Managing Manure in Vegetable Production

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1 Managing Manure in Vegetable Production Ellen Phillips, Extension Educator University of Illinois Extension

2 Why the interest in Manure?

3 Manure Benefits Added organic matter in manure is valuable makes soil easier to manage, better structure less likely to erode more likely to absorb water. Adds nutrients Hard to put a dollar value on them

4 Where to get Manure? web.extension.illinois.edu/manureshare/

5 Weed Problems Use of raw manures has often been associated with increased weed problems.

6 Manure = Fecal Matter = Microbes Human or animal: DO EVERYTHING you can to keep manure off produce. Preventing contamination is the goal.

7 Pathogens Most Often Associated With Manure E. coli 0157:H7 Salmonella

8 E. coli 0157:H7 Sources Water Manure of young or transitioning livestock (feed or housing) 5% of post wean heifers shed E. coli 0157:H7 2% calves 1% adults cows Manure of other animals Horse not a high risk source of the pathogen E. coli O157:H7

9 E. coli in produce Purdue University study E. coli can live for weeks around the roots of produce plants and transfer to the edible portions threat can be minimized if growers don't harvest too soon E. coli didn't survive on the plants' surfaces more than 40 days after seeds were planted. Harvesting produce at least 40 days after planting should reduce the possibility of contamination Caution E. coli could still come from other sources coli thrivesnear plant roots can contaminate young produce crops.html

10 Survival of Pathogens in Manure Pathogens have been reported to survive in manure for one year or longer. No one knows precisely how long manure borne pathogens survive after application to fields. Where it is not possible to maximize the time between application and harvest, raw manure should not be used.

11 Use of Municipal Biosolids on Food Crops Don t Do It! Biosolids can have contaminates. If you are growing produce close to your house or are a home processor, know where your septic system is. Are you growing crops over it? Is the septic system failing?

(Especially important in the field near harvest) Manage rodents and birds in

12 Exclude Animals Keep wildlife out of production areas as much as possible. Establish physical barriers or vegetation to avoid animal entry. (Especially important in the field near harvest) Manage rodents and birds in packing houses and storage areas No weeder geese prior to harvest No dogs or other pets in the field

drying Aerobic and anaerobic digestion Alkali

13 Manure Treatment Methods Aging (passive) Composting (active) Other active treatments Pasteurization Heat drying Aerobic and anaerobic digestion Alkali stabilization

14 Rotting pile vs. compost So what makes manure... compost?

15 Compost: defined in the Organic Rule The product of a managed process through which microorganisms break down plant and animal materials into more available forms suitable for application to the soil. Compost produced through a process that combines plant and animal materials with an initial C:N ratio of between 25:1 and 40:1 Producers using an in vessel or static aerated pile system must maintain the composting materials at a temperature between 131⁰F and 170⁰F for 3 days. Producers using a windrow system must maintain the composting materials at a temperature between 131⁰ F and 170⁰ F for 15 days, during which time, the materials must be turned a minimum of five times

16 The old adage. If you didn t write it down... it never happened. So if you want to use compost as compost instead of manure you should record all the steps.

17 Is it Compost? Unless the compost has been produced under very strictly regulated circumstances Then, it is manure and should be treated as such. Where s this bucket been?

18 Manure vs. Compost Manure Usually higher nutrient content Sometimes difficult to spread Higher potential to degrade water quality More likely to contain weed seeds Lower investment of time or money Potential for higher pathogen levels Less expensive to purchase Odors sometimes a problem Improves soil tilth Compost Slow release form of nutrients Easier to spread Lower potential to degrade water quality Less likely to contain weed seeds Higher investment of time or money Reduced pathogen levels More expensive to purchase Fewer odors Improves soil tilth

19 Manure Testing Testing is available through commercial labs and is recommended in situations where there is any doubt about the purity of manures. web.extension.illinois.edu/clmt/workbook/appendix/app_f.doc Compost

20 Indiana Manure Storage Storage in an approved manure storage structures If application more than 72 hours 90 days must be covered or otherwise protected to prevent runoff or infiltration to ground water Not within 300 feet water wells surface waters drainage inlets Away from fields Cornell GAPS

21 Applying manure and compost: variability and uncertainty Nutrient and moisture content Availability of nutrients to crops Application variability Material heterogeneity

23 Applying Manure based on N Manure applications are based on nitrogen need manure usually supplies P and K in excess of crop needs. Excess levels of soil P can increase the amount of P in runoff, increasing the risk of surface water degradation. If you apply manure repeatedly to the same fields, a regular soil testing program to track nutrient levels. If P and K reach excessive levels switch to a fertilizer to supply only N or a legume cover crop Reserve manure for fields that have lower P and K levels.

