25 Pa. Code § 83.291 - Determination of available nutrients

(a) The plan must address each type of nutrient source generated or planned to be used on the agricultural operation, including: manure, biosolids, compost, commercial fertilizers and other nutrient sources. Nitrogen and phosphorus are the only nutrient elements of concern to be addressed by BMPs in the plan.

(b) The plan must list potassium crop needs, and potassium application rates, from all nutrient sources, to ensure that adequate soil fertility levels are addressed to meet crop production goals.

(c) The amount and nutrient content of each manure group generated on the agricultural operation shall be documented in the plan as follows:

(1) List the average number of animals for each manure group, on the agricultural operation.

(2) List the amount of manure generated and when it is available for land application on the agricultural operation or for other planned uses.

(i) If actual manure production records are available for the operation, these records shall be used for determining the manure produced on the operation.

(ii) If actual records of manure production do not exist for the operation, the amount of manure produced shall be calculated based on the average number of animal units on the agricultural operation, and the storage capacity of manure storage facilities, if present. The plan must include the calculations or variables used for determining the amount of manure produced on the operation.

(3) Test the nutrient content of manure as follows:

(i) Analytical manure testing results shall be used in the development of the plan. These manure tests must include an analysis of the percent solids, total nitrogen (as N), ammonium nitrogen (as NH₄-N), total phosphate (as P₂O₅) and total potash (as K₂O), for each manure group generated on the operation, and these analytical results shall be recorded in the plan.

(ii) These manure analyses shall be performed using manure sampling and chemical analysis methods which accurately represent the contents of the manure. Methods described in the Pennsylvania Agronomy Guide may be used to meet this requirement. Other methods shall be approved by the Commission.

(iii) For newly proposed operations, and for manure groups on existing operations where sampling and analysis are not possible prior to initial plan development, the following applies:

(A) The plan must use either standard book values, or analytical results from a similar facility as approved by the Commission or delegated conservation district.

(B) Standard book values contained in the Pennsylvania Agronomy Guide may be used to meet this requirement. Other values shall be approved by the Commission.

(C) A similar facility is one that uses similar animal housing, animal groups, feeding practices and wastewater management.

(D) The nutrient content of the manure, as determined in clauses (A)-(C), shall be recorded in the plan.

(E) Samples and chemical analysis of the manure generated on the operation shall be obtained within 1 year of implementation of the approved plan, and the requirements of § 83.371 (relating to plan amendments) shall be followed as applicable.

(iv) The nutrient content of manure deposited on pastures by grazing animals shall be determined using the methods contained in subparagraph (vi).

(v) After approval of the initial plan, manure tests are required to be taken annually for each manure group generated on the operation.

(vi) The testing described in this subsection will not be required for manure groups associated with less than five AEUs of livestock or poultry at an operation. For these small quantity manure groups, the nutrient content of the manure may be determined using standard book values which represent the contents of the manure for the operation. Standard book values contained in the Pennsylvania Agronomy Guide may be used to meet this requirement. Other values shall be approved by the Commission or delegated conservation district.

(vii) Testing of manure groups may be consolidated when two or more manure groups on the same operation are produced by the same animal type and are managed in a similar manner.

(d) The nitrogen available from manure shall be based on availability factors which accurately represent the characteristics of the manure. Factors described in the Pennsylvania Agronomy Guide may be used to meet this requirement. Other methods shall be approved by the Commission. The plan must include the amount of nitrogen available in the manure, and the planned manure incorporation time used to determine the nitrogen available.

(e) The residual nitrogen from legume crops and previous applications of manure shall be determined using values which represent the common nitrogen residuals from the past crops and manure applications at the operation. Standard book values contained in the Pennsylvania Agronomy Guide may be used to meet this requirement. Other values shall be approved by the Commission. The values shall be recorded in the plan and credited when determining nutrient application rates.

Notes

25 Pa. Code § 83.291

The provisions of this § 83.291 amended June 2, 2006, effective 10/1/2006, 36 Pa.B. 2636.

This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 83.201 (relating to definitions); 25 Pa. Code § 83.204 (relating to applicability of requirements); 25 Pa. Code § 83.261 (relating to general); 25 Pa. Code § 83.272 (relating to content of plans); 25 Pa. Code § 83.293 (relating to determination of nutrient application rates); and 25 Pa. Code § 83.342 (relating to recordkeeping relating to application of nutrients).