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NMAN Software

Author: Amy Bihari - Environmental Program Information Specialist/OMAFRA
Creation Date: 10 December 2003
Last Reviewed: 18 September 2009

We are updating this page to reflect current regulations.

Information on this page about regulations under the Nutrient Management Act, 2002 and the Environmental Protection Act is out of date. On September 18, 2009 new regulations affecting those applying non-agricultural source materials on agricultural lands were filed. Please visit www.ontario.ca/nasm-omafra for more information.


Table of Contents

What is NMAN?

NMAN is a software tool developed by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (Canada). NMAN assists farmers in predicting nutrient generation and determining land base requirements for agronomic use of nutrients.

Specific features of NMAN include:

  • Windows XP/Vista compatible.
  • Farmer-friendly interface.
  • Can track nutrient and manure applications.
  • Considers both agronomic and crop removal nutrient application rates.
  • Can be used for both field and horticultural crops.
  • A database of manure and other nutrient analysis results provides the user with an estimate of the nutrient content of various prescribed materials.
  • Determines manure application rates and actual equipment speeds.
  • A manure storage sizing subroutine estimates manure storage volume requirements for new storage or livestock housing designs.
  • An economic analysis shows the equivalent dollar value of the manure nutrients applied.
  • A "Phosphorus Index" calculation identifies minimum recommended separation distances from watercourses.
  • A "Nitrogen Index" calculation identifies risk factors of nitrogen movement to groundwater.
  • Operates in either metric, Imperial or US Imperial measurements.

A new version of the NMAN computer program is here! This enhanced version of NMAN represents today's agricultural management practices and recent legislative changes. Our most noticeable change is an update of the look and functionality of the field section and printable reports.

What's New in NMAN 2.1?

  • Quicker screen access
  • New storage and livestock images
  • Easier to pick-up where you left off
  • Redesigned field section to allow quick nutrient balance calculation
  • Updated reports.

Opening Older NMAN Files in NMAN 2

NMAN 2 is very different from NMAN 2003/04 versions. Please take note of the following issues before you load NMAN 2003/04 files in NMAN 2.

  1. Storage System (MSTOR) Information

    Before uploading NMAN 2003/2004 files into NMAN 2, the link between material type (NMAN) and storage system (MSTOR) must exist for all years. We recommend you check the existing file (using NMAN 2003/04) and make sure the "material information" is linked to the correct storage system. If you cannot establish a link for the NMAN 2003/2004 files, you are forced to re-enter your storage system information in NMAN 2.

  2. Transfer Contact Information

    Contact information for transfers is in a separate table in NMAN 2. All material transfers in the existing NMAN 2003/04 file are transferred to the new file and a transfer contact is created for each transfer. This approach ensures information is not lost. However, your new file may contain duplicate transfer contact information. After the existing file has been upgraded, we recommend you check the transfer information and consolidate the transfer contacts.

  3. Names used in NMAN must be unique

    If a Farm and MSTOR system share the same name (i.e. “Home”) the Farm and associated Field information will not be carried over correctly in the upgrade process. If identical names exist in your file make small edits (i.e. “Home Barn” and “Home Farm”) to the affected items in the oldest file and save before upgrading to an NMAN 2 version. This will prevent the loss of data.

How Do I Get a Copy of the Latest Version of NMAN?

Your can download NMAN 2.1 from the NMAN Online Download page. If you are currently operating a version of NMAN June 14, 2004 R4 or older, we strongly suggest that you attend a Nutrient Management training course to become familiar with recent changes to the software. For copies of the software in advance of the training courses, please contact your local resource centre.

Related Links

 

For more information:
Toll Free: 1-877-424-1300
Local: (519) 826-4047
E-mail: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca