Acknowledgments:
The Dairy Manure Management Planning publication was a joint effort of the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service and the Indiana Natural Resources Conservation Service. John Pedersen, Consulting Agricultural Engineer, Ames, IA, provided valuable technical input and editing.
Partial support for this publication was provided by the Indiana State Dairy Association.
The following individuals contributed to ID-208:
Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service: Natural Resources Conservation Service: Don Huber, Dept. of Botany and Plant Pathology Jeff Healy, State Soil Conservation Engineer Brad Joern, Dept. of Agronomy Philip McLoud, Ass't. State Soil Conservation Engineer Don Jones, Dept. of Agricultural & Biological Jesse Wilcox, Conservation Agronomist Engineering Alan Sutton, Dept. of Animal Science Additional support was provided by: Deb Felix and Kathy Brewer, Dept. of Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Purdue University
Cheri Janssen, Dept. of Agronomy, Purdue University
Russell Merzdorf, Agricultural Communication Service, Purdue University
Legal Requirements
The manure handling facilities for any confined feeding operation with 300 or more dairy animals on the farm at any one time during the year must be approved by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). Furthermore, IDEM must approve plans for ALL new waste facilities before you begin construction.
Smaller operations may apply to IDEM for approval if they desire. In addition, any operation found in violation of water quality regulations must have their manure system approved.
"Confined feeding" is defined by the 1971 Indiana Confined Feeding Control Law as feeding animals for food (supplied only by means other than grazing), fur, or pleasure purposes in lots, pens, ponds, sheds, or buildings. IDEM considers two or more adjacent farms under one ownership or management to be one confined feeding operation in determining the "total number" of animals confined.
Local health and zoning requirements may also apply. IDEM and county agencies do not coordinate their approvals so dairy operations must obtain appropriate permits and approvals from both IDEM and local agencies.
Indiana Department of Environmental Management
Copies of current guidelines (Manure Management AW-1) and application forms used by IDEM for manure system approvals are available from Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Land Application Group, Water Quality Section, 100 N. Senate Avenue, P.O. Box 6015, Indianapolis, IN 46206-6015; Phone: (317)232-8731 or (800)451-6027.
Many Indiana dairy operations generate large volumes of manure. For example, 100 dairy cows produce over 6,000 cubic feet of liquid manure a month, which is over half a million gallons a year. Dairy manure is an economical fertilizer resource and can reduce a producer's commercial fertilizer costs by up to $50 per acre. If mishandled, however, dairy manure can contaminate surface and ground waters. Proper storage, handling, and application of manure from dairy operations can protect Indiana's water resources and increase profits for animal and crop enterprises.
A Manure Management Plan (MMP) brings together information about crops, livestock, and manure handling for your farm. This information will help you develop a better long-term plan for maximizing the value of your dairy manure.
Preparing the MMP takes some effort, but the results are reduced costs to your crop program and environmental protection.
A MMP includes:
*Field layout and identification.
*Field slopes, soil types, and soil test results.
*Crops and rotations for each field for the next three years, or the time period for your specific rotation.
*Crop nutrient requirements (Table 1).
*The types and amounts of manure produced each year (Table 2).
*What needs to be done to:
* Data on stored manure, and analyses of its nutrients content.
* Planning manure applications to meet land application needs, empty manure storages as required, and meet environmental requirements.
Keep in mind:
* It takes time to collect and organize information. Fortunately, you collect information such as field sizes or building capacity only once.
* Enough land equipment and labor must be available for spreading the manure at environmentally sustainable application rates in a timely fashion.
* If manure will be applied to land not owned by the operation, have Land Use Agreements signed by the property owners.
* You may want more storage capacity, to avoid spreading manure during the growing season and other times when ground conditions are not suitable.
Other publications describe in detail the collection, transport, and storage alternatives for handling manure from animal to storage. Use them to develop those portions of your MMP. Others detail crop nutrient needs under various conditions and can help assure that your crop needs are being met. See References near the end of this publication.
This publication concentrates on the timely application of manure nutrients to crops. It deals with the part of a Manure Management Plan that utilizes manure as a fertilizer. A summary of manure handling options is included, because they affect what is in storage. But, our purpose is to start with stored dairy manure and discuss handling alternatives and descriptions of components needed by various systems.
Dairy operators select a manure handling system based on factors such as location, size, type and use of their cropland, the number of animals, and the type of animal housing. Many options relate to the type of housing system - pasture, drylot (shed and lot), and enclosed. Here is a brief discussion of each system with design and management hints to minimize manure storage and application problems.
Keep uncontaminated surface water away from lots, settling facilities, infiltration channels, outdoor storages, and animal traffic lanes. Install gutters to direct roof runoff to a ditch or other diversion. The only exception should be when dilution water is needed for adequate lagoon treatment. Even then, it should be possible to divert the uncontaminated water away from the lagoon when dilution is not needed. Channel contaminated lot runoff to adequate treatment, storage, and application systems.
Pastures usually do not need separate manure management facilities; however, drylot and enclosed systems need specific facilities for handling manure as a solid, a liquid, or both. Figure 1 illustrates how the manure flows within each system. All systems return all manure to the land with no discharge into Indiana waters.
If your operation has more than 300 dairy animals, do not construct any manure handling facilities without first obtaining the approval of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. In all cases, your local milk inspector should be kept informed of planned manure facility changes.
Pasture no more than two to three cows per acre, depending on the quality of the pasture. Rotate pastures to prevent overgrazing. Reduce erosion by providing stabilized areas (for example, a graveled slope around a waterer) for feeding, watering, and animal sorting and handling. Maintain vegetative cover on steep slopes near streams to minimize soil erosion and polluted runoff. See Purdue University's publication WQ-7 in References.
Minimum total space is at least 150 sq ft/cow -- 50 to 70 sq ft/cow inside the building and 80-100 sq ft outside.
Because of potential odor problems, select a site downwind and some distance from neighboring residences and businesses. Avoid potential ground water pollution: never put a drylot system near a sinkhole or abandoned well, or on a site known to be underlaid with fractured limestone. A bedded mound can help reduce mud and erosion and makes removing solid manure a little easier. Remove and renew bedded mounds two to four times each year.
Locate a drylot on a 4% to 6% slope for drainage. (Earth-moving equipment can often create enough slope if necessary.) Suggested slopes for the first 12 to 16 ft away from feeders and waterers are 3/4"- 1"/ft; from buildings, 1/2" - 3/4"/ft; and along drainageways, 1/4"- 1/2"/ft. Slope building floors 1/4" - 3/4"/ft toward gutters or an open front lot. Preferred slope direction is to the south or southeast for best drying and wind protection.
