Application Risk Management (ARM) System

Whatcom Conservation District has developed a new addition to our Dairy Nutrient Management Plans entitled the Application Risk Management (ARM) System. This system was created, in part, to address the water quality issues we see during times of heavy manure application coupled with an increase in rain fall (spring and fall) and unsuitable field conditions (i.e., high water table, high soil moisture, standing water, etc). These events typically happen, in part, due to improper application practices, but are also heavily influenced by the rigid and often untimely constraints on application dates (i.e., end October 31, start T-Sum200) that end up encouraging application at inopportune times.

In order to remediate this issue, we have created a system that allows you to asses the risk of applying manure at any given time of the year by helping you identify field characteristics that have a lower risk associated with application, while also guiding you through the process of properly assessing, managing, and reducing application risks for all of your fields. As long as your Nutrient Management Plan is updated, and field and weather conditions permit, we would like to encourage early season application events during periods in January, February, and March when rainfall is minimal and nutrients from these applications can become available to forage at times when plants have increased nutrient needs (Mar-Jun). Additionally, since manure application after September has limited benefit for crops, and is at a higher risk for runoff, we would like to discourage application after September 30th. This will greatly reduce your risk of late season nutrient runoff and preserve the fertilizer value of your manure.

Use the information in your Nutrient Management Plan as well as the ARM Worksheet to assess if manure application is appropriate for your selected fields. If you would like to apply manure during the winter months (January, February), you MUST have an ARM risk analysis written into your Nutrient Management Plan which identifies your low risk fields and application constraints.

By assessing the parameters in the ARM Worksheet, and taking the necessary steps to determine your application risk, you will be able to reduce your chances of ill timed manure application and protect the resources on your farm.

APPLICATION RISK MANAGEMENT WORKSHEET(updated 2/1/10)

Click here for Forcast Information

This worksheet is designed to be used with the Application Risk Management (ARM) System outlined in your Dairy Nutrient Management Plan. If you would like to participate in this program, please call WCD for a plan update and/or ARM Risk Analysis for your fields.

In order to assess if manure application is appropriate at any given time, particularly during the wet season (October-April), you will need to fill out the Application Risk Management Worksheet. This worksheet will give you an idea of the level of risk associated with application based on current weather and field conditions, as well as the maximum volume of manure that should be applied to your field.

The ARM Worksheet is an Excel based application that will provide you with an analysis of your application risks as you enter in your data. You may collect most of your information in the field using the Field Assessment Worksheet then enter it into the spreadsheet to assess your level of risk and obtain guidelines for application. Information needed for each field includes: forecast, water table depth, soil moisture, field conditions, vegetative cover, application equipment, vegetative treatment strip condition, and setback distances.

Once completed, you will be asked to fax or email this worksheet to WCD prior to application. This will ensure that you have gone through the analysis process correctly and also allows us to offer feedback when necessary. Alerting us of your intent to apply enables us to properly address inquires and inform people that your application of manure is being done properly according to your plan specifications.

WARNING: If you choose not to adhere to the guidelines presented on this Worksheet and apply manure without doing the necessary analysis, you may loose the privilege of using the ARM system and not be able to apply manure at all during the high risk months (October-February).

If at anytime you have questions related to this Worksheet or the ARM system, please call the

Whatcom Conservation District

(360) 354-2035

Send completed worksheets to:

Email: nembertson@whatcomcd.org

Fax: (360) 354-4678.

• Application Risk Management (ARM) Worksheet - This is an Excel based worksheet that will help you assess your application risk. Click on the link and save the file to your desktop. Once it is on your computer, you can use the file for each application determination. Fill out this Worksheet for EACH of your fields individually prior to EVERY application.
  
• ARM Field Assessment Worksheet - Print a copy and use this worksheet when you are out in the field assessing your fields prior to filling out the ARM Worksheet and applying.
  
• Field Assessment and Application Steps - Summary of the steps you should take prior to application.
  
• Application Parameters - An explanation of each of the parameters you are asked to assess on the ARM Worksheet.
  
• Soil Moisture Determination - Use these guidelines to help determine the soil moisture level of your field.
  
• Water Table Depth Determination - Use these guidelines to help determine the water table in your field.
  
• Area Weather Summary - A brief summary of the weather, including the temperature and precipitation trends, for the Whatcom County area. Understanding the weather and its trends is a large part of managing application risk.
  
• Forecast & Weather Links - Useful sites to use for determining forecast & past weather.
  
  
  

Application Risk Management (ARM) Summary – The following document is a summary of the ARM system and its components. You may print this document out as a reference or guideline for the system.