SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Workshops have been scheduled to provide Illinois livestock producers the manure management training they need to meet the requirements of the state's Livestock Management Facilities Act. 

The Certified Livestock Manager Training workshops will be held Dec. 15, 2009, through March 9, 2010.

"The Certified Livestock Manager Program gives livestock producers an opportunity to receive updated educational materials about the proper use and application of livestock manure and to demonstrate their continued commitment to environmentally-responsible management of their production facilities," Warren Goetsch, bureau chief of Environmental Programs for the Illinois Department of Agriculture, said.

The curriculum has been updated to reflect the latest industry practices and offer new information to producers who may have completed the training before and are renewing their certification.  The new workshop topics include:

• Winter spreading of manure
• Manure on forage crops; feed storage run-off solutions
• Operating safely around manure storages
• Foaming liquid manure storages
• Innovative manure processing and odor control technologies

The Livestock Management Facilities Act requires facilities with 300 or more animal units to have at least one employee certified in proper manure handling procedures.  For facilities with 300 to 999 animal units, the employee either must attend a workshop or pass the Illinois Department of Agriculture's Certified Livestock Manager exam.  Employees of facilities with 1,000 or more animal units must do both to achieve certification. 

Employees also have the option of taking five online quizzes.  Passing them is the equivalent of having attending a workshop, but does not substitute for passing the Certified Livestock Manager exam.

To register for a workshop, call the University of Illinois Extension at 1-800-345-6087.  The cost is $30.  If more than one employee from the same farm signs-up, each registration after the first will cost $20, a $10 discount. 

The workshops will use the instructional manual for the national Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship (LPES) Curriculum, which can be bought at the time of registration for $62, including shipping and handling.  The manual also is available on compact disc for $32.  There is no charge to take the online quizzes other than the cost of a manual.  To register for the online program option, contact Randy Fonner by calling (217) 333-2611 or by e-mailing clmt@illinois.edu.      

            The complete schedule of workshop dates, times and locations follows: