Natural Resources Conservation Service s49

590 - 1

NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE CONSERVATION PRACTICE STANDARD

NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT (Ac.)

CODE 590

DEFINITION including, but not limited to, residual amounts in the soil, commercial fertilizer, compost, Managing the amount (rate), source, animal manure, organic by-products, biosolids, placement (method of application), and timing waste water, green manures, legumes, crop of plant nutrients and soil amendments. residues, organic matter, soil biological activity, and irrigation water. All application of nutrients PURPOSE must be according to the principles of the 4 R’s  To budget, supply, and conserve nutrients (Right Source, Right Time, Right Rate, and for plant production. Right Placement) and the applicable nutrient risk assessment tools to minimize nutrient loss  To minimize agricultural nonpoint source without sacrificing the cropping system goals. pollution of surface and groundwater resources. Erosion/Runoff Control  To properly utilize manure or organic by- Erosion, runoff, and water management products as a plant nutrient source. practices shall be installed, as needed, on fields that receive applications of nutrients.  To protect air quality by reducing odors, NRCS conservation practices shall be nitrogen emissions (ammonia, oxides of established and/or maintained to protect nitrogen), and the formation of atmospheric environmentally high-risk areas. Fields particulates. adjacent to water bodies, water supplies, or have concentrated flow areas that convey runoff  To maintain or improve the physical, into environmentally high-risk areas without chemical, and biological condition of soil. treatment shall require treatment. Conservation practices such as Filter Strip (393); Riparian CONDITIONS WHERE PRACTICE APPLIES Forest Buffers (391); Grass Waterway (412); This practice applies to all lands where plant Water and Sediment Control Basin (638); nutrients and soil amendments are applied. Critical Area Planting (342); Conservation This standard does not apply to one-time Cover (327); Prescribed Grazing (528); nutrient applications to establish perennial Residue and Tillage Management, No-Till crops. (329) or Mulch Till (345) and/or Cover Crops (340) shall be planned singly or in CRITERIA combination, as needed, to avoid, control, trap and/or treat nutrients transported with General Criteria Applicable to All Purposes sediment and runoff water. . Soil, Manure, and Tissue Sampling and All planned activities shall be consistent with Laboratory Analyses (Testing). federal, state, and local regulations including Nutrient planning must be based on current but not limited to US Code, Reference 40 CFR, soil, manure, or organic by-products test Part 503 and ADEM Rule 335-6-7-26. results and recommendations developed in A nutrient budget for nitrogen, phosphorus, accordance with Alabama Cooperative and potassium must be developed that Extension System (ACES) guidance. Tissue considers all potential sources of nutrients testing may be used to supplement soil,

