More crop farmers are interested in manure now because fertilizer prices have risen and the value of manure as a fertilizer is being realized. However, farmers usually will not pay more for manure than they would for commercial fertilizers. Nutrient values are typically determined by crop needs and the prices of commercial fertilizer being replaced. Because manure can provide several years of some nutrients, depending on the manure source and cropping plan, you might be able to market the manure as a buildup fertilizer plan for P and K if they are needed by the field.
When marketing manure, start at the estimated fertilizer value of the nutrients, and lower the price until your profit approaches zero. Your profit becomes zero when the additional value you receive from selling the manure is the same as the additional cost of supplying the manure. The additional value is the value the neighbor is willing to pay you less the value of the manure if you applied it to your land. After all, if you sell it to your neighbor, your fertilizer bill might increase. The additional cost is the increased cost that you would incur to deliver the manure to your neighbor rather than to your land. If your neighbor’s field is farther, it will cost more to deliver the manure. If your neighbor’s field is closer, you might actually be able to deliver it for less and save on costs. Costs can be based on estimated actual costs or on the custom application rates in your area.
