with Comprehensive Nutrient 

Management Plans

Managing

Manure 

and Litter on

Animal Feeding 

Operations

with Comprehensive Nutrient 

Management Plans

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in 

all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, 

age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, 

parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political 

beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s income is derived 

from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to 

all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for 

communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, 

etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202)720-2600 (voice and 

TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office 

of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-

9410 or call (800)795-3272 (voice) or (202)720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an 

equal opportunity provider and employer.

April 2009

PA-2015

Helping People Help the Land

Managing

Manure 

and Litter on

Animal Feeding 

Operations

CNMPs Prevent Soil Erosion and 

Water Pollution

Soil erosion carries away valuable crop and 

forage nutrients, causes water pollution, 

and increases storm water runoff and 

flooding. Erosion control is an important 

benefit of CNMPs.

CNMPs and Record-Keeping

Record-keeping is an extremely important 

part of your plan. Records provide proof 

that the plan is being followed and are 

especially useful if a discharge occurs 

due to weather or other uncontrollable 

conditions.

A reviewable record also allows you to 

evaluate your system and make costeffective improvements over time.

More Information

NRCS will help you design a CNMP 

specifically for your operation. Assistance 

may also be available from certified 

technical service providers (TSPs). You may 

qualify for financial assistance for CNMP 

development under the Environmental 

Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). For 

more information on CNMPs, visit your 

local USDA field office or 

www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/nutrient.html; 

for information on EQIP, see 

www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/.
What is a Comprehensive Nutrient 

Management Plan (CNMP)?

A CNMP is a guide to help producers make 

the best use of manure or poultry litter 

while also protecting water quality. Storing, 

handling, and using manure or litter can be 

complicated.

CNMPs are individually designed, 

considering the unique land, labor, and 

equipment resources of your operation. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture 

(USDA) Natural Resources Conservation 

Service (NRCS) works with you to create a 

CNMP that best meets your management 

objectives and environmental concerns, 

while meeting NRCS technical standards. 

CNMPs include descriptions of storage 

structures, handling methods, application 

rates, erosion control practices, guidance 

on when and where to apply manure and 

litter, and a record-keeping tool.

CNMPs Protect You

A CNMP protects you like insurance, 

ensuring compliance with government 

water quality regulations, such as the U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation 

(CAFO) Rule. The CAFO Rule mandates 

water quality practices for animal 

feeding operations (AFOs) that discharge 

directly into U.S. waters. Compliance 

with the regulation is critical. To qualify 

for regulatory options such as water 

quality permits and the EPA Agricultural 

Stormwater Exemption, all CAFOs applying 

manure to land must use a “nutrient 

management system,” such as a CNMP, that 

meets CAFO Rule requirements.

For both CAFOs and non-regulated AFOs, 

a CNMP also ensures that you are taking 

approved and officially endorsed measures 

to protect water quality.

CNMPs Save You Money

There are financial advantages to CNMPs. 

You can reduce fertilizer purchases by 

using the natural fertilizer produced on 

your farm or ranch. Application of nutrients 

according to soil test recommendations 

can prevent your fertilizer dollars from 

floating downstream. Designing your 

CNMP to make the most efficient use of 

labor is another advantage.