590-1
NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE CONSERVATION PRACTICE STANDARD
NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT (acre) Code 590
DEFINITION Soil sampling procedures will be consistent with the most current version of USDA NRCS Fact Managing the amount, source, placement, form Sheet MN-NUTR3 (Soil Sampling and Fertilizer and timing of the applications of plant nutrients Recommendations). Nitrate testing and tissue and soil amendments. testing and analysis should be consistent with the most recent University of Minnesota PURPOSES Extension Service (UMES) guidance.
• Budget and supply nutrients for plant Soil samples will be analyzed at a soil-testing production. laboratory certified by the Minnesota Dept. of • Properly utilize manure or organic by-products Agriculture (MDA) on line at: as a plant nutrient source. http://www.mda.state.mn.us/licensing/pestfert/so • Minimize agricultural nonpoint source pollution ilabs.htm of surface and ground water resources • Protect air quality by reducing nitrogen B. NUTRIENT APPLICATION RATES emissions (ammonia and NOx compounds) and the formation of atmospheric particulates Nutrient application rate recommendations will • Maintain or improve the physical, chemical be based on crop nutrient budgeting, recent and biological condition of soil. proven yields, soil productivity information, climatic conditions, level of management, CONDITIONS WHERE PRACTICE APPLIES nutrient costs, expected return and University of Minnesota Extension Service guidelines. This practice applies to all lands where plant nutrients and soil amendments are applied. Crop Nutrient Budgeting Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium rate CRITERIA recommendations will be based on field and crop specific nutrient budgets. The budgets will: General Criteria Applicable to All Purposes a.) identify nutrients needed to achieve proven yields b.) deduct nutrients to be supplied from A. SOIL AND TISSUE SAMPLING AND LABORATORY sources including but not limited to soil organic ANALYSIS (TESTING) matter or residual soil nitrates, previous manure or organic by-product applications, irrigation Nutrient application recommendations will be water and legume crops grown either one or two based on field specific soil samples no older years prior to the planned crops; and c.) identify than 4 years. The samples shall be taken and additional commercial fertilizer including starter analyzed for phosphorus, potassium, pH, and fertilizer and/or manure needed to achieve the organic matter and for other nutrients or soil target yields. information needed to develop the nutrient • Credit for nutrients provided by legumes will management plan. Annual soil nitrate analysis be consistent with the most current UMES is encouraged on appropriate soils and for guidance. appropriate crops. Tissue testing is used when appropriate to help evaluate current crop year Proven Yields nutrient management decisions. • When Land Grant University guidelines are based on yield goals: NRCS-Minnesota September 2007
Conservation practice standards are reviewed periodically and updated if needed. To obtain the current version of this standard, contact the MN Natural Resources Conservation Service in your area, or download it from the electronic Field Office Technical Guide for Minnesota 590-2
ο Average the four highest of the previous considering cropping system limitations, climatic five years' yields for a specific crop to conditions and field accessibility. determine proven yields. Do this annually • Avoid fall application of urea ammonium to capture improved management and nitrate (UAN solution), ammonium nitrate (AN), hybrids. and other nitrate-nitrogen forms of commercial N i) Yield monitor data, field specific weigh fertilizer. wagon data or scale slips can be used • Delay fall applications of other N forms until to obtain historic yield information. soil temperatures are below 50 degrees F at a Yield monitor data may be more field six inch depth. and within field specific than other • Use Table 1 and Figure 1 to determine other data sources. soil/location combinations where fall commercial ο If long term data for an individual field is not N applications should be avoided available, use yield data from similar soil, • Manure and commercial nitrogen and cropping and management conditions phosphorus fertilizer shall not be applied to elsewhere on the farm or in the local area. frozen, snow-covered or actively thawing areas ο Industry yield recommendations may be having one or more of the following conditions: used for new crops or varieties until ο Within 300 feet of sensitive features documented yield information is available. including surface waters, surface tile • When Land Grant University guidelines are intakes, sinkholes, water supply wells, based on soil productivity, nutrient costs and mines and quarries expected returns: ο Uncontrolled ephemeral erosion ο Historic yield data can also be used to ο Frequently flooded soils capture site specific soil variability, climatic ο Beyond 300 feet of sensitive features no conditions and management skills. solid manure applications when sheet and rill soil losses are greater that 