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2013 Projects: Manure Application Methods and Rates

How much manure do we need and how to apply?

Driven by a need to increase the nutrient use efficiency (NUE) of manure and reduce P runoff and N emissions to the groundwater and the air, we propose the testing of various manure incorporation methods and rates. Data from Table Rock Farm, a WNY dairy, showed a 4 ton/acre corn silage increase with direct injection over tillage-incorporation. The results can be seen on page 12 of the Jan-Feb 2013 issue of What's Cropping Up Newsletter.

Such a yield increase is of great economic value and could lead to significantly greater adoption of the practice. In addition, direct injection reduces soil erosion, runoff and air emissions as compared to surface application, and helps conserve soil carbon. If results similar to those obtained at the WNY farm can be obtained in other locations, the project could drive widespread adoption of manure injection and deliver economic advantages to dairy producers and environmental benefits to NY and beyond. A statewide, integrated research and extension project is needed to evaluate the potential yield benefits of injection of liquid manure and to evaluate optimum rates of application on N and P loss/accumulation (NUE) and yield and quality.

This project was selected for funding by the New York Farm Viability Institute (NYFVI).

If you would like to receive more information, have suggestions for furture modules, or have questions, contact Quirine Ketterings (qmk2@cornell.edu or 607-255-3061). You can also write to: Quirine Ketterings, Nutrient Management Spear Program, Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, 323 Morrison Hall, Ithaca NY 14853.