U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a revised National Conservation Practice standard for nutrient management from the USDA's Natural Resource Conservation Service.
The revised standard will use technology to streamline the nutrient management process, and will allow states to use local data to customize nutrient management plans. More efficient nutrient management will help ensure proper amounts of phosphorus and nitrogen in farming practices, which could save farmers and ranchers money and increase agricultural sustainability.
NRCS researchers consulted universities, non-government organizations and industry experts prior to revising the nutrient management standard. NRCS offices have until January 1, 2013 to update state nutrient management standards to comply with erosion, nitrogen and phosphorus criteria.
