One of the keys to implementing the newly revised NRCS policy on nutrient management is the relationship established with Third Party Vendor organizations such as the National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants. This relationship is formalized in a Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the certifying organization. Producers have always had the option of obtaining conservation assistance from other sources than NRCS. However, the Federal Agricultural Improvement Reform Act of 1996 (know as the "Farm Bill") has broadened the availability of technical and planning assistance to producers from other sources.

In the short time I have this morning I want to focus on the specific items or components that NRCS has identified as comprising a nutrient management plan. But before doing that I’d like to quickly define some terms used by NRCS. These may help clarify the NRCS and Third Party Vendor role in assisting clients with the impacts nutrients have on plant and water resources.

• Nutrient Management – Managing the amount, source, placement, form and timing of the application of nutrients and soil amendments, to ensure adequate soil fertility for plant production and to minimize the potential for environmental degradation, particularly water quality.
• Nutrient Management Functions – Supply adequate amounts of essential nutrients to soils and plants for crop production. Efficient use of scarce nutrient resources. Minimize environmental degradation. Maintain or improve the physical, chemical and biological condition of the soil. These functions are the objectives of a nutrient management plan.
• Nutrient Management Plan – A component of a Resource Management System (RMS) Plan that documents how nutrients will be used for plant production prepared for use by the producer or landowner.
• Third Party Vendor – An individual who has been certified by an approved certification organization as being qualified to provide specified types of conservation assistance, and whose certifying organization participates in the USDA, Approved Vendor Process. Examples are Certified Crop Advisor (CCA), American Society of Agronomy, and National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants (NAICC).

NRCS assists landowners and operators with a systems approach to resource management to address resource problems and resource opportunities. A number of conservation practices can comprise a system. Nutrient management or a nutrient management plan is one of the components of a system.

• Site maps, soil maps.
• Identification or location of nutrient application restrictions within sensitive areas.
• Results of soil, plant, water and organic nutrient source analysis (tests)
• Current or planned plant production system or crop rotation.
• Expected yield.
• Quantification of all important nutrient sources.
• Nutrient budget for the complete crop rotation.
• Recommended rate, timing and methods of nutrient application(s).
• Operation and maintenance of the nutrient management plan.

Site and soil maps include general land unit locations; area to be planned for nutrient management, specific application areas and site specific soil interpretations that apply to nutrient application.

Nutrient application restrictions in relation to sensitive areas such as sensitive or impaired surface and groundwater are delineated on maps. Additional delineation may include required setbacks or no application zones and proximity to neighbors.

The results of soil tests, manure tests, water and other organic source materials are included in the plan. Sampling procedures and testing methods are also identified.

Documentation of the crop rotation is an essential component to base nutrient application on crop requirements. Crop rotation has a major impact on the carryover of nutrients to the succeeding crop.

"Realistic" crop yields are identified as a nutrient plan component as they are the bases for determining the nutrient requirement for each crop in the rotation.

The plan must also quantify all major sources of nutrients. These can include commercial fertilizers, animal manures, legume credits from cover/green manure crops, irrigation water and in some parts of the country atmospheric deposition of nitrogen.

A nutrient budget for the crop rotation that: 1) Addresses surpluses by reducing inputs or prescribes management measures to minimize potential resource problems. 2) Addresses any deficit with increased applications or improved management to meet the production goals of the landuser.

The plan will specify or recommend the specific rates of application based on crop requirements. Timing and method of application will also be specified and be based on crop growth stage, climate, soil conditions, and form of nutrients and potentials for movement off the field and below the root zone.

The final component of a nutrient management plan includes operation and maintenance. This component specifies the requirements to update results of soil, water, plant and organic materials tests. It specifies or recommends the calibration of application equipment and provides for maintaining application records. A review and update schedule for the plan is specified as well as safety considerations.

I would be surprised if I am not "preaching to the choir". I expect most crop consultants already address these items with a client in on form or another.

Once the plan has been developed and the operator decides to apply it a field by field schedule needs to be documented. The schedule would include when to do specific items such as soil testing, tissue testing, application timing, etc. It would also include follow-up to review and update the plan and address O&M. Other practices important to nutrient management, such as filter strips, field borders and residue management would also be documented.

At this point it is important to note that a nutrient management plan can include other conservation practices that minimize nutrient losses. These can include residue management with no till to reduce soil erosion and loss of sediment-attached nutrients or filter strips to clean contaminated runoff from livestock facilities. It can also include improved management techniques such as split nitrogen applications, and banded fertilizer placement.

The outline showed today of requirements for a nutrient management plan are applicable to all assistance provided by NRCS employees. Third party vendors and other non-NRCS employees must use these procedures when assisting a client with implementation of federal conservation programs for which NRCS has national technical responsibility and that include plans for nutrient management. Some examples of these programs are the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Wetland Reserve Program (WRP), Chesapeake Bay Program and the new AFO/CAFO strategy.

In addition to federal conservation programs some states have or may adopt the NRCS nutrient management policy and nutrient management plan requirements to meet state water quality plans or requirements for confined animal feeding operations (CAFO).

In closing I’d like to leave Third Party Vendors with the following recommendations if you will be providing nutrient management assistance to clients involved in federal conservation programs.

• Contact NRCS in your state and find out what progress is being made to implement the revised nutrient management policy. What plans are in place or in progress to provide training and information to NRCS employees and Third Party Vendors? NRCS must implement the policy within 2 years. This includes supplementing the national Nutrient Management 590 Standard to meet state needs and providing training. The completion date is September 2001.

• Find out if additional Third Party Vendor training or workshop attendance will be required in your state to be "certified" to write nutrient management plans. Each NRCS State Conservationist has some flexibility in deciding what certification programs are accepted in the state and what if any additional training may be required. State agencies using the NRCS Nutrient Management practice standard may also have additional training requirements.

• Get involved. As a NAICC member you can represent your organization by providing input to NRCS on how Third Party Vendors can assist clients with nutrient management plans in your area.