Development and Integration of a National Feed Management Education Program and Assessment Tools into a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP)

According to the EPA’s Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) rule released in 2003, livestock and poultry operations defined as CAFOs are required to have a Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) by December 2006. For those that choose to develop a CNMP, which in most cases will satisfy the NMP requirement, there will be an immediate need for an understanding of the Feed Management element of the CNMP. Animal feed represents the largest import of nutrients onto farms, followed by commercial fertilizer. Although many NRCS employees are trained in developing most components of a CNMP, they often have little or no educational background in feed management. This project will develop, test, evaluate, and implement a National Feed Management Education Program and Assessment Tools. The project will help NRCS staff and agricultural professionals increase their understanding of feed management techniques and technologies in order to be able to adequately assist producers as they develop CNMPs to comply with the CAFO rule.