Training
(March
26, 2008) The Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has defined feed management as one of the
core 6 elements of a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan that would be
required of permitted Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations. The Mid-Atlantic
region is collaborating on an educational program for nutritionists, consultants
and NRCS staff interested in learning about the development of a feed management
plan and how they are implemented.
For
nutritionists, the workshop will provide an opportunity on how to become a
certified Feed Management Planner/ technical service provider (TSP).
Specialists from
The
program is the first step in making consultants aware of what is involved in the
certification process and how a feed management plan can be a valuable component
of a nutrient management plan. There are also opportunities for this concept to
be used on non-CAFO dairy operations to help minimize nutrient excretion and to
improve overall herd profitability. The workshop will outline the process for
evaluating the opportunities that merit the development of a feed management
plan. Tools will be demonstrated that can assist in evaluating an operation’s
whole farm nutrient balance, cost of manure transport, and effects of diet on
manure nutrients. Examples of feed management plans written for dairy operations
in
The
costs associated with the program are being off-set by the Chesapeake Bay
Foundation and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Water Program. Any nutritionists
interested in taking the exam for certification can do so on either April 23rd
or April 24th after the workshop is over at 2:30 p.m. (anticipate 1.5 hours for
the exam). The Chesapeake Bay Foundation will cover the exam fee of $100. The
exam is through ARPAS, so nutritionists need to be a member of ARPAS to become
fully certified.
This
process is not entirely new to the Mid-Atlantic region. On November 12, 2007 as
part of the Penn State Dairy Cattle Nutrition Conference in Grantville, over 100
consultants attended a Feed Management Planner workshop with over 50
nutritionists taking the exam. Approximately 95% of the participants passed the
test. In the past several weeks, producers that applied and were approved for
EQIP funds for a feed management plan are now looking for nutritionists
certified to write a plan. The April workshops provide an opportunity for
consultants that were unable to attend November’s program to begin the
certification process.
Even
though there is no registration fee, it is important that people register
on-line so adequate materials are prepared; we get a head count for lunch; and
we know how many people plan on taking the exam. You can register on-line at http://dairyalliance.psu.edu/education/feeding-management/
and get more details on the program.
Questions
about the program can also be addressed directly to: