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Nutrient Management

Is manure application to cropland...

A source of organic matter that improves soil quality and reduces soil erosion and runoff? OR
A source of pathogens that limit the beneficial uses of surface water?

A means of recycling essential nutrients for crop production and reducing use of energy intensive fertilizers? OR
A source of nutrients polluting surface and ground water?

A means of recycling and sequestering carbon in the soil? OR
A source of gaseous emissions creating nuisance and air quality concerns?

These statements can all be true. Management decisions during land application influence the relative environmental benefit or risk resulting from manure. If managed properly, manure offers environmental benefits. Failure to implement appropriate management practices will produce environmental concerns introduces the principles of environmental stewardship critical to managing manure as an environmental asset.

Manure application at amounts that match the nutrient requirements of harvested crops is the foundation of protecting water quality. Timing and location of manure application also influence the relative risk or benefit. Preferred timing must balance multiple factors including timing of crop uptake of nutrients and probability of rainfall events following manure application. Location must consider sight specific field characteristics that influence environmental risks. See LPES Curriculum Lesson 33 and Lesson 34 for details on site selection.

A nutrient management plan that carefully considers rate, timing, location, and other factors can benefit the environment. This section will connect you with some of the best resources for land applying manure:

• Environmental Impacts and Benefits of Manure: Phosphorous and Surface Water Protection
• Estimating Crop Nutrient Availability of Manure and Other Organic Nutrient Sources
• Factors Influencing Nutrient Availability From Manure and Other Organic Sources
• Land Application of Manure Nutrients
• Manure Application to Alfalfa
• Manure Application to Legumes
• Manure Application to Soybeans
• Manure Nutrient Management Educational and Informational Resources
• Manure Nutrient Management Webcasts
• Manure and Compost Utilization on Fruit and Vegetable Crops
• Nutrient Planning on Small Farms
• Software and Web-Based Resources for Nutrient Management
• State Specific Manure Nutrient Management Information
• Whole Farm Nutrient Balance

Authors: Rick Koelsch, University of Nebraska and Doug Beegle, Penn State University
Reviewer: Karl Shaffer, North Carolina State University