Four University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension workshops across the state will provide livestock and crop farmers with the latest information on how to turn manure nutrients into better crop yields while protecting the environment.

Livestock producers with livestock waste control facility permits received or renewed since April 1998 must be certified. The farm representative identified on the permit application must complete an approved training every five years. Farm personnel responsible for land application of manure are also encouraged to attend.

Two Land Application Training workshops will help livestock producers implement the nutrient management planning requirements of Nebraska's Department of Environmental Quality regulations and increase the economic value of manure. Participants will receive Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) land application training certification. This in-depth, one-day class targets newly permitted livestock operations. Operations that have attended this initial training session previously but will need recertification may attend the Land Application Training Update workshop.

Attendance at one of two Land Application Training Update workshops will partially fulfill NDEQ requirements for recertification of producers who have completed the initial land application training more than five years ago. The update workshops will consist of a two-hour program including updates on changing regulations and emerging manure management topics. This workshop will be available via distance learning technology at many UNL Extension offices. For those interested in these workshops who have access to a phone and high-speed Internet, this training also can be done at any location, including home or office. Farm staff responsible for implementing their farm's nutrient plan are encouraged, but not required, to attend.

For additional information, contact the UNL extension educators listed below:

· Land Application Training

Jan. 7, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Columbus, Platte County Courthouse; Larry Howard, 402-372-6006
Jan. 9, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Ogallala, Keith County Fairgrounds; Tom Holman, 308-632-1480, or Dave Stenberg, 308-324-5501

· Land Application Training Update

Jan. 18 or Feb. 26, 10 a.m.-noon; contact CNMP coordinator, Leslie Johnson, 402-584-3818

Pre-registration is required for all workshops; $35/farm (includes one farm representative) will be charged for the initial Land Application Training workshops, plus $10 for each additional participant to cover local costs including lunch. The Land Application Training Update workshop is free.

These workshops are sponsored by the UNL Extension CNMP Team, which is dedicated to helping livestock and crop producers better use the state's manure resources for agronomic and environmental benefits. For additional information on these workshops and other resources for managing manure nutrients, visit the Web at http://cnmp.unl.edu.