25 Solid raw manure lose about 21% N to the atmosphere if left four days; Only 5% if promptly incorporated Huhnke, Raymond L Land Application of Livestock Manure. OSU Extension Facts No Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK. 4 p.

Nitrogen released Dependent on environment impact on soil microbes: Most active when the soil is warm and moist least active when the soil is cold

26 Nitrogen released Dependent on environment impact on soil microbes: Most active when the soil is warm and moist least active when the soil is cold or dry N released Quickly during spring slowly during summer Slowest during winter

28 Not all manure provides N Expect first year N tie up from manures containing less than 1% N Manure decomposition containing lots of bedding takes nitrogen from the soil reduces the amount of nitrogen available to plants

29 Indiana Manure Mgt. Plan

Target manure applications WISELY If applying manure in spring 90 days if crop has no soil contact Crops not targeted for direct human consumption agronomic

30 Target manure applications WISELY If applying manure in spring 90 days if crop has no soil contact Crops not targeted for direct human consumption agronomic crops (grain) new perennial plantings (apple or strawberry). incorporate two weeks prior to planting No sidedressing Delayed harvest reduces risk (perennials)

31 In the fall: Apply to cover crop Applying Raw Manure Apply and incorporate manure at least 120 days before harvest. (Cornell GAPs)

Don t apply manure or manure containing litter while eaten part of crop is present.

32 Applying Raw Manure Avoid contaminating: irrigation water other crops finished compost or other materials What crop is in the next field? Don t apply manure or manure containing litter while eaten part of crop is present.

33 Finished Compost Field Application based on Nutrient Application Application of finished compost to your fields No setbacks. No permit for application.

Use plastic mulch and drip irrigation to reduce leaf wetting.

34 Other Management strategies Use trellis/staking where appropriate, such as tomatoes. Use plastic mulch and drip irrigation to reduce leaf wetting. Use organic mulches to reduce splash.

35 Keep Records of Manure and Compost Use Know your source of manure or compost. methods used to produce compost Type of manure, animal age, storage time Keep records of application rates, timing, and fields receiving manure or compost. Keep records

36 Summary Decide if manure/ compost is a good choice for your farm Store manure and/ or compost wisely Determine the nutrient content Estimate manure nutrient availability based on manure type, handling, and nutrient content. Test soil and monitor crops to adjust application rates Calculate the application rate. Calibrate spreaders and apply at the target rate Evaluate long term effects of manure/ compost applications on soil quality Keep Records!

37 Questions? Ellen Phillips Extension Educator University of Illinois Extension

38 web.extension.illinois.edu/manurecentral/

39 web.extension.illinois.edu/compostingcentral/

40 Indiana Resources IAC Article 6.1. Land Application of Biosolid, Industrial Waste Product, and Pollutant Bearing Water IC Chapter 10. Registration of Facilities for Composting Certain Vegetative Matter Indiana Department of Environmental Management Confined Feeding Operations (CFOs/CAFOs) Purdue Extension Publications about Manure mdc.itap.purdue.edu/subcategory.asp?subcatid=281&catid=11

41 Questions in Indiana? IN Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) Permit Guide Agricultural & Solid Waste Compliance Confined Feeding Operations (CFOs/CAFOs) Land Application of Biosolids Fertilizer Applicator Certification Rule

42 For more info. Field Guide to On Farm Composting (NRAES 114) $25 composting.html On Farm Composting Handbook (NRAES 54) $ 14

LPES Small Farms Fact Sheets* Manure on Your Farm: Asset or Liability? By Craig Cogger, Washington State University

LPES Small Farms Fact Sheets* : Asset or Liability? By Craig Cogger, Washington State University Summary If farm animals spend any part of the year in pens, barns, stalls, loafing areas, or feeding areas,