CNMP Template for Louisiana

When preparing a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP), NRCS national policy must be followed. CNMP policy can be found in:

  • General Manual, Title 190, Part 405 – Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans;
  • General Manual, Title 180, Part 409.1 – Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans;
  • National Instruction, Title 190, Part 304 – Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan Technical Criteria; and
  • Handbooks, Title 190, Part 620 – Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning

All of these documents can be found on the eDirectives website at:

Having a standardized and uniform development process makes it easier to develop a quality plan efficiently. The NRCS CNMP template contains the following:

  1. Cover and Signature Page
  2. Element 1 - Background and site information.
  3. Element 2 - Manure and wastewater handling and storage.
  4. Element 3 - Farmstead safety and security.
  5. Element 4 - Land treatment practices.
  6. Element 5 - Soil and risk assessment analyses.
  7. Element 6 - Nutrient management according to the criteria in the Nutrient Management Conservation Practice (Code 590).
  8. Element 7 - Feed management (optional).
  9. Element 8 - Other utilization options (optional).
  10. Element 9 - Recordkeeping.
  11. Element 10 - References.

The above items should be reviewed according to the 9-step conservation planning process described in Title 190, Part 620.2in the CNMP Handbook. A further explanation of what is required on the Cover and Signature Page of a CNMP, as well as Elements 1-10, is included as Attachment 1.

A Producer Activity Document (PAD)must also be provided if requested by the producer. A PAD is an abbreviated CNMP document for the producer’s use that summarizes the day-to-day activities needed to implement the CNMP. The PAD provides a place for the producer to maintain records as part of a recordkeeping system. A detailed description of the minimum requirements of a PAD can be found in Attachment 2.

Attachment 1

Required Format for a CNMP Plan

CNMP Template for Louisiana

Cover and Signature Page - Includes all required signatures for acceptance of a CNMP in Louisiana:

(1) Farm name: Super Farms, Inc.

(i) First and Last Name, Owner

(ii) Sunshine Road

(iii) Town, State, Zip code

(2) Production Area entrance: latitude and longitude

(3) Livestock: Confinement dairy with replacements (no pasture or grazing lands) 250 lactating cows, 50 dry cows, 90 large heifers, 80 small heifers, and 25 calves. Currently, there are no plans for herd expansion

(4) Land base: 590 acres located in separate counties.

(5) Plan period: 5 years

(6) Signature spots for the conservation planner, responsible NRCS official, and producer.

Section 1. Background and Site Information – General Description of the Operation.

Section 1.1. General Description. The general description contains information pertaining to the spreadable acreage,cropping program, natural resource concerns, and the implementation statement, and mayinclude a description of the two documents: the PAD and the CNMP.

Section 1.2. Sampling, calibration, and other Statements. Use this section to describemanure and soil testing frequency, equipment calibration and frequency, clean waterdiversion strategies, and measures taken to prevent animal contact with water, etc.

Section 1.3. Summary of Resource (Water and Soil) Concerns - Resource Concerns.Plannersshould check off the soil quality, water quality, or other concerns identified on the farm.

Resource concern sources are identified (examples):

Lot runoff on the headquarter site: decommissioned and replaced with a WasteStorage Facility Conservation Practice (Code 313);

Milk house effluent: transfer to the Waste Storage Facility Conservation Practice(Code 313);

Silage leachate: temporary management practices, then relocation in 2011;

Calf hutch area: installation and maintenance of Heavy Use Protection AreaConservation Practice (Code 561); and

Water Erosion: include Cover Crops Conservation Practice (Code 340) on selectedCrop fields after corn harvest, 2008.

Section 2. Manure and Wastewater Handling and Storage

Section 2.1.Maps of the Production Area. This section should contain an accurate aerial photo ofthe confinement areas, production buildings, manure storage and treatment locations, andfeed storage areas.

Section 2.2. Production Area Conservation Practices (Including air quality impact mitigation, ifrequired). Conservation practices planned and installed to the production area shall be inaccordance with NRCS Conservation Practice Standards. The objective of these practices isto prevent, minimize, or mitigate the “leakage” of potential contaminants to waterresources near the production area. If it is determined that excessive air emissions and/orexcessive negative impacts to air quality resource concerns may arise from a proposedCNMP, additional or alternative practices shall be used to mitigate these effects, iffeasible.

