Manure Management Planner Tool Organizes Crop Nutrient Information

The wise management of nutrient sources (including animal waste) on crops is an essential component to conservation planning on agricultural operations across the country.  The Water Quality and Quantity National Technology Development Team, located with the West National Technology Support Center in Portland, Oregon, has been working on a technology tool to help farmers plan nutrient management activities, utilize nutrients, and protect water resources.

Nutrient management planning involves inputs from multiple technology tools, programs, and data sources. The Manure Management Planner (MMP) pulls nutrient management planning data from numerous sources as well as distributes data and analysis results for other related planning tools. Producers are able to:

● plan crop and yield specific nutrient applications on a field-by-field basis utilizing nutrient (fertilizer) recommendations provided by State land-grant universities,
● create nutrient budget and balance reports,
● chart the monthly amount of manure accumulated and hauled,
● create a planning calendar to help schedule manure applications,
● automatically generate comprehensive nutrient management plans and nutrient management plans output documents based on State-specific templates,
● record and report actual manure and fertilizer applications on a field-specific basis, and
● calculate each manure application’s nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium availability according to individual State approved guidelines.

The MMP software is free and supported by both NRCS and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  The MMP output reports meet the requirements of both agencies and are in accordance with State NRCS Nutrient Management (Code 590) Conservation Practice Standards. State-specific MMP training sessions will be conducted to provide one-on-one guidance and answer user questions.

The MMP software represents a major effort to ensure our nation’s farmers and ranchers are utilizing nutrients as effectively as possible while keeping our water resources clean.
Your contact is Chris Gross, NRCS nutrient management specialist, at 301-504-3954.