Common drylot manure handling equipment includes a tractor with scraper or bucket loader and a spreader. Solid manure from pens, including bedding, is hauled directly from the animal area to the field, or scraped to short-term storage when bad weather prevents field spreading. For a 10-day storage capacity, provide 10 cu ft/cow. Scrape outdoor lots daily if possible. See ID-122 in References.
Rain and snowmelt runoff from lots and solid manure storages is contaminated and must not flow directly into a watercourse. Scraping removes most of the solids from outdoor lot manure. To remove most of the remaining solids, channel runoff to a 2-4 ft deep settling basin that has 1 cu ft of liquid capacity per 12 sq ft of lot area. The basin should be checked after each rainfall event. Field spread solids periodically from the settling basin. See ID-114 or MWPS-18 in References.
Drain all contaminated liquids to a holding pond. An infiltration area where grass or other crops utilize the nutrients may be an option for smaller operations on some sites. The infiltration area is a low-slope area or channel where the liquids infiltrate the soil. Locate the area away from surface water and broken tile lines, but convenient for vegetation removal or harvest. Do not graze the infiltration area if soil type and moisture conditions make the area subject to soil compaction and erosion from cattle traffic.
Lot runoff stored in a holding pond is very dilute, but can be a source of nutrients and irrigation water.
Because of the wide variation in the concentration of nutrients in manure and runoff from lots, no nutrient estimates are included here. Measure with chemical testing and handle the nutrients just like the other solid and liquid manure discussed later in this publication.
In enclosed housing systems, animals are under a roof at all times in loose bedded housing or in bedded stalls with solid, partly-slotted, or completely-slotted alley floors. When siting a housing unit, consider manure flowing by gravity from housing to storage. At least 4 ft of fall in 300 ft is needed for gravity flow.
Most freestall housing systems generate manure in the form of a slurry. Removal and handling equipment is about the same as suggested for drylot solids. Mechanical or manual scrapers can be used also.
Slats over below-floor gutters or storages are occasionally used in Indiana, and require handling manure as a liquid. Scrapers, run frequently, work well in freestall alleys that are level so liquids do not run off. Flushed alley-ways require large volumes of fresh or recycled water. Normally milk house wastewater and parlor washwater are added to liquid manure systems. Storages below the floor tend to empty well by gravity drainage if the site permits.
Pumps and collection pits can be used to transfer manure in a slurry or semi-solid state to outside storages. For examples see MWPS-7 or MWPS-18.
Liquid manure is stored in concrete pits under the floor, in an outdoor tank, or an earthen pit. Liquid manure can be put in a lagoon where it is both stored and treated. During the treatment, much of the nitrogen fertilizer value is lost. Equipment needed to handle liquid manure includes scraper blades or slotted-floors, manure pump and/or agitator, and liquid manure tanker or injection equipment. Liquid manure irrigating systems can be a source of odor problems.
Storages should be water-tight and at least 100 feet from any well or domestic water supply. Except for lot runoff, divert all surface drainage away from storage. Needed storage capacity depends on the number and size of the animals, manure cleaning method, and the length of time between storage unloadings. Consider rainfall and snow in determining outdoor storage capacity needs.
Table 2 gives estimated manure production values for roofed animal housing with reasonable allowances for bedding and for spilled and cleaning water. An unroofed outdoor storage also stores rain and snow that fall on its surface between emptyings -- typically the fraction of annual precipitation during the storage period, plus rain from a 25-year 24-hour storm. Little evaporation takes place from the surface of a dairy manure storage.
Provide storage for at least 1.5 cu ft/sq ft of area in the drained lot and the channel leading to the storage to handle rainfall for six months.
Freeboard is clear space in the storage above the designed maximum liquid level. For pits under slats, leave at least 1 foot for adequate ventilating air and some reserve storage.
Earthen storages and lagoons are more closely regulated than are concrete or steel storages because of potential leaking problems. Lagoons must be designed for manure treatment and rain water storage plus a specified volume of dilution water. See ID-120 in References.
Keep long bedding and dry or frozen materials out of a liquid manure storage. Haul such material directly to the field. For smaller operations, frequent hauling of liquid manure reduces the size of storage and equipment needed, better distributes the labor demand, and aids in reducing manure odors around the farmstead, as long as timing matches plant need and soil condition. Apply the manure early in the day, when it is cool. Air currents will rise, as the day warms up, minimizing odor. Incorporate manure to minimize odors and retain nutrients. Large operations benefit from long term storages where large amounts of manure can be spread infrequently over a short period of time to minimize application odors.
Agitate stored liquid manure before emptying the storage to reduce the sludge left in the storage and to make nutrient applications more uniform.
Gases escaping from agitated liquid manure can be deadly for both humans and animals. Operate all ventilation fans and open doors and windows when agitating and removing liquid manure stored in a building.
Organize information about your fields
* Get U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Quadrangle topographic maps (for surface slope information), Soil Survey maps (for soil types) and plat maps for the townships where your fields are located. The USGS and Soil Survey maps are available at county offices of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) or the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service (CES). Plat maps are available from County Recorders.
* Outline each field that may receive manure with its size and shape using a dark pencil or marker on all maps.
* Mark each field with an identification system that is easy for you to remember. Add acres if the map is large enough.
* Note on the map the areas of each field protected by separation distances that prohibit or limit spreading manure.
* Make copies of the field maps for each year.
* Start recording field data in Worksheet A. 1.
Organize information about your crops
* Start, if you haven't all ready, using a crop production record keeping system in which each field's planting and harvesting dates, soil test results, and manure and fertilizer application rates are recorded. Date the entries. See ID-198 in References.
* Record crop plans, rotations, summarized soil test results, and crop nutrient requirements in Worksheets A.2. and A.3.
For crop nutrient needs, use recommendations from your crop consultant or fertilizer dealer based on anticipated yield and on soil test results for each field -- your data will fit your conditions best. Suggested data for Indiana are in Table 1, if you don't have data for your farm yet. More complete data are in Purdue publications AY-244 and AY-268; see References.
N, P2O5, and K2O; soil concentrations and application amounts are in pounds per acre. Soil-P and soil-K reduce the amount of fertilizer-P and fertilizer-K needed.