4 tons per University of Minnesota Extension (UMES) acre per year and no fertilizer or liquid Guidelines manure applications when sheet and rill Recommended nutrient application rates shall soil losses are greater than 2 tons per match UMES fertilizer and nutrient guidelines as acre per year closely as possible (See “Additional Criteria” ο Any actively thawing field draining to below for exceptions when applying manure or surface waters organic by-products). NRCS specialists will consider contiguous land grant university C. NUTRIENT APPLICATION METHODS recommendations on a case by case basis. If UMES or contiguous land grant universities do Application methods shall be employed that not provide specific recommendations reduce the risk of nutrient transport to surface application shall be based on proven yields and and ground water, or into the atmosphere. associated plant nutrient removal information. • The application rate (in/hr) for liquid material • Soil amendments shall be applied, as needed, including irrigation water shall not result in runoff to adjust soil pH to the specific range of the crop or ponding (application rate shall not exceed the for optimum availability and utilization of soil infiltration rate). Infiltration rates can be nutrients. determined by examining soil permeability data • Band or row apply P2O5 applications when for the most restrictive topsoil layer. Total possible to reduce needed per acre rate. application shall not exceed the amount of water • Deviation from UMES guidelines is allowed on needed to bring soil moisture content to field a case by case basis. Consult the most current capacity within the rooting zone at the time of version of USDA-NRCS Minn. Amendment application. The actual rate shall be adjusted (Nutrient Management Planning) to 180-VI during application to avoid ponding or runoff. National Planning Procedures Handbook for Stop applications if runoff or ponding is detail. observed. • Incorporate fertilizers containing phosphorus B. NUTRIENT APPLICATION TIMING within a few days of application or within 24 hours if precipitation is imminent. Application timing shall correspond as closely as • Incorporate surface or broadcast applications possible with plant nutrient uptake, while of Urea and UAN solution within three days.
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Table 2 summarizes the following guidance. • Drinking Water Supply Management Areas • Fields delivering runoff to surface waters (DWSMAs) and Source Water Protection Areas ο Maintain a 25 foot separation between (SWPAs) surface waters and applied manure. Utilize regional nitrogen and phosphorus Best ο Inject or incorporate manure within 24 management practices in DWSMAs and SWPAs hours and prior to rainfall if within 300 feet having medium to high vulnerability to of surface waters (if no filter strip separates contamination. the site from the receiving water). • Active or inactive water supply wells, mines, E. CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT UNIT (CMU) quarries, sinkholes receiving surface runoff, or RISK ASSESSMENT. other direct conduits to ground water. ο Immediately incorporate commercial CMU (field or portion of field) risk assessments nitrogen fertilizer and inject or incorporate of the potential for nutrient transport from the manure within 24 hours and prior to rainfall area will be determined as follows: on fields draining to these features ο Do not apply manure within 50 feet Potential off-field nitrogen transport will be • Established grassed waterways, ditches and determined using Figure 1 and Table 1 in: other water conveyances. Do not apply manure. • Areas with an identified nitrogen-related Irrigated applications are allowable on a case by water quality impairment. case basis on within-field grassed waterways. • DWSMAs and SWPAs with medium to high • Surface Tile Intakes. Within 300 feet inject or vulnerability to contamination. incorporate manure within 24 hours. • Areas having High or Very High pollution • Coarse-Textured Soils sensitivity of the water table or surficial aquifer ο Sidedress or split apply commercial as portrayed in a County Geologic Atlas or nitrogen fertilizer on coarse textured soils Regional Hydrogeologic Assessment. (no fall applications). ο Use a nitrification inhibitor with early Potential off-field phosphorus transport will sidedressed nitrogen on labeled crops be determined: ο Avoid fall liquid manure applications or • Within phosphorus impaired watersheds by delay applications until daily average soil using the University of Minnesota’s Phosphorus temperatures at a six-inch depth are below Site Index for fields receiving only commercial 50 degrees F. fertilizer applications. • Fields with excessive soil loss Do not apply • On any CMU receiving or proposed to manure or commercial fertilizers on fields with receive manure or other organic by-product by sheet and rill soil losses greater than 6 using the NRCS Phosphorus Loss Potential and tons/acre/year or uncontrolled ephemeral Manure Application Rates Table (Table 3). erosion. Additional Criteria Applicable to Manure and • Fractured bedrock and High water table soils Organic By-Products Applied as a Plant ο Do not fall apply commercial nitrogen Nutrient Source fertilizer on fields with less than 36 inches
