Nutrient Management: Planning and Trends

Erin BusscherGraduate Student: Environmental Science and Policy

Biological Technician, NRCS

What is Nutrient Management? Managing the amount, source, placement,

form, and timing of the application of nutrients and soil amendments

Purposes of Nutrient Management To budget and supply nutrients for plant

production To properly utilize manure or organic by-

products as a plant nutrient source To minimize agricultural non-point source

pollution of surface and ground water resources To maintain or improve the physical, chemical,

and biological condition of soil

Why develop a nutrient management plan? Increase efficiency of all nutrient sources Reduce pollution and environmental risk Increase profit $$$$$

Optimize nutrient supply for maximum crop yields

Less money spent on unnecessary fertilizers, and time/equipment to apply them

Who has a nutrient management plan? Large farms with a Wisconsin Pollution

Discharge and Elimination System (WPDES) permit (administered by the DNR)

Farms in counties with manure storage ordinances that require a plan

Farms that are subject to other local ordinances requiring a plan

Farms involved in voluntary programs (EQIP)

Nutrient Management in Kewaunee County Red=Areas

under an EQIP 590 plan

Blue=DNR or county permit farms

Components of a Nutrient Management Plan

(1) Field Map (2) Soil Tests (3) Crop Sequence (4) Estimated Yield (5) Sources and Forms (6) Sensitive Areas

(7) Recommended Rates

(8) Recommended Timing

(9) Recommended Methods

(10) Annual Review and Update

Field Map Identify:

Roads Streams Wetlands Residences # of Acres Soil Types

Soil Tests How much of each nutrient (N, P, K) is in

the soil profile? What is the soil pH and organic matter

content?

Crop Sequence Determine the past crop sequence

Consult the existing conservation plan Talk to the producer Has a N-fixing crop such as alfalfa or

soybeans been grown in the past? Determine the type of tillage used

Mulch till and No till increase OM

Estimated Crop Yield Accurate yield estimates are crucial for

determining nutrient budgets and can dramatically improve nutrient use efficiency.

Yields can vary from field to field due to: Soil type, drainage, presence of insects,

weeds or disease

Sources and Forms Questions to ask:

What types of nutrient sources are added to fields? (N, P)

What form are these nutrients in? (manure, fertilizer, N-fixing crops)

What are the nutrient contents of these sources? (manure nutrient test results, N: P: K ratio)

Sensitive Areas:Manure Spreading Hazard Map Red=No spreading;

bedrock within 10 inches

Red hash marks= No winter spreading; must incorporate within 72 hours during the rest of year

Recommendations for Nutrient Application Rates of application (how much) Timing of application (time of year,

before/during/after crop planting or harvest)

Method of application (surface or injection)

How is Nutrient Management Planning Being Implemented to Respond to the

Trends in Agricultural Practices?

Trends The structure of animal agriculture is

changing Shift towards larger animal operations More livestock kept in confinement Animal feeding operations are more spatially

concentrated

Confined animal units by farm size, 1982 and 1997

Number of counties with county-level excess nutrients

Wisconsin Trends

http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/wm/nps/ag/stats.htmUpdated by KJF 12/2006

Locations of Permitted Operations in WI

DNR Region

Permitted Operations

(#)

Pending Permits

(#)Northern 9 0Northeast 45 4

Southeast 11 0West Central 29 2South Central 27 2Total 121 8

Implications of Current Trends Increased problems with utilization and

disposal of waste Amount of nutrients produced exceed the

land’s capacity to assimilate them This type of problem is becoming more

pronounced

Reactions Federal government

EPA: New regulation affecting Concentrated Animal

Feeding Operations (CAFOs) on February 12, 2003

Ensures proper management of manure that is generated on site by requiring the development and implementation of a site-specific nutrient management plan as a part of the application process for a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.

Reactions Federal government

USDA-NRCS As part of the Farm Bill, the Environmental

Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides cost-sharing and technical assistance for producers to develop nutrient management plans

Reactions State government: WI

WDNR NR151: includes performance standards and

prohibitions for farms ATCP 50 (DATCP): identifies conservation

practices that farmers must follow; sets requirements for nutrient management plans

NR 243 and WPDES Permitting system: ensures the proper management of farm operations

Conclusions Nutrient management plans are the smart way to

manage nutrients. Plans can increase profits as well as protect the

environment. Many farms do not have a plan to manage the

nutrients produced or applied to their fields. Costs to develop a plan may be prohibitive for

small producers.

Thanks to: Kewaunee County Land and Water

Conservation Department Steve Hanson, Conservation Planner/ GIS

Coordinator NRCS: Kewaunee Service Center

John Malvitz, Soil Conservationist Joe Johnson, District Conservationist