Record Keeping

It is important for owners/operators of any livestock production operation to document and demonstrate implementation activities associated with their nutrient management plan (NMP). Documentation and management actives associated with a NMP provide valuable target information that AFO/CAFO owner/operators can use to adjust their NMP to meet production and natural resource conservation objectives.

It is the AFO/CAFO owner and/or operators responsibility to maintain records that document the implementation and management of their NMP.

Documentation should include:

Annual manure tests for nutrient content for each manure storage containment
Current soil test results
Application records for each manure or commercial fertilizer event including:
- Containment source or type and form of commercial fertilizer
- Field(s) where manure or organic by-products are applied
- Amount applied per acre
- Time and date of application
- Weather conditions during nutrient application
- General soil moisture conditions at time of application (i.e., saturated, wet, moist, dry)
- Application method and equipment used
- Crops planted and planting and/or harvesting dates by field
Record that address manure and waste water storage containment structures
- Dates of emptying
- Level before and after emptying
- Discharge or overflow events, including levels before and after event
Transfer of manure off-site or to third party
- Manure nutrient content
- Amount of manure transferred
- Date of transfer
- Recipient of manure
Activities associated with emergency spill response plan
Records associated with any reviews by NRCS, third-party consultants, or representatives of regulatory agencies:
- Dates of review
- Name of reviewer and purpose of review
- Recommendations or follow-up requirements resulting from the review
- Actions taken as a result of the review
Records of maintenance preformed associated with operation and maintenance plans
Nutrient application equipment calibration
Changes to the nutrient management plan