Category: Environmental Planning

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Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship Curriculum

LPES Curriculum Lessons

The lessons are divided into six modules: Introduction, Dietary Strategies, Manure Storage and Treatment, Land Application and Nutrient Management, Outdoor Air Quality, and Related Issues.

Small Farm Fact Sheets

The small farm fact sheet series were developed to assist smaller-scale livestock and poultry producers with questions about regulations and environmental stewardship.

Agricultural Environmental Management Systems (EMS) Series

The Ag EMS series is based on the ISO 14001 international standard for environmental management systems (EMS). The series is targeted toward educators and producers and assists with integrating environmental considerations into a systematic approach to day-to-day farm management.

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Ag Environmental Management Systems Publications Curriculum Materials

This series of agricultural environmental management system (EMS) publications are the result of a five year project, Partners for Livestock EMS that field tested EMS tools with over 200 beef, dairy, and poultry producers in nine states. The ag EMS processs process is aimed at helping farmers and ranchers integrate environmental decision making into the day to day management of their operation. The process emphasizes the following actions:

  • Assess current performance and regulatory compliance.
  • Establish effective communication.
  • Set priorities for environmental improvement.
  • Develop action plans focused on measurable objectives.
  • Maintain comprehensive, well-organized records.
  • Identify and control potential sources of error.
  • Monitor progress toward objectives.
  • Regularly improve plans and re-assess priorities.

Users are encouraged to create individualized approaches to achieving objectives. The result is an ag-friendly EMS that is consistent with international standards.

Who Should Download the Ag EMS Publications?

These publications are targeted for use by farmers, ranchers, and their advisers. Educators and agency staff will find them useful in program development. Download the entire package (.ZIP format – includes both Word and PDF versions of all six publications)

An Introduction to Ag EMS (PDF format) | (Word format) (Word cover)

Target audience: Farmers, educators, and coaches/advisers
Purpose: An introduction to Environmental Management Systems (EMS) concepts for farmers, educators, coaches, and others. It explains the basic requirements and the benefits of the EMS process. It can also be distributed to those potentially interested in an EMS educational program. Download PDF | Download Word & cover

EMS Fact Sheets (PDF format) | (Word format)

Target audience: Farmers
Purpose: A companion to My EMS Workbook. This publication contains a fact sheet for each step of the EMS process. It provides an explanation for each topic, examples, and a list of recommended tasks. Download PDF | Download Word

My EMS Workbook (PDF format) | (Word format)

Target audience: Ag producers
Purpose: Intended for use with the EMS Fact Sheets. This publication contains blank worksheets that producers can complete. When completed, the workbook will serve as a summary or manual of their EMS. Download PDF | Download Word

Example My EMS Workbook (PDF format) | (Word format)

Target audience: Ag producers, educators, and coaches
Purpose: This publication is an example of the My EMS Workbook already completed for a case study beef feedlot. The example is intended to provide producers with a sense of how the materials will look when completed and offer ideas for their own EMS. Educators and coaches may use the example as-is, or they can modify it to reflect a particular animal species or geographical location. Download PDF | Download Word

EMS Sample Record Keeping Forms (PDF format) | (Word format)

Target audience: Ag producers, educators, and coaches
Purpose: These forms are blank templates that can be used as-is or modified to accommodate a producer’s record-keeping systems. The publication covers a wide range of environmental record-keeping topics that are commonly required in regulatory programs, in cost share programs, and by producers wishing to demonstrate a high level of environmental stewardship. Note: The CAFO regulations have been modified since the publication of this material. It is recommended that you verify requirements in federal and your state regulations and modify the materials if necessary before distribution. Download PDF | Download Word

EMS Supplement (PDF format) | (New handout 4b) | (Word format)

Target audience: Educators and coaches
Purpose: This publication provides guidance on setting up an educational program and gives additional information related to each topic. A list of recommended tasks or activities is included. It also contains one or more handouts for each step that can be photocopied and given to producers. This publication compares the relationship between the ISO 14001 standard and the EMS model outlined in the publication. Note: You should replace the handout 4b in both versions with the file downloaded as “new handout 4b”.  (PDF format) | (New handout 4b) | (Word format)

Resources for More Information on Ag EMS

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Agriculture Environmental Management Systems

What is an EMS?

Environmental Management Systems (EMS) are a method of improving environmental and economic performance of a firm. They are widely accepted across many industries and are increasingly common in agriculture. An EMS is a process for integrating environmental considerations and requirements into day-to-day management and long-term planning for a farm.

