1. Nutrient Management: Planning and Trends
Erin Busscher
Graduate Student: Environmental Science and Policy
Biological Technician, NRCS

2. What is Nutrient Management?
Managing the amount, source, placement, form, and timing of the application of nutrients and soil amendments

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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)

6. Nutrient Management in Kewaunee County
Red=Areas under an EQIP 590 plan
Blue=DNR or county permit farms

7. 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

8. Field Map Identify: Roads Streams Wetlands Residences # of Acres
Soil Types

9. Soil Tests How much of each nutrient (N, P, K) is in the soil profile?
What is the soil pH and organic matter content?

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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)

13. 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

14. 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)

15. How is Nutrient Management Planning Being Implemented to Respond to the Trends in Agricultural Practices?

16. 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

17. Confined animal units by farm size, 1982 and 1997

18. Number of counties with county-level excess nutrients

19. Wisconsin Trends
Updated by KJF 12/2006

20. Locations of Permitted Operations in WI

21. 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

22. 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.

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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.

26. 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