ID-206
Manure contains the nutrients needed by crops. Taking advantage of manure's nutrient value can reduce your fertilizer costs by about $50/acre. Many Indiana poultry operations generate large volumes of manure. For example, 30,000 layers produce 40 tons of manure a month or nearly 500 tons a year. Proper handling, storage, and application of manure from poultry operations protect Indiana's water resources and can increase profits of bird and crop enterprises. Managing these nutrients for maximum benefits and minimal environmental impact requires some planning.
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 poultry manure.
* Field slope, soil type, 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.
* The types and amounts of manure expected each year.
* What needs to be done to:
* Data on stored manure, and analyses of its nutrients.
* Planning manure applications to: meet crop needs. empty manure storages as required. and meet state environmental requirements. Preparing the MMP takes some effort, but the results are reduced costs to your crop program and environmental protection.
* It takes time to collect and organize information. Fortunately, you collect information such as field sizes or building capacity only once.
*Enough land must be available for spreading the manure at environmentally sustainable application rates.
* If manure will be applied to land not owned by the operation, have Land Use Agreements signed by the property owners.
* You may want to increase storage capacity. to avoid spreading manure during the growing season because land availability is limited.
Many 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, the primary purpose is to develop a MMP, starting with stored poultry manure.
Poultry producers select a manure handling system based on factors such as location. the size, type and use of their cropland, the number of birds, and the type of housing. Manure storage and handling options relate to the type of housing system - deep pit, high rise, scraper, liquid manure. Here is a brief discussion of each system with design and management hints to minimize manure storage and application problems.
With all systems, divert rain and snow melt runoff away from outside solid manure storages and from lagoon treatment systems. Install gutters to direct roof runoff to a ditch or other diversion. Keep uncontaminated surface water away from buildings.
Figure 1 illustrates how the manure moves within each system. All systems eventually return manure nutrients to the land unless the manure is processed for refeeding or sold as a commercial soil enhancement. There must be no discharge into Indiana waters.
The best way to manage poultry manure depends on the type of housing system used and the operation of that system. Typical housing systems include cages above dry or liquid pits, floors with litter and, although not frequent, sometimes outdoor ranges.
Cages for layers or pullets are in rows of decks. Manure falls through the wire floor into the pit directly or is scraped from dropping boards below the cages. Deep pit systems can yield a solid manure if kept dry enough: but you must prevent leaking waterers. Groundwater and surface water must also be kept out of the pits.
Shallow pits are constructed of concrete and are 3" to 8" deep and 3' to 6' below the cages. Manure is scraped or flushed with water from the pits, either directly to a spreader or to a storage. If the manure gets wet. empty the gutter or pit daily, or at least weekly, to minimize odor and fly problems. Store the liquid or solid manure outside the building.
Deep pits hold manure stored as a liquid (typical for ducks) or a solid (typical for layers or pullets). There are two types:
If kept dry, manure can accumulate in pits for at least a year and often longer. Air blowing across the pits dries the manure ridges under the cages permitting solid manure handling. Exhaust ventilating air through the pit. Add circulation fans in the pit if needed to maintain enough air velocity for drying. With layers and pullets housed at higher bird density, manure moisture content increases. Excess manure moisture slows the volume-reducing process (natural composting) and leads to more frequent cleanout. Long-term storage of wet manure under cages creates odor and fly problems.
When removing manure from storage, monitor toxic gas buildup and ventilate at the maximum rate to dilute these gases. Because of the toxic gases given off by disturbed manure, evacuate people from any building during scraper cleaning, pumping or draining, or agitating liquid manure before land application.
Turkeys, broilers, ducks, and small layer flocks are often raised on concrete or earthen floors. Feeders and waterers hung from the ceiling can be raised or removed for cleaning. Litter management includes removing caked manure from around waterers, stirring to increase drying, and adding new litter. A 2" to 6" layer of sawdust, wood shavings, rice hulls, or chopped straw is spread before the birds enter the building.
Recycled litter can be stirred with a rotary tiller and top-dressed with a tin layer of fresh litter. Periodically, tractor loaders remove the manure-litter mixture and pens are cleaned and disinfected.
