ANNAPOLIS, MD (August 26, 2026)—Qualifying agricultural operations are now eligible to extend their nutrient management plans from three to five years following a regulatory update outlined in the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 15.20.07. The update applies to no-land, pasture-only and organic poultry operations that are considered low-risk because they do not spread manure or other sources of nutrients to the land.
“Maryland farmers have long been leaders in responsible nutrient management and environmental stewardship,” said Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks. “By extending the plan cycle for qualifying low-risk operations, we are reducing unnecessary administrative burdens while continuing our commitment to protecting soil health, water quality and the Chesapeake Bay.”
The following operations are eligible for the five-year nutrient management plan extension:
- No-Land Operations: Includes confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs), animal feeding operations (AFOs) and other regulated livestock operations that do not have land available for nutrient application. (Note: The five-year nutrient management plan extension aligns with the Maryland Department of the Environment’s five-year CAFO permit cycle.)
- Pasture-Only Operations: Includes operations consisting entirely of pasture land with no manual or mechanical nutrient applications.
- Organic Poultry Operations: Includes poultry operations where birds graze outdoors in accordance with organic requirements and no nutrients are applied to fields either manually or mechanically.
Operations that apply commercial fertilizers, manure, biosolids or other nutrient sources to the land do not qualify for the extension. Nutrients deposited naturally by grazing animals on pasture land are not considered nutrient applications. Soil tests for pasture-only and organic poultry operations will be valid for the full five years if they are conducted within one year of plan development.
Nutrient management plans identify how fertilizer, manure and other nutrient sources can be responsibly managed to support crop production while preventing excess nutrients from reaching local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay. Maryland farming operations that generate more than $2,500 in income or manage 8,000 pounds or more of live animal weight are required to have a nutrient management plan when fertilizing crops or managing animal manure.
For more information on this regulatory update, please review Regulatory Update: Nutrient Management Plan Duration Extended to Five Years for Certain Operations or contact your regional nutrient management specialist.
For more information on Maryland’s Nutrient Management Program, please visit MDA’s website.
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