The following are a selection of BMPs culled from various national, regional, state and local sources. Each is available for download as a pdf. BMPs oriented more specifically toward
wildlife habitat and
invasive & native species are also available on this site.
Discusses grass, 3-zone, 2-zone, wildlife, urban and naturalized buffers and recommendations for how to choose, establish and cost-share.
Read More »Defines riparian buffers and discusses various benefits, including property value, wildlife habitat, timber, and recreational/aesthetic/spiritual values.
Read More »This 26-page booklet introduces the Stream-A-Syst system to help landowners assess and manage their streams. It contains a worksheet, action plan with recommended steps and sources of information to address various issues, and a visual (photographic) assessment guide.
Read More »This factsheet from the Univ. of Ark., Division of Agriculture delineates nutrient content, application procedures and guidelines for application and storage of poultry litter as a fertilizer and source of organic matter for row crops.
Read More »A practical guide to ways agricultural producers can profit from the growing environmental marketplace from
American Farmland Trust, 2010. An in-depth 55-page handbook that introduces and surveys the types of environmental markets, how to get involved including evaluating financial returns and assessing risks, and what farmers and ranchers can do to encourage these markets.
Read More »This fact sheet provides techniques acceptable for organic and integrated pest management. It specifically addresses house flies, horn flies, face flies, and stable flies.
Read More »Another University of Arkansas gem that explains integrated odor management, which can include diet manipulation, capture and treatment of gas, and BMPs for spreading manure.
Read More »This brief factsheet from the Univ. of Ark defines liquid manure, discusses storage and management options, as well as solids removal and equipment.
Read More »This 2011 document from EPA provides an extensive listing of service providers who can assist farm operations in turning waste into energy. EPA’s AgSTAR Program produces this Industry Directory to assist livestock producers and others involved in developing anaerobic digestion systems to identify consultants, designers, developers, equipment vendors, and other providers of biogas energy services.
Read More »A 293 page guide to the Legal Issues in Farming the Wind on your farm from June 2007
Read More »Improved performance at competitive costs is promised by this 2002 EPA publication all about anaerobic digestion and biogas recovery for energy.
Read More »This brief document is full of photos that will help landowners to determine what form of algae they may have. It describes the major types, their causes, effects, and what can be done to manage algal blooms.
Read More »When managed properly, irrigation of crops with effluent reduces a producer’s reliance on commercial ferti- lizers and helps protect surface and groundwater quality. To use effluent efficiently while avoiding over irrigating it on crop and pasture land, producers must know:
• The N, P and K needs of the crop,based on a realistic goal for yields.
• The N, P and K in the soil available to the plants before irrigation.
The amounts of N, P and K in the effluent that will be irrigated.
This Texas Agrilife publication tells you how.
Read More »Application of dairy compost for stormwater management and on Dept of Transportation projects.
Read More »For horse enthusiasts, veterinarians and operators of boarding stables, handling and disposing of horse manure can pose numerous challenges. Frequently, operators of equine facilities and large-animal veterinary clinics must pay someone to take the manure off the property. However, there is an excellent way to stimulate demand for a product that would otherwise be a liability. Composting manure can eliminate a messy problem and provide a modest additional income.
Read More »Texas Agrilife publication about making supplemental water go further, managing dry manure depth, and timing of manure removal.
Read More »A publication that addresses issues arising when landowners answer “yes” to these questions:
Are you aware of manure sampling and testing procedures?
Do you store livestock waste for longer than 90 days on your property?
Do you store livestock waste for short periods (30 to 90 days) on your property?
Do you store livestock waste closer than 150 feet from any water wells?
Do you use lagoons or detention ponds to store livestock waste?
Are there any abandoned livestock waste storage facilities on your property?
Read More »Texas Agrilife discusses the efficiency, bacteria, management, pumping, salts and pH of lagoon management for poultry and livestock waste.
Read More »Another publication from Texas Agrilife Extension, this publication covers control of odors and dust attained through siting of new facilities and practices for existing facilities.
Read More »Texas Agrilife covers the basics of construction, management, composting, litter and trouble shooting.