Manure stored outside the building can be either liquid or solid. Although not common in Indiana, properly designed and installed prefabricated steel, concrete, or earthen storages can be used for liquid poultry manure. Concentrated liquid poultry manure is more likely than solid manure to create odor problems during storage and land application.
With insufficient indoor solid manure storage, or with daily operation of scrapers in shallow pits, solid manure can be stacked outside the building. Increased storage can permit much longer intervals between land applications. Stack manure on a protected impervious surface to prevent runoff and leaching. During extended wet weather, it is best to store manure in a roofed area or cover the stack with a 6 mil or heavier plastic cover to reduce fly, odor, and runoff problems. Divert upslope surface runoff around the storage. Deep stacked litter. (at least 4 feet high) will compost naturally if the moisture content is in the range of 45 to 60%. Composting can be accelerated by turning with a tractor manure loader, or other mechanical devices to enhance the nutrient/odor stabilization process.
Although not very common in Indiana, some turkeys may be on range. Channel range runoff, which will be contaminated with manure, into a holding area well away from ditches, streams, or other bodies of water. Divert upslope runoff and roof drainage around the poultry range to minimize the contaminated water that must be handled. Size runoff storage like a holding pond for unpaved feedlots. Range runoff has a low nutrient concentration, so just irrigate on nearby cropland.
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 review and update your plan.
The following worksheets help you match crop nutrient needs with the manure storages of your poultry units. Decisions to be made include: Where and when do I apply manure? 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 worksheet several times to consider alternatives. Two computer programs AMANURE and MBUDGET are available from Purdue University: see References. These programs can help you rapidly change inputs and results to compare options.
Although the following example assumes underfloor cage layer manure pits, and turkey litter systems, the worksheets (and the AMANURE and MBUDGET programs) can be used for other systems.
This example shows how to develop a MMP for an operation involving a 60,000-bird high rise layer unit and a 50,000-bird torn turkey litter unit. The buildings are in use 50 weeks per year. Manure will be taken out with a tractor unloader, hauled to the field with a 4-ton capacity truck and surface spread. There are four fields (320 acres total) available for manure application on this 480 acre farm. Cropping is based on a three-year rotation.
List each field's basic information in Worksheet A.1. Enter the crops for three years' rotation in Worksheet A.2. Note: Use longer term rotations if they fit your operation.
In Worksheet A.3. list each crop's nutrient needs per acre, 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-l70, AY-171, AY-244, and AY-268, or your local crop consultant for recommendations for your farm.] Note that N (nitrogen) requirements are based on crop and average or expected yield: as well as the previous year's crop. Recommended P (phosphorus) and K (potassium) fertilizer rates are based on crop expected yield and the latest soil test results for the particular field.
Field #1,160 bu corn. Soil test shows P = 15 ppm. Table 1 suggests that P2O5 needed for this crop is 60 lb/acre. in Worksheet A.3, the crop N, P, K needs for each field and for each year are from A.2. Where appropriate, take N credits for the previous crop.
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 total nutrient needs for each field and each crop year.
Field #1, Year 1:160 acres x 190 lb Avail. N needed per acre = 30,400 lb Available N needed for the whole field.
To complete Worksheet A.4. total the nutrients (Avail. 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 added into the column totals.
Nitrogen for Year 1: N required is 30,400 + 11,200 + 3,000 = 44,600. The soybeans in Field #3 can use an additional 8,400 lb N/year if added, but it is not needed.
Even though N applied to legumes is not required, P and K soil test levels can be increased by applying manure to these crops.
Field Miles to Soil Slope Soil test (ppm)
number Acres Storage
(mi) Soil Type (%) P K
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1 160 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
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Year-1 Year-2 Year-3
Field
number Expected Expected Expected
Crop yield/acre Crop yield/acre Crop yield/acre
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1 Corn 160 bu Corn 160 bu Corn 160 bu
2 Corn 120 bu Soybeans 40 bu Corn 120 bu
3 Soybeans 40 bu Corn 120 bu Wheat 60 bu
4 Grass Pasture 6 tons Grass Pasture 6 tons Grass Pasture 6 tons
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Field Avail. N lb/acre P205 lb/acre K2O lb/acre 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(l40)a 110a 70 55 70 130 155 130 3 0(140)a 110a 60 55 70 110 115 90 80 4 150 150 150 0 0 0 0 0 0 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Only 110 lb N is needed due to 30 lb N credit from last year's soybeans. Transfer data from Table 1 in Appendix or use your own fertilizer data.
