Why CNMPs? Rich Koenig Soil Specialist Utah State University

Situation l You are out on the farm telling a producer he/she needs to develop a CNMP l He/she asks: “Why?”

How do you respond?

Response = message l “You have to do this to qualify for government cost-share money” l “This is just another government program. Develop the thing, put it on the shelf, and you will be okay” l (if it’s done properly) “A management plan (of which a CNMP is part) might help you and your operation be more profitable, run smoothly, be sustainable…”

Consider... l How you respond and the message you send will determine the success or failure of this program l This may very well be the most important step Convincing the producer of the need and value of a CNMP Convincing the producer of the need and value of a CNMP Getting producer buy-in or ownership Getting producer buy-in or ownership

Consider… l The success of this program will not be measured in the number of plans prepared but in the impacts Implementation and documentation Implementation and documentation Water quality impacts Water quality impacts

Why CNMPs? l?l?l?l?l?l?l?l?l?l?l?l?l?l?l?l?l?l?l?l?

Why CNMPs l Many complex issues driving livestock industry regulations l The National Strategy does a poor job of making the case for CNMPs

Why CNMPs? l Water quality issues l Social/political issues l Government regulation issues l Environmental stewardship issues l Economic issues

Water quality issues l Pfisteria l Eutrophication l Nitrates, phosphates, pesticides, bacteria l State 303d lists l Public experience and perception Direct proof of agriculture’s contribution to water quality problems Direct proof of agriculture’s contribution to water quality problems

California Dairy example l 5 San Joaquin Valley Dairies, ~1000 AU and 125 acres each l 44 shallow groundwater monitoring wells around facilities l Nitrate-N levels frequently as high as 100 mg/L l Why? Sandy soils Sandy soils Residual soil nitrogen levels as high as 1000 lb N/acre Residual soil nitrogen levels as high as 1000 lb N/acre No credit given for manure and wastewater N No credit given for manure and wastewater N

Social/political issues l The world is becoming more crowded, putting more pressure on limited resources l What once was okay now may not be l Generally, greater environmental awareness on the part of the public l Farmers comprise less than 5% of the U.S. population l Third party lawsuits l Point source industries point to farmers and say clean up your act, we did

Government regulation l Clean Water Act Can’t pollute water Can’t pollute water l State regulations Can’t pollute water Can’t pollute water l National AFO Strategy Voluntary program or Voluntary program or “Last chance” for animal agriculture to clean up its act “Last chance” for animal agriculture to clean up its act

Environmental stewardship l The role and image of farmers as environmental stewards l Need for documentation or proof of environmental stewardship If you don’t know…, …can’t document…, …can’t prove…, etc., why should I believe you are an good environmental steward? If you don’t know…, …can’t document…, …can’t prove…, etc., why should I believe you are an good environmental steward?

Economic issues l Managing agricultural wastes (manure, etc.) is a net cost Cost of livestock waste management is not accurately reflected in the price of the commodities Cost of livestock waste management is not accurately reflected in the price of the commodities Dairy example (B. Godfrey, USU): Dairy example (B. Godfrey, USU): –Cost $200 per cow per year –Cost $1.10 per 100 lb milk

CORE 4 Data

Economic issues l Managing agricultural wastes as a resource can reduce the cost, but there is still a net cost Dairy example: Dairy example: –N and P value = $56 per cow per year –N and P value = $0.31 per 100 lb milk

Why CNMPs?