Conservation practice standards are reviewed periodically and updated if needed. To obtain the current version of this standard, contact your Natural Resources Conservation Service NRCS, AL State Office or visit the Field Office Technical Guide. March 2013 Draft - 590 - 2 manure, and organic by-products test results feed sources, amount and kind of bedding, or used as a diagnostic tool for midseason number of batches consecutively reared, and adjustment to the nutrient management plan. conditions under which the manure was stored Fallow ACES guidance for sample collection and handled prior to spreading. To account for and sufficiency ranges. Recommendations these operational changes impacting nutrient developed outside the ACES guidance may be concentrations different samples, risk used if recognized by the ACES. assessments and rates may be required for different types of waste (e.g. fresh Current soil tests are those that are no older manure/litter, stored manure/litter, compost). than 3 years. Soil samples shall be collected Less frequent manure testing is allowable and prepared according to the ACES where operations can document a stable level guidance. of nutrient concentrations for the preceding Where a conservation management unit three consecutive years. If a stable level (CMU) is used as the basis for a sampling unit, cannot be documented, an average value of all acreage in the CMU must have similar soils, the tests shall be used. cropping history, and management practice When planning for new or modified livestock treatment. One sample can represent only one operations, (or if there is not any soil condition. representative material available to sample) Soil test analyses shall be conducted by use acceptable “book values” contained in Auburn University Soil Testing Laboratory or Table 2 and/or in the NRCS Agricultural Waste other laboratories that are accepted in The Management Field Handbook for the plan and North American Proficiency Testing Program analyze the material, adjust rates, and risk (Soil Science Society of America) program and assessment as needed before land application. accepted by the ACES. To account for the site specific dilution that may affect nutrient content of the waste use The soil and tissue tests must include analyses the procedure outlined in the NRCS pertinent to monitoring or amending the annual Agricultural Waste Management Field nutrient budget, e.g., pH, phosphorus, Handbook for liquid or slurry systems. potassium, or other nutrients. Follow the ACES guidelines regarding required analyses. Organic by-product (manure, litter, compost, ect.) analyses must be performed by Livestock and poultry manure, poultry litter, laboratories successfully meeting the organic by-products and biosolids shall be requirements and performance standards of analyzed prior to land application to establish the Manure Testing Laboratory Certification nutrient content and application rates. program (MTLCP) under the auspices of the Samples must be collected, prepared, stored, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, or other and shipped, following ACES guidance or NRCS- approved program that considers industry practice laboratory performance and proficiency to Manure, poultry litter, and organic by-products assure accurate manure test results. analyses must include, at minimum, total Nutrient Risk Assessment Tools nitrogen (N), total phosphorus (P or P2O5), total potassium (K or K2O), and percent solids or The nitrogen leaching index (NLI) will be used follow ACES guidance regarding required to assess the nitrogen leaching potential on analyses. In addition municipal and industrial sites receiving nitrogen application. Tables sources of organic nutrients shall be analyzed containing the leaching potential for soils within for heavy metal content. In all cases if each county in Alabama are included in laboratory results are used for determining the Agronomy technical note Al-73, “Nitrogen nutrient content of any organic by-product Leaching Index for Alabama”. If the leaching nitrogen availability shall be accounted for potential is greater than “low” nitrogen using Table 1. containing material must be applied at the right rate and the right time according to ACES Manure, organic by-products, and biosolids recommendation. See Agronomy technical samples must be collected and analyzed at note Al-73, “Nitrogen Leaching Index for least annually or more frequently if needed. Alabama” for more information and additional Chemical analysis of these organic by- products varies due to moisture, temperature, NRCS, NHCP April 2006 590 - 1 considerations to reduce the potential of be based on crop need per unit of yield or nitrogen leaching. industry practice when recognized by the ACES. In addition, where yield potentials The Phosphorus Index for Alabama shall be (higher or lower) for crops exist, the nitrogen used to assess the potential risk of rate may be based on crop need per unit of phosphorus movement into water. This yield. Agronomy technical note AL-73, applies to all fields or portions of fields that “Nitrogen Leaching Index for Alabama” will have animal manure, poultry litter, contains more information that may be used to compost or other organic by-products obtain these nitrogen rates. applied on them. Additional, in areas with an identified or designated nutrient- related For new crops or varieties, industry- water quality impairment (303d and TMDL demonstrated yield, and nutrient utilization watersheds), an assessment shall be information may be used until land-grant completed for the potential of phosphorus university information is available. transport from the field. The Phosphorus Lower-than-recommended nutrient application Index (PI), or other recognized assessment rates are permissible if the grower’s objectives tools will be used to assess movement are met. potential of applied nutrients. The results of these assessments and recommendations Starter fertilizer shall be in accordance with shall be discussed with the producer and ACES recommendations. When starter included in the conservation plan. fertilizers are used, they shall be included in the nutrient budget. Applications of irrigation water must minimize The following will be used for determining the the risk of nutrient loss to surface and right application rate: groundwater. ♦Nitrogen Application rates shall be within 10% of recommended rates for the crop. Right Application Rates. When manure or other organic by- products Soil amendments shall be applied, as needed, are a source of nutrients and the application to adjust soil pH to the specific range of the rate is based on phosphorus, an additional crop for optimum availability and utilization of nitrogen application, from non- organic nutrients. sources, may be required to supply the recommended amounts of nitrogen. Planned nutrient application rates for mineral nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium must not ♦Phosphorus Application rates shall be exceed ACES guidelines or industry practice within 10% of recommended rates except when recognized by the ACES. when manure or other organic by- products are the source of nutrients. Where animal manure, At a minimum, determination of rate must be poultry litter, compost or other organic by- based on crop/cropping sequence, current soil products are used, a field assessment for test results, realistic yield goals, and nutrient potential risk of phosphorus transport to recommendations from ACES or other surface water will be conducted (see Additional laboratory if recognized by ACES and nutrient criteria applicable to properly utilize manure or risk assessments. Agronomy technical note organic by-products as a plant nutrient source). Al-73, “Nitrogen Leaching Index for Alabama” The Phosphorus Index for Alabama will be contains ACES standard nitrogen used to make this assessment of each field. A recommendations. record of these assessments shall be included Realistic yield goals must be established in the conservation plan. based on historical yield data, soil productivity information, climatic conditions, nutrient test ♦ Potassium Application – Excess potassium results, level of management, and local shall not be applied in situations in which it causes unacceptable nutrient imbalances in research results considering comparable crops or forages. production conditions. ♦ Other Plant Nutrients shall be applied at Nutrient applications rates for crops which the rates consistent with ACES ACES does not have a recommendation may recommendations or other laboratory if

