Worksheet# 8 Manure Use and Management:

How Do You Rate?

Item Best 4 Good 3 Fair 2 Poor 1

Manure Use
1. Application rate for manure fertilizer Based on BMPs for nitrogen management
Not based on BMPs for nitrogen management.
2. Manure testing Regular testing of manure to analyze for nutrients. Occasional testing of manure to analyze for nutrients. Manure is not tested, and manure is assumed to have average nutrient values. Manure is not tested.
3. Adjustment to amount of fertilizer used (organic and inorganic sources) Based on BMPs and GPs.
Fertilizer use not based on BMPs and GPs.
4. Waste management plan Written plan to handle farm wastes, and plan includes testing, proper application rates, and emergency action in event of spills or system failures, and

all aspects of plan are carried out.

Written plan to handle farm wastes, and

most aspects of plan are carried out.

 No written plan to handle farm wastes, but

steps are being taken to learn about improved manure management methods that have less impact on environment.

No written plans to develop or carry out manure management plan.

Impact on the

Environment
5. Timing of manure incorporation Manure incorporated into soil immediately after application Manure incorporated into soil immediately to 3 days after application Manure incorporated into soil 3 to 7 days after application Manure incorporated into soil 7 or more days after application
6. Knowledge of proper rates of application Operator has developed proficiency in applying BMPs, by using nutrient content analyses and calibration techniques, and skills learned have been put into practice. Operator has gained knowledge of BMPs, and

has put some BMPs into practice
Operator has made no attempt to find out about proper application rates for manure, and

does not use BMPs
7 . Transportation and transfer of manure from storage to field All safety precautions taken to minimize the risk of leaks or major spills, and

proper cleanup procedures followed.

 Leaks have been repaired and cleaned up quickly with no harm to the environment, and

proper cleanup procedures followed.
No specific plan for cleanup of spills.
8. Proper irrigation scheduling to reduce downward movement of nutrients
 Operator understands principles for sound irrigation management (soil moisture and plant water stress), and puts the knowledge into practice. Weather data used such as on AZMET to schedule irrigations.
 Historical calendar data used to schedule irrigations.
 Irrigation scheduling not based on plant needs.

OFF-FARM SOURCES

OF NUTRIENTS
9 Biosolids Meet all federal, state, and local government standards, and have all required permits, and

are applied according to the BMPs for nitrogen fertilizer management.
Do not meet all federal, state, and local government standards, and do not have required permits, and

do not use nitrogen fertilizer BMPs for application.
10. Distance of biosolids that are not exceptional quality, from wells Biosolids are stored or applied at least 250 feet from any water well, and

at least 1,000 feet from any public or semipublic drinking water well.
Biosolids are stored or applied closer than 250 feet from any water well, and Closer than 1,000 feet from any public or semipublic drinking water well

Bold italic type: These conditions violate federal, State or local law.