590 - 1 NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE CONSERVATION PRACTICE STANDARD

NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT (Ac.)

CODE 590

DEFINITION label claims. Managing the amount (rate), source, placement For nutrient risk assessment policy and procedures see (method of application), and timing of plant nutrients Title 190, General Manual (GM), Part 402, Nutrient and soil amendments. Management, and Title 190, National Instruction (NI), Part 302, Nutrient Management Policy PURPOSE Implementation. * To budget, supply, and conserve nutrients for To avoid salt damage, the rate and placement of plant production. applied nitrogen and potassium in starter fertilizer must be consistent with land-grant university guidelines, or * To minimize agricultural nonpoint source industry practice recognized by the University of pollution of surface and groundwater Kentucky. resources. The NRCS-approved nutrient risk assessment for * To properly utilize manure or organic by- nitrogen must be completed on all sites unless the State products as a plant nutrient source. NRCS, with the concurrence of State water quality * To protect air quality by reducing odors, control authorities, has determined specific conditions nitrogen emissions (ammonia, oxides of where nitrogen leaching is not a risk to water quality, nitrogen), and the formation of atmospheric including drinking water. particulates. The NRCS-approved nutrient risk assessment for * To maintain or improve the physical, phosphorus must be completed when: chemical, and biological condition of soil.  phosphorus application rate exceeds land- grant university fertility rate guidelines for the CONDITIONS WHERE PRACTICE APPLIES planned crop(s), or This practice applies to all lands where plant nutrients  the planned area is within a phosphorus- and soil amendments are applied. This standard does impaired watershed (contributes to 303d-listed not apply to one-time nutrient applications to establish water bodies), or perennial crops or permanent vegetative practices.  the NRCS and KY Division of Water have not CRITERIA determined specific conditions where the risk of phosphorus loss is low. General Criteria Applicable to All Purposes A nutrient budget for nitrogen, phosphorus, and KY NRCS and KY DOW have not determined potassium must be developed that considers all specific conditions where the Nitrogen or potential sources of nutrients including, but not limited Phosphorus risk would be low, so both risk to: green manures, legumes, crop residues, compost, assessments must be utilized. animal manure, organic by-products, bio-solids, waste water, organic matter, soil biological activity, Fields receiving nutrients must have a commercial fertilizer, and irrigation water. documented agronomic need for phosphorus; Enhanced efficiency fertilizers, used in the State must based on soil test phosphorus (STP) and land- be defined by the Association of American Plant Food grant university nutrient recommendations. Control Officials (AAPFCO) and be accepted for use by the State fertilizer control official, or similar Nitrogen Leaching Index and the Phosphorus authority, with responsibility for verification of product Index will guide mineral fertilizer applications and guarantees, ingredients (by AAPFCO definition) and practices to be implemented in the plan. 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 KY NRCS Field Office Technical Guide. January 2013 Draft - 590 - 2 On organic operations, the nutrient sources and biosolids must be determined prior to land management must be consistent with the USDA’s application. National Organic Program. Manure analyses must include, at minimum, total Areas contained within minimum application setbacks nitrogen (N), ammonium N, total phosphorus (P) or (e.g., sinkholes, wellheads, gullies, ditches, or surface P2O5, total potassium (K) or K2O, and percent solids. inlets) must receive nutrients consistent with the Manure, organic by-products, and biosolids samples setback restrictions. Refer to KY Ag Water Quality must be collected and analyzed at least annually, or Authority setbacks. more frequently if needed to account for operational Applications of irrigation water must minimize the risk changes (feed management, animal type, manure of nutrient loss to surface and groundwater. handling strategy, etc.) impacting manure nutrient concentrations. If no operational changes occur, less Soil pH must be maintained in a range that enhances an frequent manure testing is allowable where operations adequate level for crop nutrient availability and can document a stable level of nutrient concentrations utilization. Refer to State land- grant university for the preceding three consecutive years, unless documentation for guidance. federal, State, or local regulations require more Soil, Manure, and Tissue Sampling and Laboratory frequent testing. Analyses (Testing). Samples must be collected, prepared, stored, and Nutrient planning must be based on current soil, shipped, following UK publication ID-148. manure, and (where used as supplemental information) When planning for new or modified livestock tissue test results developed in accordance with land- operations, acceptable “book values” recognized by the grant university guidance, or industry practice, if NRCS (e.g., NRCS Agricultural Waste Management recognized by the university. Field Handbook) and the land-grant university, or Current soil tests are those that are no older than 3 analyses from similar operations in the geographical years, but may be taken on an interval recommended area, may be used if they accurately estimate nutrient by the land-grant university or as required by State output from the proposed operation. code. The area represented by a soil test must be that Manure testing analyses must be performed by acreage recommended by the University of Kentucky laboratories meeting the requirements and soil testing guidelines. See UK AGR-16 for more performance standards of the Manure Testing information. Laboratory Certification program (MTLCP) under Where a conservation management unit (CMU) is used the auspices of the Minnesota Department of as the basis for a sampling unit, all acreage in the CMU Agriculture, or other NRCS- approved program. must have similar soil type, cropping history, and management practice treatment. The soil and tissue tests must include analyses pertinent to monitoring or amending the annual nutrient budget, e.g., pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and sodicity where salts are a concern, soil organic matter, phosphorus, potassium, or other nutrients and test for nitrogen where applicable. Follow University of Kentucky guidelines regarding required analyses. Refer to AGR-16, AGR-92. Soil test analyses must be performed by laboratories successfully meeting the requirements and performance standards of the North American Proficiency Testing Program-Performance Assessment Program (NAPT-PAP) under the auspices of the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) and NRCS, or other NRCS-approved program that considers laboratory performance and proficiency to assure accuracy of soil test results. Alternate proficiency testing programs must have solid stakeholder (e.g., water quality control entity, NRCS State staff, growers, and others) support and be regional in scope. Nutrient values of manure, organic by-products and NRCS, NHCP April 2006 590 - 1 Nutrient Application Rates. KY NRCS, KY Division of Water, and the KYAWQA agree that opportunities for manure application in Planned nutrient application rates for nitrogen, winter are limited. Adequate manure storage capacity phosphorus, and potassium must not exceed land-grant should be developed to hold manures until spring, university guidelines contained in the University of when they can be properly utilized. Kentucky’s AGR-1 or industry practice when recognized by the University of Kentucky.  Manure should not be applied on frozen or snow-covered fields where subsequent rains At a minimum, determination of rate must be based on could wash the manure off the field before it crop/cropping sequence, current soil test results, has a chance to move into the soil. realistic yield goals, and NRCS- approved nutrient risk assessments.  Manure should not be applied in winter on Realistic yield goals must be established based on crop fields that do not have a cover crop to historical yield data, soil productivity information, utilize nitrogen. climatic conditions, nutrient test results, level of  An exception would be that there are management, and local research results considering opportunities for manure applications can be comparable production conditions. made on cool-season forages and small grains Estimates of yield response must consider factors such in February or March. as poor soil quality, drainage, pH, salinity, etc., prior to Additional Criteria to Minimize Agricultural Nonpoint assuming that nitrogen and/or phosphorus are deficient. Source Pollution of Surface and Groundwater For new crops or varieties, industry- demonstrated Planners must use the current NRCS-approved yield, and nutrient utilization information may be used nitrogen, phosphorus, and soil erosion risk assessment until land-grant university information is available. tools to assess the risk of nutrient and soil loss. Lower-than-recommended nutrient application rates Identified resource concerns must be addressed to meet are permissible if the grower’s objectives are met. current planning criteria (quality criteria). To meet NRCS planning criteria, nutrient applications fields Applications of biosolids, starter fertilizers, or pop-up will be required to meet the soil loss tolerance levels. fertilizers must be accounted for in the nutrient budget. Technical