Read More »This 1998 document from Florida Dept. of Agriculture provides educational, rather than regulatory, information on pesticide storage, mixing, application and spill management as well as practices for fertilizer, solvents and other chemicals associated with agricultural operations.
Read More »By:
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)Nutrient Management is defined as the management of the 4R's of Nutrient Management:Right amount (rate), Right source, Right placement (method of application), Right timing of commercial fertilizers, manure, soil amendments, and organic by-products to agricultural landscapes as a source of plant nutrients while protecting local air, soil and water quality.
The corner stone for Nutrient Management is the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) 590 Nutrient Management Conservation Practice Standard. Contact John Davis via phone at 202-720-2308, or email
j.russell.davis@wdc.usda.gov In addition to the 590 Nutrient Management Standard, NRCS provides further guidance on the application of nutrient management via the National Nutrient Management Policy and National Instruction.
Read More »Gives an overview of prevention techniques for live fish, shellfish, ornamental fish and invertebrates, aquatic plants, marine shrimp and freshwater prawns.
A list of all Southern Regional Aquaculture Center factsheets (more than 150) are available at
https://srac.tamu.edu/index.cfm/event/viewAllSheets/ Read More »Covers major nutrient groups, micronutrients, digestion and metabolism, feed, and feeding practices.
A list of all Southern Regional Aquaculture Center factsheets (more than 150) are available at
https://srac.tamu.edu/index.cfm/event/viewAllSheets/ Read More »Lists toxicities of many different chemicals and how to reduce the risk of pesticide drift.
A list of all Southern Regional Aquaculture Center factsheets (more than 150) are available at
https://srac.tamu.edu/index.cfm/event/viewAllSheets/ Read More »Discusses pathogens and parasites, genetic alterations, and genetically modified organisms.
A list of all Southern Regional Aquaculture Center factsheets (more than 150) are available at
https://srac.tamu.edu/index.cfm/event/viewAllSheets/ Read More »A must-read for any responsible aquaculturist contemplating non-native species production.
A list of all Southern Regional Aquaculture Center factsheets (more than 150) are available at
https://srac.tamu.edu/index.cfm/event/viewAllSheets/ Read More »Facilities design, requirements, and regulations.
A list of all Southern Regional Aquaculture Center factsheets (more than 150) are available at
https://srac.tamu.edu/index.cfm/event/viewAllSheets/ Read More »Pros and cons and essentials for this system.
A list of all Southern Regional Aquaculture Center factsheets (more than 150) are available at
https://srac.tamu.edu/index.cfm/event/viewAllSheets/ Read More »Strategies and cost estimates for various forms of frightening programs and exclusion ro barrier methods of control.
A list of all Southern Regional Aquaculture Center factsheets (more than 150) are available at https://srac.tamu.edu/index.cfm/event/viewAllSheets/
Read More »Important personal, feasibility, and financial factors to consider.
A list of all Southern Regional Aquaculture Center factsheets (more than 150) are available at
https://srac.tamu.edu/index.cfm/event/viewAllSheets/ Read More »Summary of the most popular method for raising tilapia in the U.S.
A list of all Southern Regional Aquaculture Center factsheets (more than 150) are available at
https://srac.tamu.edu/index.cfm/event/viewAllSheets/ Read More »The basics on “the most important species of aquatic animal commercially cultured in the United States.” Discusses blue, white, brown bullhead, black bullhead, yellow bullhead, and flathead catfish species.
A list of all Southern Regional Aquaculture Center factsheets (more than 150) are available at
https://srac.tamu.edu/index.cfm/event/viewAllSheets/ Read More »Advantages and disadvantages of one of the four primary methods of aquaculture: ponds, raceways, recirculating systems or cages.
A list of all Southern Regional Aquaculture Center factsheets (more than 150) are available at
https://srac.tamu.edu/index.cfm/event/viewAllSheets/ Read More »The importance of aeration in aquaculture and various methods how to.
The Southern Regional Aquaculture Center also lists all their available factsheets online. A list of all SRAC factsheets (more than 150) are available at
https://srac.tamu.edu/index.cfm/event/viewAllSheets/ Read More »Advantages and disadvantages of one of the four primary methods of aquaculture: ponds, raceways, recirculating systems or cages.
