The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has developed a comprehensive nutrient management plan for producers using funding for waste storage under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

This Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan addresses handling, storage and land application of manure and wastewater; mortality disposal; silage leachate runoff control if required by law; soil and water conservation practices; and as requested by the producer feed management and uses of manure for other than land application.

1st Year Nutrient Management (Baseline Plan)
1. Develop realistic yield goals (average the latest five year's yields after dropping the lowest yielding year).

2. Sample soils for at a minimum pH, Organic matter (O.M.), Phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) and have analyzed at a soil testing lab certified by the MN Department of Agriculture (MDA). Existing soil tests no older than 3-4 years addressing these parameters are acceptable if from certified labs (nitrate tests are collected annually however).

3. Collect manure samples each time a storage structure is emptied for application and have analyzed for Total N, P2O5 and K2O using procedures and laboratories recommended by MDA.

4. Apply manure uniformly and calibrate manure application equipment at time of application. Determine and record rates applied to fields.

5. Do not apply manure in in-field grassed waterways (unless a variance is granted).

6. Follow all state laws regarding manure applications and manure applications near sensitive features. These requirements include:
a. Determining manure application rates based on crop nitrogen nutrient budgeting on most fields including fields adjacent to surface waters if those fields have filter strips.
b. Determining manure application rates based on crop P2O5 removal rates on fields without filter strips adjacent to surface waters if those fields have Soil Test Phosphorus levels of over 21 PPM Bray 1(16 PPM Olsen). A single rate can be based on crop nitrogen needs provided subsequent applications do not occur until excess P has been removed by succeeding crops.
c. No applications in road ditches or within 25 feet of lakes, perennial and intermittent streams, off-field drainage ditches and public water wetlands. No traveling gun or center pivot manure applications within 300 feet of these features. No wintertime applications within 300 feet of these features. Inject or incorporate manure within 24 hours at other times of the year if a filter strip is not present on the field.
d. No applications within 50 feet of water supply wells, mines, quarries, sinkholes receiving surface runoff, or other direct conduits to groundwater. Inject or incorporate manure applications within 24 hours on land upslope from and within 300 feet of these features.

7. Keep field specific records of crops, yields, and commercial fertilizer and manure applications (including rates, timing, nutrient content and method of application and incorporation).

Subsequent and Final Year Nutrient Management (Annual Plan)

Items 5-7 above and as appropriate 1 thru 4

8. If NRCS is helping with plan development submit completed NRCS forms MN-CPA-40, 41, 42 and 43 by August 1. If fall applications are being considered or by December 1 if only spring applications are planned.

9. Control ephemeral gully erosion and sheet, rill, and wind erosion to 6 tons per acre per year or less on all land receiving manure applications.

10. Determine crop N, P2O5 and K2O nutrient needs using nutrient budgeting procedures (accounts for all sources of nutrients available to plants) and University of Minnesota (Uof M) fertilizer recommendations as found in the most recent version of BU-6240-GO Fertilizer Recommendations for Agronomic Crops in Minnesota (or analogous crop specific bulletins).

11. On soils classified by NRCS as "frequently" flooded (floods 50 - 100 times in 100 years)
a. Do not apply manure during usual peak flood periods.
b. Inject or incorporate manure within 2 days when applying at other times.

12. Do not fall apply commercial N fertilizer on:
a. Soils in the textural classes of loamy sand and sand. Sidedress or split applications of commercial nitrogen fertilizer are preferred on these soils.

13. Use sidedress or split applications of commercial N on irrigated crops.

14. Maintain a minimum separation of 15 inches between bottom of incorporated or injected manure and fractured bedrock or high water table.

15. Delay fall manure applications on coarse textured soils until after November 1.

16. Do not apply solid or liquid manure on fields with sheet and rill soil losses greater than 4 tons/ac./or 2 tons/ac./year respectively.

17. Inject or incorporate manure within 24 hours upslope from and within 300 feet of surface tile intakes.

Source: Natural Resource Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture