Manure is a nutrient resource. To

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1 PNW 505 November 1997 $2.00 NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT FOR DAIRY PRODUCTION Which test is best? Customizing diry mnure nutrient testing D. Sullivn, C. Cogger, nd A. Bry Mnure is nutrient resource. To get the most vlue from this resource, you need ccurte informtion on mnure nutrient content. A regulr mnure testing progrm will: Help you sve money on fertilizer Assist in refining ppliction rtes to meet, but not exceed, crop needs Demonstrte your commitment to protecting surfce nd groundwter qulity This publiction discusses the following spects of successful mnure testing progrm: Collecting mnure smple tht reflects verge nutrient composition Selecting n nlyticl lbortory Requesting key nutrient nlyses nd usble reporting units from nlyticl lbs Determining testing needs for different mnure hndling nd storge systems Choosing on-frm tests for mnure N content Estblish the vlue of mnure for off-frm mrketing Serve s relible dt source for long-term frm plns Both lbortory nlyses nd on-frm quick tests of mnure nutrient content ply n importnt role in mnure mngement. Lbortory testing is the most relible method of mnure nutrient testing nd is vluble for long-term plnning nd s check on quick test results. Quick tests re vluble for rpid ssessment of mnure N content. Quick tests help guide dily mngement decisions. Dn M. Sullivn, Extension soil scientist, Oregon Stte University; Crig G. Cogger, Extension soil scientist, Wshington Stte University; nd Andy I. Bry, scientific ssistnt, Wshington Stte University. On-frm quick tests determine mnure N content within few minutes. A Pcific Northwest Extension publiction Oregon Idho Wshington

2 Mnure ppliction plns often re bsed on verge mnure nlyses for prticulr mnure hndling nd storge system. However, mnure nutrient composition lso is relted to your specific mngement prctices, including: Source nd qulity of feed Wter dded to mnure Type nd mount of bedding How long the mnure is stored Becuse these fctors often vry during the yer, mnure nutrient content lso vries. The importnce of nitrogen Nitrogen (N) usully is the most importnt nutrient in mnure testing progrm. Frm mngement plns pproved by your locl conservtion district, the Nturl Resources Conservtion Service, or the Oregon Deprtment of Agriculture require n gronomic mnure ppliction rte. The gronomic rte usully is bsed on N. Agronomic rtes supply pproprite mounts of plnt-vilble N for crop growth without excessive loss of nitrte to groundwter. Crops tke up N from the soil in the mmonium or nitrte forms (plnt-vilble N). Mnure usully contins little or no nitrte s pplied. Nitrogen in mnure usully is present s mmonium nd orgnic forms (mino cids, proteins, etc.). Mnure mmonium-n is plnt-vilble immeditely fter ppliction. Soil microorgnisms slowly convert mnure orgnic N to plnt-vilble forms fter ppliction. Mnure nlyticl methods determine totl N nd mmonium N. Orgnic N is not mesured directly. It is clculted s the totl N content minus the mmonium-n content. You cn use nitrogen nlyses of mnure for both long-term plnning nd short-term decision mking. First, nlyses collected over period of yers serve s good dt source for long-term frm plns (e.g., determining lnd re needs for mnure utiliztion). Second, you cn use nlyses to guide dily mngement decisions (e.g., clculting n 2 ppliction rte for prticulr field). Simple, rpid on-frm testing procedures re well-suited for dily mngement decisions. Effect of mnure storge nd hndling on nitrogen content How predictble is mnure N content from your opertion? The more vrible the mnure, the more smples you need to ccurtely chrcterize mnure N content. Fctors contributing to vribility include: Storge. Generlly, the longer mnure is stored, the higher the proportion of totl N in the mmonium form, which is immeditely vilble to plnts. Orgnic N in stored mnure is converted to mmonium-n by microbes; some of the mmonium-n then is lost s mmoni-n to the tmosphere. Drying. Dried mnure generlly is low in mmonium-n; it is lost s mmoni during the drying process. Drying increses mnure totl N concentrtion (per unit volume). Dilution. The more wter dded to mnure, the lower its nutrient content. If you periodiclly dd fresh wter to lgoon for summer irrigtion, mnure N content is reduced. Strw or other bedding mterils usully re low in N nd lso reduce mnure N concentrtion. Tbles 1 through 4 summrize the rnge in nutrient nlyses for different mnure-hndling systems in the Pcific Northwest. We mke the following observtions: Lgoon liquid pumped without gittion usully contins less thn 5 lb N/1,000 gl; most of the N is in the mmonium form. Averge totl N content reported for two-cell Ykim Vlley lgoons is 2.0 lb N/1,000 gl (Stevens nd Prest, 1992, unpublished dt). This is considerbly lower thn the verge content reported for two-cell Willmette Vlley lgoons, which is 4.4 lb N/1,000 gl (Tble 1). Agitted slurry from lgoon or storge tnk is highly vrible; its N content vries with the totl solids content of the slurry (Tble 2). Dry stck mnure cn hve highly vrible N contents becuse of vribility in strw nd moisture content (Tble 3).

