Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans (CNMP): If you received funding from the NRCS to have this plan developed, R&R has the experience to complete the plan to your satisfaction and to government expectations. 

Manure Management Plans: All livestock operations must have, at a minimum, a manure management plan. R&R can help write your plan to ensure you are in compliance. 


Ag E&S Plans: All cropping operations must have, at a minimum, An Ag E&S plan. This plan helps a farm control erosion and sediment runoff from cropped fields and barnyards. 


Nutrient Management Plans: All regulated livestock operations, such as CAFOs and CAOs are required to maintain an approved nutrient management plan. This detailed plan accounts for all nutrients and manure coming and leaving the farm. Also, any farm applying for government grant money is required to have an approved NMP. 
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Odor Management Plans: All regulated livestock operations, such as CAFOs and CAOs are required to have an odor management plan. All  regulated operations adding new manure storage facilities also need an updated plan.

Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans (CNMPs)

What is it and why should I get one? A couple good reasons are shown below.

Old Feedlot

Old Access Lane with Water-bar

New Feedlot with Manure Stacking Pad

New Access Lane with Conveyor-Belt Waterbar and Stormwater Drop-Box

A CNMP is a planning tool that farms use to address environmental resource concerns, nutrient management, and tillage operations. The CNMP allows a farm operator to identify and prioritize improvements for the farm and also helps the farm rank higher for some types of construction grant money. The improvements shown above were funded by a grant, but the farm would not have ranked high enough to receive grant money without the CNMP. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) often can provide funding to have a CNMP developed.  These valuable plans are a building block for any farm. Contact your local NRCS office to sign up for CNMP funding and for information about construction grants. 

A CNMP has three components:
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1. Engineering Inventory and Evaluation Report
2. Nutrient Management Plan
3. Conservation Plan

1. Engineering Evaluation Report - This report focuses on issues relating to manure and wastewater handling. The report also covers many other items such as surface water control, barnyards, roof runoff problems, and diversions. An engineer will visit a farm, discuss environmental issues with the farmer and become familiar with a farmer's goals and management system. The engineer will often suggest improvements to farm infrastructure that not only reduces environmental concerns, but also helps the farm operation. The report will have a detailed sketch, description of the project, and cost estimate for all proposed practices.

2. Nutrient Management Plan - A nutrient management plan breaks the farm down field-by-field, and recommends manure and fertilizer application rates. The nutrient planner needs to collect manure and soil samples from every field (unless the farm has soil samples that are less than 3 years old). The samples are analyzed for nutrient content and pH. Based on the test results, the desired crop rotation, and the farmer's goals, the planner will recommend manure and nutrient application rates to maximize yields without wasting fertilizer or causing excessive runoff. The plan will also address pasture management and record keeping.

3. Conservation Plan - A conservation plan details farm management practices related to tillage operations, crop rotations, pasture management and any improvements agreed upon in the Engineering Evaluation Report (Part 1 fo the CNMP). A conservation planner uses soil maps, aerial photos, and a site-visit to create a list of fields, problem areas and goals. The plan includes soil loss calculations and may also include a grazing plan if appropriate. The plan helps the farm remain productive by addressing excessive soil loss.