certification – Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Community

Purpose

The Iowa Manure Applicator Certification program has transitioned from a traditional lecture-based format to a multimodal learning approach that integrates lectures, discussion, and hands-on activities. This shift was implemented to create more engaging and memorable training experiences, fostering discussion and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing while improving knowledge retention and practical skill application.

Hands-on learning has been widely recognized as an effective educational strategy. Research indicates that individuals retain more information through active engagement rather than passive listening. However, developing these engaged learning opportunities requires additional time and commitment from educators and a willingness from participants to fully engage in the learning process. Our goal was to transform the training environment from passive listening to an interactive space where participants could explore activities, facilitate discussions, and share personal experiences within groups.

What Did We Do?

To achieve this transformation, we restructured the program to incorporate interactive activities designed to bring real-world challenges into the classroom. Instead of serving solely as lecturers, facilitators became discussion leaders, encouraging participants to actively engage with the material. Starting in approximately 2014, we started adding one module to training based on fostering discussion and participant interaction. As the training occurs annually, with livestock farmers or commercial manure applicators required to attend annually, different modules were created each year with at least a three-year break before an existing module is used again.

Some of the hands-on activities integrated into the program include:

- Carousel Exercise – Applicators rotate through stations, responding to questions on environmental impacts and operational challenges, sparking peer-to-peer discussions.
- Spill Response Scenario – Groups rank and discuss response steps to manure spills, often incorporating real-world examples shared by applicators and insights from Iowa DNR regulators.
- Load Loss Competition – Model trucks are used to visually demonstrate best practices for material containment.
- Stockpiling Locations – Hands-on exercises with topographic, soil, and aerial imagery to develop regulatory knowledge and practical application skills.
- Application Rate Calibration – Three simulated manures (bed pack [wetted straw], open lot [wetted sand], and turkey litter [wetted wood shavings]) were supplied to each group and a plastic tarp. Each group was asked to apply a prescribed manure application and then to estimate the application rate of other groups. The actual application rate was calculated based on the weight added to the tarp and compared to group estimates.
- DOT Compliance Activity – Participants perform checklist inspections on model trucks to identify vehicle issues and understand road rules.
- Video-Based Farm Walkthrough – Applicators observe an Iowa DNR site inspection via video before using Google Maps and a farm description to evaluate livestock production sites for compliance readiness.
- Biosecurity Bench – Glow germ was placed on at a simulated barn entry and producers went through a Danish style entry. At the end we evaluated how much glow germ made it to the clean side of the entry.
- Manure Transport Route Selection – Participants were divided into groups and given a map and worksheet. The map identified the location of the farm with manure and the field to which manure was to be applied. Groups were required to select a route from farm to field with the worksheet providing talking points such as travel time, neighbors, and bridge considerations.

Figure 1. Example of a biosecurity exercise using Glow-Germ to illustrate lines of separation.

Each of these activities was designed to promote critical thinking in manure management and spill prevention while allowing facilitators to assess current knowledge levels among participants.

What Have We Learned?

While some participants and facilitators initially approached this transition with skepticism, feedback has been positive. Evaluations suggest that these engaged learning techniques have resulted in increased participant investment, improved knowledge retention, and greater willingness to discuss challenges and ask questions.

Facilitators also report stronger engagement with applicators, who now feel more comfortable sharing experiences, discussing obstacles, and applying learned concepts in real-world situations. Additionally, peer-to-peer learning has emerged as a significant benefit, with applicators contributing valuable insights that complement the formal curriculum.

Data obtained from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Hazardous Material Release Database (https://programs.iowadnr.gov/hazardousspills/Reports/EPCManureRelease.aspx) was used to track total incidents of manure releases and surface water impacts from these releases. Within this report, incidents are broken down by species (Hog, cattle, or poultry, by facility type (open lot, confinement), and if they occurred from the facility, because of land application, or during manure transport. A summary of total events is provided in Figure 2. A before and after analysis using 2012 as the break point indicated a statistically lower number of spills (29.9 ± 9.6 compared to 49.9 ± 6.4 spills) after 2014 (p<0.001). However, the number of water quality impacts from spills remained unchanged (10.9 ± 4.6 compared to 10.0 ± 4.8). A breakpoint regression analysis was used to evaluate if the occurrence of spills has changed with time (Figure 2). The breakpoint year was set at 2013 (the year before our first active learning activity was implemented) and results indicated that before 2013 the occurrence of spills was constant with time, while after 2013 we have been decreasing by 3.1 spills per year. Similarly, for water quality impacts the breakpoint year was set at 2013 with results indicating that before 2013 impacts on water (spills reaching a surface water) were constant with time, while after 2013 impacts have been decreasing by 0.3 incidences per year. While other changes certainty played a role in the reduction of manure spills and water impacts (increased adoption of flow meters and automated flow shutoff systems, a change from tanks to umbilical application to reduce road traffic, and regulatory interventions) our program reviews and spill impact assessment suggest the Iowa Manure Applicator training played a role in helping improve industry performance.

