Several weeks ago, I utilized this column to partially review a professional’s concern with “agency creep”, as the process affects agriculture. Too much information was given in Mark Wilson’s presentation to condense into one writing. Those comments, on “proper nutrient management planning” at the early March Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference, enlightened the audience of farmers and Certified Crop Advisers on the ever increasing complexity of government rules and regulations. In his experiences with various bureaucracies, the president of Land Stewards, LLC, has encountered numerous agency directives that seem to challenge any concept of common sense. 

Prior to becoming a private consultant, Wilson worked as an Ohio State University Extension agricultural agent, for the Ohio Department of Agriculture and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. In each agency, he was impressed with the dedication and capabilities of field staff and their genuine interest in doing what is right for farmers and the environment. Frustration, with the maze of hoops folks had to jump through to obtain reasonable answers for issues related to both agriculture and the environment, led him to his present position. As mentioned in the previous column on this subject, publications from the various agencies can and do provide significant guidance for farmers intent on doing things right. Much of what these standards, guides and bulletins provide were summarized by Wilson for his audience.  

He noted that a formal Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) details all of the “essential parts of proper nutrient management.” Farmers can however, maintain a simpler records oriented nutrient tracking system that not only helps them generate more income, but also help satisfy regulatory staff who might visit their farms unannounced. Written records not only help improve management of inputs, but also detail to a surprise investigator that such attention has a positive environmental impact.

A good plan for efficient use of nutrients provides baseline information utilized in a 3-to-5 year planning period. Field identification should include total acreage with appropriate setbacks along areas adjacent to open water, drainage ditches and designated waterways. Those setbacks reduce acreage that is spreadable without nutrient incorporation. Predominate soil types are also important, and the identification of which watershed the field/farm is in illustrates that the farm operator is cognizant of potential water quality concerns.  

A field assessment summary would identify the water erosion potential. RUSLE 2 is a NRCS calculation the accounts for climate, slope and slope length, residue burial and crop management (Crop management, tillage, and estimated planting/harvest schedules). 

Additional base information of value would be the nitrogen (N) Leaching Index, of which the type of artificial drainage and soil permeability are important. The P index (phosphorous) includes the field’s distance to surface water, runoff reduction practices and soil P test levels. Since soil testing is an integral part of any nutrient use strategy, identification of the soil test laboratory is of interest. The soil test parameters used by that lab are necessary for efficient crop fertility plans. Vital information would include organic matter (OM); P, K, Ca & Mg; the P test used; units for soil test levels, soil pH and buffer pH; and the CEC (Cation Exchange Capacity).  

If livestock and/or manure are part of the nutrient plan, the species, production phase, average weight and number of animals all need to be listed. Of value also is the percent of manure collected, how much extra water might enter the storage, bedding used, and finally the storage type and capacity of the system as well as  how much manure is on hand. Annual manure analysis and type and size of application equipment should also be identified.  

Wilson summarized that all of this leads to the latest agency lingo: 4R nutrient stewardship; right time, right product, right place, right time.

Readers with questions or comments for Roger Bender may write to him in care of this publication.