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Nutrients on demand program for CA dairy producers

February 10, 2014 – Dairy producers have until March 31 to enroll in the Nutrients on Demand nutrient management program. The educational program is a partnership between California Dairy Quality Assurance Program, Western United Dairymen and Sustainable Conservation.

The program’s goals include:

• Improve the accuracy of applying liquid manure to fields in order to minimize nutrient losses to ground water while maintaining yields
• Provide easy to use diagnostic tools that help you track your nutrient application rates based on crop demand
• Help you identify your manure infrastructure needs and funding opportunities

Three-meeting series for producer participation:

• Training on field nutrient balance and the NOD diagnostic tool
• Review your own results in the diagnostic tool
• Develop a plan for a trial field
• Review results and identify areas for improvement

Timeline: 

• March 2014 – November 2014

Requirements:

• Need owner/operator (irrigator & decision maker) to attend meetings.
• Willingness to share information from Nutrient Management Plan and 2 Annual Reports

Benefits:

• Improved nutrient application amounts and timing
• Cost of wastewater samples for 2014 are covered
• Provide 24 hr. lagoon test results
• Help identify programs that may assist with infrastructure improvements

For more information, contact project manager John Cardoza at  (209) 576-7731 or jcardoza@suscon.org.