U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Assistance in Connecticut Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans

What is a Comprehensive Nutrient produced such as manure from livestock, milk Management Plan? room waste water, runoff from contaminated A Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan surfaces, animal mortalities, and seepage from (CNMP) is a whole farm, progressive document. silage piles. A CNMP contains records of the current activities on a livestock operation, an evaluation If needed, the plan will provide a list of of the existing environmental risks, and structural practices, such as waste storage proposals to reduce the risk of negative impacts facilities, which contain or treat agricultural to the environment. The objective is to ensure wastes until they may be properly used on both farm production and environmental goals cropland. Practices to reduce contaminated (clean water, clean air, and healthy soils) are runoff such as roof gutters and surface water achieved on the farm. diversions are common components of CNMPs. CNMPs also cover farmstead safety and Who Should Have a CNMP? security. Anyone working with animals or applying manure to cropland could benefit. In A CNMP includes an erosion control plan for the Connecticut, large operations may be required fields that receive manure. The main objective to have a CNMP by the Connecticut State of this plan is to reduce the risk of manure Department of Energy and Environmental being washed off the fields by rain. The erosion Protection (DEEP) to be in compliance with U.S. and runoff control criteria for fields in a CNMP Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may be more demanding than the criteria used regulations. In addition, livestock farm owners to develop your current conservation plan. who have been notified by DEEP of environmental concerns on the farm may be Reducing odors associated with the storage and asked to have a CNMP. application of wastes is another part of a CNMP. Practices that reduce odors may help reduce The Natural Resources Conservation Service complaints from neighbors. (NRCS) requires a CNMP before providing financial assistance on any practice related to A nutrient management plan is part of a CNMP. the storage, management, or field application The nutrient management plan documents all of agricultural wastes. crop nutrient needs, soil test results, and application of all nutrients (including manure) Livestock producers applying for guaranteed to the fields. Soil testing and record keeping of loans from the Farm Service Agency (FSA) may everything going onto and everything coming also be required to have a CNMP. off of the fields are essential activities related to this part of the plan. What is Included in a CNMP? A CNMP documents the steps you have already Livestock operations without enough land to taken to protect the environment; as well as spread manure according to soil test results and identifying opportunities to further reduce risks crop needs may need a strategy to export to the quality of water, air, and soil resources. manure. In Connecticut, individuals and The objective is to balance the nutrients coming businesses may be interested in composted onto the farm with the nutrients leaving the manure for their fields or to use as potting farm. The plan documents agricultural wastes media. In addition to exporting manure, feed

USDA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND PROVIDER. Conservation Assistance in Connecticut Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans management and waste treatment are What Are My Responsibilities? additional steps farmers may consider to reduce The CNMP belongs to the producer. Therefore, nutrients. the producer needs to be actively involved in its development and implementation. Producer Why Should I Get a CNMP? responsibilities include: Having a CNMP developed for your farming • Determining cropping sequence and operation provides you a strategy for managing realistic yield goals for the crops produced. your farm’s soils and nutrients. Having and • Providing information about planned field following a CNMP may protect you from operations for each crop. regulatory actions in case of an accidental • Managing field operations to ensure soil manure spill or complaints about odors and loss from erosion is below established other nuisances associated with the levels. management and spreading of manure. • Testing soils for nutrient needs at least every three years and applying all nutrients In the case of a large manure spill or (including compost, manures, and other catastrophic livestock mortality, a CNMP will organic products) in accordance with the provide the information needed to properly University of Connecticut’s (UConn) Soil respond to these situations. Nutrient Analysis Laboratory recommendations.

How Do I Get a CNMP? • Providing soil test results for plan NRCS has staff certified to prepare CNMPs; development. some private sector agronomists and engineers • Providing a nutrient analysis of all are certified by NRCS as Technical Service agricultural wastes and other soil Providers (TSP) to prepare CNMPs. NRCS can amendments containing Nitrogen, provide you with contact information for TSPs Phosphorus, and Potassium. certified to practice in your area. Producers • Reviewing soil test and nutrient analysis may develop a CNMP on their own, as long as it results and participating in nutrient meets the requirements of EPA regulations. management plan development with NRCS

or other certified nutrient management NRCS can provide financial assistance for the specialists prior to fertilizer applications. development of a CNMP by a Technical Service • Calibrating application equipment to ensure Provider. The development of a CNMP may take agricultural wastes and other soil several months. Depending on NRCS workload, amendments are applied at the intended choosing a TSP may be a quicker way for a rate. producer to obtain a CNMP. • Observing all requirements for buffers and How Often Should I Revise My CNMP? setbacks. • Like any good plan, a CNMP should be reviewed Providing records of all nutrient, mulch, or regularly to ensure it still applies to the farm’s animal waste applications by field and current conditions. Updates are needed any amount applied.

time there are significant changes to the

operation (such as animal numbers or new facilities). NRCS recommends updating at least every five years to ensure the plan is current with standards and regulatory requirements.

How Do I Get Started? Your local NRCS office has experienced conservationists who can assist you in planning and implementing a CNMP. For more information contact: Hartford/Tolland Counties - (860) 688-7725 Windham County - (860) 779-0557 Fairfield/New Haven Counties - (203) 287-8038 Litchfield County - (860) 626-8258 Middlesex/New London Counties - (860) 887-3604

USDA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND PROVIDER.