Progress 09/15/03 to 09/14/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Objective 1: Develop the face to face Nutrient Management Certification Short Course into a web-based course that can be taken over time at the student's pace. A consultant developed the web site for the online course and site for certified nutrient management specialists (CNMSs) in Texas. The online course was completed and released in July 2008 and can be found at http://nmp.tamu.edu. Thirty are signed up for the online course. Two face to face courses were scheduled for December, 2008 to help get the backlog of people a training opportunity. 268 people have taken the course with 158 being fully certified. I have worked with NRCS to improve the NMP software, the online course, and with all authors of the Nutrient Management Handbook to improve their material and test questions in preparation of the online course. Objective 2: Increase the bank of test questions for the exam. 121 questions were developed. Objectives 3: Develop educational material for new CAFOs based upon TCEQ's promulgation of USEPA's new regulations for dairy, feed yard, poultry, and swine. Information was developed and revised yearly to keep producers up to date due to the changes to EPA CAFO regulations. 24 educational outreach opportunities were offered during the project. Objective 4: Deliver educational material to new and old CAFOs based upon the revised CAFO Rule in Texas. 24 outreach programs were delivered to dairy (8), poultry (9), feedyard (3), and producers using manure (4),reaching 1291 individuals. Of these 396 were from the dairy, 530 poultry, 130 feedyard, and 268 producers using manure as an alternate source of nutrients. There were no programs directed at the swine industry because only two large producers are in the state and they use all of their manure on land surrounding their facilities. One outreach was developed and delivered to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality reaching 32 TCEQ Water Quality and Enforcement personnel about the Phosphorus Index and Nutrient Management Planning software. Objective 5: Develop soil sampling criteria to reduce the amount of variability in sample collection and laboratory analyses. Worked with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) to make sure all sampling criteria would be met by the methods we are proposing to evaluate. Sites were selected and approved through TCEQ, NRCS, and TSSWCB. All analyses were completed on the two sites in the feedyard and dairy areas of Texas and the three sampling methods (professional judgment, simple random, and stratified simple random) were evaluated. Objective 6: Develop a soil sampling guidance to be used by all Technical Service Providers (TSPs). We are working with TCEQ to revise their soil sampling guidance for CAFO NMPs based upon Objective 5 results. This guidance is in its third revision. As soon as it is completed, a Texas AgriLife Extension bulletin will be completed that will cover soil sampling for all nutrient management plans, not just CAFOs. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Objective 1: Develop the face to face Nutrient Management Certification Short Course into a web-based course that can be taken over time at the student's pace. The comments that have come in about the online course is that it is easy to use and they are getting the information. We have had 30 that have all or a portion of the online course since it went online. During the project 268 people took the course and 158 are now fully certified. Objective 2: Increase the bank of test questions for the exam. 121 questions were added. Objectives 3: Develop educational material for new CAFOs based upon TCEQ's promulgation of USEPA's new regulations for dairy, feed yard, poultry, and swine. We developed and delivered information for dairy, poultry, and feedyard. Swine was not addressed since there are only two large producers and they use all of their manure on site. Changes were made yearly in the material being presented due to changes from EPA. We kept producers up to date on the Texas Phosphorus Index and Nutrient Management Plan and software for the NMP. Objective 4: Deliver educational material to new and old CAFOs based upon the revised CAFO Rule in Texas. Through the 24 educational outreach opportunities for producers, 1291 individuals were trained. For the dairy programs, a pre- and a post test was given with scores improving from the 50's and 60's to 80's and 90's. For the poultry programs, a survey evaluating the producers' potential to implement or improve best management practices was used. Over 75% indicated that BMPs would be implemented or improved. Objective 5: Develop soil sampling criteria to reduce the amount of variability in sample collection and laboratory analyses. Four sites were sampled on a 0.25 acre grid, two from this project and two from other projects. The sites ranged in size from 11 to 19 acres. Soil samples were collected at depths of 0-2, 2-6 and 0-6 inches and analyzed for Mehlich-3 P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, and S. Soil samples were reconstructed from these samples to estimate the professional judgment, simple random, and stratified simple random sampling techniques. All tested parameters were within the standard deviation of the mean of the 0.25 acre grid samples. By manipulating the 0.25 acre individual samples, it was found that the stratified simple random sampling technique had the greatest potential to give the highest soil testing variability. Thus, based upon our recommendations from this study, TCEQ has taken this technique out of its soil sampling guidance for CAFOs. Objective 6: Develop a soil sampling guidance to be used by all Technical Service Providers (TSPs). We are working with TCEQ to revise their soil sampling guidance for CAFO NMPs. This guidance is its third revision. As soon as it is completed, a Texas AgriLife Extension bulletin will be completed that will cover soil sampling for all nutrient management plans, not just CAFOs.
