Manure Management Planning Resources

In Pennsylvania, all agricultural operations that land-apply manure or agricultural process wastewater, regardless of size, are required to have and implement a written plan to manage nutrients and protect water quality. Additionally, this requirement includes agricultural operations that manage Animal Concentration Areas and/or pastures. For operations that are not classified as a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) or as a Concentrated Animal Operation (CAO), a Manure Management Plan (MMP) will meet this regulatory requirement.

What Is a Manure Management Plan?

A Manure Management Plan (MMP) is a written, site‑specific document that outlines how manure and agricultural process wastewater will be collected, stored, handled, and applied on an agricultural operation. Manure Management Plans are regulated by the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law and 25 PA Code Chapter 91.36(b). Supporting guidance for the regulations is provided in the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Land Application of Manure: A Supplement to Manure Management for Environmental Protection.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) provides two standard planning templates:

• Manure Management Plan Short Form
• Manure Management Plan Workbook

PA DEP also accepts three alternative formats:

• PAOneStop Manure Management Plan Module
• NRCS 590 CNMP
• Act 38 NMP

The MMP Short Form is an option for agricultural operations that meet specific eligibility criteria described in the PA DEP's Land Application of Manure Manual. Agricultural operations that cannot continuously meet the MMP Short Form criteria must develop a plan using the full MMP Workbook or an approved alternative format accepted by PA DEP.

Why Are Manure Management Plans Important?

A Manure Management Plan (MMP) can help an agricultural operation not only comply with state regulations but also protect water quality by reducing nutrient losses to environmentally sensitive areas. Additionally, an MMP can strengthen agricultural operations by identifying practices and strategies that could improve soil health, increase crop productivity, and reduce fertilizer costs. Finally, a thorough and up-to-date MMP can support on-farm decision-making by providing a centralized location for an operation’s management records.

Who Can Write a Manure Management Plan and What Information is Required?

Manure Management Plans can be prepared by any individual with knowledge about the agricultural operation, including the operator. However, assistance from trained and experienced professionals will be beneficial and, at times, necessary when developing an MMP. Assistance may be available from a variety of sources, including certified nutrient management specialists, certified manure brokers and haulers, county conservation districts, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) staff, Pennsylvania State University staff, and agricultural organizations.

To develop an acceptable and effective MMP, the plan writer will need detailed and up-to-date information about the operation, including the following:

• Animals: types, numbers, average weights, and days on operation
• Crops: crop types, expected and actual yields, fields, rotations, and fertilizer application rates
• Landscape Features: field names, operation and field boundaries, cropland and pasture acres, and environmentally sensitive areas
• Manure Management: spreader calibration, calculated application rates, manure types, application timing, and manure setbacks
• Manure and Agricultural Process Wastewater Storage and Stacking: storage type, storage and stacking specifications, location, construction, and condition
• Pasture and Animal Concentration Areas (ACAs): locations, size, management, and conditions
• Best Management Practices (BMPs): implementation dates, locations, numbers, and size.

Manure Management Plan Key Terms

Agricultural Process Wastewater - wastewater from agricultural operations, including from spillage or overflow from livestock or poultry watering systems, washing, cleaning, or flushing pens, milkhouses, barns, manure pits, direct contact swimming, washing, or pray cooling of livestock or poultry, egg washing, or dust control.

Animal Concentration Areas (ACAs) - animal confinement areas that will not maintain a growing crop (e.g., barnyards, loafing areas, or exercise lots). Animal access ways, feeding areas, watering areas, and shade areas or walkways are not considered ACAs if they do not cause a direct flow of manure-contaminated runoff to surface waters, sinkholes, or springs.

Best Management Practices - Activities, facilities, measures, planning or procedures that are effective and practicable to manage nutrients to protect, maintain, reclaim, and restore the quality of water and existing and designated uses of surface and ground water.

Pastures - Land used for grazing animals that is managed under a grazing plan meeting the requirements of the Natural Resources Conservation Service Pennsylvania Technical Guide Practice Standard 528 for Prescribed Grazing; OR to maintain at least three inches of vegetation height and 70% perennial vegetative cover.

Manure Management Plan Tools and Resources

Regulations│Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

Manure Management Program │DEP
The DEP's Manure Management page provides access to state regulations for manure management, the Land Application of Manure manual, and templates, instructions, and examples of the Manure Management Plan Short Form and the full Manure Management Plan Workbook.

Pennsylvania Clean Water Academy │DEP
Administered by the DEP Bureau of Clean Water, the Clean Water Academy is a comprehensive training and course catalog for both professionals and the public. Training includes courses on MMP development and implementation.

Programs│Penn State Extension

Nutrient Management Program │Act 38
The Nutrient Management Program supports the development of MMPs by providing education on nutrient management principles and regulatory requirements.

Manure Hauler and Broker Certification Program │Act 49
Provides an overview of Pennsylvania’s Manure Hauler and Broker Certification Program, including training, certification requirements, and resources to ensure manure is transported and applied safely and in compliance with state regulations.

Manure Management Resources │Nutrient Management Program
Provides tools, guidance, and downloadable resources to help farmers develop and implement manure management plans that meet Pennsylvania requirements.

Planning Tools│Penn State Extension

PAOneStop: Farm Planning System
A free and easy-to-use online platform for developing operation maps and generating Manure Management Plans that meet regulatory requirements.

MMP Excel Nutrient Balance Sheet (NBS) and User Guide
A tool used to calculate manure application rates by crop group for Manure Management Plans. The MMP-NBS is not meant to be used for Act 38 NBSs.

AASL Soil Test Recommendation Handbooks
Provides soil fertility guidelines to determine appropriate manure application rates based on crop nutrient needs.

Planning Tools │USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

Web Soil Survey
Supplies detailed soil data used in MMPs to evaluate suitable manure application areas.

Pennsylvania Field Office Technical Guide (eFOTG)
A list of conservation practice standards for best management practices.

Planning Assistance

Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD)
Connects landowners with local conservation districts that can provide direct assistance with developing, reviewing, and implementing Manure Management Plans.

PAPlants
A catalog of certified plan writers, manure haulers, and manure brokers that are trained and can be hired for developing and implementing Manure Management Plans for an operation.

NRCS Technical Service Providers
Technical Service Providers (TSPs) can provide planning, design, and implementation services that meet NRCS criteria related to Manure Management Plans and NRCS 590 CNMPs.

Education│Penn State Extension

What Type of Nutrient or Manure Management Plan Do I Need for My Farm?
A collection of resources to assist operators in identifying if their operation is considered a Concentrated Animal Operation (CAO) or a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO).

Manure Spreader Calibration
Manure spreader calibration is a key component of Manure Management Plans, and this article explains its importance while providing practical guidance on calibration methods and procedures.

Nutrient and Manure Educational and Reference Materials
An expansive list of educational materials covering topics from understanding nutrient management and soil fertility to manure storage and application.

Agricultural Erosion and Sediment Control Planning Resources

Agriculture Erosion and Sediment Control │DEP
Most operations that require an MMP will also be required to develop and implement an Agricultural Erosion and Sediment Control (Ag E&S) plan. The DEP Ag E&S webpage provides access to state regulations for Ag E&S planning, the Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Manual for Agricultural Operations, and an Ag E&S plan template.  

Agriculture Erosion and Sediment Control │Penn State Extension
This Penn State Extension article provides an overview of Ag E&S planning requirements, explaining why plans are needed, when they are required, and how they help reduce soil loss and protect water quality. It also offers tools and resources to support the development and implementation of Ag E&S plans on farms.