Expected N* Use for Soil P (ppm) equal to or greater than Use for Soil K (ppm) equal to or greater than: _____________________________________________ ______________________________________________ credit Crop yield N 0-5 6-10 11-30 31-35 36-4O 41-45 >46 0-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 71-80 81-90 91-150 151-300 >300 pounds P2O5 per acre pounds K2O per acre (CEC of 10) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Corn/Gr_sorghum 80-110 bu 110 90 60 40 20 0 0 0 165 145 125 105 85 65 45 30 0 Corn/Gr_sorghum 111-125 bu 140 95 70 45 20 0 0 0 170 150 130 110 90 70 50 30 0 Corn/Gr_sorghum 126-150 bu 160 100 75 50 25 0 0 0 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 35 0 Corn/Gr_sorghum 151-175 bu 190 110 85 60 30 0 0 0 185 165 145 125 105 85 65 40 0 Corn/Gr_sorghum 176-300 bu 220 115 90 65 35 0 0 0 190 170 150 130 110 90 70 40 0 Corn_Silage 10-20 tons 140 115 90 65 35 0 0 0 300 280 260 240 220 200 180 110 0 Corn_Silage 21-25 tons 180 135 110 85 45 0 0 0 300 300 300 290 270 250 230 140 0 Corn_Silage 26-30 tons 220 150 125 100 50 0 0 0 300 300 300 300 300 280 260 160 0 Soybeans 30-40 bu 140 30 80 55 30 15 0 0 0 195 175 155 135 115 95 75 40 0 Soybeans 41-50 bu 180 30 90 65 40 20 0 0 0 210 190 170 150 130 110 90 45 0 Soybeans 51-60 bu 220 30 100 75 50 25 0 0 0 225 205 185 165 145 125 105 50 0 Soybeans 61-100 bu 250 30 105 80 55 30 0 0 0 240 220 200 180 160 140 120 60 0 Wheat/Rye* 30-45 bu 40 125 100 75 50 25 10 0 155 135 115 95 75 55 35 20 0 Wheat/Rye* 46-55 bu 40 130 105 80 55 30 15 0 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 25 0 Wheat/Rye* 56-65 bu 60 135 110 85 60 35 20 0 160 140 120 100 80 60 42 25 0 Wheat/Rye* 66-100 bu 75 145 120 95 70 45 20 0 165 145 125 105 85 65 45 30 0 Oats/Barley* 70-85 bu 40 125 100 75 50 25 10 0 155 135 115 95 75 55 35 20 0 Oats/Barley* 86-115 bu 40 130 105 80 55 30 15 0 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 25 0 Oats/Barley* 116-150 bu 60 135 110 85 60 35 20 0 160 140 120 100 80 60 45 30 0 Grass-Hay 1-2 tons 75 125 100 70 25 25 15 0 60 55 50 45 40 35 30 15 0 Grass-Hay 3-4 tons 140 150 125 100 50 50 25 0 120 110 100 90 80 70 60 50 0 Grass-Hay 5-6 tons 210 180 155 130 80 80 40 0 180 165 150 135 120 105 90 75 0 Grass-Pasture 1-2 tons 55 125 100 70 25 25 15 0 60 30 25 20 10 0 0 0 0 Grass-Pasture 3-4 tons 100 150 125 100 50 50 25 0 120 55 50 45 20 0 0 0 0 Grass-Pasture 4-6 tons 150 180 155 130 80 80 40 0 180 85 75 65 30 0 0 0 0 Grass/Legume_Hay 1-2 tons 115 40 125 95 70 25 25 15 0 240 220 200 180 160 140 120 60 0 Grass/Legume_Hay 2-4 tons 225 40 150 125 100 50 50 25 0 340 320 300 280 260 240 220 110 0 Grass/Legume_Hay 4-6 tons 335 40 180 155 130 80 80 40 0 440 420 400 380 360 340 320 160 0 Grass/Legume_Hay 6-8 tons 450 40 200 180 155 105 105 50 0 540 520 500 480 460 440 420 210 0 Grass/Leg_Pasture 1-2 tons 100 40 125 100 70 25 25 15 0 120 110 100 90 80 70 60 30 0 Grass/Leg_Pasture 2-4 tons 210 40 150 125 100 50 50 25 0 170 160 150 140 130 120 110 55 0 Grass/Leg_Pasture 4-6 tons 320 40 180 155 130 80 80 40 0 220 210 200 190 180 170 160 80 0 Grass/Leg_Pasture 6-5 tons 430 40 200 180 155 105 105 50 0 270 260 250 240 230 220 210 105 0 Tobacco 001.5 tons 250 175 120 75 75 50 25 0 350 300 250 200 150 100 75 40 0 Summer_Ann_Forag 0-3 tons 110 100 70 50 30 20 10 0 100 85 70 60 50 25 0 0 0 Summer_Ann_Forag 3-5 tons 165 120 90 60 40 20 10 0 150 135 120 95 70 35 0 0 0 Summer_Ann_Forag 5-7 tons 190 130 100 70 50 30 10 0 180 160 140 115 90 45 0 0 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *For small grains, apply 1/3 of N in the fall and the rest of the plant's requirements in the spring. All of the N could be applied from manure in the fall if a nitrification inhibitor is added.
Organize information about your manure production
* Start tables like Worksheets B.1. and B.2. Measure manure storages, if necessary, to find the volumes. (See "Conversions" for useful formulas and data.)
* For manure nutrient values, use results from laboratory tests of the manure in your storages. The tests can be used to determine the manure nutrient level applied this year and to estimate the rate at which manure should be applied next year. Quick test meters (approximately 10 minute determination) are now available to estimate the nitrogen (N) value of liquid manure and lagoon water. If you don't have recent analyses, the values in Table 2 can be used temporarily as general estimates for dairy manure.
* Take manure samples in storage or during unloading. Samples are best taken after agitating and during pit emptying. See reference CES-227 or AY-277 on manure sampling.
Note that much of the information will not change every year -- field descriptions, manure storage data, crops, and rotations. You don't have all the work to do every year, just a review of your plan.
The following worksheets help you match the nutrients in the manure storages with crop nutrient needs. Decisions to be made include: Where and when do I apply manure and how much? The worksheets help make the calculations and organize the planning.
If you are expanding or developing a new operation, you may go through parts of the worksheets several times to consider alternatives.
Two inexpensive computer programs, AMANURE and MBUDGET, are available from Purdue University; see References. The programs help you rapidly change inputs and results to compare options.
