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Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment
UMass Extension Vegetable Program
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Nutrient Management Plan Checklist

Nutrient Management Plan Checklist: 

  • Operator name and address  
  • Location of all land under Plan (addresses or GPS coordinates) 
  • Date the Plan was prepared or updated 
  • Period of time the Plan covers (may be up to 3 years unless there is a change in management practice) 
  • Name and contact information of the person responsible for the Plan development 
  • Map or aerial photograph, which shall include: field boundaries, field names, field acreage, location of surface waters and public supply wells, and setbacks1 if present. Use the following mapping resources if needed: 
    • Google Maps area calculator allows you to calculate field acreage easily: https://www.daftlogic.com/projectsgoogle-maps-area-calculator-tool.htm&…;
    • OLIVER: Mass GIS online mapping tool allows you to find and mark public water supplies, and Zone I’s on your land: http://maps.massgis.state.ma.us/map_ol/oliver.php 
    • Web Soil Survey allows you to map soil types on your land: 
      http://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/HomePage.htm 
  • Current and/or planned crop and crop rotation for each field or management unit 
  • Determination of nutrient needs for crop production based on test results, nutrient credits from preceding crops, UMass guidelines. 
    • Most recommendations for vegetable crops are available in the New England Vegetable Management Guide: 
    • https://nevegetable.org/ . It is not necessary to copy crop nutrient needs from this publication into your plan. 
    • UMass Guidelines recommend use of the Modified Morgan extraction method for field soils. Labs with this method include: UMass, UMaine, UVM, UConn, Dairy One (Cornell) and Spectrum Analytic. 
  • Determination of whether a Nutrient Application Rate should be based on nitrogen or phosphorus as a limiting factor.
    • Above optimum or excessive phosphorus soils: Recommendations for Nutrient Application Rates on highphosphorus soils may be refined by conducting a risk assessment of phosphorus loss to Surface Waters, including the use of the Massachusetts NRCS Phosphorus Runoff Index or UMass recommended risk assessment procedures for high-phosphorus soils. 
  • Inventory of Agricultural Byproducts and Nutrient Sources 
  • Timing, amount and method of application for each field Record 

Record Keeping Checklist:

  • Soil Test results and recommended Nutrient Application Rates
  • Quantities, analyses, and sources of Plant Nutrients applied
  • Dates and methods of nutrient application
  • Crops planted

1

Note which fields have the following setbacks:

  1. within 100 feet of Surface Waters used for public water supplies;
  2. in a Zone I of a Public Water Supply Well;
  3. using a broadcast method either with or without incorporation within 50 feet from Surface Waters unless a Vegetated Buffer is present, in which case a setback of 25 feet applies;
  4. by directed spray or injection of plant nutrients within ten feet from Surface Waters; or
  5. on pastures and hayfields within ten feet from surface waters.

The Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment and UMass Extension are equal opportunity providers and employers, United States Department of Agriculture cooperating. Contact your local Extension office for information on disability accommodations. Contact the State Center Director’s Office if you have concerns related to discrimination, 413-545-4800 or see ag.umass.edu/civil-rights-information.

Ways to Connect

  • Ask a question
  • Request a Visit
  • Request a Crop & Pest Management Planning Session
  • Submit a Sample
  • Become a Mentor Farm
  • Join the NEVBGA
  • Make a Donation

Connect with us on Social Media

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Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment

 

Stockbridge Hall,
80 Campus Center Way
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA 01003-9246
Phone: (413) 545-4800
Fax: (413) 545-6555
ag [at] cns [dot] umass [dot] edu (ag[at]cns[dot]umass[dot]edu)

 

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