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Montgomery County Nutrient Management

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ATTENTION:

Farmer Training and Certification Classes

This is your opportunity to learn to write your own nutrient management plans!

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Everything you ever wanted to know about…
Nutrient Management in Maryland
(Well, almost … and better yet… some links on where to find the rest!)

Maryland Cooperative Extension’s Agricultural Nutrient Management Program was established in 1989 as a cooperative effort between the Maryland Cooperative Extension (MCE) and the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) to specifically address issues of nutrient management planning.  During this time, nutrient management plans were

based on nitrogen recommendations only and adoption of these plans was mainly voluntary.  However, in 1998 the Water Quality Improvement Act (WQIA) was enacted and many changes were brought about which affected Maryland’s agricultural community.  These changes included:

• nitrogen and phosphorus-based nutrient management plans;
• reduction of the phosphorus in manure via feeding regimes;

• provisions for transporting manure from fields with excessive phosphorus to fields needing additional nutrients;
• increased scrutiny of record keeping; and
• additional evaluation of the nutrient phosphorus.

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As a result of the WQIA, Maryland promulgated the Maryland Nutrient Management Regulations to provide guidance on the implementation of the WQIA.
 
 

What is a Nutrient Management Plan?

A nutrient management plan is a document that combines soil test results, yield goals, and estimates of residual nitrogen in order to generate field-by-field recommendations.  The purpose of the nutrient management plan is to help producers reduce nutrient pollution by balancing nutrient inputs with plant nutrient requirements, while at the same time optimize farm profits.

Do You Need a Plan?

You need a nutrient management plan if you

have:

• $2500.00 in gross annual income from your agricultural operation
     OR
• 8 animal units or more (number of animals per unit vary depending on species)

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What are the Deadlines?

Oh no! They have all passed!! 

Now is the time to get that plan done because enforcement inspections began in July 2005 and implementation reviews began in 2006!

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How Do You Get a Plan?

Lots of ways!

You have a number of options available to you in the preparation of your nutrient management plan:

• Hire a Private Nutrient Management Consultant:

  For an up-to-date list of Consultants click here . If you decide to hire a private consultant, you may wish to contact the Montgomery County Soil Conservation District (301-590-2855) to apply for cost-share assistance.  This program can provide you with money to offset the cost of hiring a consultant.  There is money available at this time but it is on a first come first served basis. Go to the link above for an updated list of private consultants.

• Sign up to have MCE write your plan:

 Amanda Laudwein, the Montgomery County Nutrient Management Advisor for MCE, is available to write agronomic plans (Nurseries and Greenhouses must use a private consultant – check out the Nutrient Management Consultant link above).  Contact Amanda at (301) 590-2840 or laudwein@umd.edu to make an appointment.  She can also assist you with:
- Pre-sidedress nitrate tests (PSNTs) (see also Nitrogen Recommendations for Corn Using the Pre-Sidedress Nitrate-Nitrogen Soil Test )
- Yield checks
- Equipment calibration
- Loaning limited numbers of soil probes for easier soil testing
- Educational materials
- Nutrient management presentations

• Become farmer certified and write your own plan

MDA offers a farmer certification program that allows you to write your own plan. Visit their website:   Nutrient Management Training Classes.

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What If You Already Have a Plan But Need to Update It?

COMAR 15.20.07 (Agricultural Operation Nutrient Management Plan Requirements .04 Nutrient Management Plan – Plan Development and Implementation Deadlines) of the Maryland Nutrient Management Regulations mandate that updates be done at least every three years based on the date of your last soil test.  Are your soil tests over three years old?  If so, you must have an update to your original plan. See the How Do You Get a Plan? section above for details.

What Information Do You Need to Get a Plan Done As Quickly As Possible?

You and your Nutrient Management Advisor will need to gather the following information:

1.  Soil tests

Now that the MCE Soil Lab is closed you must use a private soil analysis lab.  If the operation has a soil analysis no older than 3 years it may be used.  But remember that the length of the plan is tied to the date of the soil test.  You can’t use a 2-year old soil test for a three-year plan!  A list of regional soil testing laboratories and a cost comparison of those labs is available.
Links:

Soil Sampling Procedures
Comparison of Soil Testing Labs
 

2.  Maps of all property in production

Montgomery County Soil Conservation District (301) 590-2855 or Farm Services Agency (301) 590-2846 can provide you with very nice detailed maps.
 

3.  Property Account Identification Numbers

The property account ID numbers (not a social security or federal tax ID number) will be needed for all the ground in production.  If a farm/property has been subdivided or has more than one property account ID number, the operator will need to obtain these numbers.  The property owner can find the account ID number on their assessment or tax bill.  There are other resources to help a property owner find their account ID number including:

- Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation website
- Montgomery Soil Conservation District office (301-590-2855)
- Nutrient management specialists in regional MDA offices (by appointment)
- Department of Assessments and Taxation offices in each county

Why include these numbers you ask???  This is how the Maryland Department of Agricultural assesses compliance with the WQIA.
 

4. Operation records

Details on the type of operation you have and how you manage it, including:
- Planned cropping cycles and yield histories (based on an average of the last 5-10 years if possible)
- Past fertilizer practices
- Number of animals and how they are raised (whether or not they are confined) 

5.  Nutrient information

- If you have any collected manure associated with your operation you will need: