Getting More NM Planning

WI Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

Selling Nutrient ManagementGetting Conservation ComplianceReporting

Sue.Porter@wi.gov 608-224-4605Sara.Walling@wi.gov; 608-224-4501

Why Should WI Agriculture Promote Nutrient Management Planning?

Agriculture is a $59 billion annual business responsible for more than 10% of jobs in the state,

so it’s essential that we protect our agricultural lands, food, and consumers

http://datcp.wi.gov/index.aspx

WI Agricultural Water Quality Performance Standards WI Stats. Ch. 92 & 281 NR151 & ATCP 50 Wis. Admin. Codes

– Meet tolerable soil loss (T) on cropped fields– Follow 590 NM plan technical standard– Prevent direct runoff from feedlots or stored manure to

waters of the state– Limit livestock access along waters to maintain vegetative

cover– Maintain manure storage structures to prevent leaking and

overflow– Follow manure storage technical standards for

constructing and abandoning Near surface water or areas susceptible to groundwater contamination

– Do not stack manure in an unconfined pile– Divert clean water away from feedlots, manure storage,

and barnyards

Why NM Planning?

It’s Updated Annually to Protect Profitability and Water Quality Why NM Planning?

Follows NRCS 590 standard

Soil tests measure field pH and available crop nutrients

Accounts for all N-P-K applied to fields each year of the crop rotation

Farms can be required to follow a NM Plan with a $28/ac cost share offer or when: Regulated under a County Ordinance for

manure storage or livestock siting

Participating in a Farmland Preservation Zoned District or AEA

Regulated under a DNR WPDES permit

Causing a pollution discharge to waters of the state

Requires that qualified planners prepare the plan:

• Certified Crop Adviser (CCA)(CCA-PAg)

• Soil Scientist (SSSA) • Professional Crop

Consultant (NAICC-CPCC)

• Farmer planners

5

Providing Technical Assistance

Helps to manage applications of nutrients to fields to maximize profitability and minimize runoff risks to groundwater and surface water

A 5 Acre Soil Sample every 4 years costs about $1/ac/year to determine if nutrients are needed.

Fertilizer could cost $100/ac/yr

Producers are able to track crops, nutrient applications, and calculate soil conservation by field using Snap Plus

Why NM Planning?Nutrient management plans must be based on soil tests performed by DATCP certified soil testing laboratories, which must follow specific testing procedures to ensure accurate results for WI’s soils. Ask your DATCP certified soil lab to email your soil test results in Snap Plus format. Import the file into Snap Plus to save time and to reduce entry errors. UW Soil & Plant Analysis LaboratoryVerona, WI (608) 262-4364UW Soil & Forage LabMarshfield, WI (715) 387-2523A & L Great Lakes Laboratories, Inc.Fort Wayne, IN (260) 483-4759 AgSource Cooperative Services Bonduel, WI (715) 758-2178Dairyland LaboratoriesArcadia, WI (608) 323-2123Rock River LaboratoryWatertown, WI (920) 261-0446

Erosion is the #1 source of nonpoint pollution in the US

Sediment • Destroys fish and wildlife

habitats• Reduces property values• Reduces recreational uses

of waters (boating, fishing, swimming)

• Increases the cost of treating public water supplies

Why NM Planning?

Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Annual Progress Report

• The three most common activities conducted by counties are soil erosion control, manure management and nutrient management.

Wisconsin 2007 National Resources Inventory

1982 1987 1992 1997 2002 20070

1

2

3

4

5

Average Annual Sheet and Rill Erosion in Tons/Acre/ Year on Cultivated Cropland

Nutrient applications must not run off the field Fields receiving nutrients must have sheet and rill soil erosion

controlled to tolerable soil loss rates or “T” for the crop rotationAreas of concentrated flow, resulting in reoccurring gullies, must be protected with perennial vegetative cover and nutrients should not be applied to established water ways

Core NM Principles: control soil erosion

A WI 590 Nutrient Management Plan addresses water quality with seasonal restrictions

10

O 200’ setback from wells, sinkholes, fractured bedrock at the surface -nutrient applications must be incorporated within 72 hours.

Blue No winter apps 300’ from perennial streams, 1,000’ from lake and ponds. Other non-winter application restrictions required.

Red No winter apps. Pink and clear can have winter

manure apps if contoured or if slopes are 9% or less. Winter manure apps can not exceed 7,000 gals/acre or P removal of the crop.

Yellow Dots No fall apps of fertilizer N. Fall manure apps limited. Best to Spring apply.

74% (39 of 53) of the plans had wells identified

94% (50 of 53) of plans highlighted surface waters since these areas require application incorporation, 30% plant cover on soil surface, cover crops, or filter strips. Unincorporated liquid applications also have rate limits.

89% (47 of 53) of plans followed winter spreading restrictions on steep slopes and areas near surface waters.

Soil test P levels greater than 50 ppm

limit P applications across the rotation to crop removal.

Soil test P levels greater than 100 ppm

limit P applications to 25% less than crop removal over 8 year rotation

Planning Options for Fields With Manure Applications

P Index PlanningNo manure can be applied to a field with a planned P Index value greater than 6 across the rotation.

Soil Test P Strategy

Core NM Principles: Phosphorus Management

– P index calculates the risk of P delivery to surface waters

– Producers who manage soil loss effectively usually meet the requirementL. G. Bundy, L. Ward Good, and W.M. Jarrell

Dept. of Soil Science - University of Wisconsin-Madison