LEADS – Crop Nutrient Planning

Eligible Expenses

• Consulting fees of a qualified professional (e.g., certified crop advisor), to conduct a first-time Crop Nutrient Plan covering one full crop rotation cycle (five-year plan required) that must include:
  • Soil sampling and analysis (including frequency of sampling, sampling plan and soil test results that include organic matter, soil phosphorus, pH, etc.)
  • Maps of fields, locations of any sensitive features requiring special management or setbacks
• Plan must outline, at a minimum, the following details on a per field basis:
  • Crop rotation
  • Tillage practices for each crop
  • Nutrients applied from all sources (timing, placement, rates)
  • Crop removal and the nutrient balance for each crop, including credits from legumes and/or manure
  • Fertilizer recommendations for each crop
  • Management practices to reduce risk of nutrient loss
• Plan may also include the following other eligible activities to support the development of the Crop Nutrient Plan:
  • Manure sampling and analysis
  • Data collection materials such as soil probes
  • Plant tissue sampling and analysis
  • Contingency planning
  • Soil conservation practices and planning for implementation within the crop rotation
• Annual subscriptions to data management systems (limit of one subscription per eligible farm business)
• Plans developed using NMAN or other planning and decision support tools