This example shows how to develop a MMP for a 160-cow dairy freestall operation with tractor-scraped alleys. All animals are in enclosed buildings without access to outside lots, except a part-time exercise area. Scraped manure is pumped to an outside earthen liquid manure storage and then broadcast and incorporated with a 2750 gallon tanker wagon. Stacked, solid manure is also available from a 80-heifer/bedded tramp shed. Manure is spread (not incorporated) with a 4-ton spreader. All other animals are kept at another farm and are not part of this MMP. There are four fields (220 acres) considered for manure application on this 480-acre site. Cropping is based on a three-year rotation.
List each field's basic information in Worksheet A.1. Enter the crops for several years' rotation in Worksheet A.2. Use longer rotations if they fit your operation. (For example, corn, bean, corn, wheat.)
In Worksheet A.3, list each crop's nutrient needs, based on anticipated yield and soil test results. Use data specific to your farm, if available, or the fertilizer recommendations for Indiana crops in Table 1. [Note: This table gives only some of the current fertilizer recommendations for Indiana crops. Check AY-244 and AY-268, or your local crop consultants for recommendations for your farm.] Note that N (nitrogen) depends on crop and the average or expected yield; it is adjusted if the previous year's crop was soybean (30 lb/a. N carry over) or legume hay or pasture (40 lb/a. N carry over). Recommended P (phosphorus) and K (potassium) fertilizer levels depend on the latest soil test results for the particular field -- the P or K recommended is the crop need at that field's P or K level.
Example:
In Worksheet A.3, find the N, P, K needs for each field and for each year, based on the crops in A.2. Where appropriate, deduct the legume carry over.
For Worksheet A.4, multiply the acres of each field, from A. 1, times the annual fertilizer recommendations for each field and crop, from A.3, to find the field nutrient needs for each field and each crop year.
Example:
Note: "available N" is the ammonia and organic nitrogen in the manure that is available to plants this year, after all losses have been accounted for.
To complete Worksheet A.4, total the nutrients (available N, P2O5, and K2O) needed each year for all crops on fields that will receive manure. Note that the nitrogen amounts that legumes can use, but do not require, are not added into the column totals.
Example:
Even though N applied to legumes is not required, P and K soil values can be raised when manure is applied to legumes.
Miles to Field Acres Storage Soil Type Soil Slope Soil test (ppm) number (mi) (%) P K ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 60 1/8 silt clay loam 2 20 60 2 80 1/2 silt loam 2 10 60 3 60 1/4 loam 4 10 80 4 20 1/8 loam 6 50 95 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year-1 Year-2 Year-3 ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ Field Expected Expected Expected number Crop yield/acre Crop yield/acre Crop yield/acre ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Corn 160 bu Corn 160 bu Corn l60 bu 2 Corn 120 bu Soybean 40 bu Corn 120 bu 3 Soybean 40 bu Corn 120 bu Wheat 60 bu 4 Grass Pasture 6 tons Grass Pasture 6 tons Grass Pasture 6 tons -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Available N lb/acre P2O5 lb/acre K2O lb/acre Field --------------------- ----------------- ------------------ number Yr-1 Yr-2 Yr-3 Yr-1 Yr-2 Yr-3 Yr-1 Yr-2 Yr-3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 190 190 190 60 60 60 145 145 145 2 140 0(140)a 110b 70 55 70 130 155 130 3 0(14O)a 110b 60 55 70 110 115 90 80 4 150 150 150 0 0 0 0 0 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ a Legumes need no N, but 40 bu/a. soybean will use 140 lb N/a. (Table 1) if it is applied. b Only 110 lb N is needed due to 30 lb N credit from last year's soybean. Transfer data from Table 1 in Appendix or use your own fertilizer data.
Multiply field acres (A.1 above) x N, P2P5 or K2O per acre for the crop (A.3 above).
Available N lb/field P2O5 lb/field K2O lb/field Field --------------------- ----------------- ------------------ number Yr-1 Yr-2 Yr-3 Yr-1 Yr-2 Yr-3 Yr-1 Yr-2 Yr-3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 - 60 11,400 11,400 11,400 3,600 3,600 3,600 8,700 8,700 8,700 2 - 80 11,200 0(11,200)a 8,800 5,600 4,400 5,600 10,400 12,400 10,400 3 - 60 0(8,400)a 6,600 3,600 3,300 4,200 6,600 6,900 5,400 4,800 4 - 20 3,000 3,000 3,000 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 25,600 21,000 26,800 12,500 12,200 15,800 26,000 26,500 23,900 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- a 8,400 means legumes need no N, but 40 bu/a. soybean will use 140 lb N/a. (Table 1) if it is applied: 140 x 60 acres = 8,400 lb N; 140 x 80 a. soybean = 11,200 lb N.
With an inventory of crop and field information completed, you are ready to inventory manure produced and its fertilizer value when applied to your crops. If you have laboratory analyses of manure in each of your storages, use those test results in the worksheets. Otherwise, Table 2 has good estimates for dairy operations. The table values are "as removed from storage" and include estimated dilution, feed spillage, etc. They are averages of nutrient concentrations measured in many storages.
In Worksheet B.1, list the type of storage, type of animal, average number of animals that contribute manure to each storage (generally average animal capacity of building), portion of the year that the building is occupied, and annual manure production. Then, calculate monthly and daily average manure production and the total amount of manure you expect, using your own data or the estimates in Table 2.
Example:
Annual manure produced from the freestall barn, Storage #1:
In Worksheet B.2, enter the nutrient concentrations from your own test results or the average values in Table 2. Calculate the total of each nutrient in each storage.
Some application methods preserve more N for plant use than others. Nitrogen is lost largely to the atmosphere during manure application unless it is injected or promptly incorporated. N is also lost in the soil before crops can use it by microbial immobilization, denitrification, and leaching, especially if no nitrification inhibitor is used. "Available nitrogen" is the amount of N available during the current crop season. Select an Application Factor from Table 3 to account for N losses between storage and plant uptake.
Example:
Pound/nutrient/yr = (gal liquid manure/yr) x (1/1,000) x (lb nutrient/1,000 gal of manure). For N, also multiply by the Application Factor, Table 3. 923,077 gal/yr = 923.1 1,000 gal/yr Available N from freestall storage: = 13.9 lb/1,000 gal x 923.1 1,000 gal/yr x 0.8 = 10,265 lb N/yr in the freestall storage lb P2O5 from the freestall storage: = 15.0 lb/1,000 gal x 923.1 1,000 gal/yr = 13,846 lb P2O5 yr lb K2O from the freestall storage: = 19.0 lb/1,000 gal x 923.1 1,000 gal/yr = 17,539 lb K2O/yr
Compute the other manure sources as in Worksheet B.2.