Multiply field acres (A.1. above) x N. P2O5, or K2O Per acre for the crop (A.3. above).
Field # Avail. N lb/field P2O5 lb/field K20 lb/field Acres Yr-1 Yr-2 Yr-3 Yr-1 Yr-2 Yr-3 Yr-1 Yr-2 Yr-3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1-160 30,400 30,400 30,400 9,600 9,600 9,600 23,200 23,200 23.200 2-80 11,2000 0(11,200) 8,800 5,600 4,400 5,600 10,400 12,400 10,400 3-60 0(8,400) 6,600 3,600a 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 53,000 51,200 50,600 18,500 18,200 21,800 40,500 41,000 38,400 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- a 3,600 means legumes need no N, but 40 bu/ac soybeans will use 140 lb N/ac (Table 1) if it is applied; 140 x 60 acres = 8,400 lb N; 140 x 80 ac soybeans = 11,200 lb N.
With an inventory of crop and field information completed, you are ready to inventory manure produced by the operation 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 estimates for poultry production. The table has "as removed from storage" values that include dilution, feed spillage, etc.
In Worksheet B.1, list the type of storage, type of bird, average number of birds that contribute manure to each storage (average bird 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.
Annual manure produced from the layer operation.
=Manure/year x No. of layers x portion of year building is occupied
=32 lb manure/layer x 60,000 layers x 50 weeks in production/52 weeks in a year x 1 ton/
2,000 lb
=(32 x 60,000 x 50/52)/2000
=923 ton manure/year
=923/12 = 77 ton/month
=923/365 = 2.53 ton/day
In Worksheet B.2, enter the nutrient concentrations from your own test results or the average values in Table 2 to calculate the total amount 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 injected (liquid) or promptly incorporated. N can also be lost in the soil before crops can use it by microbial immobilization, denitrification, and leaching. "Available nitrogen" is the amount of N available for plant use during the current crop season. Select an Application Factor from Table 3 to account for N losses between storage and plant uptake.
Example (for layer manure):
Pounds nutrients/year = ton manure/year x lb nutrient/ton of manure. For N, multiply by the Application Factor, Table 3 (28 lb N/ton x 0.6 Application Factor = 16.8 lb N/ton).
Avail. N in Storage #1(923 ton/year): lb P2O5 in Storage #1:
= 16.8 lb/ton x 923 ton/year = 35 lb/ton x 923 ton/year
= 15,506 lb/year in Storage #1 = 32,305 lb/year
lb K2O in Storage #1:
-22 lb/ton x 923 ton/year
=20,306 lb/year
If a storage is filled with manure from more than one type of building or facility, calculate an average nutrient concentration for the storage. Divide the total P2O5 or K2O lb nutrients/year in the storage (Worksheet B.2.) by total weight (or volume) of manure added to the storage (ton/year, Worksheet B. 1.). For N concentration, multiply total weight of N by the Application Factor (Table 3) and divide by the total manure weight (or volume).
(Solid surface spread 40% N application loss.)
Number Wks/ Amt Amt Amt
Manure Storage Animal Animal year Added/ Added/ Added/ Avail
Storage Capacity Type Units Animals Month Day Year N P2O5 K20
Present (ton/gal) (ton/gal) (ton/
1000 gal)
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1 1,200 tons Layers 60,000 50 77 2.53 923 16.8 35.0 22.0
2 1,200 tons Toms 50,000 50 92 3.03 1106 13.8 30.0 22.0
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Pounds nutrients/year
Available Available
Manure ---lb/ton--- ---lb/nutrients/year---
Storage #
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N P2O5 K2O N P2O5 K2O
1 16.8 35 22 15,506 32,305 20,306
2 13.8 30 22 15,263 33,180 24,332
TOTAL 30,769 65,485 44,638
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(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/year
N P2o5 K2O
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Total manure nutrients 30,769 65,485 44,638
Total crop needs (Yr-1) 44,600 18,500 40,500
Surplus manure nutrients (or shortage) (13,831) 46,985 4,138
Additional N used if N put on legumes.
Year 1 (8,400)
Year 2 (11,200)
Year 3
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To find the potential dollar value of the manure resource, multiply the available pounds of nutrients/year of 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 will actually use.
Before making decisions about which manure to apply where, see if you have more - or less - total manure nutrients than your crops need. The total available N, P2O5, and K2O needs of the crops from Worksheet A.3. and the bird manure nutrient production in Worksheet B.2. are shown together in Worksheet B.3.
In this example, the poultry operation produces 30,769 lb Avail. N, 65,485 lb P2O5, and 44,638 lb K2O per year. An additional 13,891 lb N is required, but there is surplus P and K.
When beans are growing in Field #2 (year 2) or Field #3 (year 1), the P and K soil tests in those fields can be substantially raised with manure. The legumes will use these 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:
* Rotate fields, so each year the excess P and K is on a different field. Crops raised during the years without applied manure use up at least some of the excess P and K from the manure application. In this option, base manure application rates on N requirements, even though P and K may be overapplied.
* Poultry producers could supplement manure applications with commercial N. Spread less manure per acre; just enough to meet the crop needs for P or K, and add enough commercial N during the cropping year to meet crop needs for N.
In the example, there is enough land to use the manure nutrients in the short-term, but in the long run, additional land should be found to avoid build-up of phosphorus in the soil. The next step is to determine how much of which manure goes on which field.
Worksheet B.3. is 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 can use, consider contracting with neighbors for additional crop land.
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" on page 26 for useful formulas. Assume at least 1 ft freeboard for deep pits, tanks, and earthen basins and lagoons.
Consider Storage #1 with the dry pit under cages.
The pits are 440' long, 56' wide, and 7' deep.
Allowing 2' freeboard, usable height is 5' (7' - 2').
Storage pit volume = 440' x 56' x 5' x 1 ton/40 cu ft = 3,080 ton, but with coning of the stack, assume usable storage is 40% of this or about 1,200 ton.
Days of storage capacity = Storage Capacity/Daily Manure Accumulation. Storage = 1,200/2.53 ton/day (Worksheet B.l.) = 474 days, or about 16 months.
Daily Manure Monthly Manure Existing Manure
Manure Storage Accumulation Accumulation Storage Capacity Days Storage
(gal or tons) (gal or tons) (gal or tons)
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1 2.53 ton 77 ton 1,200 ton 474
2 3.03 ton 92 ton 1,200 ton 396
TOTAL 5.56 ton 169 ton 2,400 ton
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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 "Periods to apply" and "Number of days suitable" based on your experiences with each farm field.
Mark with "x" the times when labor manure application equipment or land are not available for manure application. While planning manure application try to minimize soil compaction and interference with the cropping program. Note that Fields 3 and 4 are not available for application during winter due to their higher slope and greater chance of runoff.
"X" indicates field is unavailable.
Field# and Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Crop --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Corn xxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 2 Corn xxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 3 Beans xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 4 Pasture xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Several factors affect fertilizing crops with stored manure. The following guidelines are suggested:
Non-legumes generally need more manure to satisfy their N needs than they do 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 nutrient budgeting. Birds deposit manure in every day. You spend it seasonally to fertilize crops.
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 overapply P and K. Rotate fields receiving manure to avoid P and K build-up. It is best to apply P and K at about the rates based on results of 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 supply exceeds what can be used by your crops.
If your operation is "poor" relative to crop needs. it needs more nutrients. The manure nutrients going into the checkbook and plant demands for nutrients exceed your supply 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 checkbook deposit/withdrawal system. The cropping year begins on October 1 with a certain amount of manure on hand (in storage). The birds 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 120 ton/day (10 hr day x 3 loads/hr x 4 ton/load).
To start Worksheet E: List the storages. copy the manure added/month (ton/mo) from Worksheet B.l, copy storage capacities (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:
The balance on the first of the month
+ Manure added/month
- Amount removed and spread during the month.
Example:
Storage #1: Manure on hand at the beginning of the month (October) = 900 ton. Manure added during the month = 77 ton. If none is removed during the month, the total is 977 ton.
Note that both storages in the example, Worksheet E.1, are about 3/4 full going into October. Typically, storages should go into the winter with enough capacity to hold manure until the spring spreading season. Ideally, manure should be spread in April-May before the crop is planted.