criteria for risk assessments can be found in Nutrient Sources. NI-190-302. Nutrient sources utilized must be compatible with the When there is a high risk of transport of nutrients, application timing, tillage and planting system, soil conservation practices must be coordinated to avoid, properties, crop, crop rotation, soil organic content, and control, or trap manure and nutrients before they can local climate to minimize risk to the environment. leave the field by surface or subsurface drainage (e.g., tile). The number of applications and the application Nutrient Application Timing and Placement. rates must also be considered to limit the transport of Timing and placement of all nutrients must correspond nutrients to tile. as closely as practical with plant nutrient uptake Nutrients must be applied with the right placement, in (utilization by crops), and consider nutrient source, the right amount, at the right time, and from the right cropping system limitations, soil properties, weather source to minimize nutrient losses to surface and conditions, drainage system, soil biology, and nutrient groundwater. The following nutrient use efficiency risk assessment results. strategies or technologies must be considered: Nutrients must not be surface-applied if nutrient losses * slow and controlled release fertilizers offsite are likely. This precludes spreading on: * nitrification and urease inhibitors * frozen and/or snow-covered soils, and * enhanced efficiency fertilizers * when the top 2 inches of soil are saturated from rainfall or snow melt. * incorporation or injection Exceptions for the above criteria can be made for * timing and number of applications surface-applied manure when specified conditions are * soil nitrate and organic N testing met and adequate conservation measures are installed to prevent the offsite delivery of nutrients. * coordinate nutrient applications with optimum crop nutrient uptake The adequate treatment level and specified conditions for winter applications of manure must be defined by * Corn Stalk Nitrate Test (CSNT), Pre- NRCS in concurrence with the water quality control Sidedress Nitrate Test (PSNT), and Pre-Plant authority in the State. Soil Nitrate Test (PPSN) 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 KY NRCS Field Office Technical Guide. January 2013 Draft - 590 - 4 * tissue testing, chlorophyll meters, and must have the approval of the Chief of the NRCS. spectral analysis technologies Manure or organic by-products may be applied on * other land-grant university recommended legumes at rates equal to the estimated removal of technologies that improve nutrient use nitrogen in harvested plant biomass, not to exceed land efficiency and minimize surface or grant university recommendations. groundwater resource concerns. Manure may be applied at a rate equal to the Additional Criteria Applicable to Properly Utilize recommended phosphorus application, or estimated Manure or Organic By-Products as a Plant phosphorus removal in harvested plant biomass for the Nutrient Source crop rotation, or multiple years in the crop sequence When manures are applied, and soil salinity is a at one time. When such applications are made, the concern, salt concentrations must be monitored to application rate must not exceed the acceptable prevent potential crop damage and/or reduced soil phosphorus risk assessment criteria, must not exceed quality. the recommended nitrogen application rate during the year of application or harvest cycle, and no additional The total single application of liquid manure: phosphorus must be applied in the current year and any  must not exceed the soil’s infiltration or water additional years for which the single application of holding capacity phosphorus is supplying nutrients.  be based on crop rooting depth Additional Criteria to Protect Air Quality by Reducing Odors, Nitrogen Emissions and the  must be adjusted to avoid runoff or loss to Formation of Atmospheric Particulates subsurface tile drains. To address air quality concerns caused by odor, Crop production activities and nutrient use efficiency nitrogen, sulfur, and/or particulate emissions; the technologies must be coordinated to take advantage of source, timing, amount, and placement of nutrients mineralized plant-available nitrogen to minimize the must be adjusted to minimize the negative impact of potential for nitrogen losses due to de-nitrification or these emissions on the environment and human health. ammonia volatilization. One or more of the following may be used: Nitrogen and phosphorus application rates must be * slow or controlled release fertilizers planned based on risk assessment results as determined by NRCS-approved nitrogen and phosphorus risk * nitrification inhibitors assessment tools. * urease inhibitors For fields receiving manure, where phosphorus risk * nutrient enhancement technologies assessment