Conservation practice standards are reviewed periodically and updated if needed. To obtain the current version of this standard, contact your Natural Resources Conservation Service NRCS, AL State Office or visit the Field Office Technical Guide. March 2013 Draft - 590 - 4

recognized by Alabama Cooperative days of the planned planting of the crop or Extension System. within 30 days of the beginning of growth cycle for perennial crops. Right Nutrient Sources. Nutrient sources utilized must be compatible When applying nitrogen to hay, another cutting with the application timing, tillage and planting of hay should be expected during the current system, soil properties, crop, crop rotation, soil growing season. For pasture, another 45 days organic content, and local climate to minimize of grazing should be expected after the risk to the environment. application of nitrogen. Sources of plant nutrients can include If the leaching potential is greater than “low”, commercial fertilizer, livestock and poultry nitrogen containing material must be applied at manure, poultry litter, compost, residual the right rate and the right time according to amounts in the soil, crop residues including ACES recommendation. See Agronomy cover and green manure crops, agricultural by- technical note Al-73, “Nitrogen Leaching Index for Alabama” for more information and products, solids and waste water from additional considerations to reduce the municipal treatment plants, and nutrients potential of nitrogen leaching. recycled by grazing animals . Legume cover crops or green manure crops, Nutrients must not be surface-applied if where feasible, can provide a nitrogen source for the following crop. Be sure to nutrient losses offsite are likely. This includes consider these effects in the nutrient budget. spreading on: Estimated available nitrogen provided by  frozen and/or snow-covered soils, and legume and cover crops is contained in Table 3.  when the top 2 inches of soil are saturated from rainfall or snow melt. On organic operations, the nutrient sources and management must be consistent with the Additional Criteria to Minimize Agricultural USDA’s National Organic Program. Nonpoint Source Pollution of Surface and Groundwater Enhanced efficiency fertilizers, used in the State must be defined by the Association of Evaluate water quality standards and American Plant Food Control Officials designated use limitations that exist locally or (AAPFCO) and be accepted for use by the statewide in managing nutrients to protect the State fertilizer control official, or similar quality of water resources. authority, with responsibility for verification of Planners must use the current “Nitrogen product guarantees, ingredients (by AAPFCO Leaching Index for Alabama”, “Phosphorus definition) and label claims. Index for Alabama”, and “RUSLE 2” to assess Right Nutrient Application Time and Place. the risk of nutrient and soil loss. Identified resource concerns must be addressed to meet Timing and placement of all nutrients must current planning criteria (quality criteria). correspond as closely as practical with plant nutrient uptake (utilization by crops), and Conservation plans developed to minimize consider nutrient source, cropping system agricultural nonpoint source pollution of limitations, soil properties, weather conditions, surface or groundwater resources will include drainage system, soil biology, and nutrient risk practices and/or management activities that assessment results. will reduce the risk of nitrogen or phosphorus movement from the field. For maximum efficiency and water quality Planning and application of conservation benefits, nitrogen should be applied as close to practices must be coordinated to avoid, the time of crop demand as practical. All control, or trap manure and nutrients before applied nitrogen (commercial, animal manures they can leave the field by surface or or related organic by-products) shall be applied subsurface drainage. to an actively growing crop or within 30 days of an actively growing crop making sufficient Nutrients must be applied with the right growth to utilize the nutrients that are applied. placement, in the right amount, at the right Nitrogen sources should be applied within 30 time, and from the right source to minimize NRCS, NHCP April 2006 590 - 1 nutrient losses to surface and groundwater. other type pumped or pressurized The following nutrient use efficiency strategies surface application. ADEM Rule 335- or technologies must be considered: 6-7-26(2)(p)  incorporation or injection ♦ not applied across property lines unless  timing and number of applications the adjoining property owner consents in  coordinate nutrient applications with writing and the land application site is optimum crop nutrient uptake approved (meets the requirements of 590). ADEM Rule 335-6-7-26(2)(q)  the use of guidance and rate control Nitrogen and phosphorus application rates technology must be planned based on risk assessment  tissue testing, chlorophyll meters, and results as determined by “Nitrogen Leaching spectral analysis technologies Index for Alabama” and “Phosphorus Index for Alabama” risk assessment tools. If the Additional Criteria Applicable to Properly phosphorus application rate is limited to Utilize Manure or Organic By- reduce the field vulnerability rating on the Products as a Plant Nutrient Source Phosphorus Index, phosphorus should not be All specifications shall be consistent with applied at a rate greater than the rate used in federal, state, and local regulations. Unless the assessment tool. exceptions are granted according to ADEM For fields receiving manure, the phosphorus Rule 335-6-7-26(2) the minimum buffer risk assessment may limit the application rate distance for animal waste application shall be: of phosphorus. Use the following table to determine the phosphorus limitation as a result ♦ 50 feet from surface waters of the state of the risk assessment. In no case may the including, but not limited to, perennial or nitrogen rate be in excess of the intermittent streams, ponds, lakes, recommendation regardless of the phosphorus springs, or sinkholes. ADEM Rule 335- limitation. 6-7-26(2)(c) Risk Phosphorus Application Rate Categories ♦ 100 feet from nearest existing occupied dwelling, church, school, Low Nitrogen Rate hospital, park, or non-potable water Moderate 3 x P removal by crop wells. ADEM Rule 335-6-7-26(2)(c) and (o) Moderately 2 x P removal by crop High ♦ 200 feet from Outstanding National High 1 x P removal by crop Resources Water, Outstanding Alabama Water, potable water wells, or public Very High No P application water supply. ADEM Rule 335-6-7-26(2) (c) When phosphorus risk assessment results equate to HIGH risk, additional phosphorus ♦ 200 feet from nearest existing and potassium may be applied at phosphorus occupied dwelling, church, school, crop removal rates if the following hospital, or park when applying a requirements are met: non-pumped surface application of wastewater or subsurface  a soil phosphorus drawdown strategy has injection/application of wastewater. been implemented, and ADEM Rule 335-6-7-26(2)(p)  a site assessment for nutrients and soil loss has been conducted to determine if ♦ 500 feet from the nearest existing additional mitigation practices are required occupied dwelling, church, school, to protect water quality. hospital, or park when using aerial wastewater irrigation application or Conservation practice standards are reviewed periodically and updated if needed. To obtain the current version of this standard, contact your Natural Resources Conservation Service NRCS, AL State Office or visit the Field Office Technical Guide. March 2013 Draft - 590 - 6

