Best Management Practices

Agricultural best management practices help minimize air, soil and water pollution. Plant nutrients, bacteria, sediment and crop chemicals can be mitigated so that pollution of ground and surface water is curtailed. Livestock odors can also be minimized. A goal of the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers is to help farmers implement sustainable farming practices that assist Iowa farm families in raising livestock responsibly and successfully.

Before construction of any new livestock farm can begin, a Manure Management Plan (MMP) must be filed and approved. In additional, all fields designated to have manure applied must score in the top two of five ratings or application is not allowed.

There are many resources to help farmers determine how to file and comply with the MMP as well as implement best management practices:

Quick Links

General best management resources
Beef & dairy best management resources
Pork best management resources
Poultry best management resources

“I think it’s really important to get information from the Coalition and to call on them for help and suggestions when it comes to raising livestock. Farmers deal with many adversities and you need someone you can trust to walk you through regulations and how to be more proactive in networking with neighbors. I benefited personally from the Coalition when we were making changes to our hog farm and know other farmers can get the support they need as well.”

—Hubert Hagemann, hog farmer, Carroll