In the News

The USDA is currently taking comments on proposed changes to the Nutrient Management Policy. Western AgCredit believes that if these changes were to be implemented, they would have a far-reaching negative impact on agriculture operations throughout the state of Utah, as it limits the time when manure can be applied to fields.

Due to the potential impact, the Western AgCredit Chairman of the Board of Directors, Alarik Myrin, and CEO, Richard Weathered, have sent a letter stating their concerns to USDA. To read their letter in its entirety, click here.

The new standards say, “Nutrients shall not be surface applied (except under provisions in accordance with State law):

• When the top two inches of soil are saturated from rainfall or snow melt, and there is a high risk of transport of nutrients off-site

• To frozen and/or snow-covered soils

• During seasons of high runoff potential

• During periods of winter dormancy.

Treatment measures shall be planned to address the movement of manure and nutrients to subsurface drainage (tile) and/or surface drained fields.”

To review the Nutrient Management Policy on the USDA’s website,go to: ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/NHQ/practice-standards/federal-register/

Comments on these proposed changes will be taken until February 25, 2011.

Comments can be sent to: Wayne Bogovich, National Agricultural Engineer, Conservation Engineering Division, Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 6136 South Building, Washington, DC 20250.

He can also be reached via email at: wayne.bogovich@wdc.usda.gov.