AMES, Iowa---Iowa State University Extension will offer a three-hour manure applicator certification workshop for dry manure operators on six different dates and locations in February 2010. The certification workshop is for both confinement site manure applicators and commercial manure applicators who primarily apply dry manure.

“The information in this workshop will benefit not only those needing certification, but anyone who uses poultry manure as a fertilizer source,” says Angie Rieck-Hinz, coordinator of the Manure Applicator Certification Program. “Producers interested in best management practices to get the most from the manure as fertilizer should stay current on recent research results looking at poultry manure nutrients.”

Workshop topics will include land application rules, new rules, stockpiling requirements, poultry manure water quality research, and a look at some prototype equipment for “banding” dry manure.

The workshops are free to attend and open to all. Applicators will be required to submit certification forms and fees to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to meet manure applicator certification requirements.

Each workshop will begin at 1 p.m.  Please register for one of the workshops by calling the number listed with the selected site. Workshop locations and dates are:

• Feb. 10, Branding Iron Restaurant, Thompson. Call (641)584-2261 to register.
• Feb. 16, Washington County Extension Office, Washington. Call (319) 653-4811 to register.
• Feb. 17, Ellsworth Public Library, Ellsworth. Call (515) 832-9597 to register.
• Feb. 19, Heartland Museum, Clarion. Call (515) 532-3453 to register.
• Feb. 22, Buena Vista County Extension Office, Storm Lake. Call (712) 732-5056 to register.
• Feb. 23, Greenfield Chamber of Commerce meeting room, Greenfield. Call (641) 743-8412 to register.

-30-