Northeast Region Certified Crop Adviser (NRCCA) Study Resources

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In This Section

• Introduction
• PO 44 Setting a realistic goal
• PO 45 Determining crop nutrient needs
• PO 46 Environmental effects of nutrient loss
• PO 47 NRCS 590 nutrient management standard
• PO 48 Mass nutrient balance
• PO 49 P-based vs. N-based manure application
• PO 50 Surface application and immediate incorporation of manure
• PO 51 Precision feeding
• PO 52 Environmentally sensitive areas
• PO 53 Nutrient management plans
• PO 54 Calculate total manure production
• PO 55 Capacity factors in manure storage
• PO 56 Three option for P management
• PO 57 The P index
• PO 58 Impacts of practice on P index
• PO 59 Calculate crop P removal
• PO 60 Nitrate leaching index (LI)
• PO 61 Practices to reduce nitrate leaching
• PO 62 Manure odor issues
• PO 63 Agricultural air quality
• PO 64 Reducing pathogen concerns from manure
• Summary

Competency Area 6: Nutrient Management and Planning

PO 48. Define Mass Nutrient Balance and describe why there is a net excess Mass Nutrient Balance on many dairy and livestock farms.

A Mass Nutrient Balance can be described as the difference between total amount of nutrients imported onto the farm and nutrients exported via milk, meat, crops, manure, etc.  Zero or negative balances are not sustainable, as all biologic systems have inherent losses.  Due to differences in NPK ratios of manure versus crop NPK needs, it is difficult to achieve acceptable balances simultaneously on dairy and livestock farms; balancing field applications for N with manure will increase soil P and K over time.