February 16, 2010

Livestock and crop farmers can hear the latest information on how to turn manure nutrients into better crop yields while protecting the environment at a February 24 workshop in Scottsbluff. The Land Application Training will be held in the Board Room of the UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center. Initial training is from 8:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. MST, and re-certification is from 12:30-2:30 p.m. MST.

Livestock producers with livestock waste control facility permits received or renewed since April 1998 must be certified, and are encouraged to attend.

In addition, the farm representative identified on the permit application must complete an approved training program every five years. Farm personnel responsible for land application of manure also should attend so they are aware of permit conditions regulations.

This in-depth, one-day class targets newly permitted livestock operations. Operators who have already attended this initial training, but need re-certification, should attend the afternoon portion to fulfill NDEQ requirements for re-certification. The afternoon will consist of a two-hour program including updates on changing regulations and emerging manure management topics. Online re-certification training also is available.

The workshop will help livestock producers use the nutrient management planning requirements of Nebraska's Department of Environmental Quality regulations and capture the economic value of manure, said Tom Holman, UNL Extension educator. Participants who attend the day-long event will receive NDEQ Land Application Training Certification.

Registration

For more information call (402) 584-3818 or email ljohnson13@unl.edu. Pre-registration is required for all workshops and can be completed online at http://water.unl.edu/lat.  The $50 fee per farm includes one farm representative; a fee of $10 will be charged for additional participants from each farm. The Land Application Training recertification program also is available free online; the fee to attend in person is $10. Attendees will receive notebooks with regulations and other information, as well as a disk with record-keeping software.

This workshop is sponsored by the UNL Extension Crop Nutrient Management Planning Team, which is dedicated to helping livestock and crop producers better use manure resources for agronomic and environmental benefits. For more information about managing manure nutrients, visit the Manure section of the UNL Extension Water Web site.

David Ostdiek, Communications Specialist
Panhandle REC, Scottsbluff