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Manure applicator workshops scheduled

December 15, 2010, Ames,
IA – Confinement site manure applicators and anyone interested in learning
about manure issues should plan to attend a two-hour workshop offered by Iowa
State University (ISU) Extension in January or February 2011.
December 15, 2010, Ames,
IA – Confinement site manure applicators and anyone interested in learning
about manure issues should plan to attend a two-hour workshop offered by Iowa
State University (ISU) Extension in January or February 2011.

These workshops are
offered in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
There is no fee to attend the workshops, but applicators will need to pay
certification fees to complete certification requirements.

“Iowa law requires
confinement site manure applicators to attend two hours of continuing education
each year of their three-year certification period, or take and pass an exam
once every three years,” said Angela Rieck-Hinz, ISU Extension program
specialist and coordinator of the manure applicator certification program.

A total of 72 confinement
site manure applicator workshops will be held in 63 Iowa counties. In addition,
a series of seven dry/solid manure certification meetings will be held in
February. ISU Extension county offices have a complete list of workshop dates
and locations, or view a list at
www.agronext.iastate.edu/immag/certification/11confinementsitebrochure.pdf.

Workshop participants will
learn about land application rules, separation distances for land application
of manure, new rules regarding winter application of manure on snow-covered and
frozen ground and manure nitrogen management issues. In addition, a video
highlighting safety practices from pumping out deep-pits will be shared.

The workshop serves as
initial certification for those applicators who are not currently certified,
recertification for those renewing licenses and continuing education for those
applicators in their second or third year of their license. If a confinement
livestock operation has more than 500 animal units, the operator must be
certified to apply manure unless the manure is applied by a commercial manure
applicator. The certification fee is $100 for a three-year certificate.
Confinement site applicators also must pay the $25 annual education fee. All
fees are submitted to Iowa DNR.

Due to uniform
certification deadlines, applicators are encouraged to attend workshops prior
to March 1 to avoid being assessed a late fee of $12.50. Those unable to attend
one of the workshops need to schedule a time with their ISU Extension county
office to watch the training DVD. Many extension offices will no longer accept
walk-in appointments to watch these DVDs due to scheduling conflicts. Instead,
county offices offer scheduled dates and times to provide this training.

Beginning March 1,
applicators unable to attend training during one of the scheduled reshow dates
at a county extension office will be charged a $10 fee to view the training at
their convenience. There will not be a fee charged for scheduled training dates
and live workshops. If attending the workshops or watching the two-hour
training DVD is not convenient, confinement site manure applicators may contact
their local DNR field office to schedule an appointment to take the
certification exam to meet certification requirements.

Contact an ISU Extension
county office for more information about the Manure Applicator Certification
Program or visit www.agronext.iastate.edu/immag/mac.html.