Manure Utilization Planning

Farms with both crops and livestock, or crop farms with a nearby source of livestock manure, can benefit by integrating use of the manure resource into crop nutrient plans. Although distributing manure according to crop needs takes more planning than disposing of it as a "waste" product, such a refined management strategy also increases use of on- farm resources, and usually reduces the expense of purchased fertilizers. Proper management of manure and crop

Spreading manure according to crop needs is a profitable strategy.

nutrients also means less potential for excess nutrients to pollute surface water and groundwater.

In northeast Iowa over 90% of farms include livestock, predominantly dairy and hogs. Most rural families and farm livestock drink from private wells. Groundwater quality protection is important to farmers not only for their families' safety but also to maintain high quality ratings for their dairies. Residents also want to protect the area's numerous coldwater trout streams. Farm practice surveys show that most producers are aware nutrient credits should be taken when manure is spread on fields. But they are uncertain how to integrate manure into their overall crop fertility program to get the most efficient, cost-saving benefits from the manure nutrients.

One educational program of the Northeast Iowa Demonstration Project was a manure management initiative with young farmers in Allamakee, Winnishiek, Clayton, and Fayette counties. The Farm Services Agency (formerly FmHA) provided referrals to 20 beginning farmers, who were interested in learning more about use of their manure resource. Cooperators received individual assistance from a specialist on the project staff with management practices such as:

Producers who hauled solid manure on a daily basis used a database of established manure nutrient values generated by the Demonstration Project to estimate total nutrients available.

Cooperators also learned the basics of crop nutrient management planning, including understanding their soil resource, how to take good soil tests, and the effect cropping patterns and field history have on nutrient needs.

Nutrient management plans for a corn crop based on realistic yield goals were developed using manure to balance for nitrogen in the short-term and phosphorous in the long-term. Plowdown alfalfa fields were also evaluated to determine how much nitrogen credit could be given for the following year's corn. Assistance was offered to take and interpret the late-spring soil nitrate test and end-of-season stalk tissue test, which can be used to further refine nitrogen management.

Changes in nutrient management. The 17 farmers who completed the manure utilization program estimated that they collect 26,200 tons of manure from the livestock on their farms and spread it on 1,545 acres at an average estimated rate of 17 tons per acre. The actual calibrated rate of their spreaders averaged 19 tons per acre. The available N credit from the manure applied was 107 pounds per acre.

On pre-program questionnaires, participants were taking an average 23 lb/A. N credit where they applied manure. Afterward, average N credits increased to 48 lb/A. Nitrogen credits taken for a previous legume crop were about 60 lb/A. at the start of the program and increased by 6-7 pounds N at the end. Overall, increased N credits represent over 19 tons per year of excess fertilizer N that is no longer applied. Half of the participants also said they had reduced phosphorus and potassium fertilizer application, citing soil test results, manure credits and profitability as the reasons.

While 70% of participants increased their manure credits and 30% increased legume credits, most are still not taking full credit for all potential nutrient sources. That means input costs can be further reduced in time. Of the 17 farmers who completed the program, only three said they were making fertilizer decisions for their farms when the program began. By the end of the program

A popular bumper sticker for the manure management program.

this number had increased to 14. The planning skills learned by young farmers in this program can be refined and continue to benefit them throughout their farming careers.

In addition to the young farmers recruited for the manure initiative, another 26 northeast Iowa producers received one-on-one manure management assistance through the project's Integrated Crop Management program. The individualized-education approach was so well received with these groups that the Northeast Iowa Demonstration Project went on to develop a new Incentive Education program that will make it more widely available in Iowa's water quality projects.

Workshops. One-day workshops have also been held in cooperation with Natural Resources Conservation Service staff on the project, to introduce the basic concepts of refined manure management. Over 140 farmers, crop consultants and agency staff have attended. The workshops present management information including how to take a good soil sample, soil test interpretation, crop nutrient needs and how to calculate manure and legume credits.

For information on the project's spreader calibration database, manure nutrient values, and for teaching materials used in the program, contact: