Spring 2001
Manure Applicator Certification Training 2001
by Angela Rieck-Hinz, Department of Agronomy
By the time most of you receive this newsletter the 2001 Manure Applicator Certification Training workshops will be in full swing. In addition to changes mentioned in the article “Changes in manure applicator certification program” on page 4, there are additional program issues you need to be aware of regarding the certification program.
Confinement site manure applicators. If you are a confinement site manure applicator and you received your initial certification by attending a 2-hour training session, your certification is valid for 3 years. To maintain that certification, you must attend 2 hours of training each year of that 3-year certification period. You must receive that 2 hours of training by the calendar month listed on your certification card. If you miss 1 year of training, you will be required to take and pass an exam at the end of the 3-year period to renew your certification.
For example, if you attended a workshop for your initial certification in 1999 your certification card may say valid through October 1, 2002. You must have attended 2 hours of training in 2000 by October and you must attend training by October 2001 for your certification to remain valid. If you miss 1 year of training to renew your certification you will have to take an exam in 2002 or prior to manure application.
If you were initially certified by taking an exam your certification is still valid for 3 years, but you are not required to attend 2 hours of annual training. For a list of training workshops please contact your local county extension office or see the Web page at
http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/immag/certification/confdates.html
Commercial manure applicators. Initial certification and recertification for commercial manure applicators will be held in most county extension offices on Tuesday, February 20, 2001. The workshop will start with registration at 8:30 a.m. and certification training will be from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Commercial manure applicators must receive 3 hours of annual training or take an exam every year to maintain their certification. Contact your local county extension office to determine which counties are hosting the satellite downlink for the 2001 training workshop.
If you are either a commercial manure applicator or a confinement site manure applicator and you are not able to attend one of the training workshops, you may schedule an appointment with your county extension office to view the appropriate training videotape. You must still view the videotape prior to the month listed on your certification card.