3 Seprted mnure solids from mechnicl seprtor re quite uniform in N content cross vriety of seprtor nd bedding types (Tble 4). Composted dry stck mnure or composted seprted solids re quite uniform in N content. Piles re mixed repetedly during the composting process. Tble 1. Nitrogen content of secondry lgoon liquid. Diry Usul rnge b Low High Averge lb N/1,000 gl A B C D E F G H Averge Source: Gngwer, M., nd M. Grhm, b Usul rnge contins 80 percent of monthly mesurements over 2-yer period (loctions A-E), or 1-yer period (loctions F-H). Nitrogen determined vi n Agros meter. For these lgoons with less thn 1 percent totl solids, Agros nitrogen ws pproximtely equl to totl nitrogen. Tble 2. Nutrient content of diry slurries from gitted lgoons or gitted storge pits. Totl solids Totl N Totl P Totl K % lb/1,000 gl Source: Sullivn, et l., Bsed on 37 nlyses (Whtcom County, WA). Averge totl N ws 3.7 percent, verge totl P ws 0.9 percent, nd verge totl K ws 4.4 percent on dry weight bsis. Tble 3. Nutrient content of dry stck mnure. Nutrient Anlysis Averge Stndrd devition % (dry mtter bsis) Totl N Totl P Totl K lb/wet ton (s-received bsis) b Totl N Totl P Totl K Source: Stevens, R.G., nd V.I. Prest, 1992, unpublished dt. Anlyses re n verge of composite smples from 14 dry stck fcilities in the Ykim Vlley (WA). b lb/wet ton bsed on n verge totl solids content of 35 percent (65 percent moisture). Stndrd devition in totl solids content ws 8 percent. Tble 4. Nutrient content of seprted mnure solids. Nutrient Anlysis Oregon Wshington b % (dry mtter bsis) Totl N 1.2 (0.28) c 1.5 (0.33) Totl P 0.21 (0.11) 0.26 (0.15) Totl K 0.46 (0.22) 0.51 (0.26) C:N Rtio 33.1 (7.0) 25.6 (5.0) lb/wet ton (s-received bsis) d Totl N Totl P Totl K Source: Gngwer, M., nd M. Grhm, Anlyses re n verge of 51 Willmette Vlley (OR) fcilities. b Source: Sullivn, D., nd H. Bierlink, 1992, unpublished dt. Anlyses re n verge of nine Whtcom County (WA) fcilities. c Vlues in prentheses re stndrd devitions in dry mtter nutrient nlyses. d lb wet/ton bsed on n verge totl solids content of 19 percent (81 percent moisture). Stndrd devition in totl solids content ws 4 percent. 3

4 Collecting smples nd choosing test You cn nlyze composite smples by on-frm quick tests or ship them to n nlyticl lbortory for nlysis. We recommend using both lbortory nd quick tests. Quick tests re less precise thn lbortory nlyses. You cn use quick tests frequently during the ppliction seson to check the vribility in mnure nutrient content. Use lbortory tests periodiclly to: Check the ccurcy of the quick test results Obtin nutrient nlyses not provided by the quick tests See Setting up smpling progrm for your frm for detiled discussion of when to