An increasing world population that demands high quality protein and fiber production at a low cost has resulted in an intensification of agricultural production systems. Brazil is no exception, with a 33% increase in animal numbers from 1993 to 2003. Most of this increase has occurred in the southern region of the country, where 43 and 49% of total Brazil's swine and poultry production is now located. Although beef comprise the greatest number of animals in Brazil (196 million head), their manure is not a manageable resource as is swine and poultry manure. In 2003, swine and poultry in southern region of Brazil produced 28 million tonnes of manure with 25 million tonnes from swine. Regional surveys of this manure show just over 1 million tonnes of P are produced annually by swine. This contrast with only 4,000 tonnes applied annually to the regions crops. Even if P added as fertilizer was replaced by swine manure, the large surplus of P is clearly of environmental significance. The potential for P-related water quality problems to occur in this region is compounded by the fact that the region is typified by high rainfalls (1500 to 2500 mm/yr) and undulating landscapes. There is a need to form incentive programs for nutrient management by the combined efforts of the farming community, animal industry, and government to facilitate the environmentally sound use of P in manure, rather than treating it as a disposal problem. We will show how some of the lessons learnt and technology developed in the U.S. can be applied to alleviate costly water quality impairment in southern Brazil.