This management approach examines a production system from start to finish, from inputs to products. With an EMS, the owner/operator and employees develop a plan for action that fits specific needs and resources, builds upon their stewardship principles, helps comply with legal requirements, and works to continually improve the operation. Also see What is an Ag EMS?

An EMS does NOT replace regulations, but may help in attaining compliance or realizing other benefits related to reduced environmental liability and better management. The EPA encourages adoption of EMS’s as a method of improve regulatory compliance, encourage environmental performance, and perhaps reduce regulatory burden.

An emerging concept that is very similar to an EMS is known as ‘adaptive management’. Check out an archived webinar on Adaptive Nutrient Management and a recorded symposium presentation on opportunities for adaptive grazing management in drought-stricken areas.

The EMS process was developed for industry and is commonplace in manufacturing world wide. The most recognized system is ISO 14001 which involves third party certification and formal auditing. As farms become larger and more complex and rely on more employees and outsource more services, the farmer needs a systematic method of managing his or her operation. While formal certification may not be necessary, the EMS process and principles can help farmers improve their environmental and economic performance. There are Ag EMS Publications tailored for agriculture that make it practical to implement on the farm.

The EMS model is a Plan, Implement, Check and Correct, and Review sequence, a proven successful management process. The planning process begins with establishing an environmental policy for the farm/ranch that describes the farmer’s commitment to environmental stewardship, to meeting regulations, and to continual improvement.

An Environmental Management System (EMS) helps to integrate environmental decisions into the overall farm management. CC2.5 LPELC

Environmental Policy Statement

An EMS policy statement describes the environmental principles that are important to you, and establishes your goals for managing them. Everyone who works on your farm should know and share a commitment to the policy statement. You can showcase this statement to the public to demonstrate your environmental commitment. An EMS policy statement should at a minimum describe your commitment to:

    • pollution prevention,
    • continual improvement, and
    • compliance with environmental regulation.

Plan

Next, the farmer assesses the current operation to identify strengths and weaknesses and identifies which if any are causing significant environmental concerns. He or she has now identified a small list of priorities to address first. Then, an action plan with defined objectives, measurable outcomes, and specific steps, timelines, and assignments is developed for each priority. Some assessments can be found at:

Implement

“Implement” involves communicating the plan to the people that are responsible for making it happen. This includes preparing operating procedures, training, and resources as needed.

Record keeping is an essential component of an effective EMS. CC2.5 LPELC

Check

“Check” is a regular review of the plan’s progress and environmental performance. If problems arise “Correct” refers to corrective actions taken. Documenting regular monitoring actions taken helps the farmer measure progress and shows a proactive approach to environmental improvement.

Review

“Review” closes the loop on the continuous improvement process. Farmers annually review their operation and their plan to determine if they are headed in the right direction, using the best methods, and making progress.

Chances are good that components of the EMS process are already being utilized on a farm. These may include management plans for manure handling, pests, or nutrients, in addition to records on soil testing, chemical applications, feeding requirements, or worker training. An EMS helps organize and document these efforts and improve the environmental and economic performance of the farm.

Examples of Environmental Management Systems for Agriculture

Resources For More Information

Author: John Lawrence, Iowa State University Reviewers: Mark Risse, University of Georgia and Tommy Bass, Montana State University

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Whole Farm Nutrient Balance

What is Whole Farm Nutrient Balance?

Nutrient management is a process of planning for manure and fertilizer applications to individual crop fields. Whereas whole farm nutrient balance considers the location and flow of nutrients onto, within and off the entire farm. Whole farm nutrient balance involves taking a step back and also comparing the amount of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) and other nutrients entering the farm as purchased feed, fertilizer, animals etc. with the amount of nutrients leaving the farm as milk, animals, crops, manure exports to other farms, etc. Such a comparison can help in determining the economic and environmental impacts of nutrient management on dairy and livestock farms.

A comparison of the flows of nutrients onto and off dairy and livestock farms results in whole farm nutrient balance assessment. This balance is usually calculated from records of the nutrient-containing materials coming onto the farm (feed, fertilizer, purchased animals) and those leaving the farm in the form or products (milk, meat, eggs, crops, etc.). Balances can be expressed as percentage remaining, lbs/acre remaining or, for dairy farms, as lbs remaining per unit milk produced. For an example, see the Cornell Whole Farm Nutrient Balance Software or other such tools.

