September / October, 2002
Evaluating Low-Disturbance Manure Slurry Injection
The nutrient value of dairy manure is about $70/cow-yr, yet farmers are often reluctant to reduce commercial fertilizer use in subsequent crops because of unknown nutrient losses and lack of application uniformity. Delays in incorporation can lead to loss of volatile N, and N, P and K losses in runoff water. The sustainability of manure management and cropping systems depends upon the ability to effectively recycle nutrients and reduce commercial fertilizer use. When properly managed, manure can enhance crop growth, improve soil aggregate stability, increase soil water holding capacity and decrease soil water evaporation.
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Measuring
electrical conductivity may be a rapid, inexpensive way to geo-reference
manure placement uniformity and crop nutrient levels.
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New manure injection tools may allow for more efficient use of manure nutrients, but farmers will be reluctant to adopt new technologies if they lack reliable performance information. Currently, little manure is injected in pasture, hay, or no-till ground due to the limited selection of tools suitable for low-disturbance injection and concerns about potential damage to the existing stand. Low-disturbance slurry injection suitable for use in hay, pasture, and no-till ground will offer farmers an opportunity to increase the land base available for spreading, minimize manure transport costs, minimize commercial fertilizer costs and improve crop yields.
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A
rolling-tine, low-disturbance slurry injector creates a soil cavity
to contain the manure while causing little disturbance to the crop
cover.
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A need exists to evaluate commercially available low-disturbance slurry injectors in applying manure nutrients at agronomic rates while causing minimal damage to the existing crop. Ben Bailey, a masters degree candidate in Biosystems Engineering, is working on such a project. Specific objectives of his work are to: 1) measure manure placement uniformity using a rolling tine, low-disturbance slurry injector, 2) quantify the horizontal and vertical nutrient profile in the injection zone, and 3) evaluate the effects of manure slurry applications on the electrical conductivity of the soil. Ben's work will benefit farmers by helping to reduce their commercial fertilizer purchases and expanding their land base available for manure application. Society will benefit by reduced manure related odors and N, P and K runoff to the environment. Ben will complete his evaluation within the next few months.
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October 8, 2002