If a storage is filled with manure from more than one source, such as from a freestall and dry cow unit illustrated in this example, calculate an average nutrient concentration for the storage. Divide the total P2O5 or K2O, lb nutrient/yr from both sources in Worksheet B.2. by the total volume (or weight) of manure added to the storage, gal/yr, from Worksheet B. 1. For N concentration, multiply total weight of N by the Application Factor from Table 3 and then divide by the total manure volume (or weight).
To find the potential dollar value of the manure resource, multiply the Total "lb nutrient/yr" for N, P2O5, and K2O (Worksheet B.2.) times the fertilizer price in your area. The total dollar amount assumes you can use all of the N, P2O5, and K2O. After completing Worksheet E, the potential value can be adjusted for the amounts of each nutrient that this year's crops are expected to use.
Amt/ Wk/ Added/ Amt. Amt. Manure Number Year Year Added/ Added/ Storage Storage Animal Animal Animals (ton/ Month Day ID Capacity Type Units Present 1000 gal) (ton/gal) (ton/gal) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Freestall(FS) 345,600 gal Cows 160 50 923 76,923 2,529 Heifer(H) 96 ton Heifers 80 45 450 37.5 1.23 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Available -- lb/ton -- Pound nutrient/year Manure or Available Storage -- lb/1000 gal -- -- lb/nutrient/year -- ID ------------------- ------------------- N P2O5 K2O N P2O5 K2O ----------------------------------------------------------------- FS 11.1a 15 19 10,265 13,846 17,539 H 2.7b 3.8 6.8 1,215 1,710 3,060 TOTAL 11,480 15,556 20,599 ----------------------------------------------------------------- a Manure is incorporated so N loss is 20% (Table 3). b Manure is surface spread so loss is 40%.
Before making decisions about which manure to apply where, see if you have more--or less--manure nutrients than your crops need. The total Avail. N, P2O5, and K2O needs of the crops from Worksheet A.3. and the animal nutrient production in Worksheet B.2. are shown together in Worksheet B.3.
(Year 1 of rotation)
Total manure nutrients, lb/year Worksheet B.2. Total crop nutrient needs, lb/year, Worksheet A.4.
Total crop nutrient budget, lb/yr ---------------------------------- N P2O5 K2O Total manure nutrients 11,480 15,556 20,599 Total crop needs (Yr-1) 25,600 12,500 26,000 Surplus manure nutrients (or shortage) (14,120) 3,056 (5,401) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Additional N used if N put on legumes. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Year 1 (8,400) Year 2 (11,200) Year 3 ---- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In this example, the dairy operation produces 11,480 lb available N, 15,556 lb P2O5, and 20,599 lb K2O, per year. Note that there is not enough manure nitrogen (11,480 lb/yr) to meet crop needs (26,000 lb/yr). The 14,120 lb/year calculated as needed N (shortage of manure N) is about 55% of annual need or about 100 lb N/acre of corn land (14,120/140 acres). Fill this need with commercial fertilizer.
There is surplus P. When soybean is growing in Fields #2 (year 2) or #3 (year 1), the soil tests in those fields for P and K could be substantially raised with manure. The legumes will use some of those elements. The legumes will also take up the N, even though it is not required.
There are two ways to handle excess P and K in certain fields, but still meet plant N needs:
Worksheet B.3. gives an overview of what manure utilization can offer your farming practices. If you do not have enough manure to fertilize all fields, save what nutrients you can by using manure carefully. If you have more manure than your crops and soils can safely use, consider contracting with neighbors for additional crop land. Another option is to put in a lagoon, which is a treatment unit that reduces the amount of nitrogen to about one-third.
In the example above, there is enough land to use the manure, based on crop nitrogen needs, but a surplus of phosphorus. The next step is to determine how much of which manure goes on which field.
The amount of manure storage needed depends on:
In Worksheet C, transfer the daily and monthly manure accumulation for each storage from Worksheet B. 1. An example of computing storages is shown below. Compute storage capacity in cubic feet, gallons, or tons of manure. See "Conversions and Volumes" for useful formulas. Assume at least 1 ft freeboard for deep pits, tanks, and earthen basins and lagoons.
The number of days of manure storage available is: manure storage capacity divided by daily manure accumulation.
Example:
Manure Daily manure Monthly Manure Existing Manure Storage Accumulation Accumulation Storage Capacity Days Storage ID (gal or ton) (gal or ton) (gal or ton) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ FS 2,529 gal 76,923 gal 345,600 gal 137 H 1.23 ton 37.5 96 tona 78 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- a Assumed value for this example.
Worksheet D helps you schedule times to apply manure when soil and crop conditions are appropriate. Table 4 gives the average number of days available for land application on various crops based on typical Indiana weather and soil conditions. Adjust the "Suitable periods" and "Number of days" based on your experiences with each specific farm field.
Mark with "x" the times when labor, manure application equipment, or land are not available for applying manure. While planning manure application, try to minimize soil compaction, ruts in fields, and interference with the crop program.
"x" indicates field is not available.
Field# and Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Crop -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Corn xxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 2 Corn xxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 3 Bean xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 4 Pasture xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Several factors influence the effectiveness of fertilizing crops with stored manure. The following guidelines are suggested:
Non-legumes generally need more manure to satisfy their N needs than required for their P and K needs. Legumes can generate the N they need; but if N is applied, with manure or commercial fertilizers, the plants will use that N up to the amount listed in Table 1 as "N crop use/year."
Think of your manure storages as a checkbook for budgeting. Livestock deposit manure every day. You spend it seasonally to fertilize crops.
A "rich"operation
If your operation is "rich," it has animal manure nutrients filling up the "checkbook" as fast or faster than you can spend it on crops. You will, generally, apply manure to satisfy crop N needs, and will therefore over-apply P and K. Rotate fields receiving manure to avoid P and K build-up. It is best to apply P and K in manure at about the rates indicated by your soil and manure testing, or in Table 1, if possible. Contract with neighbors to accept some of your manure on their fields if your manure nutrient supply exceeds what you can usefully put on your crops.
In our example, applying manure to fields 1, 2, and 3 will supply adequate P and build up soil levels. Over the course of five to six years, the P soil levels should be high enough that only maintenance rates are needed. Continued high applications could result in excessive soil tests.
A "poor" operation
If your operation is "poor" relative to crop needs, it needs more nutrients. The plant demand for nutrients exceeds your supply of manure nutrients going into the checkbook each year. Commercial fertilizers make up the difference. Usually, manure is used to meet P and K needs, and supplemental N is added to meet N needs.