An estimate of the whole farm nutrient balance can also be determined from the density of livestock on the farm. Animal Density is usually estimated from the number of animal units per acre. (See box below)

Animal Density=Animal Units (AU)/Acre on an annualized basis,

  • AU=1000 lb live weight/A
  • Acres=acres available for manure application
  • Annualized=days our of 365 animals are on the farm producing manure

Animal Density=AU/Acre*(Days/365)

Go to the Animal_density_Calculator (Excel file)

Source: Doug Beegle, Pennsylvania State University.

Why Is the Whole Farm Nutrient Balance Important?

When the inflow of nutrients is greater than the outflow, annual losses and/or accumulation of nutrients will occur. The whole farm nutrient balance can indicate the potential for non-point source pollution from nutrients on the farm which can help to target management efforts to minimize the impact of nutrients on the environment. As such, the assessment of a farm’s nutrient mass balance can assist producers in determining the need for and identification of management practices that can reduce nutrient imports or enhance exports such as off site movement of manure, manure treatment, feed ration adjustments, land purchases and herd size adjustments to land acres. Knowing a farm’s nutrient balance is especially useful for farms looking at expansion or costly upgrades of equipment and buildings to ensure the long term sustainability of the farm.

The whole farm nutrient balance brings a number of important characteristics of the farm to the forefront that can optimize the economics of manure management while minimizing the environmental impacts from manure nutrients. Some of these are summarized in the table below.

The economics of nutrient management are often linked to the whole farm nutrient balance. For example, most people assume that improved nutrient management will always result in a positive economic return for the farm, but in fact, on many of the farms with a high potential for nutrient pollution, the economics of improved nutrient management to protect the environment will be costly. For farms that have excess nutrients the goals become maximizing safe utilization of nutrients and developing a strategy for removing excess nutrients from the farm. Examples of different nutrient management strategies based on nutrient balance can be seen by selecting the appropriate link in the table below.

Characteristics of Farms Based on Manure Nutrient Balance
Manure Nutrient Balance Deficit Balanced Excess
Animal Density* Low (<1.25 AU/A) Medium (1.25-2.25 AU/A) High (>2.25 AU/A)
Feed Source (% Off Farm) <50% 50-80% >80%
Land for Manure Application Adequate Limited Inadequate
Manure Management Strategy Deficit Balance Strategies Nutrient Balance Strategies Excess Nutrient Strategies
Economics of Nutrient Management Positive Neutral Negative
Non-point Source Pollution Potential Low Low to High High

*For P balance assessment, animal densities shown here should be halved.

Recommended Resources for Calculating Whole Farm Nutrient Balance

Excess Nutrients Management Goal = Reduce the Excess

  • Remove manure nutrients from the farm
  • Reduce the animal density
  • Manage nutrients remaining on the farm based on nutrient balance.
  • Example tactics:
    • Sell manure
    • Give manure away
    • Acquire more land
    • Reduce animal numbers

“In Balance” Management Goal = Maximize Safe Use of Manure Nutrients

  • Manage manure based on nutrient balance
  • Manage nutrients so that over time inputs balance outputs
  • Example tactics:
    • Spread manure on legumes
    • Don’t incorporate manure. Note: This strategy is currently sustainable but will likely change if air emissions need to be reduced.
    • Increase intensity of cropping system
    • Detailed plan needed

Deficient Management Goal = Maximize Efficient Use of Manure Nutrients

  • Manage based on expected crop response to manure nutrients.
  • Manage nutrients to increase yields or decrease purchased inputs.
  • Example tactics:
    • Spread manure in the spring as near to the time of crop utilization as practical
    • Use cover crops to conserve nutrients from fall and winter applied manure
    • Incorporate manure immediately to conserve nitrogen
    • Spread manure on N requiring crops
    • Don’t spread manure on legumes – they don’t need the N
    • Spread manure on fields with low P & K soil test levels

Page Manager: Douglas Beegle, Penn State University

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Software and Web-Based Resources for Nutrient Management

Why Utilize Tools for Nutrient Planning?

The process of nutrient management planning can be complex and time consuming. Doing a good job requires:

  • collecting and organizing extensive information about a farm;
  • making a diverse series of decisions and calculations about crops, fertilizer and manure management; and
  • communicating the completed plan to a multiple audiences including the farmer.

There is an expanding list of web-based and personal-computer-based tools that can help nutrient management planners write effective nutrient management plans. Some of these tools help with a specific element of the nutrient management process where others perform multiple parts of the process.

