Agriculture and Natural Resources

Nutrient Management Planning for Livestock Operations: An Overview

Mike B. Daniels Introduction Why Utilize Nutrient Extension Environmental Management Plans on Management Specialist - Livestock Operations? Agriculture

Karl VanDevender Ph.D., P.E. Extension Engineer Recent federal and state regulations mandate that livestock producers obtain nutrient management plans. Tom Riley Modern agricultural production Environmental Policy Effective in 2004, operations which relies on the addition of plant nutri­ Specialist, Section meet qualifications for a federal animal ents to cropland to ensure profitable feeding operation (AFO) or a concen­ production. Applying excessive Leader - Environmental trated animal feeding operation and Natural Resources nutrients beyond crop needs can ( CAFO) must obtain a federal permit reduce production efficiency as well as and must implement a nutrient increase the potential for unfavorable management plan based on phos­ impacts on surface and groundwater phorus rather than nitrogen. quality. Developing management Figure 1. Farmingstrategies operations to determine that utilize fertilizer animal Effective in 2004, the Statemanure of such asapplications poultry litter to as best fertilizer meet forcrop forages needs Arkansas will implement newshould law s obtain acan nutrient be challenging management. This plan is toespecially guide (Acts 1059, 1060 and 1061) thattheir wi practices.ll true when using animal manure as a require livestock operations in the fertilizer source (Figure 1). nutrient-sensitive areas of Arkansas to obtain a nutrient management plan prepared by a state- certified planner. Fo r many poultry operations that have voluntarily obtained nutrient management plans, t h e y will now be mandatory. Voluntary plans will hav e to be updated to a phos­ phorus basis. Since nutrient Arkansas Is management planning is Our Campus increasingly mandatory for livestock operations, this publication will Visit our web site at: define what a nutrient https://www.uaex.uada.edu management plan is, discuss the need for and University of Arkansas,benefits United of Statesplanning Department, of Agriculture, and County Governments Cooperating discuss the legislation requiring plans and discuss how to obtain a plan. Why Obtain a Nutrient Animal manures contain appreciable amounts of Managementconcept of a nutrient Plan? manage ment plan is a formal nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), all document that presents the planned application of essential nutrients of plant growth. Plants require nutrients with an accompanying set of records that these nutrients in differing amounts. Unlike commer­ report when and where nutrients were applied. cial fertilizers where the N-P-K ratio can be easily tailored to meet the crop needs, the N-P-K ratio in manures is not easily manipulated and can lead to over application of some nutrients and under applica­ tion of others, depending on the application rate. Secondly, the plant nutrients in commercial fertilizer Nutrient management plans provide producers are readily soluble and available to plants, whereas a with many benefits and, in many cases, c o m p l i a n c e large proportion of nutrients in manure must undergo with new state and federal regulations. S o m e transformations dependent on weather, soil and other benefits incl u d e : environmental factors before they are readily soluble 1 . A complete inventory of available acreage, and plant available. o n-farm nutrients, crop nutrient needs, s o i l This delayed availability of nutrients can be an t e s t information and fertilizer recommendations advantage or disadvantage, depending on the timing so that a nutrient budget can be tailored to of the crop’s needs for nutrients. The lower solubility e a ch individual field while considering the of nutrients in manure also means the nutrients are Tablew h 1.o l eAnimal f a r m . requirements necessary for confined less likely to become soluble in runoff water than livestock operations to be considered a Concentrated 2 . A system for record keeping so that better nutrients from commercial fertilizers. Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO). A CAFO is required to obtaininformed a permit management from the Arkansas decisions Department can be made of in These fundamental differences between Environmentalthe future. Quality (ADEQ) to legally operate. commercial fertilizer and animal manures exemplify the difficulty in properly managing nutrients ANIMAL NUMBER REQUIREMENTS* derived from animal manure in crop and forage Chickens other than At least 125,000 chickens other p r o d u c t i o n . This fact has contributed to increased laying hens (opera- than laying hens and does not environmental concerns over utilizing animal tions with other than use a liquid manure handling Whatmanures Is as a fer Nutrienttilizer sources. Management Nutrient manage Plan?ment a liquid manure system planning is the most accepted practice to ensure handling system) that animal manures are properly applied to crop­ Chickens operating At least 30,000 chickens and land while receiving as much benefit as possible with a liquid manure uses a liquid manure handling f r o m the manure. handling system system Cattle (other than At least 1,000 cattle, dairy, mature dairy cows) heifers, cow/calf pairs, or veal grown in calves Nutrient management is the act of making confinement decisions about how nutrients are applied to meet crop Swine (55 pounds or At least 2,500 swine weighing r e q u i r e m e n t s. It needs to consider many factors – the more) 55 pounds or more amount or rate of applied nutrients, the form (commer­ cial fertilizer versus manure or other organic forms), Swine (55 pounds or At least 10,000 swine weighing less) 55 pounds or less timing and placement or application tech n i q u e. A l l crop producers usually have some idea or plan for Horses At least 500 horses using plant nutrients on their farm. T h e s e p l a n s Sheep or lambs At least 10,000 sheep or lambs historically have ranged from a “ b a c k of the envelope” calculation to more detailed formal plans prepared by Turkeys At least 55,000 turkeys agency professionals or certified planners. Laying hens (opera- At least 82,000 laying hens and tions with other than does not use a liquid manure Many state and federal regulations now require a liquid manure handling system confined livestock operations to implement nutrient handling system) management plans. In addition, as discussed below, i n some areas of the state, nutrient management plans * Confinement must be for 45 days (nonconsecutive) for any will be required of landowners who apply any nutri­ 12-month period. e n t s, whether manure or commercial fertilizers. T h e s e regulations require the plan to be a formal written document (usually in a specific format) prepared by individuals who have been certified by the state to prepare plans. This lends itself to record keeping of nutrient management practices. T h u s, the defining Figure 2. Nutrient sensitive areas where State Acts 1059 and 1061 apply.