of soil above fractured bedrock. The preceding “General Criteria Applicable to All ο Maintain a separation distance of at least Purposes” applies to manure and organic by- 15 inches between manure and fractured products including use of proven yields; nutrient bedrock or high water table. budgets, and application method and timing • Soils Classified by NRCS as frequently restrictions in sensitive areas. flooded ο Incorporate commercial fertilizer A. MANURE AND ORGANIC BY-PRODUCTS applications within 24 hours during peak SAMPLING AND LABORATORY ANALYSIS (TESTING) flood periods. ο Do not apply manure during the period Nutrient values of manure and other organic by- when flooding is expected and incorporate products will be sampled and analyzed from all within 48 hours on cropland fields during “significant” manure sources on the farm to help other times of the year. make accurate nutrient rate recommendations. For purposes of this standard, “significant” means manure and bedding from 15 or more
NRCS-Minnesota September 2007 590-4 animal units. Significant sources with similar • Manure or organic by-product application animal types, housing, feed management and rates will be based on analyses of the material. handling can be considered the same source if Published book nutrient content table values can cumulative samples over time indicate minimal only be used for: a) initial generalized planning variation between the different confinement and proposed new facilities, or b) estimating areas. quantity of manure or nutrients in manure from a limited number of animals (e.g. less than 15 Sampling animal units). Published nutrient values can be • Samples will be collected and analyzed at found in Chapter 4 of the NRCS Agricultural each emptying (except daily scrape and haul) for Waste Management Field Handbook (AWMFH) at least 3 consecutive years. or the most recent versions of Midwest Plan ο Samples from daily spreading operations Service's Livestock Waste Facilities Handbook. should be collected and analyzed at least 4 Values used must be acceptable to the MPCA times (seasonally) per year for feedlot permitting purposes. ο Sampling frequencies can be reduced to • Nutrient concentration data from the current every other emptying when cumulative test system’s cumulative manure analyses or data results indicate minimal variation in N and P from the most recent samples taken will be used nutrient concentrations (less than 20% as the starting point when calculating manure difference between high and low values). nutrient available to crops. ο Always retest manure following changes in • Calculating 1st, 2nd or 3rd year nutrients conditions affecting manure nutrient content available to crops from manure will be consistent including unusual climatic conditions or with procedures and availability percentages changes in manure storage and handling, found in the most current version of form USDA- livestock types or livestock feed. NRCS MN-CPA-35 (Manure Nutrient Crediting). • Sampling techniques shall be consistent with Some deviation from suggested nutrient manure the most current versions of UMES’ publication credits is allowed (Consult the most current Livestock Manure Sampling; and USDA-NRCS- version of USDA-NRCS Minn. Amendment MN’s Fact Sheet MN-NUTR6. - Manure (Nutrient Management Planning) to 180-VI Sampling and Analysis. National Planning Procedures Handbook for ο Sampling from the manure application detail.) equipment is preferred. Sampling from stored manure may be allowed on a case General by case basis. • Limit rates to approximately 3,000 gallons liquid or 10 tons solid per acre when applying Analysis onto existing legumes (unless higher rates have • Analyze at a minimum, for total nitrogen, been shown to not damage the forage and phosphorus and potassium concentrations and runoff potential to nearby waters is low). percent moisture content. Organic nitrogen • Do not recommend rates that the application concentration is also useful. The analyses equipment cannot deliver. should be expressed as or converted to pounds • Do not recommend multiple rates within a per ton or per 1000 gallons of Total N, P2O5 and management area unless variable rate manure K2O. application equipment is available. • Use MDA certified labs to perform the • Do not recommend a different rate on each of analysis: numerous fields unless the producer has the http://www.mda.state.mn.us/licensing/pestfert/m capability and time to apply at those rates. anurelabs.htm • Soil salt content may rise in low rainfall areas ο Use of on-site analytical kits is permitted if receiving long-term applications of manure. endorsed by the MDA, UMES or MPCA. Reduce application rates or rotate field • Retain records of manure analysis for 6 applications when salinity levels measured as years and use to determine if nutrient electrical conductivity of a saturated paste concentrations vary within and between years. extract exceed from 2-12 mmhos/cm. dependent on crop salt tolerances. Consult B. MANURE AND ORGANIC BY-PRODUCTS RATES Chapters 5, 6, and 11 of the AWMFH for additional detail.
