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Humboldt Field Research Institute

Posted June, 1999

Cooperative Extension Offers Help to Farmers in Meeting New State Manure Management Rules

University of Maine Cooperative Extension is offering assistance to Maine farmers who are developing state required manure management plans. According to Richard Kersbergen of the Waldo County Extension office, animal manures are an important source of nutrients which can reduce the need for farmers to buy fertilizers.

Farmers must file a plan by January 1, 2001 if they have livestock totaling more than 50,000 pounds. Plans must be fully implemented by October 1, 2005.

Farmers must also file a plan if they bring more than 100 tons of manure per year onto their farm or have had a verified complaint regarding manure handling.

“I take a long-term view and call these plans an opportunity to improve management skills on Maine farms,” says Kersbergen. “With good, sound nutrient management data, producers can improve crop yields and reduce fertilizer costs.”

The plans will also help reduce runoff into streams and lakes, he adds, and provide farmers with a strong defense in case of pollution complaints.

“Maine's nutrient management law deals with how farm generated nutrients are stored, managed and utilized,” says Kersbergen. “It is important to realize that under Maine's law, a plan is a living document that incorporates not only intended uses of manure, but also includes actual recorded data of how nutrients were applied.”

Among the elements of a manure management plan are regular soil and manure analyses and provision for at least 180 days of manure storage. The plans must also address manure application, soil erosion, odor and insect control and a nutrient budget or calculation of nutrients brought to the farm as feeds and fertilizers and taken away in agricultural products.

“Cooperative Extension hopes to have several programs in place to help producers write their own plans,” says Kersbergen, who works with the Department of Agriculture to write training and certification materials. “A computer program will be available soon to help with calculations. I hope to help organize numerous training sessions throughout the state to facilitate the process.”

Extension offices now have fact sheets on soils and soil testing through the University of Maine soils lab. A new fact sheet series on manure testing and utilization is also available. If farmers have questions, they can call Kersbergen at 1-800-287-1426 or email at richardk@umext.maine.edu.

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