Released June 18, 2008

LONDON, Ohio -- As fertilizer prices continue to rise, crop producers may be turning to manure to nourish their crops. Manure management will be the focus of a one-day event, being held this summer at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London, Ohio.

The 2008 Great Lakes Manure Handling Expo will take place July 9. The theme of the Great Lakes Manure Handling Expo is "The Economics of Recycling" and will include commercial field demonstrations, educational demonstrations, educational sessions and commercial vendor displays. The event will run from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Topics being offered at the event include:

• Manure 101: The Superior Fertilizer. Understanding how the application rate and timing affect utilization of nutrients is key to maximizing the value of manure.

• Safety Concerns. Livestock buildings and other spaces where manure is confined may create safety issues such as high emissions of gasses or particulates.

• Using Liquids on Crops. How do manure application rates and timing affect crop production, the environment and the bottom line? Experiences from two farms will be shared.

• Environmental Management. The role of the custom applicator is expanding to include assessing the whole farm nutrient balance and recommending application practices. How can the producer and applicator ensure quality control to enhance economic and environmental goals?

• Extending the Application Window. Management of manure storage is important to maximizing value and minimizing risks. How can practices such as side dressing help?

• Slurry Seeding. Mixing seeds into a manure slurry for application has been shown to improve germination rates. Effective practices for mixing and applying the slurry will be demonstrated.

• Compaction. Understanding how the weight of manure spreaders impacts soil compaction.

To learn more about the Great Lakes Manure Handling Expo, log on to http://ohio-environmental.org or http://oema.osu.edu.

Media are invited to attend the event. To RSVP, contact Candace Pollock at (614) 292-3799 or pollock.58@cfaes.osu.edu.

-30-

http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~news/story.php?id=4690

Contact: Candace Pollock, (614) 292-3799, pollock.58@cfaes.osu.edu