Water Quality
Designed for compliance with all federal, state, and local environmental regulations, Golden Oval Eggs facilities began construction in Renville, Minnesota in 1994 and completed it in 1996. The Renville, Minnesota complex is on approximately 100 acres and is designed with water retention areas to regulate runoff from abnormally heavy rainfall effectively. All processing water is captured and treated on site at a
wastewater treatment facility.
The Thompson, Iowa complex began construction in the fall of 1999. The site is located on 240 acres in Winnebago County. All processing water is treated in a four-cell aerated treatment facility. Trickling filters and clarifiers provide secondary treatments.
Soil Conservation
Layer flocks produce two valuable plant food ingredients: egg shells and chicken litter. Flocks of chickens are kept in computer-automated, environmentally controlled barns, where chicken litter falls to sealed concrete containment areas beneath the barn floor for drying.
Litter is land-applied when crop rotation and season are most opportune, providing valuable nutrients of nitrogen, phosphorus
and potassium to the soil. Applications are made on a timely basis and soil incorporation occurs within 24 hours to reduce any possibility of runoff. This by-product
is applied in an agronomically sound manner by certified specialists to provide necessary nutrients to crops.
In the egg shell recovery building, egg
shells go through a process by which they are dried and then
utilized by the feed mill as a lime ingredient.
Crop plant food is a valuable resource for farmers as it improves the production of their land. Using professional crop production consultants, farmers develop nutrient management plans specific to their land. This planning assures the correct amount of plant food at the right time, with proper setbacks applied to prevent runoff or non-absorption of nutrients. Chicken litter is especially beneficial to soil tilch, is less costly, and reduces the use of inorganic plant food.
Air Quality
Golden Oval Eggs is proud to be a volunteer to develop an air monitoring network with neighboring industries in conjunction with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, utilizing the best available technology to be in compliance ahead of proposed standards for more stringent air quality control.
Management Practices
Integrated pest management is an important aspect of any agricultural operation. Golden Oval Eggs employees perform daily checks for flies, rodents, and mites. Regular preventive measures, environmentally sound and recommended by university and industry experts, are applied. Natural biological controls are utilized, including the introduction of beneficial insects to control unwanted insect populations. Perimeter testing is performed at the company operations and other sites, establishing a baseline to assure that Golden Oval Eggs is within area standards. Golden Oval Eggs researches the best available technology and practices to ever improve our stewardship of the environment.
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