• The Federal Animal Feeding Operation (AFO/CAFO) Regulation – This Environmental Protection Agency regulation requires that all confined animal feeding operations of a given size (Table 1) must implement a nutrient management plan that meets EPA specifications, which are very similar to NRCS’s definition of a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP – see section below).

• Arkansas Acts 1059 and 1061 – Effective in 2004, Act 1061 identifies nutrient-sensitive areas in the state (Figure 2), designates them as Nutrient Surplus Areas and requires that all nutrient applications (whether manure or commercial fertilizer or agricultural or residential) be done according to a nutrient management plan or an approved protective use rate. Act 1059 requires that nutrient management plans used inNew the nutrientArkansas surplus Laws Regulate areas be Use written and Managementby certified of plannersPoultry Litter. This and act alsoOther requires Nutrients that nutrients applied within the nutrient surplus areas be applied by certified nutrient applicators. For more details on these new laws, please contact your county extension office to obtain FSA29,

, by H. L. Goodwin and others.

There are two other situations in Arkansas that 3 . Recommended practices for ensuring production require nutrient management plans, although not by goals while protecting Arkansas’ streams legislation. First, NRCS requires a CNMP for all a n d l a k e s. operations that utilize animal manures as fertilizer for partial eligibility for federal financial incentive 4. A document specific to the farm that identifies Whatprograms Is, such the as Objective the Environmental of Nutrient Quality what is planned to maintain production, protect ManagementIncentives Program Planning? (EQIP). Secondly , as a result of a the environment and comply with regulations and lawsuit settlement, producers in the Eucha-Spavinaw a set of accompanying records to demonstrate watershed in Northwest Arkansas (Benton County) implementation of the plan. must obtain nutrient management plans.

