The economic impact of setback requirements on land application of manure

To improve air quality near large swine production sites and mature applica tion fields, Kentucky has legislated setback requirements. Unlike other sta tes, however, Kentucky requires swine producers to control all acreage in t he setback. Furthermore, the setback length for surface application, an odo rous option, is longer than that for incorporation. This paper evaluates ho w much longer the setback length for surface application must be to encoura ge soil incorporation of swine mature. Results indicate that Kentucky's set back lengths do not encourage odor control via incorporation; the setback l ength for surface application must be substantially longer than that for in corporation. (JEL Q15).