The Scoop On Solid Manure

Everyone is looking for ways to maximize profits and reduce input costs. The benefit of solid manure has often been overlooked, especially on smaller farms. Without knowing the nutrient value and proper application rate of manure, it is difficult to manage it as a resource.

Manure Benefits

Solid manure has many benefits for building soil organic matter and for providing nutrients to crops. The benefits last more than one year. From an economics perspective, the value ranges from $4 to $20 per ton in the year of application, and then from $2 to $10 per ton in total nutrient benefit in subsequent years. Horse manure is at the low end of the range, while poultry manure is at the high end. This value doesn’t even account for the organic matter benefit or the micronutrients. However, the nutrient value can only be accounted for if the crops actually require the nutrients, or if building soil nutrient levels is the goal. High soil fertility levels lead to increased potential for environmental risks.

Application Rates

A full nutrient management plan with an actual analysis is the most accurate method of determining the proper rate of manure application for specific crops. Where a nutrient management plan is not available or has not yet been undertaken, Tables 1 and 2 may be a useful guide.

Table 1 lists maximum manure application rates that will meet the phosphorus removed by the various crops. These rates consider the average nutrient content of solid manure from various livestock types matched with common field crops at different yield ranges. When manure is applied to a field only once every two or three years, the application rate could be the sum of the 2 or 3 years. Poultry manure will be the exception, since the nitrogen content of this manure is high and is rapidly available.

In Table 2, the amount of average nutrients applied per ton of manure will help determine the amount of additional fertilizer still required based on soil test results or fertilizer recommendations (such as the Agronomy Guide, OMAFRA Publication 811).

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Grains include straw removal.
Manure rate calculated using NMAN software databank averages.
For less frequent applications (i.e. once every two or three years), application can be the sum of the rates for crops in rotation between applications, except for poultry manure.

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