choose lbortory nlysis nd when to use quick test. Collecting smples Collecting smple tht represents the verge composition of mnure source (lgoon, dry stck, etc.) is essentil in obtining ccurte informtion from mnure nlyses. Usully, number of individul smples re collected nd mixed together to mke composite smple, which is nlyzed for nutrient content. The choice of smple collection methods depends on the kind of mnure storge or ppliction equipment. The greter the potentil vribility in mnure composition, the more individul smples ( grb smples) you should mix to obtin composite smple. Cll upon locl experts (extension gents, conservtion district or NRCS stff, privte consultnts) to ssist you in designing n pproprite smpling strtegy for your diry. For liquid mnure, smple gitted mnure immeditely before ppliction. Some opertors hve instlled smpling ports in irrigtion lines, so liquid mnure cn be esily smpled s it is pumped. Sprinkler-pplied liquid lso cn be collected in buckets plced in the field. Smples collected fter sprinkling usully hve lower mmonium-n content becuse of mmoni voltiliztion. For solid mnure, tke smll grb smples from the pile to mke one composite smple. If piles hve substntilly different mounts 4 of bedding, you will get better informtion by tking seprte composite smple from ech pile. After collection, thoroughly mix the grb smples nd remove composite smple (pproximtely 1 qurt) for nlysis. Prepring smples for shipment to lb Preserve smples for lbortory nlysis by refrigertion or freezing. Pln shipment so tht smples re not left unrefrigerted over weekend. Smples should rrive t the lbortory within 48 hours of shipment. Check with your lbortory to discuss continers, preservtion methods, nd smple delivery schedules. Generlly, lbortories prefer receiving smples in plstic continers with wide mouths nd screw-top lids. Plstic bgs re not recommended. (Nobody wnts leky mnure smples!) Fill continers no more thn two-thirds full to llow room for gses produced by fermenting mnure. Lbortory nutrient nlysis Description: Nutrient content determined vi lbortory instruments. Test procedure: Smple is homogenized, nd nlyses re run on smll subsmple. How it works: There re estblished procedures for ech nutrient. Mnure type where it works best: Tests re vlid for ll forms of mnure. Nutrients estimted: Totl N, mmonium-n, totl P, totl K, nd totl solids Cost (for bove nlyses): $30 $60 per smple Accurcy: Excellent. Mjor differences between lbortories usully re due to smple hndling nd preprtion techniques, not nlyticl procedures. Other comments: It is best to consistently use the sme lbortory. See Choosing lbortory for suggestions on selecting lbortory, smple preservtion, nd shipping.

