Natural Resources Conservation Service s6

590 - 1 NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE CONSERVATION PRACTICE STANDARD

NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT (Ac.)

CODE 590

DEFINITION official, or similar authority, with responsibility for verification of product guarantees, ingredients (by Managing the amount (rate), source, placement AAPFCO definition) and label claims. (method of application), and timing of plant nutrients and soil amendments. For nutrient risk assessment policy and procedures see Title 190, General Manual (GM), Part 402, Nutrient PURPOSE Management, and Title 190, National Instruction (NI), * To budget, supply, and conserve nutrients for Part 302, Nutrient Management Policy plant production. Implementation. * To minimize agricultural nonpoint source To avoid salt damage, the rate and placement of pollution of surface and groundwater applied nitrogen and potassium in starter fertilizer must resources. be consistent with land-grant university guidelines, or industry practice recognized by the land-grant * To properly utilize manure or organic by- university. products as a plant nutrient source. The NRCS-approved nutrient risk assessment for * To protect air quality by reducing odors, nitrogen must be completed on all sites unless the State nitrogen emissions (ammonia, oxides of NRCS, with the concurrence of State water quality nitrogen), and the formation of atmospheric control authorities, has determined specific conditions particulates. where nitrogen leaching is not a risk to water quality, * To maintain or improve the physical, including drinking water. chemical, and biological condition of soil. The NRCS-approved nutrient risk assessment for phosphorus must be completed when: CONDITIONS WHERE PRACTICE APPLIES  phosphorus application rate exceeds land- This practice applies to all lands where plant nutrients grant university fertility rate guidelines for the and soil amendments are applied. This standard does planned crop(s), or not apply to one-time nutrient applications to establish perennial crops.  the planned area is within a phosphorus- impaired watershed (contributes to 303d-listed CRITERIA water bodies), or General Criteria Applicable to All Purposes  the NRCS and State water quality control A nutrient budget for nitrogen, phosphorus, and authority have not determined specific potassium must be developed that considers all conditions where the risk of phosphorus loss potential sources of nutrients including, but not limited is low. to, green manures, legumes, crop residues, compost, animal manure, organic by-products, biosolids, waste A phosphorus risk assessment will not be required water, organic matter, soil biological activity, when the State NRCS, with concurrence of the commercial fertilizer, and irrigation water. State water quality control authority, has Enhanced efficiency fertilizers, used in the State determined specific conditions where the risk of must be defined by the Association of American phosphorus loss is low. These fields must have a Plant Food Control Officials (AAPFCO) and be documented agronomic need for phosphorus; accepted for use by the State fertilizer control

NRCS, NHCP Conservation practice standards are reviewed periodically and updated if needed. To obtain the current version of this standard, contact your Natural Resources Conservation Service State Office or visit the Field Office Technical Guide. January 2012 Draft - 590 - 2 based on soil test phosphorus (STP) and land- Manure analyses must include, at minimum, total grant university nutrient recommendations. nitrogen (N), ammonium N, total phosphorus (P) or P2O5, total potassium (K) or K2O, and percent solids, or On organic operations, the nutrient sources and follow land-grant university guidance regarding management must be consistent with the USDA’s required analyses. National Organic Program. Manure, organic by-products, and biosolids samples Areas contained within minimum application setbacks must be collected and analyzed at least annually, or (e.g., sinkholes, wellheads, gullies, ditches, or surface more frequently if needed to account for operational inlets) must receive nutrients consistent with the changes (feed management, animal type, manure setback restrictions. handling strategy, etc.) impacting manure nutrient concentrations. If no operational changes occur, less Applications of irrigation water must minimize the risk frequent manure testing is allowable where operations of nutrient loss to surface and groundwater. can document a stable level of nutrient concentrations Soil pH must be maintained in a range that enhances an for the preceding three consecutive years, unless adequate level for crop nutrient availability and federal, State, or local regulations require more utilization. Refer to State land- grant university frequent testing. documentation for guidance. Samples must be collected, prepared, stored, and Soil, Manure, and Tissue Sampling and Laboratory shipped, following land-grant university guidance or Analyses (Testing). industry practice. Nutrient planning must be based on current soil, When planning for new or modified livestock manure, and (where used as supplemental information) operations, acceptable “book values” recognized by the tissue test results developed in accordance with land- NRCS (e.g., NRCS Agricultural Waste Management grant university guidance, or industry practice, if Field Handbook) and the land-grant university, or recognized by the university. analyses from similar operations in the geographical area, may be used if they accurately estimate nutrient Current soil tests are those that are no older than 3 output from the proposed operation. years, but may