The Southern Regional Aquaculture Center also lists all their available factsheets online. A list of all SRAC factsheets (more than 150) are available at
https://srac.tamu.edu/index.cfm/event/viewAllSheets/ Read More »A discussion of the fish stocked in recreational fishing ponds as food for species such as largemouth bass. Includes bluegill, redear sunfish, fathead minnow, golden shiner, threadfin shad, and tilapia and other species.
The Southern Regional Aquaculture Center also lists all their available factsheets online. A list of all SRAC factsheets (more than 150) are available at
https://srac.tamu.edu/index.cfm/event/viewAllSheets/ Read More »Characteristics and requirements of the three most common baitfish in the South: the golden shiner, fathead minnow or goldfish.The Southern Regional Aquaculture Center also lists all their available factsheets online. A list of all SRAC factsheets (more than 150) are available at
https://srac.tamu.edu/index.cfm/event/viewAllSheets/ Read More »A 20-page report from the Southern Regional Aquaculture Center conducted research in Arkansas and other states to determine actual production costs, breakeven prices, and profits. Six Arkansas catfish foodfish ponds yielded net results ranging from $80 to $1,847 per acre over a three-year period, averaging $669 per acre. Two catfish fingerling ponds yielded a net ranging from $1116 to $3132 per acre, and averaging $2073 per acre.
Read More »Discusses general considerations and various designs for such systems.
Read More »This Univ. of Arkansas fact sheet discusses the relationship between the poultry and cattle industry in Arkansas, namely their production and use, respectively, of phosphorus-rich poultry litter. It concludes, “Inherent in the different grazing techniques is the potential to reduce compaction and improve vegetative surface cover (percent), which has a dramatic impact on runoff, erosion and P loss.” Inclusion of vegetated buffers can have an even more dramatic impact.
Read More »This Univ. of Arkansas fact sheet discusses benefits and sampling principles for testing poultry litter because, “Applying poultry litter without knowing its nutrient content is similar to applying commercial fertilizer without knowledge of its nutrient content (e.g., % N/P/K).”
Read More »Explains the benefits of using alum for both poultry production and water quality.
Read More »Defines and discusses management of nutrients, pests, tillage, harvest, and edge/buffers to benefit waterbirds. Also provides crop-specific BMPs for corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton and rice.
Read More »This brief article from University of Arkansas explains that “Worm composting or vermicomposting is a suitable composting option for apartment dwellers and homes with no yard space and is also a great classroom activity. The worms stay in the bin and eat household food scraps, and the bin has no odor if properly maintained.” It includes building and maintenance instructions.
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This fact sheet explains how to build bins from concrete blocks or wood, and how to add waste and maintain the compost.
Read More »How to make and use a garbage can composter.
Read More »Beyond simply covering poultry mortality with litter, includes water contamination concerns.
Read More »This factsheet differentiates composting from biodrying, with the former leading to good soil amendments and the latter leading to good material for bioenergy production. It explains the basics of biodrying equipment and methods.
Read More »This factsheet explains the compost process, what can be composted, its benefits, and the major different methods of composting.
Read More »This fact sheet defines the difference between a vegetative shelterbelt and structural windbreak. It concludes, “A well-designed and positioned vegetative shelter-belt on a poultry farm can be used as a practical air emission mitigation technology.”
Read More »By:
Hembree BrandonA “cocktail mix” of winter cover comprised of tillage radishes — which can send a tuber as much as 60 inches into the soil —cereal rye, and rape/canola help Mike Taylor and his son, Mikey, prevent erosion and wind damage on their 6,500-acre Long Lake Plantation near Helena, Ark.
Read More »By:
Bonnie CoblentzREACH is a collaboration between Mississippi State University's Extension Service, MAFES, and the Forest and Wildlife Research Center. Through the program experts share their scientifiically researched best agricultural practices with producers and landowners. In return, as farmers develop and implement new steardship plans REACH collects data to show what works to further conservation management.
Read More »
BMPs oriented more specifically toward energy efficiency, wildlife habitat and invasive & native species are also available on this site.