Fall 1999
Manure applicator certification 1999 and future training
by Karen Grimes, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and Jim Johnson, ISU Extension to Agriculture and Natural Resources
This past year, 1999, was the first year manure applicators needed to be certified to meet requirements of state law. Iowa law requires producers with average weight capacity of more than 200,000 pounds of confined hogs or poultry or more than 400,000 pounds of confined cattle to be certified as a confinement site applicators if they are applying manure from their own facilities. In addition, anyone applying manure for a fee must be certified as a commercial applicator.
Nine hundred and forty commercial applicants and 1,819 confinement site applicants attended initial certification meetings conducted by the ISU Extension this year. Of the people attending the training sessions, 804 commercial manure applicators and 1,318 confinement site applicators paid fees to become certified manure applicators in Iowa. Added to these totals are the 64 people who chose to take a test to meet certification requirements, with 87.5 percent of them qualifying for certification.
"The training should help applicators be more knowledgeable about the value of manure as a nutrient, not a waste product," said Wayne Gieselman, Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) livestock program coordinator. "It also has given applicators the tools they need to prevent contamination of our waters. Although the program won’t eliminate every spill, it will help applicators know what to do if there is a spill. They’ll know who to contact and what actions to take to prevent or minimize pollution."
How to become certified for the first time. Manure applicators must attend a training session or pass a test to qualify for initial certification. Applicators still needing to become initially certified should contact their local ISU Extension office to schedule a time to view a videotape that will qualify for certification, or contact the DNR to determine the testing schedule. More information on the certification process can be found on the Web at extension.agron.iastate.edu/immag/.
How to become recertified. Commercial manure applicators who are currently certified need to attend a 3-hour recertification meeting each year to continue their certification status. Their certification is good for 1 year.
Confinement site manure applicators who are currently certified will need to attend a 2-hour continuing education program each year for 3 years to become recertified. Their certification is good for 3 years.
ISU Extension will be offering recertification and continuing education meetings in February and March 2000 in most counties. Watch for more details.
Questions? The IDNR administers the program. For more information, contact one of the six DNR field offices:
| 909
W. Main St., Suite 4 Manchester, IA 52057 Phone: 319-927-2640 Fax: 319-927-2075 |
2300
15th St., SW, Box 1443 Mason City, IA 50401 Phone: 515-424-4073 Fax: 515-424-9342 |
1900
N. Grand Ave. Box 4086 Spencer, IA 51301 Phone: 712-262-4177 Fax: 712-262-2901
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| 706
Sunnyside Lane Atlantic, IA 50022 Phone: 712-243-1934 Fax: 712-243-6215 |
Attn:
Jim Stricker Julie Nelson 607 E. 2nd St. Des Moines, IA 50309 Phone: 515-281-9069 Fax: 515-281-9068 |
1004
W. Madison Washington, IA 52353 Phone: 319-653-2135 Fax: 319-653-2856 |