Manure may be applied annually at a rate compost will not be applied to vegetable equal to the recommended phosphorus crops. application, or estimated phosphorus removal in harvested plant biomass. Alternative these Manure or organic by-products may be applied applications may be made at one time based on legumes at rates equal to the estimated on recommendation or phosphorus removal for removal of nitrogen in harvested plant the crop rotation, or multiple years in the crop biomass, not to exceed land grant university sequence not to exceed three years. When recommendations. such applications are made, the application Waste applications associated with irrigation rate must not exceed the acceptable systems shall be applied in accordance with phosphorus risk assessment criteria, must not the requirements of the NRCS conservation exceed the recommended nitrogen application practice standard, Irrigation Water rate, and no additional phosphorus must be Management-449. applied in the current year and any additional years for which the single application of The total single application of liquid manure: phosphorus is supplying nutrients. Use Table  must not exceed the soil’s infiltration or 4 to determine the phosphorus removal by water holding capacity various crops.  must be based on crop rooting depth Animal manure, related organic by-products, or wastewater should not be applied within three  must be adjusted to avoid runoff or loss to days (72 hours) before a storm event having a subsurface tile drains. prediction of: (1) periods of rain, (2) occasional When sewage sludge or other organic rain, (3) rain likely, or (4) 50% or more source of nutrients containing heavy metals probability as predicted by the National are applied, the accumulation of potential Weather Service. If these conditions occur, pollutants (including arsenic, cadmium, land application can still proceed if the county chromium, copper, lead, mercury, is rated favorable for spreading according to molybdenum, nickel, selenium, and zinc) in the National Weather Service Alabama Animal the soil shall be monitored in accordance Waste/Nutrient Land Application Map with the US Code, Reference 40 CFR, Part (http:/www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx/adem/farmers_m 503, and/or any applicable state and local ap.php). If any of the above conditions exist laws or regulations. Apply municipal and and the county is rated not favorable for industrial sludge only to soils that are spreading on the National Weather Service adjusted to pH 6.5 or higher and are to be land application map, land application shall not maintained at pH 6.2 or higher. Refer to occur in order to provide reasonable assurance ACES documentation for guidance. that nutrients in storm water runoff will be reduced Crop production activities and nutrient use efficiency technologies must be coordinated to Surface applied animal manure and other take advantage of mineralized plant-available related dry organic by-products will not be nitrogen to minimize the potential for nitrogen applied to soils in months that are subject to losses due to denitrification or ammonia very frequent and frequent flooding as listed in volatilization. the soil data mart. This is more than a 50 percent chance of flooding in any month. Additional Criteria to Protect Air Quality by Reducing Odors, Nitrogen Emissions Animal manure and related organic by- and the Formation of Atmospheric will not be applied when wind products Particulates direction and velocity will cause drift onto public areas, roads, residential areas cross To address air quality concerns caused by property lines, or offsite. odor, nitrogen, sulfur, and/or particulate emissions; the source, timing, amount, and Animal manure and related organic by- placement of nutrients must be adjusted to products shall not be applied to root vegetable minimize the negative impact of these crops during the current growing season, or to other vegetable crops one-month or less emissions on the environment and human before harvest because of fecal bacterial health. One or more of the following may be contamination concerns. Dead animal used:

