Northeast Region Certified Crop Adviser (NRCCA) Study Resources

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 61. Describe and understand practices that reduce the risk of nitrate leaching. (Examples of practices based on NY guidelines)

• Unless the NY P Index identifies the need for P-based fertility management, manure and fertilizer application rates should be based on Cornell guidelines for meeting crop N needs.
• For corn, pre-plant (other than starter fertilizer) and early post-plant broadcast applications of commercial N without the use of nitrification inhibitors are not recommended.
• Sidedress applications should be made after the corn has at least four true leaves.
• For row and cereal crops, including corn, maintain starter fertilizer N rates below 50 lb/acre actual N under normal conditions.
• Manure and fertilizer applications should be adjusted based on information provided in "Nitrogen Recommendations for Field Crops in New York."
• Evaluate the need for sidedress N applications based on PSNT or other soil nitrogen tests.
• Sod crops should not be incorporated in the fall.  Chemical sod killing may be carried out when the soil temperature at the 4-inch depth is approaching 45°F.
• Minimize fall and/or winter manure application on good grass and/or legume sod fields that are to be rotated the following spring.
• Appropriate ammonia conservation is encouraged.  Losses can either be reduced by immediately incorporating manure, or eliminated by directly injecting manure as a sidedress application to growing crops.
• Plant winter hardy cover crops whenever possible, especially when fall manure is applied (e.g. rye, winter wheat, or interseed ryegrass in the summer).
• Manure may be applied in the fall where there is a growing crop.  Judicious amounts of manure can be applied to or in conjunction with perennial crops or winter hardy cover crops.  Applications should generally not exceed 50 lb/acre of first year available N, or 50% of the expected N needs of next year's crop.
• Frost incorporation/injection is acceptable when soil conditions are suitable, but winter applications should be made in accordance with the NY Phosphorus Index.
• Manure N application on legumes is acceptable to satisfy agronomic requirements when legumes represent less than 50% of the stand.  When legumes represent more than 50% of the stand, manure application should be limited to no more than 150 lb available N/acre.
• Do not spread manure less than 100 ft from wellheads and springs.