Figure 2. Annual manure spills and water quality impacts in Iowa.

Future Plans

We plan to continue refining the program by incorporating additional interactive elements and expanding hands-on learning opportunities. Future initiatives may include:

- Enhancing real-world application exercises by integrating on-farm training opportunities.
- Collecting and analyzing long-term data to assess the impact of training on manure management practices and environmental outcomes.
- Exploring digital and remote learning tools to reach a broader audience while maintaining interactive engagement.

Authors

Presenting & corresponding author

Daniel Andersen, Associate Professor, Iowa State University, Dsa@iastate.edu

Additional authors

Rachel Kennedy, Iowa State University

Melissa McEnany, Iowa State University

Tony Mensing, Iowa State University

Kapil Aurora, Iowa State University

Kris Kohl, Iowa State University

Additional Information

@drmanure

https://www.facebook.com/IowaManure/

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/immag/commercial-manure-applicators

Acknowledgements

Iowa DNR

The authors are solely responsible for the content of these proceedings. The technical information does not necessarily reflect the official position of the sponsoring agencies or institutions represented by planning committee members, and inclusion and distribution herein does not constitute an endorsement of views expressed by the same. Printed materials included herein are not refereed publications. Citations should appear as follows. EXAMPLE: Authors. 2025. Title of presentation. Waste to Worth. Boise, ID. April 7-11, 2025. URL of this page. Accessed on: today’s date.

Why Look at Manure Applicator Educational Programs?

Based on 2013 statistics, Wisconsin has a dairy herd of 1.2 million cows that produce 12,000,000,000 gallons of manure and waste water. Custom manure haulers in Wisconsin handle an estimated fifty percent of the dairy manure and forty per cent of all livestock manure generated in Wisconsin. Because custom manure applicators are a critical component of nutrient management plan (NMP) implementation, University of Wisconsin Extension initiated manure hauler education across the state in the early 1990’s. In 2000, the applicators sought UW – Extension advisory support in forming the Professional Nutrient Applicators Association of Wisconsin (PNAAW). This began a long term relationship between UW – Extension and the professional applicators in Wisconsin and across the upper Midwest.

Following a needs assessment of the industry, the board of directors of PNAAW expressed an interest in a voluntary training and certification program. The overall goal of the training was to educate the custom manure haulers and their employees in safe handling and application practices, spill response, regulations and nutrient management. Road safety, neighbor relations, and confined space safety education modules were added later.

What did we do?

In March of 2002, the board of directors of the PNAAW and a group of Michigan manure applicators independently approached Extension in each state to initiate a voluntary certification and training program. Over the next 5 months, applicators and Extension staff examined the 5 existing manure applicator certification programs and created the program currently in use in Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan.

Manure expo 2012, checking out a new dragline applicator.

The UW – Extension Nutrient Management Team’s Custom Manure Hauler Workgroup joined with Extension faculty in Illinois and Michigan to develop a three-state certification program with three levels of training/certification. The certification includes a partnership with the insurance industry to provide a market-based incentive to participate. Business and employee management issues are addressed during an annual multi-state regional symposium coordinated by UW-Extension.

Certification: The program is segmented into three certification levels. Firms must meet level 1 requirement to gain level 2, and meet level 2 requirements to achieve level 3.

Level 1: Requires each employee to be trained and tested on spill response techniques, state specific regulations (including CAFO regulations) and common sense application techniques. Firms that document compliance are eligible for a 10% vehicle liability premium reduction. Training is ~3 hours in length and is completed annually.
Level 2: Requires crew supervisors and business owners to attend 6 hours of continuing education over a 2 year period. Classes are offered at field days and the annual conference. Once a firm has achieved Level 2, they may conduct Level 1 training in-house.
Level 3: Develop and implement an EMS (Environmental Management System). The EMS requires the firm to document their process and ensure all employees know their job responsibilities. Insurance auditors will evaluate each firm’s EMS annually to insure compliance. Premium reductions include 10-40% on vehicle liability and 50% on environmental liability.

