Effective Nutrient Management Plans for Sustainable Agriculture

1. Nutrient Management Basics Maria Bendixen UW-Extension Agriculture Agent Taylor and Marathon County

2. What is Nutrient Management? • Managing the amount, source, placement, form, and timing of the application of nutrients and soil amendments

3. Purposes of Nutrient Management • To budget and supply nutrients for plant production • To properly utilize manure or organic by-products as a plant nutrient source • To minimize agricultural non-point source pollution of surface and ground water resources • To maintain or improve the physical, chemical, and biological condition of soil

4. Why develop a nutrient management plan? • Increase efficiency of all nutrient sources • Reduce pollution and environmental risk • Increase profit $$$$$ • Optimize nutrient supply for maximum crop yields • Less money spent on unnecessary fertilizers, and time/equipment to apply them

5. Elements of a Plan • (1) Field Map • (2) Soil Tests • (3) Manure analysis • (4) Crop Sequence • (5) Estimated Yield • (6) Sources and Forms • (7) Sensitive Areas (8) Recommended Rates (9) Recommended Timing (10) Recommended Methods (11) Annual Review and Update

6. Field Maps • Identify: • Roads • Streams • Wetlands • Residences • # of Acres • Soil Types

7. Soil Testing • Good consistent samples needed for accurate results. • Testing should be done at the same time each year as nutrients tend to be higher in the spring. • Test one sample for every 5 acres. • Use the W method for sampling.

8. The W Method • On a five acre grid take samples in the pattern shown. • Each sample should be composed of at least 10 cores.

9. Where not to Sample • Dead furrows or back furrows • Lime, sludge or manure piles • Animal droppings • Near fences or roads • Rows where fertilizer has been banded • Eroded knolls • Low spots

10. WI Soil Test Program • 1 or 2 samples per field – none can be eliminated • 3 or 4 samples per field – one can be eliminated • 5 or more samples per field – up to two can be eliminated

11. Recommended sample intensity for “uniform” non-site-specific fields

12. Sampling Depth • 6 inch sample = 25 ppm P • 4 inch sample = 30 ppm P • 8 inch sample = 21 ppm P PH levels are also affected at different depths.

13. Manure Analysis • Sample Manure • Gives you more accurate numbers to use in determining nutrients available to your crops. • Different feeding programs can change manure content greatly.

14. Legume Credits • Measure hay in the fall • Less than 8 inches of regrowth or more than 8 inches • Red Clover and Bridsfoot Trefoil can be counted at 80% the value of alfalfa. • Quality of the stand • Good (70 to 100% alfalfa, more than 4 plants/ft2 • Fair (30 to 70% alfalfa, 1.5 to 4 plants/ft2 • Poor (0 to 30% alfalfa, less than 1.5 plants/ft2

15. Conclusions • Nutrient management plans are the smart way to manage nutrients. • Plans can increase profits as well as protect the environment. • Many farms do not have a plan to manage the nutrients produced or applied to their fields. • Costs to develop a plan may be prohibitive for small producers.