Organize your nutrient management plan in a simple and practical way with the Wisconsin Nutrient Management Workbook, available now! Designed specifically for Wisconsin farms, the workbook walks through the key information needed to develop or update a nutrient management plan. Use this tool to organize the details that matter most before you meet with your nutrient management planner or write your own plan in SnapPlus.
What is Inside the Workbook?
The workbook is designed to keep essential information organized in one place and includes step-by-step sections farmers can enter their farm details into.
The sections include:
- Farmer Checklist: Information you need for your nutrient management plan.
- Review of Wisconsin nutrient management regulations.
- Farm Inventory: Record the number and type of animals on your farm, crop acres, and field layouts to understand your nutrient sources and land base.
- Field Inventory: List the crops in rotation on each field, expected yields, and management practices to ensure nutrient recommendations fit your production goals.
- Fertilizer Used: Document fertilizer products, rates, and application timing to track purchased nutrients and evaluate efficiency.
- Manure Spreader Calibration Worksheet: The weight of the tractor and full manure spreader needs to be recorded. This can be done using portable axle scales or a large machinery scale, such as the scales commonly located at grain elevators and Cooperatives or farms.
- Manure Applications by Field: Identify where, when, and how much manure is applied to each field — a critical part of nutrient budgeting and water quality protection.
- Key Resources
Get Started
The Wisconsin Nutrient Management Workbook is available as a free PDF that you can download and print. It’s a great starting point for developing your farm’s nutrient management plan or for gathering the records your plan writer needs.
Need Help?
Contact a member of the UW–Madison Extension Nutrient and Pest Management team for help using the workbook and turning your farm records into a complete nutrient management plan:
- Nutrient and Pest Management Program – Crops and Soils
- DATCP Home Nutrient Management Trainings
- Your local Land and Water Conservation Department
- A certified crop advisor
Taking time to complete this workbook is an investment in your soil, your yields, and your farm’s future.