When properly developed and implemented, nutrient management plans increase the likelihood of sustaining a profitable production system that minimizes negative impacts to the surrounding The primary goal of a nutrient management plan environment. It should also lessen the environmental is to make the best use of available nutrients and liability against operations named in civil lawsuits. land resources for crop production while minimizing any adverse impact to the environment. An effective Because nutrient management planning offers so plan should meet the production goals of the producer many benefits, it has been adopted as a requirement while enabling the producer to be a good steward of in virtually all the state and federal environmental the environment. laws related to confined livestock operations in Arkansas. These include the following: The specific objectives of a nutrient management plan are (1) to effectively determine nutrient needs • Arkansas State Regulation 5 – This law requires for optimal and profitable crop production, (2) to that all livestock and poultry operations with properly utilize manure, commercial fertilizer or liquid manure handling systems obtain a nutrient other nutrient sources in crop production and (3) to management plan as partial requirement of minimize nutrient losses from agriculture for the receiving a permit for operation. protection of water resources. What Is a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP)? What Is the Producer’s Responsibility?

compliance to the plan. In both of these cases, there are significant financial and legal risks.

Recently the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) initiated the develop­ ment of Comprehensive Nutrient Management To realize the maximum benefit of a nutrient Plans (CNMP) for animal feed operations. A CNMP management plan and obtain the legal protection it i n cludes nutrient management, as defined above, can provide, the landowner must take ownership of but also utilizes other information such as manure his plan and exercise his responsibility as the plan’s and wa s t e wat er handling and storage and land decision maker. It is also his responsibility to assist treatment practices. Depending on the livestock certified plan writers in developing the plan by o p e r a t i o n , it may optionally include information on supplying information and future objectives of the feed management and other less routine utilization operation. It is the plan writer’s professional respon­ a c t i v i t i e s. A key fundamental change incorporated Summarysibility to use this information to provide manage­ Howinto a CDoNM PY ouis that Obtain manure a applicat Nutriention rates are ment options for the landowner to select. The basedManagement on phosphorus Plan? consider ations rather than resulting nutrient management plan should meet the nitrogen considerations. A CNMP must be developed producer’s needs and lend itself to record keeping so by NRCS or certified private technical service that proper implementation can be documented. providers with appropriate NRCS certification.

Nutrient management planning is a critical component for livestock farms. New state and federal regulations now require plans be obtained and imple­ Nutrient management plans can be requested mented. Plans that are implemented correctly with through your local conservation district office. This corresponding records can help reduce a producer’s Whatoffice will Are also the provide Legal assistance Implications in applying for of a Referencesrisk of legal liability . While nutrient management Nutrientpermits or financial Management assistance. Plan?If you have questions planning is mandatory in many instances, it can also regarding this publication or regarding nutrient offer operational benefits, especiallySoil if thePhosphorus producer management planning, please contact your local Levels:takes an Concerns active role and in Recommendations developing the plan with his county extension office. certified planner.

DanielsNew, M. Ar B.,kansas T. Daniel, Laws D. Regulate Carman, Use R. Morgan,and J.Management Langston, and of P K.oultry VanDevender Litter and. Other Nutrients If a nutrient management plan is required by law , FSA1029, or a permit, it becomes a legal document that speci­ 1999, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. fies how nutrients will be utilized. In addition, , keeping records will be required. Ideally, the records Goodwin,Producers’ H. Compliance L., F. T. Jones Guide, S. E.for W CAFOsatkins, and J. S. will document that the plan is followed. In this case, Hipp. crop production needs and environmental concerns , are addressed while the plan and records provide FSA29, 2003, University of Arkansas Cooperative legal protection. Extension Service. If the plan is not properly implemented, the United States Environmental Protection Agency records will either document the plan was not , November followed or that the records were falsified to indicate 2003, EPA 821-R-03-010. DR.This MIKE publication B. DANIELS was completed as part of an EPA 319(h) project. For the entire project, 56 percent was provided by the Environmental Protection Agency. TheDR. University KARL VofANDEVENDER Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service provided 44 percent. The Arkansas Soil and Water ConservationT CommissionOM RILEY administered the federal funds.

Printed by University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Printing Services. is Extension Environmental Management Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and Specialist - Agriculture, is Extension June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Engineer, and is Environmental Policy Specialist and Director, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas. The Section Leader - Environmental and Natural Resources with the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all Cooperative Extension Service in Little Rock. eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected FSA9515-1.5M-5-04N status, and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.