The Nebraska Extension will be hosting seven land application (manure) training workshops throughout February and March at several locations across the state. These hands-on workshops will focus on turning manure nutrients into better crop yield while protecting the environment. The sessions will be in Columbus on February 12, Geneva on February 13, Scottsbluff on February 19, Lexington on February 20, Norfolk on February 29, West Point on March 5, and Ord on March 6.
“The workshops will meet the educational requirements for permitted livestock operations laid out by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy’s title 130,” said Leslie Johnson, UNL’s animal manure management coordinator. Registration is required due to limited seating; register at water.unl.edu/lat. The sessions cost $75 per operation requiring certification or $25 per person with no expectation of certification.
Participants who attend the day-long (9 am – 4 pm) event will receive NDEE Land Application Training Certification. The initial land application training certification requires participation in the full day program, which includes lunch. Attendance at the afternoon session will meet minimum needs for recertification, but participants who only need recertification may choose to attend the full event if they wish for no additional charge. Anyone is welcome regardless of the need for certification. Crop farmers and livestock operations will learn useful information to apply to their operations.
“Our workshops have traditionally been focused on livestock producers because they’re required to attend manure training regularly,” Johnson said, “but we’ve made an effort to include the crop farmers that are often the recipients of the manure because the information we share is just as valuable to them and their bottom line.” Sessions will focus on choosing fields that best utilize manure nutrients and other benefits, as well as an update on regulations and discussions on how to best use manure on cropland.
The workshops are sponsored by the Nebraska Extension Animal Manure Management Team, which is dedicated to helping livestock and crop producers better utilize manure resources for agronomic and environmental benefits.
For additional information on the workshops and other resources for managing manure nutrients, visit manure.unl.edu or contact Leslie Johnson at 402-584-3818 or leslie.johnson@unl.edu.