NEW PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Animal Waste Management Software Approved for Field Use

The Animal Waste Management (AWM) software is up and running and approved for use in the field. AWM is a planning and design tool for estimating the production of waste materials within an animal feeding operation and determining the size of storage/treatment facilities. The process and calculations used in AWM are based on the USDA NRCS Agricultural Waste Management Field Handbook. Its strengths include 
ease of use, flexibility, and documentation.  More information about AWM, including instructions for loading, is available at: http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/water/quality/common/wastemgmt/awm.html

AWM may be used in conjunction with 'Manure Master' which is a "big picture" manure/nutrient management tool.  Manure Master is available through the NRCS at: http://www2.ftw.nrcs.usda.gov/ManureMaster/

Also, AWM 2.0.1 and higher versions will develop an output file which will link AWM and AFOPro, a nutrient management tool.

For more information, contact:

William Boyd                            (or)                 Stephen T. Henry
National Water Management Center                  Environmental Engineer
(501) 210-8917                                               USDA-NRCS, SC  
william.boyd@ar.usda.gov                                (803) 765-5350
                                                                    stephen.henry@sc.usda.gov

AFOPro

AFOPro is a standalone nutrient management planning tool, with optional connections to GIS (ArcView, Customer Service Toolkit, SNMP) and the NRCS’s AWM engineering software. The application automates manure allocation decisions based on form source, timing, method of application, time to incorporation and nutrient risk associated with the field. The design architecture is open and it is readily adaptable to different state crop, nutrient risk and Nitrogen accounting requirements.

For more information contact:

Mr. Robin ‘Buz’ Kloot                     or               Stephen T. Henry
ESRI-USC                                                      Environmental Engineer
901 Sumter Street, Room 401                          USDA-NRCS, SC
Columbia, SC 29208                                        (803) 765-5350
(803) 777-2918                                               stephen.henry@sc.usda.gov
rwkloot@esri.sc.edu

AFOWizard© is a site-specific wizard application that helps field offices develop Nutrient Management Plans for livestock and poultry operations. The AFOWizard© connects ArcView® and an Excel® spreadsheet to make spatial and tabular land application calculations. AFOWizard© is especially useful where setback or buffer areas significantly affect the available acreage for land application.

This application is designed to fit in with the NRCS Customer Service Toolkit, and the AFOWizard© extension is launched from the ArcView® Toolbar.

AFOWizard© V1.1 spreadsheet modifications reflect the NRCS standards and policies found in the Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan Technical Guidance which includes the NRCS General Manual Title 190 part 402, the Nutrient management (590) and Waste Utilization (633) standards. AFOWizard© is currently configured to South Carolina, but we have worked with other states to modify the application, in most cases, this appears to be reasonably easy. For inquiries in this regard, contact Mark Evans (803) 777 7600 or Buz Kloot at (803) 777 2918.  The South Carolina Phosphorus Index Calculator is now available and we are working on those of a number of other states.  

NRCS Contact:

Stephen T. Henry
Environmental Engineer
USDA-NRCS, SC
(803) 765-5350
stephen.henry@sc.usda.gov

A Template for a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) has been developed and is available at:  http://www.esri.sc.edu/Projects/usda/literature_and_link.asp.

This template incorporates all CNMP requirements from NRCS standards and policies found in the Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan Technical Guidance which includes the NRCS General Manual Title 190 part 402, the Nutrient management (590) and Waste Utilization (633) standards. It also has an Executive Summary to highlight important information for the producer, as well as, a cross reference to South Carolina Regulation 61-43: Permitting of Animal Agricultural Facilities.

For more information, contact:

Stephen T. Henry
Environmental Engineer
USDA-NRCS, SC
(803) 765-5350
stephen.henry@sc.usda.gov

Alternative Crop Information Module Now On-line

An Alternative Crop module is now available on the PLANTS web site
<http://plants.usda.gov>.  This module provides quick access to information
about alternative crops that may be suitable for small scale farming by
small-operation and limited-resource farmers.  Web links are provided to
cultural requirements and marketing strategies for the crops and states that
you select.

Easy Access to Related Plant Species Information

Expanded functionality of the PLANTS web site allows easy access to
information on plant species related to the plant selected.  From there, you
can select related species that could provide alternatives for your
conservation activities.  For example, select the "Plant of the Week" on the
PLANTS home page <http://plants.usda.gov>.  Under "More Information" select the "Plant Classification" report.  Then, select "Genus" in the hierarchy, and a list is provided of all species within that genus.
 
For more information, contact:

Scott Peterson
National Plant Data Center
(225) 775-6280
scott.peterson@usda.gov

New Tool Automates Estimates of Nutrient Removal by Crops

The Crop Nutrient Tool, now available through the PLANTS web site,
<http://plants.usda.gov>, provides estimates of nutrient removal [nitrogen
(N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K)] by crops.  The values in the tool
represent national estimates of the nutrient content in harvested plant
biomass for many crops.  These estimates are used to calculate nutrient
balance sheets, which are employed in the design of animal waste management systems, and to assist in national and regional policy development and decision-making.  The Crop Nutrient Tool automates and augments the information that is currently in chapter 6 of the NRCS Agricultural Waste Management Field Handbook.

For more information, contact:

James Henson
National Plant Data Center
(225) 775-6280
jhenson@po.npdc.usda.gov

Report Updates Information on Land Capacity Versus Manure  Volume

A report detailing the shift in livestock production during the last two
decades has been released by NRCS.  "Manure Nutrients Report Relative to the Capacity of Cropland and Pastureland to Assimilate Nutrients" takes
information from the Agricultural Census from 1982 to 1997 and compares manurenutrients with the land available for application.

The report indicates that the production of recoverable manure nutrients
exceeds the assimilative capacity of all cropland and pastureland in some
counties.  The number of these counties significantly increased since 1982,
indicating a need for innovative uses of manure or long distance off-site
transport. 
 
A few copies of the report were sent to each state.  The report in its
entirety can be accessed through the National Water Management Center homepage at http://wmc.ar.nrcs.usda.gov.

For more information, contact:

David C. Moffitt
National Water Management Center
(817) 509-3315
dmoffitt@ftw.nrcs.usda.gov

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