Nutrient Management Planning

Select Chapter from Table of Contents

  • Introduction
    • Benefits …3
    • Challenges …4
    • 10 Steps to Nutrient Management Planning …4
    • Where the Environmental Farm Plan Fits In …5
  • Principles
    • Major Nutrients in Farming Systems …6
    • Sources of Nutrients …7
    • Pathogen Survival …11
    • Livestock Nutrition and Nutrient Output …12
    • Nutrient and Water Cycles …13
    • Systems Approach to Nutrient Management Planning …29
  • Ten Steps to Making it Work
  • Step 1. Set Goals
    • Considerations …34
  • Step 2. Take Inventory
    • Checklist for Inventory …36
    • How to Use and Interpret Soil Information …37
    • How to Use Soil Hydrologic Groups …40
    • How to Measure Slope …42
    • How to Create Maps …44
    • Crop Inventory and Yields …47
    • Calculating Manure Volume …48
    • How to Take Soil Samples …49
    • How to Take Manure Samples …50
  • Step 3. Input and Analyze Data
    • How the Nutrient Management Software/Workbook Works …55
    • Interpreting Soil Test Results …58
    • Interpreting Manure Test Results …60
  • Step 4. Interpret Results
    • Management Options to Address Red Flags …66
    • Other Options …71
    • Case Study …74
  • Step 5. Make Decisions
    • Determining the Maximum Rate of Manure to Spread …79
    • Soil Absorption Capacity …79
    • Determining Setback Distances for Manure Application …82
  • Step 6. Take Action
    • Planning Your Nutrient Application …86
    • How to Apply …93
  • Step 7. Keep Records
    • What to Include …94
    • Record-Keeping Document for Case-Study Farm …96
  • Step 8. Monitor
    • How to Monitor …99
  • Step 9. Make Adjustments
    • Common Areas for Adjustment …103
    • Case Study Farm – Vegetated Buffer …105
  • Step 10. Plan for the Unexpected
    • Weather or Equipment Conditions Impeding Planned Storage or Application …108
    • Contingencies for More Manure Than Planned …109
    • Contingencies for More Nutrients Than Storage Capacity …109
    • Checklist for an Emergency Plan for Spills …109
    • In the Event of a Spill …110
  • Appendix
    • Spotlight on the Nutrient Management Act, 2002 …112