Updated: 3/3/11

Minimum Elements of a Dairy NMP

Dairy Nutrient Management Plans (DNMPs) are designed to satisfy the requirements of the Washington State Dairy Nutrient Management Act, (DNMA) established in RCW 90.64.  The minimum requirements were established by the Conservation Commission in conjunction with technical advisors. 

Approval Checklist used by Conservation Districts

• Do all standard practices meet the standards, specifications and methods described in the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide and the NRCS Agricultural Waste Management Field Handbook, and if alternative practices are utilized, have such practices been approved by the Washington Conservation Commission?

• Is a summary of the operation included (name, location, acres available for nutrient management, herd size, existing nutrient management facilities)?

• Does the dairy nutrient management plan developed after November 1, 1998 follow the planning format adopted by the Washington Conservation Commission?

• Have the following been inventoried and evaluated to identify potential pollution sources and to determine water quality protection needs: all fields used in the dairy operation; cattle confinement areas; barns; milking facilities; waste collection, handling and storage facilities; feed storage and mixing areas; riparian areas; irrigation systems; and drainage systems?

• If the plan has not been fully implemented, is there a schedule of planned practices listing the location, what will be done, how much will be done and when it will be completed?

• Are forage and crop fields identified and their acreage shown on an aerial photo, topographic map or a plan map drawn to scale?

• Is a month-by-month nutrient application schedule included? A nutrient balance sheet (including nutrient requirements of crops that will receive dairy wastes)?

• Are crop yield values or estimates supported in the plan, or in the dairy producer's case file?

• If manure must be utilized elsewhere, are off-site manure management agreements included in the plan?

• Is an operation plan included for the waste management system?

• Are the major factors influencing the quantity of manure and wastewater described (e.g., herd size and composition, climatic data, existing runoff controls, etc.)?

• Are existing manure and wastewater collection systems evaluated, and needed improvements described?

• Are storage facilities for solid and liquid manure described, are storage needs described, and are the calculations and worksheets used to determine storage needs included?

• Are transfer facilities and systems described?

• If the manure or wastewater is treated, is this described?

• Are soils described, including their physical capacity to accept nutrient applications?

• Is nutrient testing of soils and manure required, and testing procedures described?

• Is a recordkeeping system included that covers soil and manure tests, application of the solid and liquid components of the manure, cropping, and other significant factors and practices?

• Are the periods and conditions clearly described when dairy nutrients can be safely and agronomically applied?

• Are the periods and conditions clearly described when dairy nutrients should not be applied?

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