The following shall be included in the CNMP document: Tract identification (or none),land unit identification (e.g., headquarters), planned amounts (e.g., tons or gallons),planned date of installation, acreage utilized, and applied date.

Planners will include a statement that all NRCS conservation practices will be installed,operated, and maintained according to NRCS Standards and Specifications. Thesedocuments are found in each State’s FOTG.

When sand, organic, and solid separators, and any mechanical or chemical processthat changes the form or composition of a manure volume are used on the production site,planners will include these items in the CNMP, describing the changes in form orcomposition. This requirement helps the producer know the form of material and nutrientcomposition that will be applied to the land treatment area or exported off the farm.

Section 2.3. Manure Storage. All manure, wastewater, and organic by-productsstorage structures shall be identified in the CNMP document. The following shall beincluded in the CNMP document: Storage identification (e.g., big pond, calf shed), typeof storage (e.g., holding pond, manure pack), pumpable or spreadable capacity (themaximum capacity for storage in gallons or tons), and the maximum days of storage thestructure can accommodate considering animal type(s), animal number, and other onsiteproduction practices;

Section 2.4. Animal Inventory. All animal types shall be indentified in the CNMPdocument. The following shall be included in the CNMP document: Animal group (e.g.,lactating cows, dry cows and close ups, heifers), type of production phase (e.g., milkcow, dry cow, calf),number of animals, average weight of animals (lb), confinementperiod (e.g., early January-late December), percent manure collected (i.e., total numberof confinement days/365 days X 100 = % manure collected during the confinementperiod), and storage facility where manure will be stored (e.g., holding pond, storageshed);

Section 2.5. Normal Mortality Management. The CNMP includes a concisedescription of how to manage normal mortality in a manner that protects surface andground water;

Section 2.6.Planned Manure Exports off the Farm. Identify all planned manureexports off the farm in the CNMP document including: month and year of the export,manure source (e.g., storage shed 1), amount exported, receiving operation, andlocation of receiving operation. (Copies of other documents, such as transferagreements, that are required by the state regulatory agency will be filed in theappropriate appendix.);

Many livestock farms export manure. The planner must document the exportingstrategy in terms of time, volume, and nutrient composition. Unless addressed byState or local law, appropriate usage of manure leaving the source farm becomes theresponsibility of the receiving operation where the manure is to be utilized.Documentation includes the manure volume attributes, such as dry matter, nutrientcomposition, and suggested rates of application to minimize potential naturalresource concerns. See Exhibit 1 under the Waste Utilization (633) practice standard for an example waste transfer agreement.

Section 2.7.Planned Manure Imports onto the Farm. Identify all planned manureimports onto the farm in the CNMP document including: month and year of the import,animal type, amount imported, originating operation, and location of originatingoperation.

Manure can also be imported onto the production area. Manure can beimported directly to crop fields at a certain application rate. The landtreatment area import item can be handled just like the addition ofinorganic fertilizer. In both cases, the planner should include the importingand exporting of manure.

Section 2.8.Planned Internal Transfers of Manure. Identify all planned internaltransfers of manure on the farm in the CNMP document including: month and year of theinternal transfer, manure source (e.g., South shed 1), amount transferred, and manuredestination (e.g., North shed 2)

Section 3. Farmstead Safety and Security

Section 3.1. Emergency Response Plan. The Emergency Response Plan is designed asa quick reference for guidance when dealing with common emergency situations on AFOs.For example, storage facility spill, leak or failure during transport or land application,rescue services, or veterinarian services.

Section 3.2. Biosecurity Measures. Biosecurity is critical to protecting livestock andpoultry operations. Visitors must contact and check in with the producer before enteringthe operation or any production or storage facility. A concise description of how to dealwith animal veterinary waste, such as disposal of medicinal equipment and emptycontainers, sharps, andexpired medicine is included in the CNMP.

Section 3.3. Catastrophic Mortality Management. Refer to NRCS conservation practicestandards, or State guidance regarding catastrophic animal mortality handling methods.Disposal of dead animals is a natural resource concern. Most areas have very specific lawsthat govern how animals are to be disposed. A concise description of how to managecatastrophic loss of animals in is included in the CNMP.

