Changes to the Agricultural Water Quality Act

State Technical MeetingFebruary 14, 2013agendaAg Water Quality Plans

Nutrient Management PlansOptions for producersKY Agriculture Water Quality Act10+ acres in agriculture or forestry must develop a water quality planAnyone applying for cost share needs a water quality planKentucky Soil Erosion and Water Quality Cost Share Program (State cost share)NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)GOAP County Ag Investment Program (CAIP)

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www.ca.uky.edu/awqa An electronic, on-line planning tool is available for developing Ag Water Quality plans. An archived Lync session on Ag Water Quality Plans is available at http://www.ca.uky.edu/ANR/Agent%20Resources/Lync%20Training%202012.htm. 4

Monitor soil fertility, so that crop needs are met while minimizing the loss of nutrients.

Provide the crop with the correct amount of nutrients at the optimum time and location possible so they are utilized efficiently.

Limit the amount of plant nutrients lost to leaching, runoff, volatilization.

Nutrient ManagementLivestock BMP #11/Crops BMP #146AWQP Minimum RequirementsComply with NRCS Code 590 (2001) unless required by federal program participation, which requires NRCS Code 590 (2013).

Manage manure in a manner that prevents degradation of water, soil, air, and that protects public health and safety.

Sufficient land must be available for a disposal area without overloading soils or exceeding crop requirements.

Minimize edge-of-field delivery of nutrients where no setbacks are required.

7Nutrient ManagementWho needs what?

KY NRCS 590-based CNMPs are for:Those AFOs that produce animal waste. They do not necessarily have to land apply itExample: Some poultry operations produce and export all the litterOperations receiving technical assistance and/or cost share from NRCS for nutrient management or require practices to manage animal waste.*Can be used to obtain a KY Division of Water permit (KNDOP)KY NRCS 590-based NMPs are for:Land application of commercial fertilizers, and other nutrient sources that are not produced on the farmReceiving technical assistance and/or cost share from NRCS for nutrient management or apply inorganic or organic fertilizers and dont have livestock

Who writes these?NRCS Technical Service Providers (TSPs) write CNMPsNRCS employees can write NMPsBottom lineThe KY NRCS 590-based CNMP is very complicated to develop.As a result, the AWQA has added another option for developing NMPs KY producers can still use the NRCS code 590 (2001) practice standard.Meanwhile we are working on the KyNMP document.

Nutrient ManagementWho needs what?

KyNMPNeed a nutrient management plan to comply with the KY Ag Water Quality ActNeed an FSA loan*Can be used to obtain a KY Division of Water permit (KNDOP)

Who could write these?Producers can write their own, fee-for-service planners, Conservation District Employees, etc.

Plan DevelopmentNutrient Management

Phosphorus ThresholdSTPInterpretation< 400Manure applications can be made based on crop nitrogen requirements401-600Phosphorus applications at rates not to exceed the estimated removal of phosphorus in the harvested plant biomass601-800Phosphorus applications at rates not to exceed 1/2 of the estimated removal of phosphorus in the harvested plant biomass>800Phosphorus applications are no longer allowedKyNMP (2013)Recent Soil Sample collected within the Last YearKyNMP Recommended SetbacksLiquid Manure OperationsDry Manure OperationsSETBACK FEATURE(1)Barn or LagoonLand Application DistanceBarn and/or Manure Storage Structure (Facilities)Land Application DistanceInjection/ IncorporationOther MethodLake, river, blue-line stream, conduit to surface waters, or karst feature150 feet35a or 75 feet50a or 100 feet150 feet35a or 75 feetWater well not owned by applicant(2)300 feet75a or 150 feet75a or 150 feet300 feet50a or 100 feet(1) Measured from the edge of the barn, lagoon, or land application area to the nearest edge of the setback feature.(2) Existing at the time the first animal feeding operation permit is issued.(a) Utilizing one or more of the following BMPs: Vegetative or forest buffer, cover crops, no-till, contouring, terracing.Nutrient Application Timing

SpringBEST time to spread manureWill lose less N and have the most nutrients available for plant growthDo not apply to cool-season forages in SpringCould increase N loss and weed competition

SummerGreatest risk of N loss through ammonia volatilizationWarm-season hayBermudagrass and Sudangrass

FallCool-season pasture and hay fields benefit from Fall applications of manureNutrient removal is low STP testing to avoid going over P thresholdCover cropsManure should not be applied in Fall on fields without a cover crop

WinterApplication opportunities are limitedStorage capacity should be large enough to hold until SpringManure should not be applied in Winter on fields without a cover cropDo NOT apply to snow covered or frozen fields

SummarySimilar concept as in 590 (2001/2013)Inventory nutrients available (manures)Determine crop needsDistribute nutrients so that crop needs are met without overloading soilsProducer can write his/her own planBenefit = better understanding of their operation and nutrient management conceptsAdaptive management can improve efficiency, production, and economic returnsQuestions?25

Phosphorus ThresholdSTPInterpretation< 400Manure applications can be made based on crop nitrogen requirements400-800Phosphorus applications at rates not to exceed the estimated removal of phosphorus in the harvested plant biomass800-1066Phosphorus applications at rates not to exceed 1/2 of the estimated removal of phosphorus in the harvested plant biomass>1066Phosphorus applications are no longer allowedOld 590 (2001)County

FieldStreamNew Phosphorus IndexP Index Estimates Average Annual P Delivery TillageRotation crops and yields Manure ApplicationsP Fertilizer ApplicationsDownfield Slope to Surface WaterDistance to Surface Water

CountySoil Test P and Organic MatterField Slope Field Slope LengthSoil TypeSoil TypeContour and filter practicesKentucky Nitrogen and Phosphorus IndexProposed release date: January, 2013

Uses nutrient management planning information. Goes into black box. 35

New P-Index risk score if field is 30 feet from water bodyScenario: Corn silage 22 Tons; Winter wheat 55 Bushels Dry dairy manure 25 Tons/acre applied , incorporated