Using Surplus Milk as Fertilizer (Provisional Guidance for COVID-19 Emergency Response) + NYSDEC Memo

PLEASE SEE THE GUIDANCE USING THE LINKS BELOW

Using Surplus Milk as Fertilizer (Provisional Guidance for COVID-19 Emergency Response)

NYS DEC COVID-19 ED for Milk and 360 Regs (April 10, 2020)

Given the current market disruptions created by the COVID-19 emergency, farms may continue to play important roles in the safe, agronomic, and environmentally sound recycling of surplus milk.  Please find provisional guidance for recycling milk and manure and milk mixtures as a fertilizer for crops, attached.  It’s been developed to support the efforts of farmers, planners, Districts, and other Ag conservation partners in their responses to the COVID-19 emergency.

The guidance was developed by the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, in partnership with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) and the Cornell University Nutrient Management Spear Program, Department of Animal Science, and PRO-DAIRY Program, and in coordination with the NYS DEC’s enforcement discretion memo regarding Part 360 regulations (specifically Part 361-2.3(b) and (c)) and the milk surplus caused by COVID-19 (memo also attached).

Please be safe and stay healthy.

Greg Albrecht
Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) Coordinator
Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning (CNMP) Specialist