be taken on an interval recommended by the land-grant university or as required by State Manure testing analyses must be performed by code. The area represented by a soil test must be that laboratories successfully meeting the requirements and acreage recommended by the land-grant university. performance standards of the Manure Testing Laboratory Certification program (MTLCP) under the Where a conservation management unit (CMU) is used auspices of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, as the basis for a sampling unit, all acreage in the CMU or other NRCS- approved program that considers must have similar soil type, cropping history, and laboratory performance and proficiency to assure management practice treatment. accurate manure test results. The soil and tissue tests must include analyses Nutrient Application Rates. pertinent to monitoring or amending the annual nutrient budget, e.g., pH, electrical conductivity (EC) Planned nutrient application rates for nitrogen, and sodicity where salts are a concern, soil organic phosphorus, and potassium must not exceed land-grant matter, phosphorus, potassium, or other nutrients and university guidelines or industry practice when test for nitrogen where applicable. Follow land-grant recognized by the university. university guidelines regarding required analyses. At a minimum, determination of rate must be based on Soil test analyses must be performed by laboratories crop/cropping sequence, current soil test results, successfully meeting the requirements and realistic yield goals, and NRCS- approved nutrient risk performance standards of the North American assessments. Proficiency Testing Program-Performance Assessment If the land-grant university does not provide specific Program (NAPT-PAP) under the auspices of the Soil guidance that meets these criteria, application rates Science Society of America (SSSA) and NRCS, or must be based on plans that consider realistic yield other NRCS-approved program that considers goals and associated plant nutrient uptake rates. laboratory performance and proficiency to assure accuracy of soil test results. Alternate proficiency Realistic yield goals must be established based on testing programs must have solid stakeholder (e.g., historical yield data, soil productivity information, water quality control entity, NRCS State staff, climatic conditions, nutrient test results, level of growers, and others) support and be regional in scope. management, and local research results considering comparable production conditions. Nutrient values of manure, organic by-products and biosolids must be determined prior to land application. Estimates of yield response must consider factors such NRCS, NHCP April 2006 590 - 1 as poor soil quality, drainage, pH, salinity, etc., prior to Identified resource concerns must be addressed to meet assuming that nitrogen and/or phosphorus are deficient. current planning criteria (quality criteria). Technical criteria for risk assessments can be found in NI-190- For new crops or varieties, industry- demonstrated 302. yield, and nutrient utilization information may be used until land-grant university information is available. When there is a high risk of transport of nutrients, conservation practices must be coordinated to avoid, Lower-than-recommended nutrient application rates control, or trap manure and nutrients before they can are permissible if the grower’s objectives are met. leave the field by surface or subsurface drainage (e.g., Applications of biosolids, starter fertilizers, or pop-up tile). The number of applications and the application fertilizers must be accounted for in the nutrient budget. rates must also be considered to limit the transport of nutrients to tile. Nutrient Sources. Nutrients must be applied with the right placement, in Nutrient sources utilized must be compatible with the the right amount, at the right time, and from the right application timing, tillage and planting system, soil source to minimize nutrient losses to surface and properties, crop, crop rotation, soil organic content, and groundwater. The following nutrient use efficiency local climate to minimize risk to the environment. strategies or technologies must be considered: Nutrient Application Timing and Placement. * slow and controlled release fertilizers Timing and placement of all nutrients must correspond * nitrification and urease inhibitors as closely as practical with plant nutrient uptake (utilization by crops), and consider nutrient source, * enhanced efficiency fertilizers cropping system limitations, soil properties, weather * incorporation or injection conditions, drainage system, soil biology, and nutrient risk assessment results. * timing and number of applications Nutrients must not be surface-applied if nutrient losses * soil nitrate and organic N testing offsite are likely. This precludes spreading on: * coordinate nutrient applications with optimum * frozen and/or snow-covered soils, and crop nutrient uptake * when the top 2 inches of soil are saturated * Corn Stalk Nitrate Test (CSNT), Pre- from rainfall or snow melt. Sidedress Nitrate Test (PSNT), and Pre-Plant Soil Nitrate Test (PPSN) Exceptions for the above criteria can be made for surface-applied manure when specified conditions are * tissue testing, chlorophyll meters, and met and adequate conservation measures are installed spectral analysis technologies to prevent the offsite delivery of nutrients. The * other land-grant university recommended adequate treatment level and specified conditions for technologies that improve nutrient use winter applications of manure must be defined by efficiency and minimize surface or NRCS in concurrence with the water quality control groundwater