The objective of this page is to show some of the diversity in software tools that may be useful to nutrient management planners. The listing is not and cannot be comprehensive and will focus on tools that have a national audience. Some state-specific tools are included if they provide a particularly unique service or approach.

There are many state-specific tools. If you see a helpful resource on this site you may want to search for an analogous program developed in your region or state that may have more relevant supporting data integrated into the program. Links to state-specific nutrient management pages may be listed on State Specific Manure Nutrient Management Information.

Data Collection and General Information

  • Google Map provides aerial view of areas of interest and driving directions. A good place to get started.
  • University of Missouri National Data Finder. Download spatial and soils data needed to run RUSLE2, MMP and SNMP for any location in the U.S. Includes selected soils data and black and white georeferenced aerial photos (DOQ’s). Clip areas up to 10,000 acres.
  • University of Missouri Animal Feeding Operation Site Assessment Tool (AFO SITE): Available only for Missouri. Web-based application that produces a detailed site assessment evaluating the sites suitability for an animal feeding operation.
  • Web Soil Survey. Download tabular and spatial soils data for U.S. counties. Whole county data sets sent in an email.
  • NRCS Geospatial Gateway provides access to a diverse set of spatial layers. Cannot clip to area of interest so file sizes typically too large to download over the internet.
  • USDA National Agricultural Imagery Program provides georeferenced aerial photography of agricultural land taken during the growing season. The imagery is available for download as mosaicked DOQQ’s either individually or as compressed county images.

Nutrient Balance Calculators

Whole farm nutrient balance looks at all nutrient imports and exports on a farm and can be a useful tool to evaluate the nutrient status of a farm. Are there too many nutrients? Is the farm nutrient deficient?

  • University of Nebraska Nutrient Balance Calculator. A spreadsheet based calculator. The web site includes links to good supporting information.
  • Cornell University Nutrient Balance Calculator. A spreadsheet based calculator. The web site includes links to good supporting information.

Nutrient Management Software

This software helps the user through the many steps of completing a nutrient management plan. Many states have there own software including NC, NY, VA, and WI.

  • Purdue’s Manure Management Planner. The most complete multi-state software for writing nutrient management plans. Includes state-specific fertilizer recommendations, manure nutrient availability calculations and generates plans that meet national standards for USDA-NRCS and EPA. Automated links to SNMP for geographic information and to the record keeping program WinMax. A free stand alone program available for 34 states.

Economics of Manure Management

What is manure worth? This can be a complicated question to answer. These tools provide some help in making economic decisions about manure.

  • Feed Nutrient Management Planning Economics (FNMP$): a comprehensive program connecting feed ration characteristics, manure storage type and cropping systems impacts on the value of manure as a fertilizer. FNMP$ estimates: 1) manure nutrients, 2) land requirements, 3) labor and equipment application time, and 4) costs and value for land application. Spreadsheet-based program. Instructions for program.
  • University of Missouri Manure Value Spreadsheet A spreadsheet-based calculator of the fertilizer value of manure based on manure test results, crop fertilizer recommendations and fertilizer prices.
  • University of Minnesota What Is Manure Worth? spreadsheet.

Other Tools and Resources

  • Spatial Nutrient Management Planner (SNMP): an ArcView 3.x program that facilitates delineating farm fields, mapping setbacks and soil test levels and calculating field sizes and spreadable acres. Available for all states. Links automatically to MMP. An ArcView 9.x version to be released soon.
  • Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation ver. 2 (RUSLE(2)): Used by USDA-NRCS to estimate edge-of-field erosion losses. Complicated to get started and not fully intuitive to use. The good news is that it will soon be fully integrated into MMP.
  • NRCS eFOTG (electronic Field Office Technical Guide: This is not software, but this website has links to conservation standards such as Nutrient Management (590) and Waste Utilization (633) for every state. Search in section IV under “Conservation Practices”.
  • Phosphorus Index: There is no national P index. Instead individual states have developed P indexes that meet the needs of their state. Look for information about the P index through the state NRCS office or Land Grant University.
  • Animal Waste Management (AWM) software: Facilitates sizing of manure storage facilities for animal feeding operations. Estimates the volume of manure, waste water and solids generated by animals in confinement. Does not address state-specific requirements. Some states have state-specific programs. To view a tutorial on using this software, see Animal Waste Management Software Training Video

If there is web page or software program you would like to have included on this webpage please contact John Lory.

