By Jerry Martin
Plans must be written by certified nutrient management specialists. In order to verify that the plan meets the requirements of Act 38, Pennsylvania's nutrient management law, it is submitted to the county Conservation District for review and approval.
Nutrient management planning in Pennsylvania is not a one-shot-and-done process. Act 38 planning requires an annual plan for each crop year, annual recordkeeping, annual manure sampling, and new soil tests every three years. Annual plans must be updated to reflect management changes in the operation and to incorporate new information from the farm records and manure and soil testing programs. Therefore, it will be beneficial and necessary to develop a long-term relationship with a certified nutrient management specialist.
The following considerations will provide guidance in evaluating and selecting the certified nutrient management specialist best suited to your operation and needs.
Find the Best
You will increase your chances of finding the right professional for your specific operation if you put some thought and planning into the selection process. Invest as much into this decision as your other management decisions, such as purchasing a piece of equipment or selecting a nutritionist or veterinarian.
Source : psu.edu