Harvest has taken off in recent weeks as crops are quickly drying down. The open fields are tempting manure applicators to get started on their manure applications; however, it is worthwhile to pause and consider the fertilizer value that is given up when manure is applied to warm soils.
What is the value and cost of manure?
The early harvest this year has created opportunities to complete fall field work and manure applications much earlier than usual. However, applying manure before soils have cooled to below 50°F can be a costly decision. Pushing manure application to later in the fall or waiting until spring can help to prevent nitrogen loss and better match nutrient availability with nutrient demand by crops.
As fields get harvested many farmers are making fall manure applications. Managed properly, manure can be an excellent source of valuable nutrients, but it can also pose risks to water quality when applied long before a crop is present to take up the nitrogen provided by manure. This ICM Blog will discuss considerations on how to maximize the use of manure nutrients for crop production and minimize potential water quality impacts by taking a closer look at an on-going research project at the Northeast Research and Demonstration farm near Nashua, IA.
The Using Manure Nutrients for Crop Production publication (PMR 1003) has recently been updated with revised beef cattle and dairy manure nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) crop availability ranges. Changes were made based on current research results from Iowa and neighboring states.
Want to maximize use of manure nutrients for crop production and reduce potential impacts of water quality? Here is a top 10 list of best management practices.
The 2011 North American Manure Expo July 20 in Norfolk, Neb.will be a great opportunity for commercial manure applicators and livestock producers to see the latest in manure application equipment and technology and to attend a wide variety of educational session all in one place.
Livestock producers and service providers can receive training on how to use the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation 2 (RUSLE2) and the Iowa Phosphorus Index for use in nutrient management and manure management plans.
During January and February, 72 confinement site manure applicator workshops will be held in 63 Iowa counties.
By Robert Burns, Department of Ag and Biosystem Engineering
During excessively high rainfall periods Iowa producers with open manure storages should closely monitor manure levels to prevent these structures from over-topping.
