The Importance of Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans to the Conservation Security Program

by Robert C. Schiffner, Resource Conservationist
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Hays, Kansas

With the onset of the new U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Conservation Security Program (CSP), one of the basic requirements is water quality. In order to be at the top level of the program (Tier III), all water quality issues have to be addressed on your agricultural operation. This includes animal feeding operations of all sizes.

A comprehensive nutrient management plan (CNMP) is simply a plan developed to manage animal waste from the animal to the land, thus reducing the possibility of water quality concerns due to fecal chloroform and/or nutrients. A plan is developed based on the number of animals fed and/or the amount of waste produced by those animals. The plan covers proper storage of the solid waste and proper containment and storage of any waste water or runoff from the feeding area during periods between applications. It also covers the proper transport and application of waste to the land, following a recommended application rate based on soil test, manure analysis, and crop needs.

Developing and implementing a CNMP for your feeding operation will enhance your eligibility when CSP comes to your watershed. That part of your operation will then already meet basic program eligibility for water quality.

For more information about CNMPs, please go to your local U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Service Center and talk to the NRCS or conservation district staff.

For more information about NRCS programs, visit the Kansas NRCS Web site at www.ks.nrcs.usda.gov.

This article is also available in Microsoft Word format.

The Importance of Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans to the Conservation Security Program (DOC; 37 KB)

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Last Modified: 08/20/2008