News
ISU Extension offers workshop for plan writers

June 29, 2011, Ames, IA –
Livestock producers and service providers can receive training on how to use
the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation 2 (RUSLE2) and the Iowa Phosphorus
Index for use in nutrient management and manure management plans at a workshop
scheduled by Iowa State University Extension and the Iowa Manure Management
Action Group (IMMAG), in collaboration with the Iowa USDA-Natural Resources
Conservation Service.

June 29, 2011, Ames, IA –
Livestock producers and service providers can receive training on how to use
the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation 2 (RUSLE2) and the Iowa Phosphorus
Index for use in nutrient management and manure management plans at a workshop
scheduled by Iowa State University Extension and the Iowa Manure Management
Action Group (IMMAG), in collaboration with the Iowa USDA-Natural Resources
Conservation Service. 

The workshop will be held
July 26 at the Polk County Extension Office in Altoona, IA. The workshop starts
at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m.

This workshop is an
introductory level, hands-on workshop that will provide the participant with
software orientation. It will also introduce participants to the operating
parameters for RUSLE2, selection of input values for RUSLE2, and developing and
saving management operations for RUSLE2. In addition, real field examples will
be used in the workshop to determine risk calculations of the Iowa Phosphorus
Index and how to incorporate these numbers into manure and nutrient management
planning requirements. Also included will be parameters for RUSLE2 and P Index
calculations on snow-covered or frozen ground. Soil sampling requirements for
manure management plans also will be discussed.

“Many livestock producers
in Iowa have manure management plans that will need to be revised in 2011 to
meet the requirement to update plans every four years,” says Angie Rieck-Hinz,
ISU Extension program specialist. “The four-year plan requires new RULSE and
P-Index calculations and this workshop will be a great refresher for those
producers who develop their own plans or for consultants who only develop a few
plans.”

The cost of the workshop
is $200 if registered on or prior to July 22; the late fee is $225 after July
22. The workshop fee includes handout materials, a CD with software,
refreshments and lunch. Because software will be provided, participants are
required to bring a MS Windows compatible laptop equipped with a CD-ROM drive
and Microsoft Excel Software. Participants must have their administrator
password to the computer they bring in order to install software. The workshop
is limited to 30 participants.

Online registration,
program information and directions to the workshop are available at:
www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/introrusle2/about.html. Questions regarding the
workshop should be directed to Angela Rieck-Hinz at 515-294-9590.