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Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning (CNMP)

Plan Development Resources and References

Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans (CNMPs) are conservation plans unique to livestock operations.   These plans document practices and strategies adopted by  livestock operations to address natural resource concerns related to soil erosion, livestock manure and disposal of organic by-products.

The development of a CNMP begins with a comprehensive engineering and conservation planning resource assessment of current site conditions. Management options and structural alternatives are developed to address resource concerns identified during the assessment.

The minimum criteria for developing a CNMP is defined in the NRCS National Planning Procedures Handbook (NPPH), Subpart E (Parts 600.50- 600.54), Subpart F (Part 600.75) and Subpart C – Exhibits (Exhibit 15) at: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/afo/cnmp_guide_index.html.  Individuals who approve and/or develop CNMPs must be certified by the Wisconsin NRCS or through the TechReg website.

Fact Sheets for Farmers Adobe Acrobat Document

Photo of NRCS District Conservationist Rick Lange discussing a nutrient management plan with a local LCD employee.

 CNMP Success Story
The real value of a CNMP was vividly demonstrated in 2006 on a farm near Hillsboro in Vernon County.   A hose clamp failed as the manure storage structure for the 500-cow herd was being pumped out and applied to the field.  About 4,000 gallons spilled into the field.  The farmer was able to react very quickly and followed the emergency actions outlined in his CNMP.  Due to his quick response, only about 800 gallons may have reached the stream, the South Branch Creek of the Baraboo River in the Hillsboro watershed.  The stream is expected to recover according to Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources. 

“We have been working with Discovery Farms over the past year towards completing this CNMP and as a result the recommended actions described in the Emergency Action Plan were really very fresh in my memory,” said the farmer. “Having the list of phone numbers for emergency contacts, contractors, agencies is very useful.  We are having the lists laminated and placing them in several places around the farm,” he said.  “We have several employees who would typically realize what to do in case of emergency, but having the Emergency Action Plan and the contact numbers close by is really necessary if quick action is needed.” 

Due to a recent manure storage expansion, he was required to develop a nutrient management plan to meet Vernon County’s Manure Storage Ordinance. However, he voluntarily chose to develop the complete CNMP to help him better manage his dairy operation.  A fact sheet is available from NRCS, “Why Farmers are Choosing CNMPs” which discusses other reasons to develop a CNMP, including regulations, legal liability, insurance, safety, and improved management.

 

Tools for Developing a CNMP in Wisconsin

The following documents require Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Word, or Microsoft Excel.

Planning Tools

Inventory Worksheets (Inventories are best completed when the agronomist and the engineer inventory the site concurrently.)

Microsoft Word DocumentAgronomy Inventory Worksheet (5/9/07)
Microsoft Word DocumentEngineering Inventory Worksheet (5/9/07)

Adobe Acrobat DocumentProducer Preparation for CNMP Interview (2/12/08)
Microsoft Word DocumentAgronomy Evaluation (3/08)
Microsoft Word DocumentEngineering Evaluation (3/08)
Microsoft Word DocumentContents and Certification (3/25/08)
Microsoft Excel Document.Barnyard Evaluation Rating Tool (BERT) Spreadsheet (3/14/08)
Microsoft Excel Document.Animal Units Calculator (3/14/08)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentEvaluation of Concentrated Livestock Areas Flowchart (7/2/07)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentEvaluation of Existing Manure Storage Facilities Flowchart (3/4/08)
Microsoft Word DocumentEvaluation of Existing Feedstock Storage Areas (1/23/08)
Microsoft Word DocumentEvaluation of Milk House Waste Discharge (1/23/08)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentEvaluation of Temporary Manure Stacks Flowchart (3/14/08)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentEvaluation of Existing Manure Transfer Systems Flowchart (3/14/08)

Templates

Microsoft Word DocumentCover Page (5/9/07)
Microsoft Word DocumentConservation Plan Summary (5/21/07)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentEmergency Response Plan (5/9/07)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentPlan de Repuesta para Emergencias (Spanish Version) (6/12/07)
Microsoft Word DocumentManure and Hazardous Material Spill, Overflow, and Accident Incident Worksheet (5/18/07)
Microsoft Word DocumentBiosecurity Plan (5/9/07)
Microsoft Word DocumentCNMP Resource Concerns and Action Summary (5/9/07)
Microsoft Word DocumentManure Storage Failure (5/9/07)
Microsoft Word DocumentManure Storage Accidental Entry (5/9/07)
Microsoft Word DocumentManure Storage Facility Annual Record Keeping (3/08)
Microsoft Word DocumentFarming Odor Reduction (5/9/07)
Microsoft Word DocumentManure Storage Safety (5/9/07)
Microsoft Word DocumentManure Spill During Transport (5/9/07)
Microsoft Word DocumentManure Spreading Failure (5/9/07)
Microsoft Word DocumentFeed Management Questionnaire (5/9/07)
Microsoft Word DocumentNutrient Management Questionnaire (5/9/07)
Microsoft Word DocumentPest Management Checklist (5/9/07)
Microsoft Word DocumentPest Management Questionnaire (5/9/07)
Microsoft Word DocumentCNMP Divider Tabs (5/17/07)

Reference Documents

Microsoft Word DocumentObjectives of the CNMP (3/08)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentWisconsin Laws on Animal Medical Waste (5/9/07)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentDisposal of Animal Carcasses in Emergency Circumstances (5/9/07)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentWisconsin Statute 95.50 - Disposition of Carcasses (5/9/07)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentYou and Your Well (Wisconsin DNR) (5/9/07)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentAnswers to Your Questions on Well Abandonment (WDNR) (10/2007)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentCNMP Quick Reference for Fuel Tanks (5/9/07)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentWisconsin Biosecurity Measures (5/9/07)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentASABE Standard Manure Storage Safety (5/9/07)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentKarst Features Brochure (5/9/07)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentDisposal and Open Burning of Solid Waste (Wisconsin DNR) (5/9/07)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentGuidelines for Assessing Phosphorus Levels in Livestock Feed Rations (2/12/08)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentPhosphorus Balancing - Dietary P and Spreadable Acres (5/9/07)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentPhosphorus Balancing - Purchasing Supplements (5/9/07)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentPhosphorus Balancing - Optimizing Dietary P Levels (5/9/07)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentManure Storage Entry Hazards (5/15/07)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentExample Feed Management Plan (7/2/07)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentAgricultural Spills and How to Handle Them (Wisconsin DNR) (8/2002)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentWisconsin Statute 823.08, Nuisances, Actions Against Agricultural Uses (10/2007)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentILHR 10 UST/AST Setback Requirements (WI Department of Commerce) (10/2007)

Bureau of Storage Tank Regulation (WI Department of Commerce)
Water Testing for Private Well Owners (WDNR)

Archived Agronomic Components for NMPs
Archived NRCS Engineering Standards (Ag Waste Related)

Nutrient Management Plan Tools

Adobe Acrobat Document590 Standard (9/05)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentWisconsin Conservation Technical Note 1 (9/05)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentDATCP Nutrient Management Plan Checklist (9/05)
Microsoft Word DocumentSpread Log (5/9/07)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentFast Facts (3/08)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentWinter Spreading Risk Assessment Process (3/08)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentWinter Spreading Risk Assessment Examples (7/2/07)

Agricultural Performance Standards and Prohibitions (DNR)

 

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