LINCOLN, Neb. -- A University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension workshop in February at the Scotts Bluff County Extension Office will provide livestock and crop farmers with the latest information on how to turn manure nutrients into better crop yields while protecting the environment.

Land Application Training will be available Feb. 18. Initial training is from 8:15 a.m.-2:30 p.m. MST and re-certification is from 12:30-2:30 p.m. MST.

This in-depth, one-day class targets newly permitted livestock operations. Operations that already have attended this initial training, but will need re-certification, may attend the afternoon portion of the training.

Livestock producers with livestock waste control facility permits received or renewed since April 1998 must be certified, and are encouraged to attend. In addition, the farm representative identified on the permit application must complete an approved training every five years, and farm personnel responsible for land application of manure also are encouraged to attend.

The workshops will help livestock producers put to use the nutrient management planning requirements of Nebraska's Department of Environmental Quality regulations and increase the economic value of manure, said Leslie Johnson, UNL CNMP coordinator. Participants who attend the day-long event will receive NDEQ Land Application Training Certification.

Attendance at the afternoon portion of one of the Land Application Training workshops will fulfill NDEQ requirements for re-certification of producers who have completed the initial land application training more than five years ago.

This portion of the workshops will consist of a two-hour program including updates on changing regulations and emerging manure management topics. It also will be available via distance learning technology at several county extension offices across the state. Those that have access to high-speed Internet can take this re-certification training at any location, including the home or office. Farm staff responsible for implementing the farm's nutrient plan also are encouraged, but not required, to attend.

For additional information contact Leslie Johnson, CNMP coordinator, at (402) 584-3818, e-mail ljohnson13@unl.edu.

Pre-registration is required for all workshops. A $35 fee per farm (includes one farm representative) will be charged for the day-long Land Application Training workshops plus a $10 fee for each additional participant to cover local costs including lunch.

The Land Application Training Re-certification portion of the workshop is free if viewing online; if attending at an extension office the registration fee is $10.

These workshops are sponsored by the UNL Extension CNMP Team which is dedicated to helping livestock and crop producers better utilize manure for agronomic and environmental benefits.

For additional information on these workshops and other resources for managing manure nutrients, visit the Web at http://water.unl.edu/manure .