NRCS, NHCP April 2006 590 - 1

 incorporation laboratory analysis should be taken within the past year.  injection Excessive levels of some nutrients can cause  residue and tillage management induced deficiencies of other nutrients, e.g.,  no-till or strip-till high soil test phosphorus levels can result in zinc deficiency in corn.  other technologies that minimize the impact of these emissions Use soil tests, plant tissue analyses, and field observations to check for secondary plant Additional Criteria to Improve or Maintain nutrient deficiencies or toxicity that may impact the Physical, Chemical, and plant growth or availability of the primary Biological Condition of the Soil to nutrients. Enhance Soil Quality for Crop Production and Environmental Use the adaptive nutrient management Protection learning process to improve nutrient use efficiency on farms as outlined in the NRCS Nutrients shall be applied in such a manner National Nutrient Policy in GM 190, Part 402, as not to degrade the soil’s structure, Nutrient Management. chemical properties, or biological condition. Use of nutrient sources with high salt content Potassium should not be applied in situations will be minimized in seasonal high tunnels (or where an excess causes nutrient imbalances other areas where rainfall is restricted) unless in crops or forages. provisions are used to leach salts below the crop root zone. Workers should be protected from and avoid unnecessary contact with plant nutrient Time the application of nutrients to avoid sources. Extra caution must be taken when periods when field activities will result in soil dealing with organic wastes stored in compaction and/or tire ruts. unventilated enclosures. CONSIDERATIONS Material generated from cleaning nutrient application equipment should be utilized in an When available use application equipment that environmentally safe manner. Excess material utilizes rate controllers, GPS guidance, should be collected and stored or field applied automatic section control or any combination of in an appropriate manner. all 3 to improve application rate and placement of nutrients. Nutrient containers should be recycled in compliance with State and local guidelines or Use variable-rate nitrogen application based regulations. on expected crop yields, soil variability, or chlorophyll concentration. Considerations to Minimize Agricultural Nonpoint Source Pollution of Surface and Use variable-rate phosphorus, and potassium Groundwater and to Properly Utilize Manure or application rates based on site-specific Organic By-Products as a Plant Nutrient variability in crop yield, soil characteristics, soil Source. test values, and other soil productivity factors. In the conservation planning process the Develop site-specific yield maps using a yield planner should consider appropriate use of monitoring system. Use the data to further vegetated filters and/or manure application diagnose low- and high- yield areas, or zones, setback. Vegetated filters are conservation and make the necessary management practices designed to treat surface and changes. See Title 190, Agronomy Technical subsurface runoff to reduce the risk of Note (TN) 190.AGR.3, Precision Nutrient nutrient loss. Grass waterways, filter strips, Management Planning. and riparian forest buffers may be used to Use legume crops and cover crops to provide reduce the risk of nutrient loss on edge of nitrogen through biological fixation and nutrient fields where runoff occurs without treatment. recycling. Water bodies including streams (perennial and intermittent included on the USGS topo When creating a new plan or modifying an maps), concentrated flow areas that convey existing plan soil test and other needed water without treatment, ponds, lakes, and