Author: John Lory, University of Missouri, loryj@missouri.edu
Reviewers: Rick Koelsch, University of Nebraska and Rich Meinert, University of Connecticut

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Calculating Manure Application Rate

How much manure can I apply to this field? is a common question when developing a nutrient management plan for the upcoming year. This type of planning allows a farmer to ensure there is enough crop land available to adequately use manure nutrients, plan for manure storage emptying, or estimate commercial fertilizer needs to take advantage of lower pricing. Manure is a very good source of nutrients for plants and organic matter for soils. These nutrients have significant value if managed properly. This page describes the information needed to make these calculations. While the process may seem complicated, it is not difficult and provides an easy template to follow in future years.

How Many Nutrients Will the Crop Use?

The starting point for determining manure application is to calculate the amount of nutrients, especially nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), expected to be used by that year’s crop. To find the values recommended for your area, do a web search for “crop nutrient uptake” or “crop nutrient removal” plus your state’s name. If your search turns up empty, contact your local extension service for assistance. The following pieces of information are usually needed to use your state crop nutrient tables.

  • What is the crop to be grown?
  • What is the soil type in the field? (Not needed in all states.)
  • What is the expected yield for this crop?

A realistic yield can be determined by taking the 5-year average yield for this field and crop and add 10% (some states may recommend a different factor to add) to account for improvements in hybrids and farming techniques. If the 5-year average includes a disaster or exceptionally low yield due to hail, flooding, or similar situation, remove that year from the calculation. The crop nutrient uptake tables for your state will usually provide a factor to calculate nutrient need of the crop based on the expected yield.

Nitrogen Credits from Legumes and Past Manure Application

Organic-nitrogen from past legume crops or past manure applications continues to mineralize into crop-available nitrate-nitrogen for several years. To estimate how much nitrogen will become available from past manure or compost applications, see “Estimating Crop Nutrient Availability of Manure and Other Organic Nutrient Sources“. Legume credits recommended for your state can be found by doing a web search for “legume credit” plus your state name.

What Level of Plant Available Nutrients Are Already Present In the Soil?

In addition to organic-nitrogen that may be already present in soils, there may be plant-available nitrate-nitrogen already present. The best way to determine this is to do a soil nitrate test. To find recommended procedures and labs in your state, do a web search for “soil testing” plus your state name.

Phosphorus and potassium form past manure applications are mostly plant-available right away. If overapplied year after year (as can be the case with a field that receives repeated manure applications) the levels will build up over time. For phosphorus, this is a concern because of the potential for runoff to water. In some states, soils with extremely high phosphorus levels may be off-limits for further manure application (due to the relatively high phosphorus content of manure in comparison to nitrogen). Most states have developed a phosphorus index which is a risk management tool for avoiding fields or situations with greater potential for phosphorus runoff to water. If you are concerned that some of your fields fall into this category, see “What is the P Index?”

How Many Nutrients Are In the Manure?

Manure is highly variable from farm to farm. The nutrient content changes based on how is the manure collected, stored, and treated. It also varies by animal species. When doing pre-season planning, the best indicator of nutrient content in the manure is to look at past manure tests from your own farm. If you are doing your nutrient planning close to the time manure will be land-applied, then sampling manure in your storage will provide good information. As a last resort, planning can be done using “book values” or averages based on research and testing done in your state (do a web search for “manure book values” plus your state name).

It is impossible for plants to use applied nutrients with 100% efficiency, regardless if source is animal manures or commercial fertilizers. Studies have shown that nutrient use efficiency for nitrogen ranges from 30% to 75%, and is dependent on the crop, the specific nutrient, weather, and many other environmental factors. The goal of a nutrient management planner and waste applicator is to obtain the best use of the manure nutrients. This requires intensive management.

Nutrient Management Planning

Nutrient management guidance is typically done at the state level. General guidance may be available at a regional or national level from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). You can also seek the advice of a local expert who is with the Cooperative Extension Service, land grant institution, state department of agriculture, or the state regulatory agency to obtain manure nutrient generation values relevant to the area, specieds, and system you are working with.

Tables that offer production volumes for manure as well as manure nutrient concentration are available for planning purposes, but should not be used to determine application rates on a daily basis. Frequent manure sampling is the only way to make a good assessment of manure nutrient value. Then, with data that relates to loss potential as it relates to manure application method and timing, one can make good recommendations as to appropriate application rates that assure maximum crop use efficiency and minimize losses.

Author: Karl Shafer, North Carolina State University

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