resource concerns. authority in the State. At a minimum, the following site and management factors must be considered: Additional Criteria Applicable to Properly Utilize Manure or Organic By-Products as a Plant  slope, Nutrient Source  organic residue and living covers,  amount and form of nutrients to be applied, and When manures are applied, and soil salinity is a concern, salt concentrations must be monitored to  adequate setback distances to protect local water prevent potential crop damage and/or reduced soil quality. quality. Additional Criteria to Minimize Agricultural The total single application of liquid manure: Nonpoint Source Pollution of Surface and Groundwater  must not exceed the soil’s infiltration or water holding capacity Planners must use the current NRCS-approved  be based on crop rooting depth nitrogen, phosphorus, and soil erosion risk assessment  must be adjusted to avoid runoff or loss to tools to assess the risk of nutrient and soil loss. subsurface tile drains. NRCS, NHCP Conservation practice standards are reviewed periodically and updated if needed. To obtain the current version of this standard, contact your Natural Resources Conservation Service State Office or visit the Field Office Technical Guide. January 2012 Draft - 590 - 4 Crop production activities and nutrient use efficiency source, timing, amount, and placement of nutrients technologies must be coordinated to take advantage of must be adjusted to minimize the negative impact of mineralized plant-available nitrogen to minimize the these emissions on the environment and human health. potential for nitrogen losses due to denitrification or One or more of the following may be used: ammonia volatilization. * slow or controlled release fertilizers Nitrogen and phosphorus application rates must be * nitrification inhibitors planned based on risk assessment results as determined by NRCS-approved nitrogen and phosphorus risk * urease inhibitors assessment tools. * nutrient enhancement technologies * incorporation For fields receiving manure, where phosphorus risk * injection assessment results equate to LOW risk, additional phosphorus and potassium can be applied at rates * stabilized nitrogen fertilizers greater than crop requirement not to exceed the nitrogen requirement for the succeeding crop. For * residue and tillage management fields receiving manure, where phosphorus risk * no-till or strip-till assessment results equate to MODERATE risk, additional phosphorus and potassium may be applied at * other technologies that minimize the impact of a phosphorus crop requirement rate for the planned these emissions crops in the rotation. When phosphorus risk assessment Do not apply poultry litter, manure, or organic by- results equate to HIGH risk, additional phosphorus and products of similar dryness/density when there is a potassium may be applied at phosphorus crop removal high probability that wind will blow the material rates if the following requirements are met: offsite.  a soil phosphorus drawdown strategy has been Additional Criteria to Improve or Maintain the implemented, and Physical, Chemical, and Biological Condition of the Soil to Enhance Soil Quality for Crop  a site assessment for nutrients and soil loss has Production and Environmental Protection been conducted to determine if mitigation practices are required to protect water quality.  any deviation from these high risk requirements Time the application of nutrients to avoid periods when must have the approval of the Chief of the NRCS. field activities will result in soil compaction. Manure or organic by-products may be applied on In areas where salinity is a concern, select nutrient legumes at rates equal to the estimated removal of sources that minimize the buildup of soil salts. nitrogen in harvested plant biomass, not to exceed land grant university recommendations. CONSIDERATIONS Manure may be applied at a rate equal to the Elevated soil test phosphorus levels are detrimental to recommended phosphorus application, or estimated soil biota. Soil test phosphorus levels should not phosphorus removal in harvested plant biomass for the exceed State-approved soil test thresholds established crop rotation, or multiple years in the crop sequence at to protect the environment. one time. When such applications are made, the Use no-till/strip-till in combination with cover crops to application rate must not exceed the acceptable sequester nutrients, increase soil organic matter, phosphorus risk assessment criteria, must not exceed increase aggregate stability, reduce compaction, the recommended nitrogen application rate during the improve infiltration, and enhance soil biological year of application or harvest cycle, and no additional activity to improve nutrient use efficiency. phosphorus must be applied in the current year and any additional years for which the single application of Use nutrient management strategies such as cover phosphorus is supplying nutrients. crops, crop rotations, and crop rotations with perennials to improve nutrient cycling and reduce Additional Criteria to Protect Air Quality by energy inputs. Reducing Odors, Nitrogen Emissions and the Formation of Atmospheric Particulates Use variable-rate nitrogen application based on expected crop yields, soil variability, soil nitrate or organic N supply levels, or chlorophyll concentration. To address air quality concerns caused by odor, Use variable-rate nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium nitrogen, sulfur, and/or particulate emissions; the application rates based on site-specific variability in NRCS, NHCP April 2006 590 - 1 crop yield, soil characteristics, soil test values, and Considerations to Minimize Agricultural Nonpoint