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Nitrogen because of flooding situations. If applications • Application rates can be based on UMES are necessary. nitrogen recommendations and nitrogen budgeting regardless of crop phosphorus and ο Apply only once in a three-year period to potassium needs except as noted below under the same location in CRP fields. phosphorus ο Apply on areas furthest from receiving ο Use estimated nitrogen removal in waters or having gentlest slopes or having lowest Soil Test Phosphorus levels. harvested plant biomass when UMES nitrogen recommendations do not apply ο Do not apply when the ground is frozen, snow covered or actively thawing. (e.g. legumes). ο Do not apply on soils classified by USDA- Phosphorus NRCS as frequently flooded. Manure application rates can also be calculated ο Do not apply organic nutrients to the entire based on crop or forage P2O5 removal rates and field. Leave large enough portions of the phosphorus budgeting. Table 3 defines when field undisturbed to provide nesting and manure applications must be based on cover habitat for wildlife. phosphorus removal. ο Maintain vegetation on CRP fields at no less than an 80% cover condition after Crop or forage harvested plant biomass P2O5 application. removal rates can be based on one year, ο Repair and reseed areas damaged by multiple years, or all years of the crop rotation application of organic nutrients provided the rate does not exceed the recommended nitrogen application rate during • Base application rates on the amount needed the year of application and the total amount of to supply 30 lbs./ac. total nitrogen (N) on coarse P2O5 applied over the entire crop sequence does textured soils and 60 lbs./ac. N on other soil not exceed the sequence’s calculated types (increase to 80 lbs./ ac. N on other than phosphorus removal needs. coarse textured soils for drag hose applications if the 60 lb./ac. rate cannot be applied). Inorganic nitrogen applications may be required • Periodically test for soil P content and cease to supply, but not exceed, the recommended applications when test results indicate 75 ppm or amounts of nitrogen in any given year when higher Bray 1 phosphorus (60 ppm Olsen). manure or organic by-products are applied on a phosphorus budgeting basis. Additional Criteria to Protect Air Quality by Reducing Nitrogen and/or Particulate
Emissions to the Atmosphere C. MANURE AND ORGANIC BY-PRODUCTS TIMING,
PLACEMENT AND INCORPORATION • In areas with an identified or designated
nutrient management related air quality concern, • Broadcast applications. Incorporate within a any component of nutrient management few days of any application (as soon as possible identified by risk assessment tools as potentially when wintertime applications are allowed). contributing to atmospheric pollution shall be • Existing legume stands. Apply immediately adjusted, as necessary, to minimize the loss(es). after cutting • When tillage can be performed, surface • Vulnerable sites. Manure applications should applications of manure, other on-farm organic not be made on sites considered vulnerable to nitrogen sources and fertilizer nitrogen off-site phosphorus transport unless appropriate formulations subject to volatilization (e.g., urea) conservation practices, best management shall be incorporated into the soil within 24 practices or management activities are used to hours after application. reduce transport potential. • When manure or organic by-products are
applied to grassland, hayland, pasture or Additional Criteria for Nutrient Applications minimum-till areas the rate, form and timing of onto Idled Land with a Perennial Cover, CRP application(s) shall be managed to minimize or Similar Land volatilization losses.
• Irrigated liquid forms of manure shall be • Apply organic nutrients only in emergency applied when humidity is high, and little or no situations such as inability to spread on cropland
NRCS-Minnesota September 2007 590-6 wind is blowing and/or other conditions that The single application or lifetime limits of heavy minimize volatilization losses metals shall not be exceeded. The • Operators will handle and apply poultry litter concentration of salts shall not exceed the level or other dry types of animal manures when the that will impair seed germination or plant growth. potential for wind-driven loss is low and there is Consult Minnesota Rule R. Chapter 7041 and less potential for transport of particulates into the Chapters 5, 6, and 11 of the NRCS Agricultural atmosphere. Waste Management Field Handbook (AWMFH) • When sub-surface applied using an injection for additional details. system, manure and other organic materials shall be placed at a depth and applied at a rate CONSIDERATIONS that minimizes leaks onto the soil surface, while minimizing disturbance to the soil surface and The use of management activities and plant community. technologies listed in this section, although not • Weather and climatic conditions during required, may improve both the production and manure or organic by-product application(s) environmental performance of nutrient shall be recorded and maintained in accordance management systems. with the operation and maintenance section of this standard. The addition of these management activities, when applicable, increases the management Additional Criteria to Improve the Physical, intensity of the system and should be Chemical and Biological Condition of the considered in a nutrient management system. Soil • Use winter cover crops to capture unused • Nutrients shall be applied and managed in a soil nitrogen for recycling to later crops. This manner that maintains or improves the physical, practice is effective when adequate soil chemical and biological condition of the soil. moisture is available to the cover crop; and • Minimize the use of nutrient sources with when length of the remaining growing season high salt content unless provisions are made to will permit sufficient cover crop growth. leach salts below the crop root zone. • Plan additional conservation practices such • To the extent practicable nutrients shall not as filter strips or riparian buffers to reduce be applied on medium and fine textured soils transport of attached and dissolved nutrients to when the potential for soil compaction and surface waters and sinkholes. rutting is high (soil moisture content is at field • Inject or incorporate manure and other capacity). organic by-products within 24 hours on all fields within a watershed listed as having Criteria Applicable to Municipal Wastewater surface water quality impairment due to and Biosolids (Sewage Sludge) Applied as a nutrients Plant Nutrient Source • Delay manure or organic by-product applications if precipitation capable of Biosolids shall be sampled, analyzed and producing runoff and erosion is forecast within applied in accordance with USEPA regulations. 