Services - Resource Management

Soil Conservation Plan Development
TeamAg Inc. will develop a Conservation Plan that meets the requirements of Chapter 102 Regulations. As part of the development of the Conservation Plan, TeamAg Inc. will visit the farm to meet with the operator to determine the goals and objectives and other data needed to develop the plan. During the farm visit field data will be collected to be used in the Soil Loss Equation. Also during the visit, Best Management Practices (BMPs) will be identified and options discussed on how to manage the field to meet the regulations. TeamAg Inc. will develop maps required for the Conservation Plan. If available, maps made for the NMP can be utilized. Once the plan is developed and the landowner is in agreement with the contents of the plan we will submit the Plan to the County Conservation District or NRCS for review and approval. TeamAg Inc. will work with the County Conservation District to obtain plan approval.

Farm Assessments & Environmental Reviews
TeamAg Inc. will complete the required forms (Form A) to begin the process for an On-Farm Assessment & Environmental Review. This program is run by Environmental Management Solutions (EMS) and is funded by America's Clean Water Foundation. We recommend that each animal group (hogs, chicken, dairy, etc.) receive an assessment.

Soil Sampling
Soil testing is an excellent method for estimating the fertility status of soil, and it provides valuable information for developing a sound Nutrient Management Plan. TeamAg Inc. provides several soil sampling methods and a wide varity of tests.

Standard Soil Sampling
A representative sample is obtained from the field, the sample is then handled and shipped according to accepted standards. The results are then returned to the client.

Grid Point / GPS Soil Sampling
Soil samples will be collected using the method the client prefers. Locations will be recorded with a GPS unit. The most common is 2.5 or 5 acre grids. The fertility results are attached to the points within the GIS, and maps showing the fertility variability will be printed. When the data is available, soil type maps, will be printed. Hard copy soil sample results are included.

Manure Testing
Manure testing is the best method for estimating the nutrient value of a manure, and it provides valuable information for developing a sound Nutrient Management Plan and is required for some operations. TeamAg Inc. recommends that manure samples be tested for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and ammonia.

TeamAg will provide a manure test kit and fact sheet to the grower describing the proper method for collecting manure samples. This will enable the producer to collect manure samples during the times of the year (when applying manure) when representative samples can be collected.

Water Testing
TeamAg Inc. can provide independent, objective, third party water sample collection. Water testing is not required with most of the permitting requirements as they exist today. However, we recommend that water testing be completed on each operation. Regular water testing is beneficial for two reasons. First, the results of analytical tests can lead to early detection and remediation of problems occurring of the farm. Second, test results will generate benchmark or baseline data that can be used to defend an operation that is wrongly accused of creating an environmental problem.

New operations
We recommend sampling the water obtained from all new and existing wells on the site. Samples should also be collected from the entry and exit points for all of the streams on the property. The water obtained from wells (new and existing) should be tested before animals are brought on to the operation. We recommend testing for nitrates and bacteria in the wells and nitrates in the stream. We also recommend the collected and analysis of water samples from the drain outlets from the manure storage leak detection system. If contaminants are present further testing may be needed.

Existing operations
We recommend testing existing wells and any stream where it enters your property and where it exits your farm. The tests we recommend are nitrates and bacteria in the wells and nitrates in the stream. We also recommend that nitrate tests be completed on drains around the manure storage structure. If contaminants are present further tests can be completed.

Testing intervals
We recommend the testing to be an on-going project. This will allow you to monitor water quality parameters through out the life of a farm. Testing could be done at the following intervals:

Quarterly - Testing the water quarterly would show if water quality changed over the various seasons. TeamAg Inc. recommends this option.

Bi-annually - If not testing the water quarterly, we recommend a minimum testing of the water twice a year.

Yearly - Yearly testing will provide minimal information about the water quality over time and will not show seasonal variations.