NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665
January 27, 2000
A growing number of livestock and crop producers in North Dakota are using manure and soil tests to match manure applications to crop needs, a North Dakota State University survey shows.
"Our producers are doing a good job in having soil tests done on fields receiving manure applications and in applying manure outside of the winter months," says Scott Birchall, an NDSU Extension Service livestock waste management specialist. "There is room for improvement in having manure analyzed for nutrient content and recordkeeping."
Birchall says the state’s cattle, swine and turkey industries generate an estimated 35,000 tons of nitrogen and 27,000 tons of phosphorus that can be recovered from manure each year. "If manure is properly managed, that represents a tremendous resource," he says. "Improper management can turn that resource into a threat to surface water and groundwater."
According to the survey, 31 percent of producers with more than 800 hogs (equivalent to 200 animal units as defined by the North Dakota Department of Health) tested manure for nutrient content at least once every four years. Only 19 percent of dairy and beef operators with more than 200 animals (also equivalent to 200 animal units) tested manure at least once every four years. Of producers with fewer than 200 animal units, 17 percent of pork producers, 14 percent of beef producers and 13 percent of dairy producers tested their manure.
About 88 percent of pork producers with more than 200 animal units conducted soil tests at least once every four years on fields receiving manure applications. About 74 percent of beef farms and 77 percent of dairy farms with more than 200 animal units performed soil tests. For farms with fewer than 200 animal units, 64 percent of pork producers, 51 percent of beef producers and 40 percent of dairy producers performed soil tests at least once every four years on fields receiving manure applications.
"Recent reviews of the rules for animal feeding operations by the North Dakota Department of Health indicate that more emphasis will be placed on developing manure application plans. For animal feeding operations with a Department of Health permit, a written manure application plan is likely to become mandatory," Birchall says.
To help livestock producers, crop farmers and custom manure applicators learn more about developing manure management plans, the NDSU Extension Service is sponsoring a series of free workshops across the state. Workshops begin at 12:30 p.m. and conclude at 4:30 p.m. Space is limited, so pre-register at least a week in advance by contacting the numbers listed for the workshops:
Birchall says the more information producers attending the workshops can provide about manure, soil fertility and crop rotations, the better their plans will be. Attendees should bring a calculator, recent manure analysis, a recent soil test report and a good copy of a Farm Service Agency aerial photo for every field that receives manure. Participants will receive a workbook and supporting information.
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Source: Scott Birchall (701) 652-2951
Editor: Tom Jirik (701) 231-9629