24 hours of the time of the planned application. (40 CFR Parts 403 (Pretreatment) and 503 • Prioritize and scheduling fields for manure (Biosolids); Minnesota Rule R. chapter 7041 and applications based on gentleness of slope, other local regulations regarding the use of lowest Soil Test Phosphorus levels and biosolids as a nutrient source. Consult greatest distance from sensitive features. Minnesota Rule Chapter 7041 for detail • Consider travel time and route to fields when including application timing restrictions. scheduling fields for manure applications. Minimize travel time on roads and highways. When biosolids are applied, the accumulation of • Select the lesser of the following winter-time potential pollutants (including arsenic, cadmium, manure application rates: a) 5000 gallons or copper, lead, mercury, selenium, and zinc) in the 12 tons per acre (swine, dairy or beef); 4 tons soil shall be monitored in accordance with the per acre poultry, or b) rates necessary to US Code, Reference 40 CFR, Parts 403 and satisfy crop P removal in the harvested 503, Minnesota Rule R. chapter 7041and/or any portions of the desired crop. applicable state and local laws or regulations.
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• Use products or materials (e.g. nitrification scheduled for wintertime manure applications inhibitors, urease inhibitors and slow or should also be shown. controlled release fertilizers) that may improve • An identification of sensitive features requiring the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of the special attention and the practices to use in nutrient management system by reducing those sensitive areas. losses of nitrogen into water and/or air. • Current or planned plant production sequence • When fertigating consider applying irrigation or crop rotation and type(s) of surface residue water in accordance with NRCS standard management. Irrigation Water Management (Code 449) • A field specific schedule of nutrient • Consider morning manure applications to applications to include minimize odor if applications on warm days are ο Per acre annual rates (Express rates for necessary. commercial fertilizer as pounds/acre N, • Use "good neighbor practices." These P2O5 and K2O. Expressing as pounds or practices include not spreading manure: a.) gallons/acre of a specific product or form is before holidays and weekends when people also encouraged). Rates for manure will be are engaged in outdoor activities; b.) near expressed as tons/acre or gallons/acre. heavily traveled highways; c.) when wind ο Form of the nutrient would blow odors toward populated areas, and ο Timing of applications including anticipated d.) on calm, humid days on fields in close month(s) of application(s) proximity to residences and roadways. Also ο Frequency of application (if applied more consider injection or incorporation within 24 than once in the cropping year to the same hours if applied on sites within 300 feet of field) residences and 1000 feet of roads ο Application method including time to incorporation PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS ο Amount of N, P2O5 and K2O available to plants at prescribed commercial fertilizer Nutrient management plans shall be developed and manure application rates in accordance with this standard and with the • Information, calculations and data used to NRCS General Manual Title 450, Part 401.03 develop the schedule of nutrient applications and title 190, Part 402; and the NRCS National ο Results of soil, water, manure and/or Planning Procedures Handbook (NPPH). organic by-product sample analyses The plans shall specify the source, amount, ο Plant tissue test results, if appropriate form, timing and method of application of ο Soil types and slopes used for planning nutrients on each field to achieve realistic purposes production goals, while minimizing nitrogen and/or phosphorous movement to surface ο realistic yield goals for the crops to be and/or ground waters. grown ο Listing and quantification of available Nutrient management plans shall include a nutrient sources statement that the plan was developed based on ο Complete nutrient budgets for the crop. requirements of the current standard and any This information includes calculations used applicable Federal, state, or local regulations, to determine N, P2O5 and K2O available to policies, or programs, which may include the the crop from manure applications. implementation of other practices and/or • A record of the phosphorous and nitrogen management activities. Changes in any of these risk assessment ratings for each field if required) requirements may necessitate a revision of the and practices to reduce risk of phosphorus and plan. nitrogen movement. Operation, maintenance and recordkeeping guidance Nutrient management plan components will • Additionally, the following plan component will include: be added if STP levels are at or greater than 21 ppm Bray P1 (16 ppm Olsen) and increases in • A soil map and an aerial photo or map clearly soil phosphorus levels are expected: identifying fields and acreage receiving ο The soil phosphorous level at which it may recommendations. Sensitive features should be desirable to convert to phosphorus be shown on the maps if possible. Fields based implementation.