Section 3.4.Chemical Handling. The CNMP document generated by MMP includes aChemical Handling check list for operations that plan to submit the CNMP document forNPDES permits. If a permit is not being sought, check the box indicating that “this sectiondoes not apply.”

Section 4. Land Treatment

Section 4.1. Map(s) of Fields and Conservation Practices. The CNMP must containmaps of the land application area. A GIS-developed map is preferred. Maps document:

Aerial maps of land application areas;

Fields delineated to show setbacks, buffers, waterways, conservation practicesplanned or other site-specific features important to nutrient management planning,(risers, inlets, wells, etc.);

Identification of sensitive areas such as sinkholes, streams, springs, lakes, ponds,wells, gullies, and other drinking water sources; and

Other site information features of significance to nutrient management planning,such as property boundaries or occupied dwellings.

Section 4.2. Land Treatment Conservation Practices. Land treatment conservationpractices are planned and installed to the land treatment area and shall be in accordancewith NRCS conservation practice standards. The objective of these practices is to prevent,minimize, or mitigate the impact of potential contaminants to water and air resources nearagricultural fields.

Section 5. Soil and Risk Assessment Analyses

Planners should be knowledgeable about risk assessment procedures and associated data requirements for the States in which they operate.

Section 5.1. Soil Information. The CNMP includes all needed soil information toallow completion of required nutrient loss risk assessments as required by the State inwhich the CNMP is being developed. Some common requirements are as follows: fieldidentification, map unit, soil component name, surface texture, slope range, organicmatter percent range, and depth to bedrock.

Section 5.2. Predicted Soil Erosion. The protection of local water quality requiresthat nutrient movement by soil erosion be minimized. The assessment of the potentialfor soil loss, in consideration of climate, soil, topography, crop rotation, culturalpractices, etc. is accomplished through use of the RUSLE2 software. The yearly erosionrate must be calculated on an individual crop/field basis (T/A/Yr).

Section 5.3. Nitrogen and Phosphorus Risk Analyses. All risk assessmentsrequired by the State for which the CNMP is being developed are utilized per Stateregulations. Nitrogen and Phosphorus risk assessment results are considered in themanure rate calculation for each field.

Section 5.4. Additional Field Data Required by Risk Assessment Procedure(s). TheCNMP includes any additional field data required by State regulations for thedetermination of risk of nitrogen, phosphorus, or sediment movement to local waterresources.

Section 6. Nutrient Management:

Meets the Nutrient Management Conservation Practice (Code 590)

Section 6.1.Field Information. The CNMP includes all needed field information toallow adequate planning for the allocation of manure nutrients to the land treatment area(i.e., agricultural fields). Typical field information includes: field identification, sub-fieldidentification (if pertinent), total acres, FSA farm, tract, and field (as applies), predominantsoil type, and percent slope.

Section 6.2. Manure Application Setback Distances. The CNMP includes all setbackinformation required to understand how available acreages were determined. Plannersfollow setback requirements outlined in the Waste Utilization (633) practice standard, andthe determination of acres available for spreading manure (spreadable acres).Section 6.3.Soil Test Data. Soil testing is in accordance with State regulations andguidance. The CNMP includes all analytical results required by the State to assure thecalculation of appropriate application rates of manure to fields.Land Grant University analyses and recommendations must be followed, and planners must beknowledgeable regarding the sampling procedures, sampling intervals, and tests required by Louisiana NRCS.

Section 6.4.Manure Nutrient Analysis. Follows State regulations and guidance. TheCNMP includes all required analytical results required by Louisiana NRCS to assure the calculationof appropriate application rates of manure to fields.Conservation planners must be aware of the requirements for, and interpretation of, manure test data. Planners also must beknowledgeable regarding the sampling procedures, sampling intervals, analyticalprocedures, and tests required by the Louisiana NRCS.

Section 6.5. Planned Crops and Fertilizer Recommendations. Planned crops, croprotations, reasonable yield expectation, fertilizer recommendations, and crop nutrient removal rates (based on Exhibit 4 in the Waste Utilization (633) practice standard) must be included in CNMP document.

