Nutrient Mangament
Kentucky Nutrient Management Planning Guidelines (KyNMP)
Nutrients are constantly cycling through farms. Nutrients come onto a farm in the form of feed, commercial fertilizers, manure, or compost, and they leave the farm with harvested crops, sold livestock, and off-site disposal of manure and other waste. Sometimes nutrients are even lost to the air, soil, or water. Nutrient management allows farmers to use nutrients (specifically nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) wisely for optimal economic benefit with minimal impact on the environment.
Approximately 80 percent of nutrients fed to an animal passes through the gut and into its manure. If managed correctly, the nutrients and organic matter in this manure can be recycled to produce crops and save producers money. If managed incorrectly, manure can contribute to nonpoint source pollution that threatens water quality. One practice that reduces the impact of agriculture on natural resources is nutrient management planning, which involves monitoring and recording all aspects of soil fertility, manure sampling, and crop production so that air, soil, and water resources are not compromised.
KY Nutrient Management Planning Guidelines
Nutrient Management in Kentucky
Tire Tanks for Watering Livestock | video
Best Management Practices Resources
Extension Publications and Factsheets
Alternative Water Sources: Developing Springs for Livestock Publication
Best Management Practices for Water Quality: Filter Strips Factsheet
Best Management Practices for Water Quality: Grassed Waterways Factsheet
Best Management Practices for Water Quality: Riparian Buffer Factsheet
Composting Horse Muck Publication
Drinking Water Quality Standards for Cattle Publication
Enhanced Vegetative Strips for Livestock Facilities Publication
Field Guide to Best Management Practices for Timber Harvesting in Kentucky Publication
High Traffic Area Pads for Horses Publication
How to Close an Abandoned Well Publication
Incentives for Fencing Streams Factsheet
Nutrient Management Concepts for Livestock Producers Publication
Kentucky Nutrient Management Planning Guidelines (KyNMP)
Pasture Feeding, Streamside Grazing, and the Kentucky Agriculture Water Quality Plan Publication
Pervious Concrete as a Flooring Material for Horse Handling Areas Publication
Planting a Riparian Zone Publication
Practical BMPs for Watersheds Factsheet
Riparian Buffers: A Livestock Best Management Practice for Protecting Water Quality Publication
Sinkhole Management for Agricultural Producers Publication
Using Dry Lots to Conserve Pastures and Reduce Pollution Potential Publication
Using Weep Berms to Improve Water Quality Publication
Woodland Winter Feeding of Cattle: Water Quality Best Management Practices Publication
Kentucky Division of Conservation: Conservation Districts County Contact Information
Kentucky Division of Conservation: Agriculture Water Quality Act
Kentucky Master Logger Program
UK Field Guide to Best Management Practices for Timber Harvesting in Kentucky
UK Kentucky Forest Practice Guidelines for Water Quality Management