Several types of equipment have been developed for improved application of liquid manure on grass or other perennial forages. Shallow injection systems (2-inch depth) incorporate manure while minimizing crop damage compared to deep injection or tillage. The sliding shoe, or trailing foot, method applies slurry in narrow bands directly on the soil surface below the crop canopy.
Another system combines an aerator implement (AerWay) with either broadcast or banded manure. These application techniques can reduce ammonia-N losses by 30 to 70%. They also decrease odor and, with injection and band methods, minimize contamination of forage by manure.
Recommended Reading: Ammonia Emissions Management.
Author: Bill Jokela, USDA Agricultural Research Service Soil Scientist