Conservation practice standards are reviewed periodically and updated if needed. To obtain the current version of this standard, contact your Natural Resources Conservation Service NRCS, AL State Office or visit the Field Office Technical Guide. March 2013 Draft - 590 - 8 sinkhole should be evaluated to determine Use application methods and timing strategies the appropriate level of treatment. that reduce the risk of nutrient transport by Generally, a vegetated filter that meets the ground and surface waters, such as: Filter Strip (393), Riparian Forest Buffers (391) and/or Grass Waterway (412) standard  split applications of nitrogen to deliver should be installed and/or maintained on the nutrients during periods of maximum crop edges of the application field where runoff utilization, occurs to treat the runoff.  banded applications of nitrogen and/or Application setbacks should also be phosphorus to improve nutrient availability, considered when land applying animal  drainage water management to reduce manure or other organic by-products near nutrient discharge through drainage wells. These distances should be systems, and determined after considering topography, geology, wellhead protection, and the well  incorporation of surface-applied manures use. Generally, use a manure application or organic by-products. setback of 200 feet if the application site is Use the agricultural chemical storage facility located down-gradient from the well and 300 conservation practice to protect air, soil, and feet if the application site is located up- water quality. gradient from the well. Site-specific conditions may warrant adjustments to the Considerations to Protect Air Quality by application distance. Reducing Nitrogen and/or Particulate Emissions to the Atmosphere. Using conservation practices that slow runoff, reduce erosion, increase infiltration, and Manure application setbacks should be improve soil health will reduce the risk on considered in the conservation planning nutrient loss and should be considered in the process because of the odor and nuisance planning process. potential associated with animal manures and other wastes. These setbacks are separation Consider managed rotational grazing systems distances between the land application site that maintain minimum forage height, have and public areas. Dwellings, churches, proper stocking rates, provide sufficient hospital, school, parks, public roads and recovery time to promote the vigor of the plant property lines should be considered in community, and/or permit grazing only when determining the appropriate application soil moisture conditions support livestock traffic setback. Additionally, trees and/or shrub without excessive compaction. These systems screens that keep the application site from will improve soil health and minimize the risk of public view and influence air movement should nutrient loss. also be a consideration when determining the Use no-till/strip-till in combination with cover setback distance. Generally, a manure crops to improve soil health and soil function. application setback of 25 feet from property This improved soil function will sequester lines, 100 feet from public roads when nutrients, increase soil organic matter, applying waste with an irrigation system, and increase aggregate stability, reduce 50 feet from public roads with all other waste compaction, improve infiltration, and enhance applications should be considered. soil biological activity to improve nutrient use Soil injection or incorporation by tillage will efficiency. Use nutrient management reduce odor potential when applying animal strategies such as cover crops, crop rotations, manure and other organic nutrients Use high- and crop rotations with perennials to improve efficiency irrigation technologies (e.g., nutrient cycling and reduce energy inputs. reduced-pressure drop nozzles for center Apply manure at a rate that will result in an pivots) to reduce the potential for nutrient “improving” Soil Conditioning Index (SCI) losses. without exceeding acceptable risk of nitrogen or phosphorus loss. PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS The following components must be included in the nutrient management plan:

