Nutrient Management

A nutrient management plan (NMP) helps farmers make science-based decisions about when, where and how many nutrients to apply to their cropland. A NMP begins with current soil test data to know the baseline of your soil fertility by field. By knowing the soil fertility and the nutrient need for your crop you can calculate how many nutrients (manure and/or commercial fertilizer) to apply to meet your crop need - not too much, not too little but just the right amount. By applying too much fertilizer or applying at the wrong time nutrients may be lost to the air, surface water or groundwater. If you apply too little you may lose yield. The goal is to apply just the right amount to maintain soil fertility, provide enough nutrients for your crop and obtain a good economic yield.

NMP Components

Nutrient Management 590 Checklist
A detailed narrative that depicts all of the farm information
A complete SnapPlus database
SnapPlus Compliance Check Report
SnapPlus Field Data and 590 Assessment
SnapPlus Manure Tracking Report
SnapPlus Spreading and Nutrient Management Sorted by Crop Report
SnapPlus Soil Test Summary (must include current soil tests that are less than 4 years old and 1 sample every 5 acres)
SnapPlus Spreading Plan Report
Reference Maps
Restriction Maps
Soil Maps
Winter Spreading Maps (if needed/allowed)
Incorporation Maps (if applicable)

Who needs an NMP

EVERYONE! All crop producers and livestock producers that apply manure or other nutrients directly to agricultural fields shall comply.
Since January 1, 2008, all farms are required to have an NMP for their cropland
Required by the WI Department of Natural Resources for concentrated animal feeding operations with 1,000 or more animal units.
Must be submitted by April 1st each year.