results equate to: * incorporation LOW risk, additional phosphorus and potassium can be applied at rates greater than crop requirement not * injection to exceed the nitrogen requirement for the succeeding * stabilized nitrogen fertilizers crop and the soil test phosphorus level cannot exceed 800lbs/acre. * residue and tillage management MODERATE risk, additional phosphorus and * no-till or strip-till potassium may be applied at a phosphorus crop * other technologies that minimize the impact of requirement rate for the planned crops in the rotation. these emissions However; the soil test phosphorus level cannot exceed 600lbs/acre. Do not apply poultry litter, manure, or organic by- products of similar dryness/density when there is a HIGH risk, additional phosphorus and potassium may high probability that wind will blow the material be applied at phosphorus crop removal rates not to offsite. exceed 400lbs/acre if the following requirements are met: Additional Criteria to Improve or Maintain the Physical, Chemical, and Biological Condition  a soil phosphorus drawdown strategy has been of the Soil to Enhance Soil Quality for Crop implemented, and Production and Environmental Protection  a site assessment for nutrients and soil loss has Time the application of nutrients to avoid periods when been conducted to determine if mitigation field activities will result in soil compaction. practices are required to protect water quality. In areas where salinity is a concern, select nutrient  any deviation from these high risk requirements sources that minimize the buildup of soil salts. NRCS, NHCP April 2006 590 - 1 CONSIDERATIONS Use the adaptive nutrient management learning process to improve nutrient use efficiency on farms as outlined Elevated soil test phosphorus levels are detrimental to in the NRCS’ National Nutrient Policy in GM 190, Part soil biota. Soil test phosphorus levels should not 402, Nutrient Management. exceed State-approved soil test thresholds established to protect the environment. In Kentucky, the threshold Potassium should not be applied in situations where an for planning no further Phosphorus application will be excess (greater than soil test potassium determined by the P index. recommendation) causes nutrient imbalances in crops or forages. Use no-till/strip-till in combination with cover crops to sequester nutrients, increase soil organic matter, Workers should be protected from and avoid increase aggregate stability, reduce compaction, unnecessary contact with plant nutrient sources. Extra improve infiltration, and enhance soil biological caution must be taken when handling anhydrous activity to improve nutrient use efficiency. ammonia or when dealing with organic wastes stored in unventilated enclosures. Use nutrient management strategies such as cover crops, crop rotations, and crop rotations with Material generated from cleaning nutrient application perennials to improve nutrient cycling and reduce equipment should be utilized in an environmentally energy inputs. safe manner. Excess material should be collected and stored or field applied in an appropriate manner. Use variable-rate nitrogen application based on expected crop yields, soil variability, soil nitrate or Nutrient containers should be recycled in compliance organic N supply levels, or chlorophyll concentration. with State and local guidelines or regulations. Use variable-rate nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium Considerations to Minimize Agricultural Nonpoint application rates based on site-specific variability in Source Pollution of Surface and Groundwater. crop yield, soil characteristics, soil test values, and Use conservation practices that slow runoff, reduce other soil productivity factors. erosion, and increase infiltration, e.g., filter strip, Develop site-specific yield maps using a yield contour farming, or contour buffer strips. These monitoring system. Use the data to further diagnose practices can also reduce the loss of nitrates or soluble low- and high- yield areas, or zones, and make the phosphorus. necessary management changes. See Title 190, Use application methods and timing strategies that Agronomy Technical Note (TN) 190.AGR.3, Precision reduce the risk of nutrient transport by ground and Nutrient Management Planning. surface waters, such as: Use manure management conservation practices to * split applications of nitrogen to deliver manage manure nutrients to limit losses prior to nutrients during periods of maximum crop nutrient utilization. utilization, Apply manure at a rate that will result in an * banded applications of nitrogen and/or “improving” Soil Conditioning Index (SCI) without phosphorus to improve nutrient availability, exceeding acceptable risk of nitrogen or phosphorus loss. * drainage water management to reduce nutrient discharge through drainage systems, and Use legume crops and cover crops to