There's Still Time to be Certified to Apply Manure this Fall

Commercial manure applicators and confinement site manure applicators who need to be certified to apply manure can still meet certification training requirements by attending video training at Iowa State University (ISU) Extension county offices this fall.

Confinement site manure applicators must attend two hours of training for each year of their 3-year license, or take and pass an exam once every three years. If you have not attended a 2-hour workshop this year to meet certification requirements, you can still take the required training by scheduling an appointment with your local extension office to view the 2-hour videotape and complete the required paperwork.

If you are a new confinement site applicator and have not been previously certified, you can become initially certified by scheduling time at your local ISU Extension office to watch the tape or contact your DNR field office to schedule an appointment to take the exam.

Confinement site applicators with licenses expiring in 2003 are reminded their licenses have been extended until Dec. 31, 2003, and they must attend training or take the exam prior to March 1, 2004 to recertify for the next three years. If you missed any training events during your 3-year license, you will need to take the exam to be eligible to recertify in 2004.

Commercial manure applicators must attend three hours of training each year or take and pass an exam annually. New commercial applicators can schedule an appointment with their local ISU Extension county office to view the 3-hour videotape or contact the local DNR field office to schedule an appointment to take the exam. All commercial applicator licenses are still currently $200 and will expire on Dec. 31, 2003.

Current rulemaking by DNR will change the structure and fees for the commercial manure applicator program. It is anticipated these fee changes will go into effect in Jan. 2004.

For more information about the Manure Applicator Certification Program, including the definitions of who needs to be certified, please visit http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/immag/mac.html or call Angie Rieck-Hinz at (515) 294-9590.

Copyright © 1997-2003, Iowa State University. All rights reserved.

Previous feature articles:

• ISU Extension Offers Manure Management Events - by Angela Rieck-Hinz, Department of Agronomy and Jean McGuire, Extension Communication Services, Iowa State University
• Help Available for Developing Annual Manure Management and Nutrient Management Plans - by Angela Rieck-Hinz, Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University and Chris Murray, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service
• Your help needed in completing Minnesota survey regarding ventilation strategies used during pit agitation and pumping from deep pit systems - by David Schmidt, Extension Engineer, University of Minnesota Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department
• Moderate manure plus minimal N equal highest return - by Chad Ingels, nutrient and manure management specialist, Maquoketa Watershed Project
• Manure applicators should plan now to attend certification meetings - by Angela Rieck-Hinz, Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University
• Resources for proposed new animal feeding operation rules, including the master matrix and opportunity to provide comments to the rule making process - by Angela Rieck-Hinz, Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University
• Mastering the Matrix and Other Manure Matters - by Sherry Hoyer, Iowa Pork Industry Center
• Mastering the Matrix and Other Manure Matters - by Sherry Hoyer, Iowa Pork Industry Center
• Web resource identifying frequently asked questions about manure management is now available -
  Angela Rieck-Hinz, Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University
• Manure management field days are in full swing - by Angela Rieck-Hinz, Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University
• Information and resources regarding the development of the Master Matrix for siting confinement facilities - Angela Rieck-Hinz, Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University; Karen Grimes and Robin Pruisner, Iowa Department of Natural Resources
• Upcoming Meetings on Iowa's Livestock Regulations and Other Information Resources - by Angela Rieck-Hinz, Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University
• Information Regarding Iowa's New Livestock Bill-SF 2293 - by Angela Rieck-Hinz, Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University
• Review of Alternative Technologies for Manure Treatment from Open Feedlots - Jeff Lorimor and Brad Woerner, Agricultural Engineers, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, ISU
• Manure Applicator Certification Workshops for 2002 - Angela Rieck-Hinz, Extension Program Specialist, Department of Agronomy, ISU
• Managing Manure and Residue at the Same Time - Paul Miller, Manure Management Specialist, USDA-NRCS