August 28, 2008

Certification Available

A field day in Scottsbluff, sponsored by UNL Extension, will provide crop and livestock producers with the latest information on how to turn manure nutrients into better crop yields while protecting the environment.

The workshop is scheduled for Sept. 9 from 9:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Morning sessions will be at UNL's Knorr-Holden Corn Plots on Experiment Farm Road north of Scottsbluff. From the junction of Highways 26 and 71 on the northwest corner of Scottsbluff, go almost 4 miles north on Highway 71, then 1 mile west on Experiment Farm Road. The plot is at the entrance to the old Veterinary Diagnostic Lab. The afternoon program will be in the Bluestem Room at the UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center in Scottsbluff.

Certification Options

The field day/classroom land application training workshop will help livestock producers implement the nutrient management planning requirements of Nebraska's Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) regulations and increase the economic value of manure. Those who participate for the entire day will receive NDEQ land application training certification. Those who only attend in the afternoon (1-3 p.m.) and have previously attended a Land Application Training event will receive recertification.

Livestock producers with livestock waste control facility permits received or renewed since April 1998 must be certified. The farm representative identified on the permit application must complete an approved training every five years. Farm personnel responsible for land application of manure are also encouraged to attend.

Preregistration

Preregistration is necessary by Sept. 5. The cost is $30 per farm plus $10 for each participant to cover local costs including lunch. There is no fee for those who attend only the recertification portion. This workshop is sponsored by the UNL Extension Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning (CNMP) Team, which is dedicated to helping livestock and crop producers use Nebraska's manure resources for agronomic and environmental benefits. For more information and planning tools for managing manure nutrients, visit http://cnmp.unl.edu.

For more information, contact UNL extension educator Tom Holman at 308-632-1480.