Section 6.6.Manure Application Planning Calendar. The Manure ApplicationPlanningCalendar helps the producer make decisions about which fields are most suited forapplications of manure.

Section 6.7.Planned Nutrient Applications. The CNMP shall include planned nutrientapplications for manure-spreadable areas and for non-manure spreadable areas.

Section 6.8.Field Nutrient Balance. The CNMP shall include a field nutrient balancefor manure-spreadable areas and for non-manure spreadable areas.

Section 6.9.Manure Inventory Annual Summary. The CNMP shall include an annualmanure summary.

Section 6.10.Fertilizer Material Annual Summary. The CNMP shall include an annualfertilizer material summary.

Section 6.11.Whole-Farm Nutrient Balance. The CNMP shall include a whole-farmnutrient balance, including manure spreadable areas and non-spreadable areas.

Section 7. Feed management

Include only if a Feed Management Plan is required to reduce the total nutrients excreted by thelivestock on the farm. Do not include discussions of optional feed management.When Feed Management conservation practice (code 592) is included in the CNMP, diets andfeed management strategies shall be developed by professional animal scientists,independent professional nutritionists, or other comparably qualified individuals. Whenrequired by State policy or regulation, animal nutritionists shall be certified through anycertification program recognized within the State.

Section 8. Other Utilization Options

(1) Include only if utilization options other than land application are planned.

Example: While developing a CNMP, the manager of a large dairy realizes that the operationproduces more manure than can be safely applied to the farm’s availableland application areas.Rather than renting more spreadable acreage, the manager negotiates the installation of an onsitecomposting facility.

(2) The composting of manure and litter transforms the potentially polluting materialsintovalue-added products. The final product is reduced in both weight and volume, which reducesthe cost of transport of the composted material to regions deficient in manure resources.

Section 9. Recordkeeping Forms

Recordkeeping information is contained in the PAD for Specific Recordkeeping Items, includingtables and forms. Planners shall work with the producer and provide guidanceregardingrecordkeeping. Planners are encouraged to offer Agronomy Jobsheet 48 – Waste Utilization Recordkeeping forms to producers. Blank forms can be found on eFOTG, Section IV, under the Waste Utilization Folder.

Section 10. References

Section 10.1Publications. These are generally reference documents where importantState-specific regulations or guidance can be retrieved. These are supportive documents thatmay be important to understanding the CNMP operational design and activities. (ii) Section 10.2.Software and Data Sources. This is a list of Software, including versionanddata sources important to regeneration of the CNMP document.

Attachment 2

Minimum Producer Activity Document (PAD) Contents

The PAD is intended for day-to-day use by the producer to assist with staying in compliance withthe CNMP. The PAD may not contain sufficient information for permitting purposes. At aminimum, the following sections and format will be required in the PAD. Specific sections in thePAD refer to maps or tabular information.

Cover Page

Section 1. Background and Site Information

Section 2. Manure and Wastewater Handling and Storage

Section 3. Farmstead Safety and Security

Section 4. Land Treatment Practices

Section 6. Nutrient Management

Section 9. Recordkeeping

Section 9.1Producer Activity Checklist. The producer activitychecklist helps the producer schedule monthly activities that are important to themaintenance of the CNMP. It also establishes a record of scheduled events, dates ofcompletion, and individuals involved.

Section 9.2.Inspection or Monitoring Records. Inspection/monitoring records help theproducer schedule required inspections and record the fact that they have been completed.

Section 9.3.Crop Records. Crop records help the producer maintain records regardingcrops, planting dates, planting rates, tillage and harvest dates, and yields, etc.

Section 9.4.Manure Application Records. Manure application records are essential tounderstanding how crop nutrient needs were met with minimal impact on local water quality.

Section 9.5. Other Nutrient Applications (Commercial Fertilizer and Irrigation WaterApplications Records). Commercial fertilizer and irrigation water application records areessential to understanding how crop nutrient needs were met with minimal impact on localwater quality.

Section 9.6.Planned Manure Exports off the Farm. The producer shall keep accuraterecords on site relating manure exports off the farm.