," said Andrew Sharpley, team leader and professor at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Aside from the addendum, the team also noted a change in its sampling plan due to a planned revision in the manure management plan for the farm — a revision that is pending regulatory review.

"One of the fields in our work plan won't be receiving manure until the fate of the management plan is determined," said Sharpley. "This will give us an opportunity to determine a baseline for water quality prior to any manure being applied."

The Big Creek Research and Extension team, comprised of faculty and staff from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, is conducting a multi-phase, long-term study of the farm and its potential impacts on the watershed.

The first quarter report, covering work conducted from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, is available online at arkansasagnews.uark.edu/bigcreekquarter1.pdf.

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.