CFA Regulations and Recordkeeping 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which agency administers the federal Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) program for large animal feeding operations?
- EPA only
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) (Correct answer)
- FDA
- Army Corps of Engineers
Correct answer: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
USDA-NRCS administers the CNMP program, providing technical and financial assistance to confined animal feeding operations.
Question 2: A fertilizer application record shows a rate of 200 lbs/acre of 46-0-0. What is the nitrogen applied per acre?
- 46 lbs N
- 92 lbs N (Correct answer)
- 200 lbs N
- 154 lbs N
Correct answer: 92 lbs N
46-0-0 is 46% nitrogen, so 200 lbs × 0.46 = 92 lbs of actual nitrogen per acre.
Question 3: Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), facilities storing anhydrous ammonia above threshold quantities must report to which entity?
- Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) (Correct answer)
- State agriculture department
- County extension office
- USDA Farm Service Agency
Correct answer: Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)
EPCRA requires facilities with threshold quantities of hazardous chemicals like anhydrous ammonia to report to the Local Emergency Planning Committee.
Question 4: Which record element helps prove a CFA applicator complied with setback requirements from water bodies?
- Soil pH readings
- Field maps or GPS coordinates showing application boundaries (Correct answer)
- Equipment maintenance logs
- Customer invoices
Correct answer: Field maps or GPS coordinates showing application boundaries
Field maps or GPS coordinates documenting application boundaries demonstrate that required setbacks from water bodies were observed.
Question 5: If a state requires a Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) for a farm, who is typically authorized to write or certify it?
- Any CFA applicator
- Licensed nutrient management planner or certified agronomist (Correct answer)
- Farm owner only
- County tax assessor
Correct answer: Licensed nutrient management planner or certified agronomist
NMPs must typically be written or certified by a licensed nutrient management planner or certified crop adviser meeting state qualification standards.
Question 6: The term 'slow-release' on a fertilizer label is regulated because it affects which consumer decision?
- Color of the product
- Expected nutrient release timing and application rate (Correct answer)
- Bag weight tolerance
- Storage temperature requirements
Correct answer: Expected nutrient release timing and application rate
Slow-release claims affect how applicators calculate rates and timing, so regulators require the claim to meet defined performance standards.
Question 7: A CFA license renewal is denied due to continuing education (CE) hour deficiency. What must the applicator do to reinstate the license?
- Pay a higher renewal fee only
- Complete the required CE hours and reapply (Correct answer)
- Wait one full calendar year automatically
- Transfer to a different license category
Correct answer: Complete the required CE hours and reapply
Applicators must fulfill the outstanding continuing education requirements and then submit a new or corrected renewal application.
CFA Regulations and Recordkeeping 3
Which agency administers the federal Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) program for large animal feeding operations?