5 Choosing lbortory Find lb tht knows how to test mnure nd report results in usble form. We suggest reporting mnure nlyses on both n s-received nd dry weight bsis (Tble 5). The s-received nlysis cn be used to determine ppliction rtes. The dry weight nlyses cn be used to trck the consistency of mnure nutrient composition over time. To develop trck record of mnure nlyses over time, use the sme lbortory for ech test. To help you locte suitble nlyticl lbortory, the Oregon Stte University Extension Service nd Wshington Stte University Coopertive Extension periodiclly compile lists of nlyticl lbortories serving the Pcific Northwest (see Extension directories of nlyticl lbortories t the end of this publiction). Some extension nd NRCS offices lso hve lists of lbortories doing business in their locl res. Importnt questions to sk lbortory representtives include: Is the lb equipped to nlyze mnure smples for totl N, mmonium-n, totl P, totl K, nd totl solids? How long will it tke to provide results? How re nlyticl results reported? It s good ide to obtin smple lbortory report. Tble 5 shows the preferred reporting units. How does the lb prepre the smple for nlysis? For mmonium nlysis, it is recommended tht lbs thoroughly mix nd subsmple wet smples. Drying smples prior to nlysis results in loss of much of the mmonium-n. Does the lb prticipte in regionl or ntionl smple exchnge progrms coordinted by unbised third prties (universities or trde ssocitions)? Is the lb willing to shre performnce results from such smple exchnge progrms? Prticiption in smple exchnge progrms is good indictor of lbortory s commitment to precise nd ccurte results. For composts mrketed off-frm, we recommend dditionl nlyses for ph, nitrte-n, ction exchnge cpcity, exchngeble bses (clcium, mgnesium, potssium, nd sodium), nd conductivity (slinity). These nlyses will help your customers successfully utilize compost. Choosing n pproprite quick test Quick tests re less precise thn lbortory nlyses. We recommend using both lbortory nd quick tests (see Setting up smpling progrm for your frm ). Suggested pplictions for currently vilble quick tests re shown in Tble 6. Tble 6. Suggested on-frm quick tests for diry mnure N. Hydrometer Nov meter for Type of mnure for totl N mmonium-n Liquid No Yes less thn 2% totl solids Liquid Yes Yes 2 6% totl solids Semi-solid Yes Yes 6 15% totl solids Smple must be diluted with wter to 2 6 percent totl solids; pproprite only for solid mnure with little bedding; not suitble for seprted solids. Tble 5. Preferred reporting units for lbortory mnure nlyses. Results should be reported on both n s-received nd dry weight bsis. Anlysis As-received bsis Dry weight bsis Solid mnure Liquid mnure Totl solids % % Totl N, mmonium-n, totl P, nd totl K lb/wet ton lb/1,000 gl % b Totl solids is nother wy to express the moisture content of the mnure s-received. For exmple, smple hving 20 percent totl solids would hve 80 percent moisture content. b For liquid mnure with totl solids content less thn 2 percent, lbortory nutrient nlyses reported on dry mtter bsis often hve substntil vribility. This usully is due to smll differences in totl solids nlyses. 5

6 The hydrometer is useful quick test for gitted lgoon slurry or semi-solid mnure tht hs been scrped nd stored in pit or tnk. Such mnure sources, with solids contents bove 2 percent, usully contin substntil portion of their N in the solid prt of the mnure. The hydrometer works best for slurries contining from 2 to 6 percent totl solids. It is not pproprite for estimting the nutrient content of seprted solids or of solid mnure with lrge mounts of bedding. On-frm quick test: Hydrometer Description: Floting glss pprtus with weighted bottom. Test procedure: Collect representtive smple of slurry in 5-gllon bucket. Stir to suspend solids. Plce the hydrometer in the bucket nd red the result fter 15 seconds. If the slurry is too thick for the hydrometer to flot freely, mix the slurry with wter, stir well, nd tke hydrometer reding. For 1:1 dilution (wter:slurry), double the