Not your typical Wisconsin “boat” show. PNAAW 2014 manure boat agitation demonstration, organized with UW-Extension.

All certification levels also require that the firm complete the PNAAW Performance Standards Checklist at least once per year.

Membership in the state’s applicator association is required for certification, as certification is granted by the association and not by Extension. Each state association may also require additional performance standards, such as documentation of equipment calibration, to grant certification.

One area of continuing education began in 2002, when UW – Extension with permission from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), conducted manure spill response training using actual manure. The basic educational focus was containing, controlling, cleaning up, and then meeting reporting requirements of a spill. Since 2002, 20 live action demonstrations have occurred. Training has expanded to include calibrating of manure equipment and determining manure application rate per acre.

What have we learned?

PNAAW requested that Extension assist in filling an educational need not met by current farm shows – being able to compare different manure agitation and application equipment side by side in the field (using actual manure) to help determine which best meets individual needs. The result was the first Manure Expo in August 2001, which drew 432 people from 5 states and Canada.

The Manure Expo has grown to an annual 2-day educational and demonstration event. 2015 is the 13th Expo; the event has been hosted by Extension and custom applicators in Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania in the US and Guelph, Ontario, Canada. An average Expo will draw over 1,000 people from industry, university, farm, and application professionals.

PNAAW 2014

The pit before the boat demonstration begins 2014.

The voluntary certification program has saved Wisconsin and Michigan over $100,000 annually because regulatory mandates require state finances for staff and office to run mandated programs. In addition to the sharing of curriculum in multiple Midwestern universities the training and educational sessions are a success in the formation/enhancement of three state associations in Michigan (now inactive), Pennsylvania, and Indiana/Ohio.

Applicator and industry partnerships contributed to a multi – state agriculture weight study based at the Minnesota DOT/University of Minnesota, MN Road Research Center. Over $640,000 was pooled from applicators and Applicator Associations (WI, MI, MN, IA, and OH), industry and agencies to fund research on the impact of larger manure hauling and agriculture equipment on pavement.

Custom manure applicators are a key component in the environmental application of manure. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has tracked crop acres managed with a NMP. In 2004, 0.7 million crop acres were managed using a NMP; in 2014 the NMP managed acres increased to 2.58 million acres in Wisconsin.

Future Plans

Each year a new need will arise. Education will be provided for employee relations, business planning, family/work balance and the need to review new technology. A few projects that began in 2014: manure boat agitation field day and precision manure application. Education will be developed in the future as a need arises from the manure application industry.

Authors

Richard Halopka, CCA, Clark County UW-Extension Crops & Soils Agent richard.halopka@ces.uwex.edu

George Koepp, Columbia County UWEX Agriculture Agent, Jerry Clark,Chippewa County UWEX Crops/Soils Educator, Ted Bay, Grant County UWEX Crops/Farm Management Agent, Kevin Erb, UWEX Conservation Professional Devp. & Training Cord., Becky Larsen, UW Biowaste Specialist, Jim Leverich, UW On Farm Research, Kim Meyer, UW Arlington ARS, Cheryl Skjolaas, UW Agriculture Safety Specialist

Additional information

In 2014, over 400 custom manure applicators in Wisconsin were certified in at least one level of the program. Eight PNAAW member application firms revised their level 3 status in 2013 and are saving $44,000 annually on pollution insurance policies, while PNAAW firms achieving level 1 and level 2 certification reduced pollution insurance policies premiums by an additional $78,000 per year.

The collaboration of PNAAW, University of Wisconsin Extension, University of Wisconsin Specialists, WDNR, DATCP and UW – Extension County Agents has provided the foundation of a proactive approach to education and training, leading to problem solving results from a knowledgeable application industry.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Nonprofit-Organization/Professional-Nutrient-Applicators-Association-of-Wisconsin-2223955430983054/

2009 U.S.A. water quality poster, manure spills

Bulletin for manure spill response developed by UW-Extension nutrient management team PNAAW workgroup.

The authors are solely responsible for the content of these proceedings. The technical information does not necessarily reflect the official position of the sponsoring agencies or institutions represented by planning committee members, and inclusion and distribution herein does not constitute an endorsement of views expressed by the same. Printed materials included herein are not refereed publications. Citations should appear as follows. EXAMPLE: Authors. 2015. Title of presentation. Waste to Worth: Spreading Science and Solutions. Seattle, WA. March 31-April 3, 2015. URL of this page. Accessed on: today’s date.