Even if you are manure "poor," if some fields are low in P and K, consider meeting plant N needs with manure on those fields; the extra nutrients will build up soil P and K levels for future crops. Since it is unlikely that both P and K are balanced exactly with crop needs, rotate fields with this option, too.
The following manure budget for our example illustrates the deposit/withdrawal system. The cropping year begins on October 1 with a certain amount of manure on hand (in storage). The animals increase the balance each month by a known amount of manure; withdrawals are made to apply manure to fields. Our example farmer can spread up to 82,500 gal/day (10 hr/day x 3 loads/hr x 2,750 gal/load) and up to 80 ton/day (10 hr/day x 2 loads/hr x 4 ton/load).
To start Worksheet E: List the storages, copy the manure added/month (gal/mo or ton/mo) from Worksheet B.1, copy storage capacities (gal or ton) from Worksheet C, and the amount of manure in the storages at the beginning of the manure/crop year. We have assumed the capacities shown. Manure in storage can be calculated or estimated from the manure depth, see Conversions and Volumes.
The manure in a storage at the end of a month is:
Example:
Which manure on which field?
Using Best Management Practices # A8, A10, B6, C1, D2, D8, and D10 (see Appendix):
Example:
Units in gallons for liquid manure and in tons for solid manure. Year 1 in rotation.
Manure Manure inventory at END of each month --------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On Storage Add/ Stored hand ID month capacity Sep 30 Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FS 76,923 345,600 230,000 59,423 26,346 103,269 180,192 257,115 47,038 13,961 90,884 167,807 244,730 239,153 233,576 (gallons) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- H 37.5 96 40 17.5 55 92.5 34 31.5 69 14.5 52 89.5 55 4.5 42 (tons) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Working days available 20 17 7 2 3 5 11 16 21 23 24 19 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maximum manure handled/mo FS 1,650 1,402 577 165 247 412 907 1,320 1,732 1,897 1,980 1,567 (Thousand gal or ton possible) H 1,600 1,360 560 160 240 400 880 1,280 1,680 1,840 1,920 1,520 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Manure Applied Field #1 FS/ H/96 FS/ (Storage ID/Amt. Applied) 110,000 110,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Field #2 FS/ FS/ (Storage ID/Amt. Applied) 137,500 xxx 204,500 H/60 H/40 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Field #3 FS/ FS/ (Storage ID/Amt Applied) 110,000 82,500 H/92 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Field #4 FS/ FS/ (Storage ID/Amt Applied) 82,500 82,500 H/72 H/88 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Amount hauled/mo. (FS) 247,500 110,000 gal gal 287,000 110,000 82,500 82,500 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Amount hauled/mo, (H) 60 ton 96 ton 40 ton 92 ton 72 ton 88 ton -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Example:
In Worksheet A.3, Avail. N for Year 1 (second column in the table), Field #1 needs 190 lb/a. N. From Worksheet A. 1, Field 1 is 60 acres (column 2). Total field needs, Worksheet A.4, = 190 lb/a. x 60 a. = 11,400 lb N for Field #1.
In the Worksheet below, in the column headed "Amt.", the amount of manure put on Field #1 from freestall storage (FS) = 220,000 gal. The amount for Field #1, heifer storage (H) was 96 ton.
The nutrient concentrations for the freestall storage (FS) manure are listed in Worksheet B.2. The freestall manure contains 11.1 lb N, 15 lb P2O5, and 19 lb K2O per 1000 gal. Multiply the manure amount (220,000) times the concentrations to find 2,442 lb N, 3,300 lb P2O5, and 4,180 lb K2O.
After finding the available N applied to Field #1 from the freestall storage (FS), compare this amount of N (2,442 lb) with the required N (11,400 lb). Additional commercial fertilizer will be needed (8,699 lb N). This could be applied before planting or with a starter fertilizer plus sidedressed N after plant establishment. In this example, additional K2O (but not P2O5) is also needed.
Field #1 (60 a.) Field #2 (80 a.) ------------- --------------- Crop Amt N P2O5 K2O Amt N P2O5 K2O ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- lb/field -- -- lb/field -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crop Needs ---- 11,400 3,600 8,700 ---- 11,200 5,600 10,400 (from Worksheet A.3.) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nutrient Applied, lb (from Worksheets B.2 & E.1) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FS 220,000 2,442 3,300 4,180 FS 342,000 3,796 5,130 6,498 H 96 259 365 653 H 100 270 380 680 TOTAL 2,701 3,665 4,833 4,066 5,510 7,178 Additional Fertilizer 8,699 0 3,867 7,134 90 3,222 needed (Excess) ---- (65) ------ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Field #3 (60 a.) Field #4 (80 a.) ------------- --------------- Crop Amt N P2O5 K2O Amt N P2O5 K2O ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- lb/field -- -- lb/field -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crop Needs ---- 0(8,400) 3,300 6,900 ---- 3,000 0 0 Nutrient Applied 192,500 FS 2,137 2,888 3,658 FS 165,000 1,832 2,475 3,135 H 92 248 350 626 H 160 432 608 1,088 TOTAL 2,385 3,238 4,284 2,264 3,083 4,223 Additional Fertilizer needed 62 2,616 736 (Excess) (2,385) (3,083) (4,223) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *() indicates application in excess of crop needs.
In our example, crops were selected for three-year rotations on fields expected to receive manure. Three major reasons suggest planning for at least three years or whatever your crop rotation is:
1. A three-year plan exposes trends in nutrient levels. Note in Worksheet A.4. that nitrogen needs for these fields were reduced the second year, but phosphorus and potassium levels were about constant.
2. If manure is applied to satisfy crop N needs, usually P and K are over-applied. The calculations show where P and K are available for future crops without buying commercial fertilizer. Planning helps maximize the dollar value of the manure!
3. Planning (and calculating) three nutrient budgets at once takes less time than doing each one separately each year. You can readily modify the budgets or add more fields if necessary.
In our example, manure was added to fields needing the most crop nutrients. Field #2 received the most manure first. Field #2 also benefited the most because of its lower P and K soil tests and need for nitrogen. The most concentrated manure (frees tall) was applied mainly to Field #1 and Field #2. More dilute manures were applied to the bean field (Field #3) and to the pasture (Field #4). Only the P and K credit can be assumed for fertilizer savings with legume crops.
It was necessary in this example to empty the manure pits by the end of November to have enough winter storage capacity (December through March). Some manure was applied in March, but it is most desirable to apply in April and May when field conditions are optimal.