provide nitrogen through biological fixation and nutrient recycling. * incorporation of surface-applied manures or organic by-products if precipitation capable of Modify animal feed diets to reduce the nutrient content producing runoff or erosion is forecast within of manure following guidance contained in the time of planned application. Conservation Practice Standard (CPS) Code 592, Feed Management. Use the agricultural chemical storage facility conservation practice to protect air, soil, and water Soil test information should be no older than 1 year quality. when developing new plans. Use bioreactors and multistage drainage strategies Excessive levels of some nutrients can cause induced when approved by the land-grant university. deficiencies of other nutrients, e.g., high soil test phosphorus levels can result in zinc deficiency in corn. Considerations to Protect Air Quality by Reducing Nitrogen and/or Particulate Emissions to the Use soil tests, plant tissue analyses, and field Atmosphere. observations to check for secondary plant nutrient deficiencies or toxicity that may impact plant growth or Avoid applying manure and other by-products upwind availability of the primary nutrients. of inhabited areas.

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 KY NRCS Field Office Technical Guide. January 2013 Draft - 590 - 6 Use high-efficiency irrigation technologies (e.g., phosphorus risk assessment tool(s), specify reduced-pressure drop nozzles for center pivots) to the recommended nutrient application source, reduce the potential for nutrient losses. timing, amount (except for precision/variable rate applications specify method used to PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS determine rate), and placement of plant nutrients for each field or management unit, The following components must be included in the and nutrient management plan: * guidance for implementation, operation and * aerial site photograph(s)/imagery or site maintenance, and recordkeeping. map(s), and a soil survey map of the site, In addition, the following components must be * soil information including: soil type surface included in a precision/variable rate nutrient texture, pH, drainage class, permeability, management plan: available water capacity, depth to water table, restrictive features, and flooding and/or  Document the geo-referenced field boundary ponding frequency, and data collected that was processed and * location of designated sensitive areas and the analyzed as a GIS layer or layers to generate associated nutrient application restrictions and nutrient or soil amendment recommendations. setbacks,  Document the nutrient recommendation * for manure applications, location of nearby guidance and recommendation equations residences, or other locations where humans used to convert the GIS base data layer or may be present on a regular basis, and any layers to a nutrient source material identified meteorological (e.g., prevailing recommendation GIS layer or layers. winds at different times of the year), or topographical influences that may affect the  Document if a variable rate nutrient or soil transport of odors to those locations, amendment application was made. * results of approved risk assessment tools for 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 of all applications that resulted from use of the requirement. precision agriculture process for nutrient or soil amendment applications. * current and/or planned plant production sequence or crop rotation, * Maintain the electronic records of the GIS * soil, water, compost, manure, organic by- data layers and nutrient applications for at product, and plant tissue sample analyses least 5 years. applicable to the plan, If increases in soil phosphorus levels are expected (i.e., * when soil phosphorus levels are when N-based rates are used), the nutrient management increasing, include a discussion of the risk plan must document: associated with phosphorus accumulation and a proposed phosphorus draw-down * the soil phosphorus levels at which it is strategy, desirable to convert to phosphorus based planning, * realistic yield goals for the crops, * the potential plan for soil test phosphorus * complete nutrient budget for nitrogen, drawdown from the production and harvesting phosphorus, and potassium for the plant of crops, and production sequence or crop rotation, * management activities or techniques used to * listing and quantification of all nutrient reduce the potential for phosphorus transport sources and form, and loss, * all enhanced efficiency fertilizer products that * for AFOs, a quantification of manure are planned for use, produced in excess of crop nutrient * in accordance with the nitrogen and requirements, and

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

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 KY NRCS Field Office Technical Guide. January 2013