Yes. Depending on the manure source, from a nutrient-availability standpoint, some surface-applied manures (such as feedlot manure) with low ammonium nitrogen levels behave very much like manure that is incorporated. Other manures high in ammonium nitrogen such as anaerobic lagoon manures will have some volatilization of nutrients as compared to dry lot manures, so applied rates of lagoon manures need to be adjusted for this loss.

Environmentally, total nutrient concentration in runoff from no-till fields compared to conventionally tilled fields is very similar. Conventionally tilled fields have higher runoff with lower nutrient concentration, whereas no-till fields have low runoff with higher concentration of nutrients, so the total load leaving the fields is similar.

Form more information please see:
Using Manure in No-Till

Author: Ron Wiederholt, Nutrient Management Specialist, North Dakota State University