Nutrient Management: Friend Or Foe?
V irginia Ishler
Penn State Dairy Alliance
It is not surprising that many producers do not have
nuti tent management on their radar screens. Putting
togethei a plan can be as intimidating and overwhelm
ing as trying to do your own income taxes. Why would
a poison put themselves through that ordeal if they
didn't have to?
I he initial response would most likely be there is no
good reason. However, even if a farm does not need a
nuliient management plan, learning about the many
management strategies that can be painlessly imple
mented, and that comply with regulations currently in
place could offer several advantages. In many in
stances, there ate opportunities to lower costs (i.e.
teed) on the farm while at the same time maintaining
oi improving production. There is the possibility to
nnpime the whole farm nutrient balance and the pub
lic's perception of farming. Consider the following
questions
I \ie lowering feed costs and improving air and
w.i.ci quality at the same time realistic? Phosphorus
and mtiogen are the two main elements that are con
i ci ns legarding water and air quality. They are also
the same two nutrients that tend to be overfed on
tai ms and can increase feed costs substantially. In the
an lent situation of higher feed costs and lower milk
pi ices, this could be the time to seriously evaluate the
ley el of phosphorus and protein being fed. The first
slop m being good environmental stewards is to reduce
tlu excietionol these elements in the manure.
2. What is the P-index? It is very likely in the next
couple of years, phosphorus-based nutrient manage
ment planning, instead of nitrogen based, will be in
place Ihe phosphorus index, or P-index, is a tool
w Inch evaluates the fields on which manure will be ap
plied. It incorporates a rating system for nutrient
tianspoil factors (i.e. erosion) and source factors.
I Mug the P-index scale, determinations will be made
it nutnents (manure or fertilizer) can be applied based
mi mtiogen, based on phosphorus crop removal, or if
no phosphoi us can be applied.
1 Is there any financial assistance available? There
me numerous cost-shaiing programs available that
piovide assistance to pioducers. Recently, the federal
government has allotted funds that can be used to
wards environmental improvements.
4. Mow do I know if regulations apply to me? The
“foe” foi most people lies in the regulation part of nu
ti ient management The key to finding out if you are
m compliance or what direction you need to be going
m is by fust contacting the right people.
5. How can 1 become environmentally aware? The
PEACCE program (Pennsylvania Environmental Ag
ricultural Conservation Certification of Excellence)
was developed to promote environmentally safe agri
cultural practices among livestock and poultry pro
ducers, to encourage them to minimize risks to the
environment, and in turn minimize personal liability.
By successfully completing three components of the
program, producers get recognized who meet oi
exceed standards as established' by PEACCE. They
receive a farm sign and are publicly recognized foi
meeting and exceeding the environmental standards
of the program.
More in-depth answers to these questions will occur
at the Dairy-PR workshops scheduled at various loca
tions across the state on September 24, October 3, and
16, 2002. The registration fee is $lO per person. The
registration fee is offset by funding from the PEACCE
program. Detailed information can be obtained by
contacting Virginia Ishler at vishler@psu.edu or (814)
863-3912.
Farmers Learn About
Dairy Checkoff At
PDPP Annual Meeting
HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) Harold Shaulis,
Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program (PDPP) vice
chairman and Somerset County dairy farmer, wel
comed nearly 250 Pennsylvania dairy farmers Aug. 22
to the 2002 PDPP annual meeting and informational
luncheon at Ag Progress Days.
Scott Higgins, CEO of American Dairy Association
and Dairy Council Mid East shared information about
both local and national dairy promotion efforts.
“Since the national dairy checkoff began in 1984,
per capita consumption of total milk has steadily
climbed, increasing by more than 13 percent,” said
1 liggins.
Higgins also discussed the checkoff program’s initi
atives to increase milk sales through milk vending ma
chines in schools. A new program will provide schools
w ith the information they need to make a vending ma
chine in their school a reality. The dairy checkoff will
also provide grants to schools in the PDPP and Mid-
Atlantic Dairy Association service areas of Pennsylva
nia to help schools purchase selected vending
machines. Dairy farmers attending Ag Progress Days
w ci e also invited to visit the checkoff exhibit to learn
moie