Publications
- Mukhtar, S. J.U. Ullman, B.W. Auvermann, S.E. Feagley, and T.A. Carpenter. 2004. Impact of anaerobic lagoon management on sludge accumulation and nutrient content for dairies. Trans. ASAE. 47:251-257.
- Feagley, Sam, Mark McFarland, Tony Provin, Monty Dollar, James Childers, James Crownover, David Embry, Bobby Hanna, and Rick Leopold. Nutrient Management Certification Short Course Handbook. 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008.
- Osmond, D.L., M.L. Cabrera, S.E. Feagley, G.E. Hardee, C.C. Mitchell, P.A. Moore, Jr., R.S. Mylavarapu, J.L. Oldham, J.C. Stevens, W.O. Thom, F. Walker, and H.Zhang. 2006. Comparing ratings of the southern phosphorus indices. J.Soil Water Cons. 61(6):325-337.
- Grichar, W.J., J.D. Nerada, and S.E. Feagley. 2005. Use of chicken litter for bermuda grass production in south Texas. J. Sust. Agric. 25:67-90.
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Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Objective 1: Develop the face to face Nutrient Management Certification Short Course into a web-based course that can be taken over time at the student's pace. A consultant was hired in 2005 to develop the web site for the online course and site for nutrient management tools and certified nutrient management specialists (CNMSs) in Texas. As of the end of December, the development of the web site is almost completed and we are working on editing bugs. The site is scheduled to be available in May with two tests to be given, one planned for July/August and one for October/November. One face to face course was offered with 12 attending and 7 passing the exam. Worked with NRCS to improve the nutrient management software and with all authors of the Nutrient Management Handbook to improve their material in preparation of the online course. All of the modules of the short course are completed except two. We will start without these two being completed because I have waited for 1.5
years for the author to complete. When he completes them, we will add them to the course. The two modules not yet completed are manure management and managing lagoons and runoff. I have worked closely with NRCS in the development of the online course. Objective 2: Increase the bank of test questions for the exam. About 50 additional questions were added to the bank in 2007 and many were revised due to changes in regulations and NRCS policy. Objectives 3: Develop educational material for new CAFOs based upon TCEQ's promulgation of USEPA's new regulations for dairy, feed yard, poultry, and swine. Due to the dry poultry being taken out of the regulation, no additional trainings were done for poultry in 2007. Objective 4: Deliver educational material to new and old CAFOs based upon the revised CAFO Rule in Texas. Worked with North Carolina State University to help deliver a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan Course to 70 participants across the nation from February 26-28. One
educational outreach was developed and delivered in Sulfer Springs October 30 to dairy producers reaching 54 producers about the Phosphorus Index and Nutrient Management Planning software and proper methods of soil sampling and submission. Objective 5: Develop soil sampling criteria to reduce the amount of variability in sample collection and laboratory analyses. Worked with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) to make sure all sampling criteria would be met by the methods we are proposing to evaluate. Sites were selected and approved through TCEQ, NRCS, and TSSWCB and sampled in November and December, 2006. All analyses have been completed on the two sites and the three sampling methods were evaluated. Objective 6: Develop a soil sampling guidance to be used by all Technical Service Providers (TSPs). We are working with TCEQ to revise their soil sampling guidance for
CAFOs based upon Objective 5 results. This guidance will be developed and submitted for use by all TSPs sampling soils for agronomy recommendations.
PARTICIPANTS: Individuals that participated in various parts of the project are Drs. Ellen Jordon, Saqib Mukhtar, Mark McFarland, Tony Provin, and Brent Auvermann. Agencies that participated are Texas NRCS, Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas Dairyman's Association, and Texas Farm Bureau. Fifty-four dairymen were trained at an East Texas Dairy Outreach Program Area educational outreach. Seven Texas Nutrient Management Specialists were certified. Seventy participants were trained on writing comprehensive nutrient management plans.
TARGET AUDIENCES: CAFO operators and consultants were the main target audiences for the trainings.
PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: No changes to the project, just time extensions.
Impacts
Objective 1: Develop the face to face Nutrient Management Certification Short Course into a web-based course that can be taken over time at the student's pace. No outcomes yet. Objective 2: Increase the bank of test questions for the exam. The more exam questions make it easier to substitute questions. Twenty questions always will remain the same as marker questions. Objectives 3: Develop educational material for new CAFOs based upon TCEQ's promulgation of USEPA's new regulations for dairy, feed yard, poultry, and swine. No outcomes for 2007. Objective 4: Deliver educational material to new and old CAFOs based upon the revised CAFO Rule in Texas. A pre- and post-test were given to 54 dairy producers to evaluate impacts of the presentations. All increased their knowledge of changes in rules and best management practices and about 67 percent noted that they would make changes to implement best management practices. Objective 5: Develop soil sampling criteria to reduce
the amount of variability in sample collection and laboratory analyses. Four sites (two for this project and two for another project) were manure (dairy (2), beef cattle (1), and poultry (1)) is applied were selected, soils were sampled on a 0.25 acre grid, prepared and analyzed for Mehlich-3 extractable nutrients (P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, and S), pH, EC, and nitrate-N. The three soil sampling techniques were compared by randomly selecting 15 samples from the 0.25 acre grid samples that met the sampling criteria at 50 g/sample, mixing, and analyzed as above. The three sampling techniques are Professional Judgment based upon Texas AgriLife Extension Service recommendations, systematic random sampling, and simple random sampling. Based upon the statistical analyses, all sampling techniques were within 80 to 85 % of the average and standard diviation of the combined 0.25 acre grid samples. Our conclusion is that any of the sampling techniques are doing a good job of representing the nutrient
concentrations in the fields. The systematic random has a higher potential to be skewed by excessively high samples than the other two because pre-determined sampling locations can not be changed in the field even if it is on top of a feeding/watering location where there would be a concentration of manure and nutrients. Objective 6: Develop a soil sampling guidance to be used by all Technical Service Providers (TSPs). The guidance is being written.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
Objective 1: Develop the face to face Nutrient Management Certification Short Course into a web-based course that can be taken over time at the student's pace. A consultant was hired to develop the web site for the online course and site for nutrient management tools and certified nutrient management specialists (CNMSs) in Texas. As of the end of December, the development of the web site is completed. We have a draft short course on the web site, but it is not ready for release yet. We are hoping for the middle of 2007. Because we were hoping that the online course would be ready this year, we did not have any face to face certification classes this year. Due to that, we have numerous people that need certification as soon as possible and we have scheduled a face to face course February 13-16. I have worked closely with NRCS in the development of the draft online course Objective 2: Increase the bank of test questions for the exam. Progress was made on this objective
