by Natalie Rector

When the clock struck midnight on Dec. 31., it marked a new beginning of an old situation for large livestock farmers in Michigan. It started the countdown to the due dates of numerous forms, plans and reports — all of which require top-notch record-keeping skills. Unless you’re one of the handful of farms that have special circumstances on their certificate of coverage, it's time to begin adhering to the guidelines set forth by MIGO19000, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit that covers large confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs). Start preparing now so these dates don't slip by you.

July 1, 2008. Your comprehensive nutrient management plan (CNMP) is due. Sample CNMPs can be found under the Regulatory tab on animalagteam.msu.edu and click on the Record Keeping tab to find examples of record-keeping forms. Review these forms NOW so you will have the correct data recorded when it comes time for submission. Note that the permit does not specify a particular form or format, but makes it clear what the information is requested.

April 1, 2009. An annual report with records of all manure applications, inspections and maintenance conducted in 2008 is due to the DEQ. The DEQ does not have prescribed reporting forms, but MIGO19000 indicates the items that are required. Some of the items are required to be recorded but do not have to be submitted to the DEQ. Remember, this is your responsibility. Do not rely on your CNMP provider to record information. This is your farm’s future, and no one cares about your farm more than you do. Make sure you and your employees have a process in place to record this information throughout the year.

You can find a sample annual report under the Regulatory tab on animalagteam.msu.edu. Here is a quick breakdown of some of the information requested in the annual report. This is by no means a complete list.

• The average number and the maximum number of animals.
• Whether the livestock are kept in open confinement or under a roof.
• Estimated amount of animal waste generated, in tons or gallons.
• Estimated amount of animal waste transferred to other persons.
• Total acres identified in the CNMP for land application of animal waste.
• Total number of acres identified in the CNMP that were used for land application of animal waste.
• List of all discharges, if any, including date, time and approximate volume.
• A copy of the spreading plan for the next 12 months, including fields, amount of water to be applied to each field and when the animal waste will be applied.

A land application log is referred to numerous times in the permit. This log must accompany the annual report. Again, there is no specified format, but for each land application, you must record the date, time, quantity of manure, source of manure, yield goal, total N and P applied, weather conditions within 48 hours before application, weather conditions at time of application and weather conditions within 24 hours after application.

In addition, you must record equipment used for land application, time of incorporation, acres spread, number of loads, percent of residue cover, soil conditions, state of tile outlets, temperature, wind and hauler’s name. These data, however, do not have to be submitted with the annual report.

Other information that must be recorded but does not have to be submitted includes land application equipment inspections, mortality records, weather forecasts, weekly inspections of manure storage integrity and volume, daily inspection of water lines and information regarding any manure that is sold or given away.

2008 will surely have some bright spots, but record keeping will just have to be endured. Read your permit, work with your plan provider and visit the MSU Extension Animal Agriculture and the Environment Team Web site at animalagteam.msu.edu to find resources to help sort the necessary information from the chaff.