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Pennsylvania Manure Hauler Broker Program

This article is an overview of the Pennsylvania Manure Hauler Broker Program.

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Updated:

April 30, 2025

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Spreading manure on a field.

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What is the Manure Hauler/Broker Program

Created by Act 49 of 2004, the Commercial Manure Hauler and Broker Program requires all employees of a commercial hauler or broker business to hold a valid certification in order to haul, land apply, or broker manure in Pennsylvania. The intent of Act 49 is to ensure that all manure generated by agricultural operations is transported and applied safely.

Certification

Who

Any person who transports, applies land, or brokers manure is required to hold a valid certification. The levels of certification are listed below. Fees can be found on the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture website
Manure Hauler 1: Person only transporting manure (not land applying)
Manure Hauler 2: Person supervised in hauling and land applying manure
Manure Hauler 3: Person independently (unsupervised) hauling and land applying manure
Manure Broker 1: Person arranging for the transport or application of manure
Manure Broker 2: Person arranging for the transport or application of manure who is interested in developing nutrient balance sheets

How

Manure Hauler 1: Must review a workbook and complete a checklist verifying their understanding of manure handling principles.
Manure Hauler 2: Must review a workbook, fill out a verification form, and pass an exam.
Manure Hauler 3: Must attend a one-day classroom training and pass an exam.
Manure Broker 1: Must attend a one-day classroom training and pass an exam.
Manure Broker 2: Must complete the broker 1 training, nutrient balance sheet training, and pass the nutrient balance sheet exam. P-Index training is optional for certification but required if the person wants to utilize option 3 of the nutrient balance sheet.

Continuing Education

Continuing education is required to maintain certification. Credits may be obtained through state approved workshops, trainings, and field days. Approved events can be found by searching on PaPlants. Below and the credits required for each level of certification.

Manure Hauler 1: Complete annual "update" worksheet (Worksheet provided by PDA when renewal is due)
Manure Hauler 2: 6 credits every 3 years
Manure Hauler 3: 9 credits every 3 years
Manure Broker 1: 9 credits every 3 years
Manure Broker 2: 12 credits every 3 years (3 credits must be specific to nutrient balance sheets approved by the PDA)

Planning

All manure transportation and land application done in Pennsylvania by certified haulers and brokers must be done in accordance with one of the following types of plans.

Act 38 Nutrient Management Plan

Act 38 Nutrient Management Plans are written by certified individuals and approved by the county conservation districts or State Conservation Commission. Operations that meet the requirements to be a CAO or CAFO are required to have these plans. Voluntary participation by operations that do not meet CAO or CAFO requirements is also possible in a VAO status. More information can be found on the Penn State Extension Nutrient Management Program website.

Nutrient Balance Sheet

Nutrient Balance sheets are required for manure that is imported to or from an Act 38 operation. These balance sheets must also be written by certified individuals and must be submitted to the exporting and importing county conservation district. More information about nutrient balance sheets can be found on the Penn State Extension Nutrient Management Program website.

Manure Management Plan

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection requires all agricultural operations that import or generate manure to have a manure management plan if they do not already have an Act 38 plan or nutrient balance sheet. These plans do not need to be written by a certified individual and are not approved or submitted by the county conservation districts. More information on manure management plans can be found on the Penn State Extension Nutrient Management Program and the PA DEP Manure Management websites.

Maps for all three types of plans can be created using the PaOneStop website.

Record Keeping

Accurate records of manure transported and applied must be kept by both haulers and brokers. Record keeping guidelines and example/blank forms can be found on the PDA Act 49 website.