hydrometer reding to get the correct vlue for undiluted slurry. How it works: Mesures the density (specific grvity) of liquid mnure. Mnure type where it works best: Slurries, 2 to 6 percent totl solids. Initil cost: $30 to $60. No dditionl cost per smple. Nutrients estimted: Totl solids, totl N, nd totl P. Accurcy: Fir. We developed the following regression equtions for gitted mnure slurries (Sullivn, et l., 1994): Totl N (lb/1,000 gl) = x (percent totl solids), R 2 = 0.72 Totl P (lb/1,000 gl) = x (percent totl solids), R 2 = 0.84 These regression equtions were bsed on 37 composite smples collected from diries in Whtcom County, WA over 4-month period. Our regression equtions for the hydrometer re similr, but not identicl, to those previously reported for diry slurry from North Crolin (Chescheir, 1985). If your hydrometer is clibrted in units of specific grvity, use this tble to estimte totl solids: Specific Grvity Totl Solids (%) Other comments: To use hydrometer to estimte slurry nutrient content, you must hve clibrtion eqution to relte slurry density to nutrient content. Clibrtion equtions given in this publiction re vlid only for diry mnure. Hydrometers re vilble tht red out in units of specific grvity, percent totl solids, or percent totl N. Mesurement scles for hydrometers tht red out in units other thn specific grvity re bsed on mnufcturers regression equtions. 6

7 The hydrometer mesures slurry density nd estimtes totl slurry N vi regression eqution (see pge 6). It lso provides n estimte of slurry P content. The Nov meter, which mesures only mmonium-n, provides helpful quick test for the N tht is immeditely plnt-vilble. It is the quick test of choice for lgoon liquids, which contin most of their N in the mmonium form. On-frm quick test: Nov meter or Agros meter Description: Stinless steel or plstic chmber with built-in pressure guge. The Nov meter (plstic chmber) is recent replcement for the Agros meter (stinless steel chmber). Both Nov nd Agros meters use the sme chemicl process to estimte mnure N. Test procedure: Add mnure to the min chmber using the scoop provided by the mnufcturer. Add hypochlorite regent to seprte reservoir inside the chmber. After the lid is secured, mix the hypochlorite nd the mnure inside the chmber following the mnufcturer s instructions. Wit 2 5 minutes. Mnure N content is given on the pressure guge. How it works: Hypochlorite oxidizes mmonium-n to form nitrogen gs (N 2 ) inside the chmber. The higher the mnure mmonium-n, the more pressure is generted. The pressure guge is clibrted by the mnufcturer to red out in units of N. Mnure type where it works best: This quick test gives results very similr to lbortory mmonium-n nlysis. Use for mnure where mmonium-n is mjor proportion of totl N. This is the best quick test for liquid mnure with less thn 2 percent solids. Cost: Initil cost is $350 to $500. Hypochlorite regent is consumed with ech test. Nutrients estimted: Ammonium-N only. Accurcy: Excellent (See Sullivn, et l., 1994; Chescheir, et l., 1985). Cution: Hypochlorite regent is hzrdous to eyes nd irrittes the nose nd skin. Protect yourself with sfety glsses, gloves, nd dust msk. Perform the tests outdoors in well-ventilted re. Hypochlorite lso is corrosive. Rinse metl prts with wter fter ech use. Don t dispose of excess regent in the grbge; it is strong oxidizer. Other comments: On some Nov or Agros meters, the pressure guge hs units of kg N/m 3. To convert kg/m 3 to lb/1,000 gl, multiply by

