A nutrient management plan is a method of demonstrating that the farm operator is minimizing the environmental impacts of raising livestock while improving the efficiency of the operation. For years, farmers believed a little fertilizer was good and a lot was better. The over-application of fertilizer leads to the nutrient loading of streams and rivers.

A nutrient management plan is written to provide crops with enough nutrients - nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium - to produce optimum yields, while attempting to prevent excess nutrient runoff from entering waterways. These plans will help farms get the maximum nutrient out of their manure and also help defray fertilizer costs.

Who is required by law to have a nutrient management plan? According to the Nutrient Management Act, all concentrated animal operations are required to implement an approved nutrient management plan. A CAO is defined as an agricultural operation where the animal density exceeds two Animal Equivalent Units per acre of cropland or acre of land suitable for application of animal manure. Farmers who don't fall under this regulation would be considered volunteers in the program.

Cost Share Founding is available for operations in existence prior to Oct. 1, 1997. Farmers could receive up to 75 percent reimbursement for a commercially developed plan through the Plan Development Incentives Program.

Remember that a nutrient management plan makes sense both from an environmental and economical stance.

For more information on the program, contact Ryan Harr at the Butler County Conservation District, 724-284-5270.

Ron Fodor is district manager of the Butler County Conservation District.