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Why CNMPs?

Discover the reasons why developing a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) is crucial for farmers. Explore the impacts on water quality, environmental stewardship, economic factors, and compliance with government regulations. Get insights from Rich Koenig, a soil specialist at Utah State University.

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Why CNMPs?

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  1. Why CNMPs? Rich Koenig Soil Specialist Utah State University

  2. Situation • You are out on the farm telling a producer he/she needs to develop a CNMP • He/she asks: “Why?”

  3. How do you respond?

  4. Response = message • “You have to do this to qualify for government cost-share money” • “This is just another government program. Develop the thing, put it on the shelf, and you will be okay” • (if it’s done properly) “A management plan (of which a CNMP is part) might help you and your operation be more profitable, run smoothly, be sustainable…”

  5. Consider... • How you respond and the message you send will determine the success or failure of this program • This may very well be the most important step • Convincing the producer of the need and value of a CNMP • Getting producer buy-in or ownership

  6. Consider… • The success of this program will not be measured in the number of plans prepared but in the impacts • Implementation and documentation • Water quality impacts

  7. Why CNMPs? • ? • ? • ? • ? • ?

  8. Why CNMPs • Many complex issues driving livestock industry regulations • The National Strategy does a poor job of making the case for CNMPs

  9. Why CNMPs? • Water quality issues • Social/political issues • Government regulation issues • Environmental stewardship issues • Economic issues

  10. Water quality issues • Pfisteria • Eutrophication • Nitrates, phosphates, pesticides, bacteria • State 303d lists • Public experience and perception Direct proof of agriculture’s contribution to water quality problems

  11. California Dairy example • 5 San Joaquin Valley Dairies, ~1000 AU and 125 acres each • 44 shallow groundwater monitoring wells around facilities • Nitrate-N levels frequently as high as 100 mg/L • Why? • Sandy soils • Residual soil nitrogen levels as high as 1000 lb N/acre • No credit given for manure and wastewater N

  12. Social/political issues • The world is becoming more crowded, putting more pressure on limited resources • What once was okay now may not be • Generally, greater environmental awareness on the part of the public • Farmers comprise less than 5% of the U.S. population • Third party lawsuits • Point source industries point to farmers and say clean up your act, we did

  13. Government regulation • Clean Water Act • Can’t pollute water • State regulations • Can’t pollute water • National AFO Strategy • Voluntary program or • “Last chance” for animal agriculture to clean up its act

  14. Environmental stewardship • The role and image of farmers as environmental stewards • Need for documentation or proof of environmental stewardship • If you don’t know…, …can’t document…, …can’t prove…, etc., why should I believe you are an good environmental steward?

  15. Economic issues • Managing agricultural wastes (manure, etc.) is a net cost • Cost of livestock waste management is not accurately reflected in the price of the commodities • Dairy example (B. Godfrey, USU): • Cost $200 per cow per year • Cost $1.10 per 100 lb milk

  16. CORE 4 Data

  17. Economic issues • Managing agricultural wastes as a resource can reduce the cost, but there is still a net cost • Dairy example: • N and P value = $56 per cow per year • N and P value = $0.31 per 100 lb milk

  18. Why CNMPs?

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