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ο The potential for soil phosphorus is uniform so that the amount specified for a drawdown from the production and particular area is applied across the entirety of harvesting of crops. that area. • Additionally, the following plan components, • Protect commercial fertilizer and agricultural will be added when manure is utilized as a waste storage facilities from weather and source of nutrients: accidental leakage or spills. ο A description of the size and kind of • Obtain a chemigation permit from the MDA if livestock present including quantity of planning to apply chemicals through an irrigation organic materials produced during the system. All chemigation systems must be fitted planning period. with effective anti-backsiphon devices or check ο Description of the manure storage and valves to prevent backflow into water supplies. handling system including application • Store excess material in an appropriate equipment and labor needed to apply the manner for future use. organic nutrient source. • Wastewater resulting from flushing application ο Annual amount of nitrogen and phosphorus equipment shall be kept away from wells, from manure that will need to be land streams, ponds, lakes or other water bodies and applied. out of sinkholes and high runoff areas. ο Description of the manure nutrient testing • Minimize exposure to manure gases and practices (methods, frequency) organic wastes and chemical fertilizers- ο Description of equipment calibration particularly ammonia forms of fertilizers. Wear practices protective clothing, a respirator, gloves and ο Cover crop to be planted when applying footwear when appropriate. See Minnesota manure in summer to harvested fields that Rule Chapter 1513 for rules addressing would otherwise not have actively growing Anhydrous Ammonia. crops for the remainder of the season. http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/arule/1513/ Also see MDA’s Anhydrous Ammonia Program OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE at http://www.mda.state.mn.us/chemicals/fertilizers The owner/client is responsible for safe /nh3.htm operation and maintenance of this practice • Follow all local, state and federal regulations including all equipment. Operation and regarding the transport, storage and disposal of maintenance addresses the following: fertilizers and fertilizer containers. See Minnesota Statute 18C at: A. PLAN UPDATES http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/stats/18C/ • Report all agricultural chemical incidents to All plan components will be annually reviewed the state duty officer at 1-800-422-0798 (Greater and updated on a regular basis but at least with Minnesota) or 1-651-649-5451 (Twin Cities each soil test cycle. However plan component 4 Metropolitan Area). will be annually updated when manure or other organic by-products are utilized as a nutrient C. RECORD-KEEPING source or when soil nitrate tests are used to develop recommendations Maintain records to document plan Older versions of plans should be saved for a implementation and help develop succeeding period of 5 years or longer. nutrient management plans. As applicable records include: B. OPERATION • Field specific crop, yields, planting and harvest dates and residues removed, • Calibrate application equipment to ensure that • Type and analysis of nutrient applied to each commercial fertilizer or manure applications do field (commercial fertilizer, manure etc.) not deviate by more than approximately 15% Application rate, method, date, timing and from planned rates. location (Indicate reasons for differences when • Maintain application equipment in good actual application differs from planned operating condition. applications) • Clean equipment after nutrient application. Insure that the application or spreading pattern
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• Weather conditions and soil moisture at the • MDNR Regulated Wetlands time of application; lapsed time to manure Includes all wetlands or other surface water incorporation, rainfall or irrigation event. features identified on MDNR protected waters • Manure and soil test results. and wetlands inventory maps. Protected Water Additionally the following records should be kept Inventory Maps are available in local SWCD and when manure and organic by-products are used NRCS offices or can be obtained on-line at: as a nutrient source: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/watermgmt_s • Quantity of manure and other organic by- ection/pwi/maps.html products produced annually. • Coarse Textured Soils • Dates and amount of manure removed from For purpose of this standard applies to the the system due to feeding, energy production, or surface soil texture and/or the subsoil texture export from the operation including: within three feet of the surface. These textures ο Manure transported off-site to land not include sand, loamy sand, loamy coarse sand, owned or controlled (include location of site fine sand, loamy fine sand, loamy very fine and per acre application