Nutrient Management Planning (NMP) is the management of the amount, source, timing, and method of application (placement) of soil amendments and plant nutrients. Your NMP should help you: budget, supply, and conserve nutrients for plant production; properly utilize manure or organic byproducts as a plant nutrient source; minimize agricultural nonpoint source pollution of surface and groundwater resources; protect air quality by reducing nitrogen emissions and odors; and maintain or improve your soil health conditions. In Vermont, all certified small farm operations and all permitted medium and large farm operations managing manure, agriculutral wastes, or fertilizer for use as nutrienet sources are required to implement a field-by-field nutrient management plan that follows the USDA NRCS NMP Code 590.
NEW - 2021 Nutrient Management Planning (NMP) classes
The classes this year will be done virtually! All farmer attendees are pre-registered. If you are interested in completing an NMP or updating yours - contact Susan Brouillette at susan.brouillette@uvm.edu or 802-524-6501 x432. Classes are Thursdays starting Feb. 11, 2021 for 6 consecutive Thursdays. We will not have class Th, March 4. Each class includes a 30 minute lecture and then NMP work. Each lecture will be recorded and posted here for anyone to watch. Additional class related information will also be posted below for your convenience to access.
NMP Course Agenda (PDF) - including homework and class expectations
Digging in Training Manual (PDF) - NMP class follows when developing your NMP
Nutrient Recommendation for Field Crops in Vermont, Rev. Sep 2020 (PDF)
Updated 590 Standards, Oct 2020 (PDF)
Updated Vermont Phosphorus Index User Guide, Nov 2020 (PDF)
goCrop Data Entry Sheets for Remote Updates (PDF)
Updating your NMP in goCrop (PDF)
Summary of the RAPs, Required Agricultural Pratices (PDF)
RAP Online Quiz - learn about and earn water quality credits
RECORDED VIDEOS
NMP Update Zoom Meeting Presentation, 2/4/21 (PDF)
NMP Update Meeting Recording, 2/4/21
Class 1: 2/11/21
Class 2: 2/18/21
Class 3: 2/25/21
Class 4: 3/11/21
Class 5: 3/18/21
Class 6: 3/25/21
Writing and Funding Your Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) brochure (PDF) may also be very helpful.
goCrop Mobile Tutorial
This tutorial provides step-by-step instruction on how to download the mobile app, enter records, view field and farm information, and navigate between pages. This tutorial is Android specific. However, this tutorial is applicable for other mobile platforms because the information provided in the tutorial on how to enter records and where to access information is similar on other mobile devices (iPhones, tablets, etc.). View the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/kzz-yIC8B4o
Ever wonder if your farm is a net importer or exporter of nutrients? Have you sat down and penciled out the math on the financial benefits of cover crops? goCrop is here to help with that! With newly integrated analysis tools and easy to interpret reports, goCrop is a one stop shop to write your NMP and calculate a Whole Farm Mass Nutrient Balance, based on software from Cornell, and Cover Crop Economics based on the NRCS calculator. Tim Magnant said, “Reports are nice because we can see the results. We are doing a good job. This report isn’t for me, it’s for the naysayers…The reports work in my favor because they show that the agronomics we are doing are working. It’s proof. We are doing as good as we can do. This shows me we are doing pretty well.” Find out more about what farmers like you had to say about these new goCrop features!
NMP Course Information flyer (PDF) to find out about our NMP course and when it will be offered again. Getting a head start on preparing for the January class is very important as some key things need to be completed in order to take the course including: 1) having a completed Land Treatment Plan (LTP), 2) having up-to-date soil samples (within 3 years), and 3) having an up-to-date manure sample (need yearly). You may also be eligible for grant funds through the Conservation District (RCPP funds) or NRCS (EQIP funds) to help pay for the development of your NMP. Call your local office for additional information.This brochure Writing and Funding Your Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) may also be very helpful.