Land application of manure

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Everyone who applies manure to cropland must observe application setbacks to water features and apply at agronomic rates.

When a feedlot owner applies for a permit, they must develop and maintain a manure management plan (MMP). Development of a MMP is recommended for all who apply manure to ensure they utilize the nutrients properly, protect water quality, and minimize their cost for commercial fertilizers.

• Manure application planning, recordkeeping, and reporting: Understanding the differences (wq-f1-26)

Manure management plan tools

Online Nutrient Management Tool is a new program for developing an MMP; you can import data from the older MPCA Manure Management Planner spreadsheet. Permit applications submitted to the MPCA will be required to utilize this tool to develop an MMP.

• Getting started with the Nutrient Management Tool. Owners of feedlots can learn about setting up an online services account and starting a MMP for their feedlot.
• User guidance. Learn how to complete a MMP using the Nutrient Management Tool through this interactive course that covers the entire process — screen by screen and step by step. Text, images, and videos are used to help guide you through the process. You can navigate to a specific step you are having trouble with or complete the entire course from start to finish.

Interactive Nutrient Management Planning Map displays requirements for manure application in sensitive areas across the state and identifies “vulnerable groundwater areas” as referenced in NPDES and SDS permits.

Support for the spreadsheet will be ending sometime in 2026. You must save the spreadsheet file to your computer for it to work correctly. Does not work on Mac. (v. 9.0):

• Spreadsheet - MPCA Manure Management Planner (wq-f6-12)
  • MPCA MMP spreadsheet user guide (wq-f6-12b)
• Manure management plan requirements when ownership of manure is transferred (wq-f8-12)

  This form is not required when using the online Nutrient Management Tool.

Resources for small farms and those not required to have a MMP

• Manure Management Plan – A step-by-step guide for Minnesota feedlot operators (wq-f8-09)
• Manure management plan requirements and checklist (wq-f8-07)
• Manure management plan – Sensitive area guidelines (wq-f6-38)
• Manure application rate guide (wq-f6-26)

Recordkeeping

These forms are not required when using the online Nutrient Management Tool.

• Land application records for 300 or more animal units (wq-f6-23a)
  • Instructions: Land application records for 300 or more animal units (wq-f6-23b)
• Records when manure ownership is transferred - 300 or more animal units (wq-f6-43)
  • Record-keeping form instructions - Transferred ownership of manure (wq-f6-42)
• Form: Manure application record – 100-299 AU (wq-f6-03)
  • Instructions: Manure application record – 100-299 AU (wq-f6-04)

Land application practices

• Land application of manure - Minimum state requirements (wq-f8-11)
• Manure application rate guide (wq-f6-26)
• Applying manure in sensitive areas (2005)
• Applying manure from NPDES/SDS permitted feedlots (wq-f8-53)
• Practices for successful fall livestock manure application (wq-f8-50)
• Technical guidelines for stockpiling of manure (wq-f8-06)
• Managing manure and land application during adverse weather conditions (wq-f8-46)
• Manure nitrogen rates for corn production (wq-f8-18)
• Manure management for corn on irrigated sandy soils (wq-f8-52)
• Runoff reductions with incorporated manure (wq-f1-08)
• Land Application Agreement
• Best management practices for pathogen control in manure (U of MN)

Other resources

• Manure management (U of MN Extension)
• Commercial animal waste technician licensing - (MN Dept. of Ag)
• Using the soil nitrate test in Minnesota (U of MN Extension)
• The Minnesota Phosphorus Index: Assessing risk of phosphorus loss from cropland (U of MN Extension)
• Certified manure testing laboratories (MN Dept. of Ag)
• Runoff risk advisory forecast (MN Dept. of Ag)