Manure

Chart depicting relationship between soil organic carbon and available water holding capacity in sandy soil.

The Water-Soil Health Connection

September 29, 2017

Cover crops, crop rotation, and other means for improving soil health are among the research areas pursued by the Soil Health Institute, a non-profit organization supporting soil stewardship and advancing soil health. Learn more about its work and the research it's spotlighting this week.

Two soil aggregates: manure (left) versus a heavy soil aggregate

Soil Organic Matter and Its Benefits

August 7, 2017

Soil organic matter is critical to maximizing soil biological activity. Rotating crops, applying manure, reducing tillage, and increasing biomass production are among recommended practices to increase soil organic matter.

Ephermeral gully in a corn field. — Field 1. Research indicates that when used in combination with other measures, manure can play a valuable role in increasing soil aggregate size and reducing soil erosion such as from the ephermeral gully in this corn field.

Using Manure as an Aid in Reducing Erosion and Runoff

August 3, 2017

By improving soil properties manure applications can help increase water infiltration and reduce soil erosion when used in combination with other soil conservation practices. Care needs to be taken, however, in how often and how much manure is applied to avoid P loss in runoff and erosion.

Manure being injected in wheat residue — Figure 1. Manure injected in wheat residue can be a valuable source of phosphorus.

Is Manure a Fertility Option for Wheat?

July 18, 2017

Interested in applying manure to wheat to meet phosphorus and nitrogen needs? This article outlines factors to consider and recommendations for manure and soil sampling, application method, and timing of application to get the highest return from your manure.

Illustrating improved soil aggregates from manure applications.

How Manure Impacts Soil Aggregation

July 6, 2017

Researchers compare differences between soils fertilized with three types of manure versus commercial products and note four benefits, including an increase in water-stable large macro-aggregates that hold P differently.

Applying Manure Before Seeding Alfalfa

April 7, 2017

If you're looking for a place to spread manure, a heavy dose before planting alfalfa can pay big dividends. Applying manure before seeding alfalfa may seem counter productive since alfalfa is not likely to benefit from any nitrogen in the manure, but manure also is rich in phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, and many micronutrients that alfalfa needs in large quantities.

Finding Win-Wins for Manure: Maximizing Soil Quality Benefits

March 6, 2017

Manure offers crop production wins by providing valuable nutrients and helping build soil organic matter and an active soil microbial community. Soils with organic matter levels on the low end of their typical range can benefit the most from manure applications that do not exceed the crop’s nitrogen requirements. Organic matter also improves soil aggregates which in turn helps increase infiltration of precipitation and irrigation water, improves water-holding capacity of the soil, and reduces runoff and erosion. Soils with these characteristics experience greater drought tolerance.

Pie charts showing two manure fertility scenarios — Figure 1. Value of the individual nutrients in surface-applied beef manure for the lower and higher value assumptions made in Table 1.

Finding Win-Win Opportunities for Manure

February 27, 2017

Land application of manure can create a win-win scenario for your farm by providing valuable crop nutrients while helping build soil organic matter. Learn more about the benefits of replacing commercial fertilizer with manure and how to get the most value when integrating an application into your soil nutrient plan.