DES MOINES – Required annual training starts Jan. 17 and concludes on Feb. 29 for confinement site manure applicators at many county Iowa State University Extension offices. Seven dry manure classes will also be held.  “Confinement site applicators are required to attend annual training, even though their certificates are good for three years,” said Jeff Prier, DNR coordinator of the program. “It’s also a good reminder of new and existing rules and other information pertinent to applicators and producers.” 

Certificates expire on Dec. 31. To avoid late fees, certification renewal must be submitted to DNR no later than March 1. Applicators whose certificates are expiring must complete the training, and submit forms and fees. Confinement site applicators must attend two hours of training each year of the three year certification. A $25 continuing education fee is charged and pre-registration is required. Prier said even those who received initial certification the fall of 2011 must complete training in 2012. Applicators can find contacts for registration and a list of counties where the training is available at www.agronext.iastate.edu/immag/certification/confdates.html.

 Those applicators who cannot attend a training session should contact their local Extension office to schedule time to watch a video. Extension offices may charge a $10 fee to show the video outside of a scheduled showing. Applicators may also take a 50‐question exam. Contact the DNR field office most convenient to you to make an appointment, by calling:

• Northeast Iowa, Manchester, 563-927‐2640

• North central Iowa, Mason City, 641-424‐4073

• Northwest Iowa, Spencer, 712-262‐4177

• Southwest Iowa, Atlantic, 712-243‐1934

• South central Iowa, Des Moines, 515-725‐0268

• Southeast Iowa, Washington, 319-653‐2135 

More information about the manure applicators certification program is available at www.iowadnr.gov/Environment/LandStewardship/AnimalFeedingOperations/ApplicatorCertification.aspx  or  www.agronext.iastate.edu/immag/maccsa.html.