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

 for AFOs, a quantification of manure  dates of plan review, name of reviewer, produced in excess of crop nutrient and recommended changes resulting from requirements, and the review, and  a long-term strategy and proposed  all enhanced efficiency fertilizer products implementation timeline for reducing soil P used. to levels that protect water quality, Additional records for precision/variable rate sites must include: OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE  maps identifying the variable application Conduct periodic plan reviews to determine if source, timing, amount, and placement of adjustments or modifications to the plan are all plant nutrients applied, and needed. At a minimum, plans must be reviewed and revised, as needed with each  GPS-based yield maps for crops where soil test cycle, changes in manure volume or yields can be digitally collected. analysis, crops, or crop management. Fields receiving animal manures and/or REFERENCES biosolids must be monitored for the ADEM Administrative Code Chapter 335-6- accumulation of heavy metals and phosphorus 7, as amended (AFO/CAFO rule). in accordance with land- grant university guidance and State law. Alabama Cooperative Extension Service Circular ANR-790. Water Quality and Significant changes in animal numbers, Pollution Control Handbook. management, and feed management will necessitate additional manure analyses to Alabama Cooperative Extension Service establish a revised average nutrient content. Circular ANR-449. Nutrient Removal by Alabama Crops. Calibrate application equipment to ensure accurate distribution of material at planned Alabama Cooperative Extension Service rates. Circular ANR-450. Plant Diagnostic Lab Services. Document the nutrient application rate. When the applied rate differs from the planned rate, Association of American Plant Food Control provide appropriate documentation for the Officials (AAPFCO). 2011. AAPFCO change. Official Publication no. 64. AAPFCO Inc., Little Rock, AR. Records must be maintained for at least 5 years to document plan implementation and Follett, R.F. 2001. Nitrogen transformation and maintenance. As applicable, records include: transport processes. In Nitrogen in the environment; sources, problems, and  soil, plant tissue, water, manure, and solutions, (eds.) R.F. Follett and J. organic by-product analyses resulting in Hatfield, pp. 17-44. Elsevier Science recommendations for nutrient application, Publishers. The Netherlands. 520 pp.  quantities, analyses and sources of Mitchell, C.C. and G. Huluka 2012. The Basis nutrients applied, of Soil Testing in Alabama. Agronomy and Soils Departmental Series No 324A.  dates, and method(s) of nutrient Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station. applications, source of nutrients, and rates W. Batchelor, Director. Auburn University. of application, Mitchell, C.C. and G. Huluka 2012. Nutrient  weather conditions and soil moisture at the Recommendation Tables for Alabama time of application; lapsed time to manure Crops. Agronomy and Soils Departmental incorporation; rainfall or irrigation event, Series No 324B. Alabama Agricultural  crops planted, planting and harvest dates, Experiment Station. W. Batchelor, Director. yields, nutrient analyses of harvested Auburn University. biomass, and crop residues removed,

Nutrient Management Planning of Animal U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Feeding Operations, Alabama Resources Conservation Service. 2010. Cooperative Extension System and Agronomy Technical Note, (TN) 190-AGR- NRCS, January 1999. 3, Precision Nutrient Management Planning. Washington, DC. Schepers, J.S., and W.R. Ruan, (eds.) 2008. Nitrogen in agricultural systems. Agron. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Monogr. no. 49, American Society of Resources Conservation Service. 2011. Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of Title 190, General Manual, (GM), Part 402, America (CSSA), Soil Science Society of Nutrient Management. Washington, DC. America (SSSA). Madison, WI. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Sims, J.T. (ed.) 2005. Phosphorus: Agriculture Resources Conservation Service. 2011, and the environment. Agron. Monogr. no. Title 190, National Instruction (NI), Part 46. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, Madison, WI. 302, Nutrient Management Policy Implementation. Washington, DC. Stevenson, F.J. (ed.) 1982. Nitrogen in agricultural soils. Agron. Series 22. ASA, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural CSSA, and SSSA, Madison, WI. Resources Conservation Service, 2012. Soil Data Mart. United States Department Code of Federal Regulations: Title 40: Part 503 of Agriculture, Natural Resources —Standardsfor the use or disposal of Conservation Service. sewage sludge http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov http://yosemite.epa.gov/r10/water.nsf/NPD ES%2BPermits/Sewage U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural %2BS825/$FILE/503-032007.pdf Resources Conservation Service. 2002. National Agronomy Manual. 190-V. 3rd ed.

Conservation practice standards are reviewed periodically and updated if needed. To obtain the current version of this standard, contact your Natural Resources Conservation Service NRCS, AL State Office or visit the Field Office Technical Guide. March 2013 590 - 12

Table 1. Percent of total nitrogen which will be available for crop use†

Manure/litter type Application method Plant Available N

Solid/Semi-Solid Incorporated‡ /Injection 80%

Solid/Semi-Solid Surface Application 70%

Slurry/Liquid Incorporated/Injection 70%

Slurry/Liquid Surface Application 60%

† The amount of manure/litter nitrogen that will be available for crop use is influenced by many factors. The weather (rainfall and temperature) after application, method of application, the type and chemical makeup of the manure/litter will all affect the percent of N that will be available to a crop. Most laboratories will report total nitrogen in the manure/litter. This table is to be used to convert total nitrogen from a laboratory analysis to a plant available N for the next crop.

‡ Consider the application incorporated if the manure/litter is incorporated within five days of application.