8 Setting up smpling progrm for your frm Mnure from different hndling systems (dry stck, lgoon liquid, etc.) should be smpled nd nlyzed seprtely. The mount of time nd money devoted to smpling mnure from different sources should reflect its reltive importnce s nutrient source nd its potentil vribility. The more vribility, the more smpling is required. Smples collected close to the time of ppliction best reflect the nutrients pplied to the field. Let s tke look t how the generl principles of mnure smpling nd testing pply to specific diry opertion. For our exmple, let s consider lrge diry in western Wshington or western Oregon with flush brn-clening system, mechnicl solids seprtor, nd two-cell lgoon. Mnure is generted from three sources: the seprted solids, the secondry lgoon liquid, nd periodic gittion of the primry nd secondry lgoon for solids removl. The suggested smpling pln is shown in Tble 7 nd is discussed below. To check the ccurcy of the quick tests (Nov meter nd hydrometer), we recommend splitting composite smple once ech yer nd nlyzing it vi both lbortory nd quick test methods. Secondry lgoon liquid. For this diry opertion, the most frequent mnure ppliction is in the form of secondry lgoon liquid. A yerly lbortory test is recommended to serve s relible record of the nutrient vlue of the secondry liquid (see Tble 5 for recommended nlyses). The smples for lbortory nlysis cn be tken t lmost ny time, but re most useful if tken when the lgoon is t lest hlf full. Since the secondry lgoon liquid contins N primrily in the mmonium form, its N content cn be estimted using Nov meter. Testing with the Nov meter cn be used throughout the ppliction seson to refine ppliction rtes. It is especilly helpful in the summer when the opertor mixes secondry lgoon effluent with fresh irrigtion wter. Agitted lgoon slurry. Ech spring, the opertor gittes the lgoon to remove ccumulted solids from the bottom. The slurry produced by gittion is much higher in N content becuse of the suspended solids. We recommend t lest one lbortory nlysis per yer. A hydrometer cn be used on dily or weekly bsis to mesure chnges in N content due to differing mounts of suspended solids. Seprted solids. The nutrient nlysis of the seprted solids is not expected to vry significntly from published vlues (Tble 4). Furthermore, for the current growing seson, the seprted solids represent only smll risk of excess N ppliction, becuse most of the N is present in orgnic compounds tht re slow to relese plnt-vilble N. Therefore, using verge nlyticl vlues for seprted solids (Tble 4) is cceptble. We do not recommend routine testing of seprted solids for on-frm utiliztion. Tble 7. Exmple of yerly smpling pln utilizing both lbortory nd on-frm quick test methods. Suggested test frequency Mnure pplied s: Appliction period Lb test Quick test Secondry lgoon liquid April Sept. yerly Nov monthly Seprted solids April Sept. none none Agitted lgoon slurry April My yerly Hydrometer weekly Exmple loction: western Oregon/Wshington. Two-cell lgoon storge with solids seprtor. 8

9 Clculting mnure ppliction rtes A mnure nlysis is only prt of the informtion you need for site-specific estimtes of pproprite N ppliction rtes (volume or weight per cre). Other informtion needed includes: Crop N requirement Proportion of mnure-n tht will be plntvilble during the growing seson (less thn 100 percent) Quntity of N supplied from other sources (e.g., decomposition of soil orgnic mtter, fertilizer N) Crop N uptke efficiency proportion of plntvilble N removed by the crop (less thn 100 percent) We suggest you work with n gronomist in clculting site-specific ppliction rtes. You cn get rough ide of pproprite mnure N ppliction rtes by ssuming tht crop N uptke is pproximtely equl to the needed mnure N inputs. An exmple of this pproch is found in OSU Extension publiction EM 8585, Mnure Appliction Rtes for Forge Production (Hrt, et l., 1996). It is resonble pproch if mnure is pplied every yer to the sme fields. Periodic soil testing lso helps you pply mnure t rtes tht mtch crop requirements. Mnure testing s prt of whole-frm nutrient mngement Mnure testing is more powerful tool when used together with other tools for nutrient mngement. Records of feed inputs, field-by-field mnure ppliction mounts nd timing, fertilizer pplictions, nd soil nd plnt tissue test results re some of the other components of whole-frm nutrient mngement. When dt from these sources re used together, you cn consider environmentl s well s economic consequences when mking longrnge mngement decisions. The references listed t the end of this publiction