rate). sand, coarse sand, very fine sand, and any of ο Manure transported off-site to be used for the above listed textures with gravelly or very other than a crop nutrient. gravelly modifiers. ο Name and address of commercial hauler or applicator receiving manure. The percent of coarse textured soils contained within a planning unit necessary to make the Records should be maintained for six years or whole unit susceptible to leaching will vary by for a longer period if required by local site, contiguous nature of the map unit and ordinances. planner and producer objectives. However the entire planning unit will be considered DEFINITIONS susceptible to leaching if at least 33% coarse textured soils are present either in the surface • Commercial Fertilizers soil or subsoil as defined above. Products with a guaranteed analysis displayed • Surface Waters in accordance with Minnesota's Fertilizer Soil For purposes of this standard include lakes, Amendment and Plant Amendment Law perennial streams, MDNR regulated wetlands, (Minnesota Statue 18C). off-field intermittent streams, off-field drainage • Crop Nutrient Removal Rates ditches, and other water bodies considered Removal rates for purposes of this standard are locally important. the quantity of N, P2O5 or K2O taken up by a specific crop or crop rotation and removed in the REFERENCES and ADDITIONAL harvested portion of that crop. Some databases INFORMATION express removal as elemental P and K and must Waterborne Pathogens in Agricultural be converted to P2O5 or K2O. • Filter Strips Watersheds. NRCS Watershed Science For purposes of this standard are strips of Institute Technical Note. June 2000. ungrazed permanent perennial plant species with growth patterns conducive to retarding Reddy, K.R., R. Kahleel, and M.R. Overcash. runoff flow velocities. Strip establishment shall 1981. Behavior and Transport of Microbial be consistent with the most current version of Pathogens and Indicator Organisms in Soils USDA-NRCS-MN Conservation Practice Treated with Organic Wastes. J. Environ. Standard 393 Filter Strip and with state rules. Qual. 3:255-266
• Intermittent Streams Most information, guidance and aides needed to Include off-field drainage channels with manage nutrients and develop nutrient definable banks that provide for seasonal water management plans are located at: flow to a perennial stream, lake or wetland or http://www.mn.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/ecs/nutri water flow during snowmelt or rainfall events. ent/nutrient.html These can be located on topographic maps, soil survey maps or by conducting on-site Sensitive Water Bodies GIS Project. USDA- evaluations. NRCS in Minnesota. February 2005
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NITROGEN LOSS POTENTIAL FOR MINNESOTA
Potential off-field nitrogen transport will be determined in: • Areas with an identified nitrogen-related water quality impairment • DWSMAs and SWPAs with medium to high vulnerability to contamination • Areas having High or Very High pollution sensitivity of the water table or surficial aquifer as portrayed in a County Geologic Atlas or Regional Hydrogeologic Assessment
Table 1 and Figure 1 can be used to help determine regional potentials for nitrogen loss. The figure and table have been modified from similar tables and figures found in Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station Report 186. 1983. Nitrogen Loss Potential and Nitrogen Fertilizer Management of Minnesota Soils.
N management options that reduce loss potential will be recommended if a client's existing nutrient management program rates moderate to very high. Consult information contained in this standard and in UMES' Series of regional N-BMPs publications to help suggest management options. Options include: changing from fall application to spring pre-plant or sidedress or split applications, using an ammonia form of N fertilizer; or in certain instances using a nitrification inhibitor.
Please note that the management option of most importance in Southeast Minnesota and on coarse textured soils statewide is eliminating fall application of commercial N fertilizers.
Table 1: Long Term Annual Relative Nitrogen Loss Potential1 Figure 1: Nitrogen Loss Zones
Soil Texture2 Zone Application Method Coarse Medium Fine A Fall VH H M Spring preplant H M M Sidedress or split M L L
B Fall VH M M Spring preplant H L L Sidedress or split3 M L L
C,D Fall VH L L Spring preplant H L L Sidedress or split3 M L L
E Fall M L L Spring preplant L L L Sidedress or split3 L L L
F Fall H L L Spring preplant M L L Sidedress or split3 M L L
1Potential Rating: VH-Very High, H-High, M-Moderate, L-Low 2Soil Texture: See definitions section 3 If applied after June 15, the loss rating is reduced to Low on Coarse textured soils. However, late nitrogen applications on most soils that are followed by conditions that reduce yield (i.e. below average precipitation) can cause nitrogen loss to occur due to the crop not utilizing the applied nitrogen. To reduce the potential for this to occur on corn ground, apply no later than the 8th leaf stage.