Caution: Limited storage and limited manure- spreading capacity make it very difficult to fulfill a manure application schedule on the fields unless ideal weather conditions exist. Greater storage capacity allows more scheduling flexibility. Field spreading may be impossible during abnormally wet weather if soil won't support application equipment.
Summarize the volumes of manure from each source applied on each field in Worksheet E.2. Based on manure analyses from your farm, or the averages listed in Appendix Table 2, list the total amount of nutrients (Available N, P2O5, and K2O) supplied by the manure and compare it with the total amount required by the field (from Worksheet A.3.). Determine if commercial fertilizer nutrients are needed in the field.
In this example, P requirements were in excess for Field #4. In Fields #1, #2, and #3, additional K2O from commercial sources is needed. Additional N from commercial sources is required for Fields #1, #2, and #4.
This worksheet approach to developing a manure management plan can help you maximize the value of manure applications to cropland. It is not intended to "automate" decision making or to recommend specific practices. Rather, it is to help the conscientious producer better utilize the value of available manure resources. The specifics of each farm, crop rotation, and set of management objectives must still be weighed. Decisions by the producer will fit the farm's specifics into a workable manure "budget."
The following Best Management Practices (BMPs) provide guidelines for utilizing manure nutrients efficiently in cropping programs without negatively impacting the environment. Refer to the extension publications listed in this publication for more details on additional aspects of manure management.
A1. Reduce chemical (inorganic) fertilizer applied to a field by the corresponding amount of manure nutrients applied.
A2. Keep a record on each field of the manure and chemical fertilizer applied, crop information, and soil and manure test results.
A3. Test the soil in each field periodically for P, K, and other nutrient levels, pH, and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Follow a soil testing routine recommended by the Cooperative Extension Service, a crop consultant, or fertilizer dealer.
A4. Test manure for TKN, NH4-N, P, K, and dry matter initially while emptying a storage. Use an on-farm quick test for available N content every 10 or so loads and adjust application rate if necessary. After manure laboratory test results indicate the nutrient values are generally stable, use quick tests on a few representative loads each year.
Note: Available N in storage = NH4-N + 0.3 x (TKN-NH4); where 0.3 is a typical mineralization value for Indiana.
A5. Apply manure uniformly with calibrated equipment. Check calibration routinely.
A6. Use the nutrients carried in runoff that has contacted manure.
A7. Nitrification inhibitors in liquid manure-injection systems can reduce nitrogen losses.
A8. In general it takes 5 lb P2O5 to increase the soil P test by 1 ppm and 1.75 lb K2O to increase soil K test by 1 ppm. Soils low in these nutrients can be "built up" to recommended levels with extra manure nutrients.
A9. To prevent excessive P and K build-up, rotate manure applications to other fields, or reduce manure application to meet the most limiting nutrient requirement (generally P) and supplement with commercial fertilizer.
A10. Consider using a pre-sidedress N test in fields receiving manure to supplement N available from manure applications.
B1. Base crop fertilizer needs on realistic yield goals. Deduct nitrogen credits from last year's legume crop from this year's fertilizer requirements. For the current crop year, estimate N contributions from:
B2. Use commercial fertilizer only when manure does not meet crop needs.
B3. Apply fertilizer with proper timing and placement for maximum plant utilization.
B4. Add a nitrification inhibitor to stabilize N before:
B5. Incorporate manure to reduce N loss and manure runoff.
B6. Put manure on non-legume crops as a first priority.
B7. Surface-apply manure over fail cover crops or surface residues rather than tilled soil when necessary to minimize runoff.
B8. During the summer, broadcast manure on pastures or hay fields where nutrients can be used immediately, or incorporate manure on harvested wheat fields with a nitrification inhibitor.
C1. Apply manure to fields with the lowest soil test.
C2. Avoid applying manure to wet soils to reduce compaction, runoff, denitrification, and leaching.
C3. Apply manure in the fall (possibly with an inhibitor) if compaction appears to be a prevalent problem with spring applications.
C4. Apply manure to sandy soil near planting time to minimize nitrate leaching. Applying smaller amounts of N more often during crop growth, rather than a large amount at one time, also minimizes the potential for leaching.
C5. Consider N-enrichment (adding anhydrous ammonia or urea) when incorporating manure at lower application rates to balance nutrients and meet crop needs.
C6. Apply manure in the fall after the soil has cooled to 50°F or less, or add a nitrification inhibitor.
D1. Apply manure with the highest N content in the spring or fall; apply the lowest N manure in summer.
D2. Haul the highest nutrient content manure to the farthest fields.
D3. Apply lowest nutrient content manure to closest fields.
D4. Apply the highest nutrient manure to corn silage or other crops with high nutrient demands.
D5. Apply manure with a high N content to legumes only if you have no better use for the N since legumes produce their own N if none is provided.
D6. To avoid N leaching to ground water, limit N applications on sandy soils and avoid soils with high water tables.
D7. Do not apply more N than crop needs.
D8. Apply high-P manure to fields with lowest P soil test levels.
D9. Alternate each year between high-nutrient and low-nutrient manures if manure is applied to the same fields every year.
D10. Apply most concentrated manures to fields with high nutrient demand.
E1. Inject manure, or incorporate solid manure, the same day as surface spreading to minimize nitrogen losses, odors, and runoff potential.
E2. Delay manure applications and tillage of erosive soils until spring.
E3. Incorporate liquid manure applied in karst areas.
E4. Incorporate manure on nonerosive soils in fall to retain nutrients.
E5. Apply manure on frozen or snow-covered soil only if:
E6. Increase manure-spreading separation distances by 100% where runoff may occur.
E7. Surface apply manures in highly erodable land (HEL) to cover crops, residue cover, or consistent with erosion control practices.
F1. Check with local city and county officials for applicable regulations on zoning, health, building code, set back distances, etc.
F2. Unless manure is incorporated by the end of the working day (and before rainfall occurs), do not apply manure within:
F3. Do not apply manure within 200 ft of a water well.
F4. Do not apply manure on a floodplain during high water periods and not at other times unless manure is incorporated by the end of the working day, or unless there is sufficient residue or crop cover to protect the soil from erosion.
F5. Do not surface spread liquid manure on slopes steeper than 6% unless there is sufficient residue or crop cover to prevent runoff, or on frozen or snow-covered slopes steeper than 2%, because of the risk of runoff, unless incorporated into the soil by the end of the working day.
Values are based on building capacity and include typical dilution and bedding. Data are averages from nutrient measurements in many storages. Additional N can be lost during transport, distribution, and incorporation.
Storage Type Dairy Cow Heifer Dairy Calf Veal Calf Dairy Herd (per cow) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Daily Manure Storage Required ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Solid, lb/day 76.7 35.6 8.2 6.0 110.1 Liquid, gal/day 16.4 8.2 1.9 1.1 24.1 Lagoon, gal/day 30.1 16.4 3.3 2.7 45.4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Yearly Manure Storage Required ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Solid, ton/yr 14.0 6.5 1.5 1.1 20.1 Liquid. 1000 gal/yr 6.0 3.0 0.7 0.4 8.8 Lagoon, 1000 gal/yr 11.0 6.0 1.2 1.0 16.6 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Manure Nutrients ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Solid manure Pound of nutrient/ton of manure Avail N, lb 4.2 4.5 4.3 6.2 4.3 P2O5, lb 3.5 3.8 3.0 3.5 3.6 K2O, lb 6.5 6.8 5.0 6.0 6.6 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Liquid manure Pound of nutrient/1000 gal manure Avail. N, lb 13.9 13.8 1.6 22.6 13.8 P2O5, lb 15.0 14.0 14.0 22.0 14.7 K2O, lb 19.0 28.0 24.0 40.0 21.8 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lagoon Pound of nutrient/1000 gal manure Avail. N, lb 2.9 2.8 2.3 2.7 2.9 P2O5,lb 1.8 2.0 1.0 1.0 1.8 K2O,lb 3.0 3.0 2.5 3.0 3.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Data on stored manure include losses during collection and storage. This table accounts for the losses between storage and plant nitrogen use for both liquid and solid manures. Nitrification inhibitors reduce N losses following injection or incorporation of liquid manure.
Type of application No inhibitor With nitrification inhibitor ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Irrigated 50% Not recommended Surface spread 60% Not recommended Injected or incorporated 80% 95% ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of days for applying manure Periods to apply manure With spreading equipment Northern Indiana Southern Indiana Bean/ Small Legume/ ----------------- --------------- With Months Dates corn grain or grass biweekly total biweekly total irrigation ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oct 1-15 x -- x 10 20 10 20 13 16-31 x -- x 10 10 12 Nov 1-15 x -- x 9 17 8 16 8 16-30 x -- x 8 8 4 Dec 1-15 d b d 5 7 6 9 -- 16-31 d b d 2 3 -- Jan 1-15 d b d 1 2 1 2 -- 16-31 d b d 1 1 -- Feb 1-151 d b x 1 3 2 5 -- 16-28 d b x 2 3 -- Mar 1-15 x x -- 2 5 3 7 -- 16-31 x -- -- 3 4 6 Apr 1-15 x -- -- 5 11 6 13 9 16-30 -- -- -- 6 7 10 May 1-15 a -- -- 8 16 7 16 10 16-31 a -- -- 8 9 -- Jun 1-15 a -- -- 10 21 10 21 12 16-30 -- -- c 11 11 13 Jul 1-15 -- -- c 12 23 12 23 14 16-31 -- -- c 11 11 15 Aug 1-15 -- x c 12 24 11 24 15 16-31 -- x c 12 13 15 Sep 1-15 -- x c 10 19 11 22 15 16-30 -- -- c 9 11 15 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Key to table symbols:,/i> x.Typical application period. a.Apply with injection or irrigate until corn is 2 feet high. b.Apply up to 1/4 of annual crop needs to dormant wheat in winter. c.Apply up to 1/4 annual crop needs to grass immediately after harvest. If grass is pastured, light applications are suitable all year. d.See BMP's for spreading on sloping or frozen ground and near water. * These are long term averages from Indiana Annual Crop and Livestock Summary, 1975. Actual periods vary by soil type, topography, and each year's weather.
* Parts per million (ppm) x 2 = lb/acre * Divide lb/ton by 20 = % * 5 lb P2O5 increases soil P test value by 1 ppm * Divide lb/1000 gal by 83 = % * lb P2O5 x 0.44 = lb P * Typical density of manure = 62 pounds * lb P x 2.29 = lb P2O5 per cubic foot Ton x 32.26 = cu ft * 1.75 lb K2O increases soil K test value by 1 ppm * lb K2O x 0.83 = lb K Cu ft x 0.0310= ton * lb K x 1.2 = lb K2O Ton x 241 = gal Gal x 0.00414 = ton * Divide ppm by 10,000 = % Examples: 80 lb nitrogen per ton/20 = 4% nitrogen. 100 ton manure occupies about 3226 cu ft. Manure in 3500 gal tank weighs about 14.5 ton. Volumes *"Freeboard" is space in a storage that is for safety. It is often one foot or two feet of clear space between Liquid Depth, LD (maximum manure depth), and total height or depth, H. It is intended to prevent the storage from overflowing. *If a rectangular tank is W ft wide, L ft long, and its sides are H ft high, and required freeboard is F ft: Maximum manure depth = Liquid Depth = Height - Freeboard; LD = H - F. Storage Volume = W x L x LD = W x L x (H-F) cu ft. *If a circular tank has a diameter of D ft and sides that are H ft high, and required freeboard is F ft: Maximum manure depth = Liquid Depth = Height - Freeboard; LD = H - F. Storage Volume = 3.14 x D x D x LD /4 cu ft = 0.785 x D x D x LD. (3.14 is "Pi") *If an earthen storage is W ft wide, L ft long, H ft inside depth, freeboard is F ft and the sides slope S ft horizontal to 1 ft vertical (manure surface is smaller than the top opening because of the sloping sides and freeboard): Liquid Width = LW = W - 2 x F x S. Liquid depth = LD = H - F. Liquid Length= LL = L - 2 x F x S. Storage Volume = (LW x LL x LD) + (4 x S x S x LD x LD x LD/3) - ( S x LD x LD) x (LW + LL). Hint: a. Multiply: (LW x LL x LD). b.Multiply: (4 x S x S x LD x LD x LD) and divide by 3. c.Add the second term, b, to the first term, c. = a. + b. d.Multiply (S x LD x LD). e.Compute (LW + LL). f.Multiply the two terms, f.= d. x e. g.Volume = c. - f.
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Cooperative Extension work in Agriculture and Home Economics, State of Indiana, Purdue University and U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating: H.A. Wadsworth, Director, West Lafayette, IN. Issued in furtherance of the acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914. The Cooperative Extension Service of Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access institution.
Reviewed September 1999