The Nutrient Value of Manure: What s it Really Worth? Brad Joern Department of Agronomy

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1 The Nutrient Value of Manure: What s it Really Worth? Brad Joern Department of Agronomy

2 Manure Does Have Value! Manure can be a valuable nutrient resource if you know: Nutrient content Application rate Losses between application and crop uptake Where to apply manure to get the biggest bang for the buck

3 Annual Nutrient Production and Potential Value of 250 Dairy Cows (1.7 million gallons manure) Nutrient Amount (pounds) Potential Value* ($) *PAN 28,400 14,200 P2O5 38,400 19,200 K2O 38,400 19,200 Potential Value 52,600 * Potentially Available N * Assumes $0.50/lb N, $0.50/lb P 2 O 5 and $0.50/lb K 2 O

4 Annual Nutrient Production and Potential Value of 750 Dairy Cows (5 million gallons manure) Nutrient Amount (pounds) Potential Value* ($) *PAN 85,000 42,500 P2O5 115,000 57,500 K2O 115,000 57,500 Potential Value 157,500 * Potentially Available N * Assumes $0.50/lb N, $0.50/lb P 2 O 5 and $0.50/lb K 2 O

5 Dairy manure generally does not supply nutrients in ratios that match those needed by crops: Typical ratios of N P2O5, and K2O needed for crops and potentially available in manure. N P2O5 K2O Corn grain Corn silage Soybean Alfalfa Dairy slurry

6 Determining Available Manure Nutrients Potentially available nitrogen includes all ammonium N + the fraction of the organic N assumed to mineralize during the growing season Animal Type Manure Storage Phosphorus and potassium are generally considered to be 100 percent available Manure phosphorus availability is 80% in KY and 60-80% in WI

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8 In Indiana we assume manure P and K to be 100% available relative to commercial fertilizers. x 100% = x 100% =

9 Maximum potentially available N calculations depend on manure type. All ammonium N is potentially available. Organic N mineralization is assumed to be 35% for all manures except poultry. Poultry organic N mineralization is assumed to be 60%. X 100% = X 60% =

10 Determining Available Manure Nutrients Actual N availability calculations vary widely from state to state Method of application Time of application Unfortunately many states ignore these important factors!!!

11 Manure N Availability Varies With Time and Method of Application* 100 Percent Available N Remaining (on June 30) Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Month of Application *Hog Slurry Injected Broadcast, Incorporated Irrigated Broadcast, Surface

12 Estimated percentage of manure ammonium N and organic N that will be available to a spring-planted annual row crop in Southern Indiana based on time and method of application. Ammonium N Organic N Month of Application Injection Surface-Applied, Incorporated 1 Surface-Applied, Not Incorporated All Application Methods Liquid Liquid Solid Irrigation Liquid Solid Irrigation Non-Poultry Poultry July August September October November December January February March April May June July August Incorporated by the end of the day after manure was applied. 2 Use only for application made after harvesting small grain crop. 3 Application made to growing crop. 4 Maximum application rate allowed is 150 lbs. available N/acre after accounting for losses. 5 Maximum application rate allowed is 125 lbs. available N/acre after accounting for losses. 6 Maximum application rate allowed is 100 lbs. available N/acre after accounting for losses. 7 Maximum application rate allowed is 75 lbs. available N/acre after accounting for losses. 8 Maximum application rate allowed is 50 lbs. available N/acre after accounting for losses.

13 Nutrient Needs For a 160 bu/acre Corn Crop (Corn-Soybean Rotation) lb./acre N recommendation 180 P 2 O 5 removed in grain 60 K 2 O removed in grain* 65 * Includes 20 lbs K 2 O needed to maintain soil test K level

14 Nutrient Needs For a 50 bu/acre Soybean Crop lb./acre N recommendation P 2 O 5 removed in grain 40 K 2 O removed in grain* 90 * Includes 20 lbs K 2 O needed to maintain soil test K level

15 Calculating Manure Application Rates (Dairy Slurry) PAN P2O5 K2O lbs/1000 gallons Nitrogen Recommendation = 180 pounds/acre - 30 pounds/acre in starter = 150 pounds/acre Manure Rate: 150/20 = gals/acre

16 Soil Test vs. Manure Value (7500 gal/acre of dairy pit manure) Soil test Credit (lb.) Manure value (ppm) (P 2 O 5 or K 2 O) ($/acre) > 50 P 0 0 > 250 K P K < 25 P <150 K (75) 110 (185) 225 (300)

17 Factors Influencing Fertilizer Replacement Value of Manure Nutrient requirement of planned crop(s) Commercial fertilizer prices and associated application costs Manure nutrient analysis/availability Cost to transport and apply manure Need for supplemental fertilizer following manure application Perceptions of person receiving manure

18 Crop Nutrient Budgeting Rule Number One Account for Planned Applications of All Commercial Fertilizers First!!! Starter Fertilizers Fall Applications of MAP and DAP UAN in Herbicide Tank Mixtures Include the Rate, Time and Method!!!

19 Soil Test Laboratory Myth Fertilizer recommendations returned with a soil test report match those required for nutrient management planning.

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22 Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendations Field Nitrogen P2O5 K2O If N, P 2 O 5, and K 2 O prices are 0.50, 0.50 and 0.50 $/acre, increased per acre costs from non-tri-state recommendations are $5.00 for field 1, $40.00 for field 2, $57.50 for field 3 and $27.50 for field 4!

23 Developing a Manure Application Strategy (Things To Consider) Regulatory Constraints Storage Limitations Application Equipment Land Availability Distance from Field Your Preferences

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25 Assessing Plan Feasibility (will your plan work?) Is the hauling plan reasonable? Did manure inventory increase during plan period? Export plan Land use agreements

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29 Take Home Points Test manure to determine nutrient content Calibrate application equipment to match application goals Nitrogen-based application rates over apply P and K, so rotate manure applications to different fields each year Track soil test P and K levels as manure has little value on soils with high P and K tests Haul nutrient-rich manures to farthest and lowest testing fields

30 Software Website Several software tools here that you should take a look at!!!