other soil productivity factors. Source Pollution of Surface and Groundwater. Develop site-specific yield maps using a yield Use conservation practices that slow runoff, reduce monitoring system. Use the data to further diagnose erosion, and increase infiltration, e.g., filter strip, low- and high- yield areas, or zones, and make the contour farming, or contour buffer strips. These necessary management changes. See Title 190, practices can also reduce the loss of nitrates or soluble Agronomy Technical Note (TN) 190.AGR.3, Precision phosphorus. Nutrient Management Planning. Use application methods and timing strategies that Use manure management conservation practices to reduce the risk of nutrient transport by ground and manage manure nutrients to limit losses prior to surface waters, such as: nutrient utilization. * split applications of nitrogen to deliver Apply manure at a rate that will result in an nutrients during periods of maximum crop “improving” Soil Conditioning Index (SCI) without utilization, exceeding acceptable risk of nitrogen or phosphorus * banded applications of nitrogen and/or loss. phosphorus to improve nutrient availability, Use legume crops and cover crops to provide nitrogen * drainage water management to reduce nutrient through biological fixation and nutrient recycling. discharge through drainage systems, and Modify animal feed diets to reduce the nutrient content * incorporation of surface-applied manures or of manure following guidance contained in organic by-products if precipitation capable of Conservation Practice Standard (CPS) Code 592, Feed producing runoff or erosion is forecast within Management. the time of planned application. Soil test information should be no older than 1 year Use the agricultural chemical storage facility when developing new plans. conservation practice to protect air, soil, and water Excessive levels of some nutrients can cause induced quality. deficiencies of other nutrients, e.g., high soil test Use bioreactors and multistage drainage strategies phosphorus levels can result in zinc deficiency in corn. when approved by the land-grant university. Use soil tests, plant tissue analyses, and field Considerations to Protect Air Quality by Reducing observations to check for secondary plant nutrient Nitrogen and/or Particulate Emissions to the deficiencies or toxicity that may impact plant growth or Atmosphere. availability of the primary nutrients. Avoid applying manure and other by-products upwind Use the adaptive nutrient management learning process of inhabited areas. to improve nutrient use efficiency on farms as outlined in the NRCS’ National Nutrient Policy in GM 190, Part Use high-efficiency irrigation technologies (e.g., 402, Nutrient Management. reduced-pressure drop nozzles for center pivots) to reduce the potential for nutrient losses. Potassium should not be applied in situations where an excess (greater than soil test potassium PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS recommendation) causes nutrient imbalances in crops or forages. The following components must be included in the nutrient management plan: Workers should be protected from and avoid unnecessary contact with plant nutrient sources. Extra * aerial site photograph(s)/imagery or site caution must be taken when handling anhydrous map(s), and a soil survey map of the site, ammonia or when dealing with organic wastes stored in unventilated enclosures. * soil information including: soil type surface texture, pH, drainage class, permeability, Material generated from cleaning nutrient application available water capacity, depth to water table, equipment should be utilized in an environmentally restrictive features, and flooding and/or safe manner. Excess material should be collected and ponding frequency, stored or field applied in an appropriate manner. * location of designated sensitive areas and the Nutrient containers should be recycled in associated nutrient application restrictions and compliance with State and local guidelines or setbacks, regulations. NRCS, NHCP Conservation practice standards are reviewed periodically and updated if needed. To obtain the current version of this standard, contact your Natural Resources Conservation Service State Office or visit the Field Office Technical Guide. January 2012 Draft - 590 - 6 * for manure applications, location of nearby  Document the nutrient recommendation residences, or other locations where humans guidance and recommendation equations may be present on a regular basis, and any used to convert the GIS base data layer or identified meteorological (e.g., prevailing layers to a nutrient source material winds at different times of the year), or recommendation GIS layer or layers. topographical influences that may affect the transport of odors to those locations,  Document if a variable rate nutrient or soil * results of approved risk assessment tools for amendment application was made. nitrogen, phosphorus, and erosion losses,  Provide application records per management * documentation establishing that the zone or as applied map within individual field application site presents low risk for boundaries (or electronic records) phosphorus transport to local water when documenting source, timing, method, and rate phosphorus is applied in excess of crop requirement. of all applications that resulted from use of the precision agriculture process for nutrient or * current and/or planned plant production soil amendment applications. sequence or crop rotation, * soil, water, compost, manure, organic by- * Maintain the electronic records of the GIS product, and plant tissue sample analyses data layers and nutrient applications for at applicable to the plan, least 5 years.

