Press Release: USA 006 - August 26, 2005

New, Tougher EPA Regulations Are No Burden For ScoringAg Farmers

Accurate recordkeeping is vital in proving proper land management principles and stewardship of soil and water resources; and ScoringAg's Web-based recordkeeping is a leader in the protection of the nation's natural resources and vital food supply.

(PRWEB) August 26, 2005 -- Recently, the US Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) announced new CAFO (concentrated animal feeding operations) regulations requiring complete, precise recordkeeping will be required by law, in place and available for review by EPA officials no later than December 31, 2006. For the conscientious farmer and rancher, maintaining conventional manure, litter, process water, and soil recordkeeping can be complicated and costly.

The minimum requirements for these new CAFO regulations for these important site characteristics will include keeping detailed records for the following: sampling test methods and results; dates and methods of application; dates and methods of application equipment inspection; application rates and determination methods; weather conditions during, before (24 hours), and after (24 hours) application; phosphorous and nitrogen calculations (total amounts and other sources); and expected crop yields.

Now, there is an easy-to-use, low-cost solution to meeting these new requirements with ScoringAg. This Web-based system provides unique Site-Specific Recordkeeping™ and site records that are designed to be in full compliance with these new CAFO regulations, quickly and easily. Food safety and protection of the nation's food supply from its source and throughout the supply chain are built-in features of ScoringAg, without adding significant costs to the producer or the consumer.

By using a unique location code (PIDC – Premises IDentification Code) for specific sites around the world, Site-Specific Recordkeeping™ allows the farmer or rancher to keep track of critical activities, land treatment history, and soil test results over time (such as application of manure, litter, processed waste water, or other treatments), as well as notes on weather conditions, test methods and sample records, and other information required by the CAFO regulations – in real time, and as part of the on-line system without any other special software or other on-site records.

Detailed location records for each PIDC in ScoringAg are available for all significant location characteristics, and each record provides more than adequate detail to meet the new EPA CAFO regulations.

Soil records detail characteristics and soil groups, climate zones, elevation, and growth types for each unique PIDC. The Annual Land Location Profile records contain details on topography, manure sources, irrigation types, farming types, and soil test results. Soil / Manure Nutrient Test records detail the test collector name, test name and number, the record type, sample data details and test date, soil / field test results, manure test results, and chemical analysis results.

Water Source records contain the type of allocation rights, size of the source, discharge test and source during discharge, and water and irrigation sources listed by type at the location. Local Weather Conditions records for the specific sites provide weather profile, precipitation history, and climate history (temperature / wind) for specific years. Inadvertent Spills and Leakages records maintain occurrences history by date, amount, the type of liquid / solid / sludge, reason for the occurrence, hazard assessment, cleanup requirements, and authorities contacted. The Field / Plant Crop History records keep track of crop, seed (varieties), and planting details by location size and planting year, crop classification (GMO type, treated, or organic), cultivation type, harvest date, and yield and grazing history.

All records in ScoringAg are specific to the field, storage facility, or other type of location, allowing the site operator to be precise about activities, applications, and results. The farmer and rancher is also assured that all records in the ScoringAg database remain exclusively private and under complete control of the site owner at all times. However, at the owner's option, these records can be printed when needed and are completely detailed reports in accordance with the regulations. In addition, records in ScoringAg can be transferred to the new landowner if the property is sold or leased.

ScoringAg.com and its traceback and traceup system for agriculture products, featuring Site-Specific Recordkeeping™ and PIDC location code, is one of the many divisions of ScoringSystem, Inc., which is located in Sarasota, Florida USA and specializes in providing solutions with mobile data, via wireless PDAs, laptops, and Semacode-programmed Nokia, Siemens, and Sony Ericsson cell phones. Whether using RFID or barcodes for tracking and traceback of livestock, transport containers or perishable commodities and other consumer goods, www.ScoringAg.com makes managing data easier – and does it in an extremely cost effective manner.