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6.1 Utah Manure Application
Risk Index - Excel Spreadsheet
The NRCS has developed a manure application risk index that determines
the risk of spreading manure during 2 different seasons; winter,
and spring, summer, fall. The index allows you to evaluate your
fields based on parameters such as distance to water, irrigation
type, cover type, runoff control, % slope, and precipitation.
This assessment should
be used to identify field and cropping conditions when winter applications
of manure on frozen and/or snow-covered ground are low risk.
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You will need
the following information:
Instruction
Sheet
This form will guide you through filling out the form.
You can either print this form, or follow the instructions
typed below.
Excel
Table
1: Winter Application Parameters
This
form helps you evaluate your risk in applying manure to fields
in the winter. You will need to print this form, or have it
otherwise available when filling out the winter section of
the worksheet.
Excel
Table 2: Spring,
Summer, Fall Application Parameters
This form helps you evaluate your risk in applying manure
to fields in the spring, summer, or fall. You will need to
print this form, or have it otherwise available when filling
out the spring, summer, fall section of the worksheet.
Excel
Table 3: Winter
Precipitation Values (from Utah Climate Handbook)
This
table will help you determine the nearest weather station
to your operation, allowing you to assess your risk most accurately.
Print this table for easy access, or simply remember the station
closest to you to type into the worksheet.
Excel
Table 4: Field
Vulnerability for Manure Loss
This
table interprets your risk rating and gives suggestions for
manure spreading practices and winter application of manure.
Excel
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UMARI sample spreadsheet
You may also
want to look over the sample Utah Manure Application Risk
Index worksheet, available as an active Excel spreadsheet.
There are two versions available- one before
and one after
the CNMP was completed.
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Use the Utah Manure
Application Risk Index to determine the risk of spreading manure.
Excel
(*Note- Excel spreadsheets
are programed to do calculations for you. On some computers you
can do calculations directly on your computer. On others you must
save Excel files to your computer or disk before using the spreadsheets.)
Directions for filling
out the risk assessment index:
1. Open the Utah
Manure Application Risk Index Excel file and be sure that you
are looking at the worksheet by clicking on the tab labeled "worksheet".
2. Location Information-
yellow boxes at the top of the form
First, enter your
name.
Then, enter the weather
station that is closest to your operation (or to the operation
you are evaluating). Weather station information can be found
on Table
3: Winter Precipitation Values (from Utah Climate Handbook)
by clicking on the gray tab at the bottom of the screen marked
"Winter Precip." The amount of winter precipitation
will automatically be entered in the white box.
Next, enter the location
(town, county, etc.) of the site being evaluated.
Enter today's date
into the date box.
3. More Location Information
- green boxes near the top of the form
Enter the tract and
number of the field being evaluated. There is enough room on the
spreadsheet
to evaluate eight fields.
Enter the soil map
symbol of the soil that is nearest to the water source, that is
the most restrictive, or that is the dominant soil.
From soil survey information,
enter the available water holding capacity (AWC) for a five foot
depth or for the depth to any restrictive layers.
Point values in Section
1 for AWC and Winter Precipitation will be calculated automatically
by the
computer.
4. Section 1: Winter
Application Parameters- blue boxes
Print Table
1: Winter Application Parameters, or click on the gray tab
at the bottom of the screen called "Winter Parameters"
for risk levels associated with field characteristics. Enter the
points for each given field feature (Distance, Irr. Type, etc.)
The computer will
automatically calculate the total points and risk level for the
field. Use Table 4: Field Vulnerability for Manure Loss to determine
whether or not your risk is too high to spread manure in the winter.
If desired, the spreadsheet
can be used to document both the before and after conditions of
each field. As a minimum the spreadsheet should be used to document
the after condition.
Enter the code(s)
listed at the bottom of the sheet for all practices that have
been or will be implemented. Press the "space bar" to
blank out an entry.
5. Section 2: Spring,
Summer, Fall Application Parameters
The computer
will automatically fill in the values entered in Section 1 for
Distance, Irr. Type, Restrict. Lay,
STP, and % Slope since these values will be the same as those
in Section 1.
Print Table
2: Spring, Summer, Fall Application Parameters or click on
the gray tab at the bottom of the screen called "Spr, Sum,
& Fall, Parameters" for risk levels associated with field
characteristics. Enter the number of points for the Cover Type,
Incorporation, Runoff Control, and Irr. Efficiency.
The computer will
automatically calculate the total points and risk level for the
field. Print Table
4: Field Vulnerability for Manure Loss or click on the gray
tab at the bottom of the screen called "Interpretation"
to determine whether you need best management practices to ensure
the most protection of ground and surface water from runoff.
If desired, the spreadsheet
can be used to document both the before and after conditions of
each field. As a minimum the spreadsheet should be used to document
the after condition.
Enter the code(s)
listed at the bottom of the sheet for all practices that have
been or will be implemented. Press the "space bar" to
blank out an entry.
Interpretation:
To obtain additional information or help on the use of the Utah
Manure Application Risk Index,
(UMARI) contact your nearest NRCS Area Agronomist or Kerry Goodrich
at (801) 524-4568.
Additional information is also available that fully explains the
use of UMARI and discusses how
best management practices can be used to lower the risk index.
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