Improving and maintaining water quality is the focus of Wisconsin’s water quality programs. Implementing a nutrient management plan is a cost-effective means of reducing nutrient losses from cropland and controlling erosion. A nutrient management plan also stimulates adoption of related environmental practices and is an ideal stepping-stone to a systems approach for environmental management and improved water quality. Nutrient management plans balance nutrients available in manure, legumes, and commercial fertilizer with the field’s soil test nutrient need. To implement nutrient management statewide, the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has authority under Chapter 92.05 (3)(k) Wis. Stats., to promulgate rules for a nutrient management program that must include incentives, educational and outreach provisions, and compliance requirements. Wisconsin’s future nutrient management program will be contained within the upcoming revision to ch. ATCP 50, Wis. Admin. Code for soil and water resource management.