Can Manure Improve Soil Health or Soil Quality?
February 8, 2018
Is land application of manure something you're considering or practicing? Two university research articles look at potential effects on soil health and soil quality.
What is the Economic Value of Manure
December 6, 2017
Manure has value. That value may result from improvements in soil quality, increases in yield, and replacement of commercial nutrient required for crop production. This article focuses on the economic benefits of manure.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.