Water Quality  Nutrient runoff – the primary concern is with Phosphorous

Pros Essential element for plant and animal life Not considered a human health issue Cons Can accumulate in and degrade the quality of freshwater streams and lakes- Eutrophication

Accelerated aging Excessive plant growth P usually limiting factor Accelerated aging Excessive plant growth P usually limiting factor Results  “off flavor” drinking water  Lower oxygen levels  Reduction in aquatic populations Results  “off flavor” drinking water  Lower oxygen levels  Reduction in aquatic populations

Commercial fertilizer- can be mixed to any ratio; but can be expensive. Poultry Litter – excellent sources of the essential Nutrients and provides an organic material that acts as a soil amendment; but can not be used if soil test phosphorous is high.

 Requiring Nutrient Management Plans  Requiring qualified personal to apply Nutrients  Development of a protective rate of application  Identifying areas of concern  Development of a Phosphorous Index (P-Index)  Requiring Nutrient Management Plans  Requiring qualified personal to apply Nutrients  Development of a protective rate of application  Identifying areas of concern  Development of a Phosphorous Index (P-Index)

Developed By State Team  ANRC  NRCS  USDA  UA. Div. of Ag  ADEQ Based on  Runoff Plot Research  RUSLE  Soil Characteristics  Historical runoff information  Professional judgment (P Index = Source x Transport x Precipitation x BMP)

 Evaluates P runoff risk  Greater values = greater risk  Establishes risk ranges  Permits “what if” Planning  provides management options  Makes planning a decision making process  Lets landowner adjust management.

Development and contents of a plan Collecting information- on farm visit Operation photo’s and maps Soils and litter information / test results RUSLE calculations P-Index calculations Nutrient production Whole farm nutrient budget Nutrient management recommendations

ACT 1059: Soil Nutrient Management Planner and Applicator Certification Act. ACT 1060: Registry of Poultry Feeding Operations. ACT 1061: Requires Proper Application of Nutrients and Utilization of Poultry Litter in Nutrient Surplus Areas. ACT 2294: Requires a Nutrient Management Plan for all dry litter applications; went into effect January 1 of this year. ACT 1059: Soil Nutrient Management Planner and Applicator Certification Act. ACT 1060: Registry of Poultry Feeding Operations. ACT 1061: Requires Proper Application of Nutrients and Utilization of Poultry Litter in Nutrient Surplus Areas. ACT 2294: Requires a Nutrient Management Plan for all dry litter applications; went into effect January 1 of this year. In 2003 the Arkansas 84th General Assembly passed 3 laws affecting the way Arkansas manages and applies nutrients

TITLE 19: Poultry Feeding Operations Registration. TITLE 20: Nutrient Management Planner Certification Program. TITLE 21: Nutrient Management Applicator Certification Program. TITLE 22: Soil Nutrient and Poultry Litter Application and Management Program.