cn help you get strted with whole-frm nutrient mngement. Together with mnure nlyses, these tools cn help you djust mnure mngement to meet economic nd wter-qulity gols. Suppliers for quick tests Both hydrometers nd Nov meters my be vilble for short-term use from your locl conservtion district or NRCS office. Hydrometers Whtcom Conservtion District, 6975 Hnnegn Rd., Lynden, WA 98264; phone: Vrious lbortory supply compnies. Choose hydrometer used for mesuring the specific grvity of soil suspensions. We recommend model tht is equivlent to ASTM #151H specifictions (mesures specific grvity from to g/cm 3 ). Nov meters Frm Home Offices, Inc th St., Box 840, Vinton, Iow 52349; phone: (sells version of the Nov meter clled On-the-frm mnure nitrogen test kit ). Grss Roots Project Mngement, P.O. Box 136, Chilliwck, BC, Cnd V2P 6H7; phone: (sells version of the Nov meter clled the Nov MK2 meter ). For more informtion Selected reserch publictions Chescheir, G.M., P.W. Westermnn, nd L.M. Sfley Rpid methods for determining nutrients in livestock mnures. Trnsctions of the ASAE 28 (6): (Americn Society of Agriculturl Engineers, St. Joseph, MI). Sullivn, D.M., H. Bierlink, nd W. Mtthews Tools for getting more vlue out of diry mnure. pp In: Proc. 26th Annul Diry Producers Short Course, Feb. 8 9, 1994, Clerbrook, BC, Cnd. BC Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries nd Food, Chilliwck, BC (vilble from Dn Sullivn, Deprtment of Crop nd Soil Science, Oregon Stte University). 9

10 Mnure nlyses for Willmette Vlley diries Avilble from: M. Gngwer Mrion County Office OSU Extension Service 3180 Center St. NE, Room 1361 Slem, OR Phone: Gngwer, M., nd M. Grhm. Wstewter volume nd nitrogen concentrtions in Willmette Vlley, Oregon diry ponds, SR 939 (Oregon Stte University, Corvllis, 1994). No chrge. Gngwer, M., nd M. Grhm. Anlysis of seprted mnure solids from selected mnure seprtors in Willmette Vlley, Oregon diry fcilities, SR 945 (Oregon Stte University, Corvllis, 1995). No chrge. Extension directories of nlyticl lbortories See ordering instructions on pge 11. Hrt, J. A list of nlyticl lbortories serving Oregon, EM 8677 (Oregon Stte University, Corvllis, 1997). No chrge. Schreiber, A., nd C.H. Dniels. Anlyticl lbortories nd consultnts serving the Pcific Northwest, EB 1578 (Wshington Stte University Coopertive Extension, Pullmn, 1994). $1.50 Extension publictions on whole-frm nutrient mngement See ordering instructions on pge 11. Sullivn, D.M., C.G. Cogger, nd A.I. Bry. Dte, rte, nd plce: The field book for diry mnure pplictors, EM/PNW 506 (Oregon Stte University Corvllis, 1997). $5.50 Grdner, E.H., nd J. Hrt. How to tke soil smple... nd why, EC 628 (Oregon Stte University, Corvllis, revised 1995). No chrge. Grusenmeyer, D., nd B. Peterson. Mnure mngement guidelines for western Wshington (Wshington Stte University Coopertive Extension, Whtcom County, 1995). Avilble from Whtcom County Office, 1000 N. Forest, Bellinghm, WA Hrt, J., M. Gngwer, M. Grhm, nd E. Mrx. Diry mnure s fertilizer source, EM 8586 (Oregon Stte University, Corvllis, reprinted 1997). 75 Hrt, J., E.S. Mrx, nd M. Gngwer. Mnure ppliction rtes for forge production, EM 8585 (Oregon Stte University, Corvllis, reprinted 1997). $1.00 Hermnson, R.E. Mnure smpling for nutrient nlysis with worksheets for clculting fertilizer vlues, EB 1819 (Wshington Stte University, Pullmn, 1996). $1.00 Hermnson, R.E., A.C.S. Ro, W.L. Pn, K.F. Duncn, nd M.A. Wright. MNB: Mnure nutrient blncer (computer softwre for IBMcomptible computers) (Wshington Stte University, Pullmn, 1995). Order number MCP $25.00 Mrx, E.S., J. Hrt, nd R.G. Stevens. Soil test interprettion guide, EC 1478 (Oregon Stte University, Corvllis. reprinted 1997). $1.50 Mrx, E.S., N.W. Christensen, J. Hrt, M. Gngwer, C.G. Cogger, nd A.I. Bry. The pre-sidedress soil nitrte test (PSNT) for western Oregon nd western Wshington, EM 8650 (Oregon Stte University, Corvllis, reprinted 1997). 75 Moore, J., nd M.J. Gmroth. Clculting the fertilizer vlue of mnure for livestock opertions, EC 1094 (Oregon Stte University, Corvllis, reprinted 1993). $