in 2006. Extra questions that were not used on the online course were saved and placed into the test question bank. There were about 60 extra questions. Objectives 3: Develop educational material for new CAFOs based upon TCEQ's promulgation of USEPA's new regulations for dairy, feed yard, poultry, and swine. No progress was made on this objective due to waiting on EPA and TCEQ to make decisions on regulations. Objective 4: Deliver educational material to new and old CAFOs bsed upon the revised CAFO Rule in Texas. Two educational outreaches were developed and delivered to dairy producers and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality reaching 35 producers and 32 TCEQ water Quality and Enforcement personnel about the Phosphorus Index and Nutrient Management Planning software. We were in a holding pattern for most of the year waiting on EPA to issue their response. Objective 5: Develop soil sampling criteria to reduce the amount of variability in sample collection and laboratory analyses:
Worked with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) to make sure all sampling criteria would be met by the methods we are proposing to evaluate. Three meetings were held to discuss, develop, and modify methods to be evaluated. Sites were selected and sampled. Two sites were selected for this project, one dairy and one feed yard site. On a Companion project, two poultry sites were sampled. At each site, a 1 gallon of soil sample was collected at 0-5, 5-15 and 0-15 cm depths on a 0.25 A grid. Areas sampled ranged from 12 to 18 acres. One site has been dried, pulverized and analyzed for Mehlich-3 extractable P, Ca, Mg, Na, and S. Two other sites have been dried and pulverized and one site has just been collected. Objective 6: Develop a soil sampling guidance to be used by all Technical Service Providers (TSPs). We are working with TCEQ to revise their soil sampling guidance
for CAFOs based upon Objective 5 results. This guidance will be developed and submitted for use by all TSPs sampling soils for agronomy recommendations. This is scheduled for completion by the end of March 2007.
Impacts
The online course will make it easier for people wanting to be a Certified Nutrient Management Specialist in Texas. The course will be more comprehensive with the addition of manure quality, air quality, lagoon management, and the writing of two nutrient management plans as part of the exam. The revision soil sampling criteria should help reduce the errors in soil sampling.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
Objective 1. Develop the face to face Nutrient Management Certification Short Course into a web based course that can be taken over time at the students pace. A consultant was hired to develop the web site for the online course and site for nutrient management tools and certified nutrient management specialists (CNMSs) in Texas. As of the end of December, the development of the web site is about 2/3 completed. Selected current CNMSs will be asked to review the new training material for beta-testing. The site is scheduled to be available in May with two tests to be given, one planned for July/August and one for October/November. Two face to face courses were offered with 43 attending and 30 passing the exam. Worked with NRCS to improve the nutrient management software and with all authors of the Nutrient Management Handbook to improve their material in preparation of the online course. Objective 2. Increase the bank of test questions for the exam. No progress was made
on this objective in 2005. Objectives 3. Develop educational material for new CAFOs based upon TCEQs promulgation of USEPAs new regulations for dairy, feed yard, poultry, and swine. Two educational outreaches were developed and delivered to poultry producers reaching 93 producers. Additional ones were scheduled and then cancelled due to the court ruling against the USEPA new regulations. We were in a holding pattern for most of the year waiting on EPA to issue their response. Objective 4. Deliver educational material to new and old CAFOs based upon the revised CAFO Rule in Texas. We developed and delivered two dairy and one beef cattle educational outreach on the new Texas Rule for CAFOs mainly directed at nutrient management and the Texas Phosphorus Assessment Tool, the Texas Phosphorus Index (P Index). Objective 5. Develop soil sampling criteria to reduce the amount of variability in sample collection and laboratory analyses. Worked with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
(TCEQ), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) to make sure all sampling criteria would be met by the methods we are proposing to evaluate. Two meetings were held to discuss, develop, and modify methods to be evaluated. Potential sites have been selected for further evaluation and approval through TCEQ, NRCS, and TSSWCB. Objective 6. Develop a soil sampling guidance to be used by all Technical Service Providers (TSPs). We are working with TCEQ to revise their soil sampling guidance for CAFOs based upon Objective 5 results. This guidance will be developed and submitted for use by all TSPs sampling soils for agronomy recommendations.
