CCA - Certified Crop Advisor Nutrient Management Planning Questions and Answers

Question 1

A producer's soil test results for a field planned for corn indicate high levels of phosphorus. The nutrient management plan is based on the nitrogen needs of the corn crop. Which of the following is the most significant potential environmental consequence of applying manure to meet the crop's full nitrogen requirement?

Accepted Answer

Excessive phosphorus runoff, leading to eutrophication of nearby surface waters.

Answer

When manure application is based on the nitrogen needs of a crop, other nutrients, particularly phosphorus, are often over-applied because the N:P ratio in manure is different from the crop's uptake ratio. If the soil already has high phosphorus levels, applying additional phosphorus beyond crop removal rates significantly increases the risk of P loss through runoff and erosion. This excess phosphorus can enter surface water bodies, causing eutrophication—an overgrowth of algae that depletes oxygen and harms aquatic life.

Question 2

Which of the following is the foundational first step in developing an effective and environmentally sound nutrient management plan?

Accepted Answer

Collecting representative soil samples for laboratory analysis.

Answer

Complete and accurate soil testing is the starting point for any nutrient management plan. Soil analysis provides a baseline of the nutrient levels already present in the field, which is essential for determining the actual nutrient needs of the crop. Without this information, it's impossible to accurately calculate application rates, select appropriate nutrient sources, or set realistic yield goals without risking over- or under-application.

Question 3

A nutrient management plan incorporates the '4R' stewardship principles to optimize fertilizer use. What do the 4Rs stand for?

Accepted Answer

Right Source, Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place

Answer

The 4R Nutrient Stewardship framework is a core concept in modern nutrient management. It stands for using the Right Source of nutrients, at the Right Rate, at the Right Time in the crop's life cycle, and in the Right Place for the crop to access them. Following these principles helps to maximize nutrient use efficiency, improve farm profitability, and minimize environmental impact.

Question 4

A farmer plans to plant soybeans in a field that was previously in alfalfa for three years. When calculating the nitrogen fertilizer needs for the soybeans, how should the previous alfalfa crop be handled in the nutrient management plan?

Accepted Answer

A nitrogen credit should be subtracted from the base fertilizer recommendation.

Answer

Nutrient management plans must account for all sources of nutrients, including those from previous crops. Legumes like alfalfa fix atmospheric nitrogen, and a significant amount of this nitrogen remains in the soil and becomes available to the following crop as the residue decomposes. This is known as a 'legume credit' and must be subtracted from the total nutrient requirement to avoid over-application of nitrogen fertilizer.

Question 5

A soil test report recommends applying 120 lbs of nitrogen (N) per acre for a corn crop. You have a liquid UAN fertilizer (28-0-0) that weighs 10.65 lbs/gallon. How many gallons of this fertilizer should be applied per acre to meet the recommendation?

Accepted Answer

40.2 gallons

Answer

First, calculate the pounds of N per gallon of fertilizer: 10.65 lbs/gallon * 0.28 (for 28% N) = 2.982 lbs N/gallon. Next, divide the recommended N rate by the pounds of N per gallon: 120 lbs N/acre / 2.982 lbs N/gallon = 40.24 gallons/acre. The closest answer is 40.2 gallons.

(CCA) Certified Crop Advisor Practice Test

(CCA) Certified Crop Advisor Practice Test

CCA - Certified Crop Advisor Nutrient Management Planning Questions and Answers