NRCS, AL March 2013 590 - 1

Table 2. Nutrient Content of Livestock and Poultry Manure †

------Pounds per ton------

Total Nutrients Available Nutrients

M a n a g e m e n t S y s t em Annual Incorporated‡ Surface Applied Production§

P O K O P O K O P O K O PO UL T RY Lb of N 2 5 2 N 2 5 2 N 2 5 2 litter/bird/flock

1. Broiler, cornish, and roaster litter ¶ 68 58 45 54 58 45 48 58 45 cleaned yearly. 2. Broiler, cornish and roaster litter - 55 58 45 44 58 45 38 58 45 cleaned yearly and temporarily stored. 3. Caged layer manure, cleaned 30-60†† 37 57 46 30 57 46 26 58 48 annually.

4. Dead bird compost. - 61 58 45 49 58 45 43 58 45

5. Pullet and rooster breeder 4-6 36 57 35 29 57 35 25 57 35 replacement litter, cleaned yearly. 6. Pullet layer replacement litter, 4-6 49 57 35 39 57 35 34 57 35 cleaned yearly 7. Breeder hen and rooster litter, 25-45†† 40 53 35 32 53 35 28 53 35 cleaned yearly. † The nutrient content from animal waste management systems is highly variable. Waste analyses should be made to establish trends for the specific management system to determine the rates of application. ‡ Manure is incorporated into the soil within a time frame which prevents losses from volatilization. § Annual manure production can vary greatly depending on management; plans should be based on actual production data. In absence of actual production data use the following data. ¶ In absence of actual production data use the following: Broiler (4-5 lb bird) 2.0-2.2 lb of litter/bird/flock, Broiler (6-7 lb bird) 2.2-2.6 lb of litter/bird/flock, Cornish (2 lb bird) 0.9-1.1 lb of litter/bird/flock, Roaster (8-9 lb bird) 2.6-3.2 lb of litter/bird/flock. †† Annual manure production ranges is great as the result of the great range in moisture content of the manure/litter. The actual moisture of the litter should be considered in estimating annual production.

Table 3. Available Nitrogen Provided by Cover Crops or Previous Crop's Residue

Maximum Available Crop Nitrogen† lbs/ac

Arrowleaf Clover 95 Austrian Winter Pea 195 Ball Clover 90 Berseem Clover 105 Big Flower Vetch 120 Bur Clover 150 Caley Pea 65 Common Vetch 150 Crimson Clover 135 Hairy Vetch 155 Red Clover 95 Sub Clover 105 Soybeans 30 Sunn Hemp 100

† Maximum amount of available nitrogen to a following crop that is provided by legumes at full bloom. These values should be reduced according to account for less than optimum growth, poor stand or if grazed.

Table 4. Nutrient Removal by Selected Crops

Crop Unit Yield Nutrient Removal (lbs./acre/unit yield) N P2O5 K2O Bahiagrass hay 1 ton 25 7 42 Bermudagrass hay 1 ton 50 12 43 Clover hay 1 ton 40 10 40 Corn, grain 1 bu. 0.96 0.4 0.27 Corn, silage 1 ton (wet) 10 4 10 Cotton, lint & seed 1 bale 32 12 16 Oats, grain only 1 bu. 0.8 0.25 0.2 Oats, grain and straw 1 bu. 1.15 0.4 1.45 Pasture, bahia or bermuda 200 lbs. beef 6 5 1 Pasture, tall fescue 300 lbs. beef 9 7 1 Peanuts, nuts only 1 ton 70 11 16 Peanuts, nuts & vines 1 ton (of nuts) 120 15 93 Potatoes, sweet 1 bu. 0.13 0.06 0.32 Potatoes, white 100 cwt. 0.3 0.16 0.53 Sorghum, grain 1 bu. 0.79 0.45 0.23 Sorghum, silage 1 ton (wet) 10.5 4.4 10 Soybean, grain 1 bu. 3.8 0.8 1.5 Switchgrass hay 1 ton 23 6 46 Ryegrass hay 1 ton 33 12 34.1 Tall Fescue hay 1 ton 40 9 48 Tomatoes, fruit 100 cwt. 4.2 0.8 8.6 Wheat, grain 1 bu. 1.17 0.6 0.33 Wheat, grain & straw 1 bu. 1.67 0,67 2.03

Conservation practice standards are reviewed periodically and updated if needed. To obtain the current version of this standard, contact your Natural Resources Conservation Service NRCS, AL State Office or visit the Field Office Technical Guide. March 2013