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Table 2: Summary Nutrient Application Restrictions in Sensitive Areas
Winter Applications Environmentally Sensitive Non-Winter Applications (When soil is frozen, snow- Features covered or actively thawing) Without a Filter Strip –
Within 25 Feet of surface waters - Do Not Apply Manure
Within 300 Feet of surface waters - Inject or incorporate manure within 24 hours
Surface Waters - If soil test phosphorous levels exceed 21 ppm Bray P1 or 16 ppm Within 300 Feet - Intermittent Streams, Olsen - Apply Manure at Phosphorous Removal Rates Do Not Apply Manure DNR Protected Wetlands,
Drainage Ditches without Berms,
Lakes, Streams With a Filter Strip –
100 Feet Wide around Lakes and Streams
50 Feet Wide around Intermittent Streams, DNR Protected Wetlands, Drainage Ditches without Berms
Manure may be applied outside of the filter strip area Within 300 Feet – Inject or incorporate manure within 24 hours Within 300 Feet - Open (Surface) Tile Intakes Do Not Apply Manure Within 50 Feet - Do Not Apply Manure Water Supply Wells (Active or Inactive), Mines, Quarries Within 300 Feet - Within 300 Feet – Inject or incorporate manure within 24 hours Do Not Apply Manure
Sinkholes - Within 50 Feet - Do Not Apply receiving surface runoff (MPCA),
and other direct conduits to ground water (NRCS) Within 300 Feet - Inject or incorporate manure within 24 hours Within 300 Feet - Do Not Apply Manure Do Not Apply Directly Into Road Ditches
Fields with sheet and rill losses Do Not Apply Manure or commercial fertilizer greater than 6 tons/acre/year
Fields with uncontrolled Do Not Apply Manure ephemeral erosion Established Waterways, Ditches and other water Do Not Apply Manure conveyance systems
During usual peak flooding periods, do not apply manure Do not apply manure
Frequently Flooded Soils When the probability of flooding is low, incorporate manure within 2 Do not apply commercial nitrogen as classified by NRCS days or phosphorous fertilizer
During usual peak flooding periods, Incorporate commercial fertilizer applications within 24 hours
Apply manure in a manner that maintains at least 15 inches of soil separation between applied manure Fractured Bedrock and fractured bedrock
Apply manure in a manner that maintains at least 15 inches of soil separation between applied manure High Water Table Soils and the high water table
In Fall, Delay manure applications until daily average soil temperatures at a 6-inch depth are below 50 degrees F.
Coarse Textured Soils In Fall, Avoid liquid manure applications when possible In Fall, Do not apply commercial nitrogen fertilizer
Use sidedress or split applications of commercial nitrogen fertilizer
NRCS-Minnesota September 2007 590-12
TABLE 3. PHOSPHORUS LOSS POTENTIAL AND MANURE APPLICATION RATES
Potential off-field phosphorus transport will be evaluated: o Within watersheds impaired because of phosphorus will be determined for fields receiving only commercial fertilizer applications by using the University of Minnesota’s Phosphorus Site Index. o On any CMU receiving or proposed to receive manure or other organic by-products will be determined using the following table
Distance to Surface Water Soil Test Phosphorous (STP) Levels Sheet and Rill Erosion Field Edge Filter Strip (100 Feet Wide) (feet) Bray P1 (ppm) Olsen (ppm) Tons/Acre/Yr No Yes
Base Manure Application on: NA >6 No Application < 21 < 16 <6 Nitrogen Needs 22 - 75 17 – 60 <6 Nitrogen Needs3 < 300 P2O5 Removal 1 76 - 150 61 – 120 <6 P2O5 Removal/P-Index
<2 P2O5 Removal > 150 >120 No Application 2 2-6 No Application/P-Index < 76 < 61 <6 Nitrogen Needs/P-Index3 76 – 150 61 – 120 <6 Nitrogen Needs/P-Index3
> 300 3 <4 1 Nitrogen Needs/P-Index P2O5 Removal/P-Index > 150 > 120 1 4-6 P2O5 Removal/P-Index
1. Can apply manure at a nitrogen based rate if current or proposed management results in a Minn. Phosphorus Index value of ≤ 1.5 2. Can apply manure on a P2O5 removal basis if current or proposed management results in a Minn. Phosphorus Index value of ≤ 1.5 3. Run Minn. Phosphorus Risk Index if site review indicates N based rates may be too high. Change to a P2O5 Removal basis if current or proposed management results in an index value of > 1.5
Nitrogen Needs – For non-legumes, follow University of Minnesota nitrogen recommendations found in the most recent publication. For legumes, use annual crop nitrogen removal rates.
See the definition Section for a description of surface waters.
NRCS-Minnesota September 2007