Agriculture Handbook

Delaware Handbook for Nutrient Management Certification

University of Delaware Cooperative Extension prepared this Handbook for the Delaware Nutrient Management Program. It contains information from a variety of sources that will help you comply with the Delaware Nutrient Management Act (Title 3: Chapter 22 of the Delaware Code). The various sections include information regarding your responsibilities under the Act, recommended practices for the management of nutrients, and State and Federal cost-share programs. This handbook also includes information necessary for developing and reporting your animal waste or nutrient management plans.

The goal of the Nutrient Management Program is to improve water quality in Delaware while maintaining the profitability of agriculture and other businesses involved in land-application of nutrients. This handbook is a tool to help achieve that goal, and to document your efforts. It is a “living document” because the contents will change as the Nutrient Management Program evolves. Additional information will be provided through mailings and handouts at continuing education events.

The success of the Nutrient Management Program depends on people like you. Participation in the program is an important step toward preserving the environment and natural resource of the First State

Delaware Law

• Understanding the Requirements of the DE Nutrient Management Law
• Nutrient Management Regulations
• The Nutrient Management Law

Nitrogen Cycle

• Nitrogen Cycling in Agriculture
• Nitrogen Management for Corn in Delaware: The Pre-Sidedress Nitrate Test
• Nitrogen Removal by Delaware Crops
• Nitrogen Management for Soybean

Phosphorus Cycle

• Interpreting Soil Phosphorus and Potassium Tests
• Defining High Phosphorus Soils in Delaware
• Phosphorus Removal by Delaware Crops

Manure Storage

• Manure Storage 
• Managing Built-up Litter
• Preventing Fires in Manure Storage Structure (UM Extension)
• Temporary Field Storage of Manure
• Litter Amendments: Their Role and Use

Mortality Management

• Developing a Catastrophic Mortality Plan for Broiler Farms by Bud Malone Consulting
• Composting Catastrophic Event Poultry Mortalities
• Composting Animal Mortalities on the Farm
• Composting Bird Mortality

Soil Testing

• Estimating Yield Goal for Crops
• Soil Test Notes #1: Explanation of Laboratory Tests

Manure Testing

• Sampling Manure for Nutrient Content
• Soil Fertility Guide – Calibration of a Manure Spreaders-Uniformity, Spread Patterns and Effective Swath Width
• Soil Fertility Guide – Calibration of a Manure Spreader Using the Weight-Area Method
• Soil Fertility Guide – Calibration of a Liquid Manure Spreader Using the Load-Area Method
• Soil Fertility Guide – Calibration of a Manure Spreader Using the Load-Area Method(With Drive-On Scales)
• Soil Fertility Guide – Calibration of a Manure Spreader Using the Load-Area(With Estimation of Density and Load Weight)

BMP – Production

• NRCS Environmental Checklist for Poultry Operations
• Nutrient Management Program – Fertilizer Storage
• Calibration of Bulk Dry Fertilizer Applicators
• Fine Tuning a Sprayer with “Ounce” Calibration Method