With the increased emphasis on
environmental protection and water quality, and the current
economic conditions in the farming community, nutrient
management planning and the efficient use of all nutrient
sources is more vital than ever. According to Chuck Lander,
director of the NRCS, we have 2 to 3 years to implement
nutrient management plans before the government takes over.
There is a lot of money available for cost sharing that we
need to utilize that will reduce the farmer’s 
initial
costs while helping him overcome the obstacles of manure
management.
No system or plan is perfect, but if we can account for all
nutrients from all available sources, apply them where they
are most needed and losses are minimal, and keep accurate
records of what and where nutrients are applied, then we are
doing our job as agronomists, helping our patrons be more
profitable, and protecting the environment. We need to balance
the management of nutrients to grow productive and profitable
crops with environmental concerns, while keeping the plan
practical enough to be implemented.
