What is one of the records that must be kept by the farmer?

Land application of nutrients is a critical record that farmers must maintain as part of nutrient management practices. Keeping accurate records of nutrient application helps in ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and guidelines designed to protect water quality. This documentation allows farmers to track the amount and type of nutrients applied, the timing of application, and the specific fields where the nutrients were used.

By logistically managing this information, farmers can optimize their nutrient usage, which promotes more efficient crop production and minimizes potential runoff into surrounding water bodies. This is particularly important in Pennsylvania, where nutrient management is closely monitored to prevent problems like nutrient pollution in local streams and rivers.

In contrast, while annual pesticide application amounts, recycling rates of animal waste, and weather conditions for planting may be helpful records for overall farm management, they do not directly address the essential elements of nutrient management regulations as comprehensively as the land application of nutrients does. This makes the record of nutrient application particularly vital for understanding and improving soil health and agricultural sustainability.