Impacts
Due to potential changes in the EPA CAFO regulations, Texas, as all other states have been in a holding pattern waiting for EPA's response to the court ruling on the CAFO regulations. We have received a letter suggesting that all deadlines will be postponed by one year. If or how the poultry industry will be involved is uncertain at this time. We are prepared to work with the poultry producers on the spur of the moment if need be to help them comply. The online course is progressing very well and will be available in May. The soil sampling guidance is going to be of great importance, especially for regulatory compliance.
Publications
- Feagley, Sam, Jim Childers, Monty Dollar, David Embry, Rick Leopold, Mark McFarland, Tony Provin, and Andy Spencer. 2005. Nutrient Management Handbook - 2005.
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
Objective 1. Presenters of information for the Nutrient Management Certification Short Course are collecting pictures to demonstrate information presented in text and Power Point presentations. The writing committee had two phone conferences to discuss needs and set deadlines for acquiring information. Three courses were taught, training 57 Technical Service Providers. Objective 2. No progress on this objectives in 2004. Objective 3. Texas finalized the new CAFOs rule July 23. We worked with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to develop training materials for poultry, feed yard, dairy, and swine CAFOs. Objective 4. Four five hour educational outreaches were conducted in November and December for poultry producers that will be new permitted concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). Information presented included TCEQ rules and regulations, Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) Water Quality Management Plan requirements to meet part
of the permit, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Nutrient Management Plan requirements, litter sampling guidance and examples, litter and mortality management, and soil sampling and analyses guidance and requirements. There were 437 poultry producers that received the first of two trainings, the first to get them the new information and the second will be scheduled in mid to late 2005 to help them complete forms and information for their permit. Two additional educational outreaches are planned for early 2005 for poultry. Three dairy educational outreaches were conducted to deliver regulation changes to producers. Approximately 150 dairy operators received the training. The other CAFOs and additional dairies, will be targeted in March through July 2005. Objective 5. The Texas Cooperative Extension (TCE) Soil, Water and Forage Testing Laboratory changed to Mehlich 3 soil test extracting solution Jan. 20, 2004. We recommended, and the TCEQ accepted, Mehlich 3 as the sole
phosphorus extractant and accepted inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy as the required analysis instrument. Objective 6. No progress on this objective. Are currently using the TCEQ soil sample technical guidance that we helped them develop in 2003.
Impacts
Approximately 150 dairy producers obtained up to date information on nutrient management, soil test phosphorus, lagoon management, dead animal composting, nutrition and information changes for the Texas CAFO rule. Approximately 440 poultry producers were introduced to the new CAFO rule that they will now be under. They received training on the TCEQ rule, TSSWCB Water Quality Management Plan update, NRCS Nutrient Management Plan update, soil and poultry litter sampling and analyses, and litter and mortality management. This information will help producers better manage nutrients and animal mortality and prepare them for the new Texas CAFO rule. The newly certified Nutrient Management Specialists can serve at technical service providers for nutrient management.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 09/15/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
The project was initiated September 15, 2003. Individual budgets and account numbers have been established for each cooperator. Sufficient funds were distributed to each person for all of the educational programs and for each of them to attend one 406 water quality meeting during the three years of the contract. One dairy educational program was completed in Sulphur Springs in October with 55 producers attending. Information covered included nutrient management, lagoon management, dead animal composting, new EPA CAFO regulations and how they may impact Texas. A phone conference was held in December to discuss the status of the project, budgets and account numbers, teams, schedule potential dates for educational programs, and materials to be developed. There are five teams that have been set up. These include cattle, dairy, poultry, swine, and test development and review. The consultants for the online course have been contacted and a meeting will be set up in February
to discuss the project and obtain resumes to submit to USDA for approval and funds to be released. A nutrient management certification short course was held in October in College Station with 19 attendees. Two short courses will be offered in 2004.
Impacts
The 55 dairy producers obtained up to date information on nutrient management, soil test phosphorus, lagoon management, dead animal composting, nutrition and information about the potential changes for the Texas CAFO rule. This information will help producers better manage nutrients and animal mortality and prepare them for the revised Texas CAFO rule. The newly certified Nutrient Management Specialists can serve at technical service providers for nutrient management.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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