* when soil phosphorus levels are If increases in soil phosphorus levels are expected (i.e., increasing, include a discussion of the risk when N-based rates are used), the nutrient management associated with phosphorus accumulation plan must document: and a proposed phosphorus draw-down strategy, * the soil phosphorus levels at which it is desirable to convert to phosphorus based * realistic yield goals for the crops, planning, * complete nutrient budget for nitrogen, * the potential plan for soil test phosphorus phosphorus, and potassium for the plant drawdown from the production and harvesting production sequence or crop rotation, of crops, and * listing and quantification of all nutrient * management activities or techniques used to sources and form, reduce the potential for phosphorus transport * all enhanced efficiency fertilizer products that and loss, are planned for use, * for AFOs, a quantification of manure * in accordance with the nitrogen and produced in excess of crop nutrient phosphorus risk assessment tool(s), specify requirements, and the recommended nutrient application source, * a long-term strategy and proposed timing, amount (except for precision/variable implementation timeline for reducing soil P to rate applications specify method used to levels that protect water quality, determine rate), and placement of plant nutrients for each field or management unit, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE and Conduct periodic plan reviews to determine if * guidance for implementation, operation and adjustments or modifications to the plan are needed. maintenance, and recordkeeping. At a minimum, plans must be reviewed and revised, as In addition, the following components must be needed with each soil test cycle, changes in manure included in a precision/variable rate nutrient volume or analysis, crops, or crop management. management plan: Fields receiving animal manures and/or biosolids must  Document the geo-referenced field boundary be monitored for the accumulation of heavy metals and phosphorus in accordance with land- grant university and data collected that was processed and guidance and State law. analyzed as a GIS layer or layers to generate nutrient or soil amendment recommendations. Significant changes in animal numbers, management, and feed management will necessitate additional manure analyses to establish a revised average nutrient NRCS, NHCP April 2006 590 - 1 content. REFERENCES Calibrate application equipment to ensure accurate Association of American Plant Food Control Officials distribution of material at planned rates. (AAPFCO). 2011. AAPFCO Official Publication no. 64. AAPFCO Inc., Little Rock, AR. Document the nutrient application rate. When the applied rate differs from the planned rate, provide Follett, R.F. 2001. Nitrogen transformation and appropriate documentation for the change. transport processes. In Nitrogen in the environment; sources, problems, and solutions, Records must be maintained for at least 5 years to (eds.) R.F. Follett and J. Hatfield, pp. 17-44. document plan implementation and maintenance. As Elsevier Science Publishers. The Netherlands. 520 applicable, records include: pp. * soil, plant tissue, water, manure, and organic Schepers, J.S., and W.R. Ruan, (eds.) 2008. Nitrogen by-product analyses resulting in in agricultural systems. Agron. Monogr. no. 49, recommendations for nutrient application, American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop * quantities, analyses and sources of nutrients Science Society of America (CSSA), Soil Science applied, Society of America (SSSA). Madison, WI. * dates, and method(s) of nutrient applications, Sims, J.T. (ed.) 2005. Phosphorus: Agriculture and the source of nutrients, and rates of application, environment. Agron. Monogr. no. 46. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, Madison, WI. * weather conditions and soil moisture at the time of application; lapsed time to manure Stevenson, F.J. (ed.) 1982. Nitrogen in agricultural incorporation; rainfall or irrigation event, soils. Agron. Series 22. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, Madison, WI. * crops planted, planting and harvest dates, yields, nutrient analyses of harvested biomass, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources and crop residues removed, Conservation Service. 2010. Agronomy Technical Note, (TN) 190-AGR-3, Precision Nutrient * dates of plan review, name of reviewer, and Management Planning. Washington, DC. recommended changes resulting from the review, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2011. Title 190, General * all enhanced efficiency fertilizer products Manual, (GM), Part 402, Nutrient Management. used. Washington, DC. Additional records for precision/variable rate sites must U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources include: Conservation Service. 2011, Title 190, National * maps identifying the variable application Instruction (NI), Part 302, Nutrient Management source, timing, amount, and placement of all Policy Implementation. Washington, DC. plant nutrients applied, and * GPS-based yield maps for crops where yields can be digitally collected.