11 Ordering instructions Oregon Stte University Extension Service publictions To order copies of Oregon Stte University Extension Service publictions, send the publiction s complete title nd series number, long with check or money-order for the mount listed, to: Publiction Orders Extension & Sttion Communictions Oregon Stte University 422 Kerr Administrtion Corvllis, OR Fx: Visit the OSU Extension nd Experiment Sttion Communictions Web site t: eesc.orst.edu You my order up to six no-chrge publictions without chrge. If you request seven or more no-chrge publictions, include 25 cents for ech publiction beyond six. Discounts re vilble on orders of 100 or more copies of single title. Plese cll for price quotes. Wshington Stte University Coopertive Extension publictions To order copies of Wshington Stte University Coopertive Extension publictions, send the publiction s complete title nd series number, long with pyment, to: Coopertive Extension Publictions Bulletins Office Wshington Stte University P.O. Box Pullmn, WA Phone: e-mil: bulletin@coopext.che.wsu.edu Visit the WSU Coopertive Extension Publictions Web site t: WSU ccepts Vis nd MsterCrd (minimum $5.00 order), purchse orders (minimum $10.00 order), nd check (mke checks pyble to Coopertive Extension Publictions). 11

12 Mnure testing quick tips A regulr mnure testing progrm will: Help you sve money on fertilizer Assist in refining ppliction rtes to meet, but not exceed, crop needs Demonstrte your commitment to protecting surfce nd groundwter qulity Estblish the vlue of mnure for off-frm mrketing Serve s relible dt source for long-term frm plns Vribility in mnure nlyses. The more vrible the mnure source, the more often you need to test it to chrcterize its nutrient content. This publiction summrizes the vribility observed for different mnure hndling systems in the Pcific Northwest. Use this informtion to budget your testing dollrs. Collecting smples for nutrient nlysis. Collect smple tht represents the verge composition of mnure source (lgoon, dry stck, etc.) to obtin ccurte results. Lbortory testing is the most relible testing method. Find lb tht knows how to test mnure nd report results in usble form. We recommend nlysis for totl N, mmonium-n, totl phosphorus (P), totl potssium (K), nd totl solids (moisture content). Ask the lb to report nutrient nlyses on both n s-received nd dry weight bsis. Quick tests for nitrogen. Although lbortory tests re more ccurte, quick tests provide informtion to guide dily mngement decisions. Two simple, rpid, on-site test procedures for N nlysis re described in this publiction (the hydrometer nd the Nov meter). Verify quick test results with periodic lbortory nlyses. Clculting gronomic mnure ppliction rtes. A mnure nlysis is only prt of the informtion you ll need. An gronomist cn help you clculte site-specific mnure ppliction rtes to meet crop needs Oregon Stte University Trde-nme products nd services re mentioned s illustrtions only. This does not men tht the prticipting Extension Services endorse these products nd services or tht they intend to discriminte ginst products nd services not mentioned. Published nd distributed in furthernce of the Acts of Congress of My 8 nd June 30, 1914, by the Oregon Stte University Extension Service, Wshington Stte University Coopertive Extension, the University of Idho Coopertive Extension System, nd the U.S. Deprtment of Agriculture cooperting. The three prticipting Extension Services offer eductionl progrms, ctivities, nd mterils without regrd to rce, color, religion, sex, sexul orienttion, ntionl origin, ge, mritl sttus, disbility, nd disbled vetern or Vietnm-er vetern sttus s required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Eduction Amendments of 1972, nd Section 504 of the Rehbilittion Act of The Oregon Stte University Extension Service, Wshington Stte University Coopertive Extension, nd the University of Idho Coopertive Extension System re Equl Opportunity Employers. Published November $2.00