Large animal feeding operations (AFO's) must follow regulations to protect water quality and preserve the environment. Smaller operations can help the environment as well. Livestock Producer Environmental Assistance Project (LPEAP) works with small farms to implement appropriate technologies and best management practices designed to protect water resources and our environment.

The UNL Extension team for nutrient management planning supports several planning resources including:

• Assembling a Nutrient Management Plan for the Cropping System
• Software, Workbooks and other Tools
• Web-based learning modules (previous audio / video conferences)

For more information on environmental planning related to animal manure, we recommend the following links to collaborative regional and national websites that provide factual science-based information:

Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center (LPELC) "Best of the Best" educational and research resources from land grant universities including the University of Nebraska; the U.S. EPA and USDA.

• LPELC Environmental Planning resources include materials to assist in developing an agricultural specific Environmental Management System to help meet ISO 14001 specifications.
• Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship (LPES) curriculum contains multiple lessons on environmental planning.

Environmental planning topics from the Heartland Regional Water Quality Coordination Initiative include nutrient management, manure storage, and mortality management. Follow the link below:

Managing Livestock Manure to Protect Environmental Quality
UNL Extension publication discusses all aspects of environmental planning.

More information on environmental planning within this Web site can be found on these pages:  Small Farm Issues, Small AFOs, Storage and Handling

Information presented within the livestock manure management section of this Water Web site has been authored and/or reviewed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Manure Management Team members Leslie Johnson, Rick Koelsch, Charles Shapiro and Charles Wortmann.