The U of M Extension Service, Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District, Dairyland Supply, Inc. of Sauk Centre and Melrose Implement will conduct a Deep Tillage and Manure Application Best Management Practices Field Day in Stearns County. The field day is planned to take place from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28. Pre-registration for this field day and/or lunch is not required. Presentations will be given by the following people. o Neil Hansen, U of M soil scientist, will describe how manure phosphorus application rates to crop land can be modified based on the “Phosphorus Index.” o Jodi DeJong-Hughes, U of M regional extension specialist, is currently conducting a deep tillage study. The effects of deep tillage at the field day site, as well as recommendations for using deep tillage will be discussed. o Pat Burford from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will present information on what constitutes a manure spill which could take place in the farmyard or in the field. MPCA will also present information on preparing Emergency Action Plans which contain information on how to respond in the event of a manure spill. o Dairyland Supply, Inc. and Melrose Implement will have various liquid and pen pack manure spreading and handling equipment on display. o The Brillion Iron Works Corporation will display their Brillion Zone Commander, which was the tillage implement used on the field day site. o Steve Lutes of the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service will host a problem-solving discussion regarding man-ure nutrient crediting and application rate determinations in the field. o The Minnesota Department of Agriculture will cover licensing requirements for custom manure applicators. The field day is approved by the Minne-sota Department of Agriculture as a Commercial Animal Waste Technician (CAWT) recertification workshop/demonstration. Certified CAWT’s must participate in training approved by the MDA to re-certify in liquid and solid animal waste categories when their current license expires. In addition, three Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for Certified Crop Advisors (CCAs) have been applied for, one in nutrient management and two in soil and water management. For more information contact Dennis Fuchs at (320) 251-7800 ext. 3, or via e-mail at dennis.fuchs@mn.usda.gov.
