AMES, Iowa - Livestock producers and service providers can receive training on how to use the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation 2 (RUSLE2) and the Iowa Phosphorus Index for use in nutrient management and manure management plans at a workshop scheduled by Iowa State University Extension and the Iowa Manure Management Action Group (IMMAG), in collaboration with the Iowa USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service.
The workshop will be held July 26 at the Polk County Extension Office in Altoona, Iowa. The workshop starts at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m.
This workshop is an introductory level, hands-on workshop that will provide the participant with software orientation. It will also introduce participants to the operating parameters for RUSLE2, selection of input values for RUSLE2, and developing and saving management operations for RUSLE2. In addition, real field examples will be used in the workshop to determine risk calculations of the Iowa Phosphorus Index and how to incorporate these numbers into manure and nutrient management planning requirements. Also included will be parameters for RUSLE2 and P Index calculations on snow-covered or frozen ground. Soil sampling requirements for manure management plans also will be discussed.
"Many livestock producers in Iowa have manure management plans that will need to be revised in 2011 to meet the requirement to update plans every four years," says Angie Rieck-Hinz, ISU Extension program specialist. "The four-year plan requires new RULSE and P-Index calculations and this workshop will be a great refresher for those producers who develop their own plans or for consultants who only develop a few plans."The cost of the workshop is $200 if registered on or prior to July 22; the late fee is $225 after July 22. The workshop fee includes handout materials, a CD with software, refreshments and lunch. Because software will be provided, participants are required to bring a MS Windows compatible laptop equipped with a CD-ROM drive and Microsoft Excel Software. Participants must have their administrator password to the computer they bring in order to install software. The workshop is limited to 30 participants.
Online registration, program information and directions to the workshop are available at: www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/introrusle2/about.html. Questions regarding the workshop should be directed to Angela Rieck-Hinz at 515-294-9590.-30-