(year 1 of rotation)?
Using Best Management Practices from the Appendix.
Storage #2 and Field #1: Empty the storage in October. Assume manure volume applied was 600 ton. Using concentrations from Worksheet B.2, N in manure was 600 ton x 13.8 lb N/ton = 8,280 lb N; plant demand (A.4.) is 30,400 lb N/year. This manure also held 18,000 lb P205, (600 ton x 30 lb P205/ton) nearly twice the annual 9,600 lb need, and 13,200 lb K2O, (600 x 22 lb K2O/ton) about 80% of the annual need of 16,800 lb.
All volumes in gallons. Year 1 in rotation.
Manure Manure inventory at END of each month
On
Storage Add/ Stored hand
# month capacity Sep 30 Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep
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1 77 tons 1,200 900 361 438 515 592 669 746 503 579 568 645 722 799
2 92 tons 1,200 900 392 484 576 668 760 852 684 776 788 880 972 1064
Working days available 20 17 7 2 3 5 11 16 21 23 24 19
Max. manure handled/mo 2400 2040 840 240 360 600 1320 1920 2520 2760 2880 2280
(tons possible)
Manure Applied
Field #1
Storage#/Amt. Applied 2/600 2/200
Field #2
Storage #/Amt. Applied 1/616 2/60
Field #3
Storage #/Amt. Applied 1/320
Field #4 1/88
Storage #/Amt. Applied 2/80
Total Amt. hauled/mo 1216 580 168
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In Worksheet A.3. Avail. N for Year-l (second column in the table), Field #1 needs 190 lb/ac N. From Worksheet A.l, Field #1 is 160 acres (column 2,). Total field needs, Worksheet A.4, = 190 lb/ac x 60 ac = 30,400 lb N for Field #1.
In Worksheet E.l. looking across from Field #1 for all 12 months, there was no manure put on Field #1 from Storage #1. On Field #1, manure from Storage #2 was put on in October (600 tons) and March (200 tons).
In the Worksheet below, in the column headed "Amt.", the manure applied to Field #1 from Storage #1 = 0. The amount for Field #1, Storage #2 was 800 tons.
The nutrient concentrations for Storage #2 manure are listed in Worksheet B.2. The manure contains 16.8 lb N, 30 lb P, and 22 lb K per ton. Multiply the manure applied (800 tons) times the concentrations to find 11,040 lb N. 21,000 lb P2O5, and 13,200 lb K2O.
After finding the total N applied to Field #1 from Storage #2, compare the total (11,040 lb) N with the required N (30,400 lb). Additional commercial fertilizer will be needed (19,360 lbs N).
Field #1 (160 Ac) Field #2(80 Ac)
Crop Amt. N P205 K20 Amt N P205 K20
---lb/field--- ---lb/field---
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crop Needs ---- 30,400 9,600 23,200 ---- 11,200 5,600 10,400
(from Worksheet A.3.)
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Nutrient Applied, lb (from Worksheets B.2. & E.l.)
Storage #1 0 0 0 0 #1 616 10,349 21,560 13.552
Storage #2 80 11,040 24,000 17,600 #2 60 828 1,800 1,320
TOTAL 11,049 24,000 17,600 11,177 23,360 14,872
Additional Fertilizer needed 19,360 0 5,600 23
(Excess) ---- (14.400) ---- (17,760) (4,472)
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Field #3 (60 Ac) Field #4(20 Ac)
Crop Amt. N P205 K20 Amt. N P205 K20
---lb/field--- ---lb/field---
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Crop Needs ---- 0(8,400) 3,300 6,900 ---- 3,000 0 0
Nutrient Applied
Storage #1 320 5,376 11,200 7,040 #1 88 1,478 3,080 1,936
Storage #2 0 0 0 0 #2 80 1,104 2,400 1,760
TOTAL 5,376 11,200 7,040 2,582 5,480 3,696
Additional Fertilizer needed 418
(Excess) (7.900) (140) (5.480) (3.696)
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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:
In our example. manure was added to fields needing the most crop nutrients. Field #2 was chosen to receive the highest rate of application of manure (676 ton / 80 ac = 8.45 tons/ac) primarily because of the higher P and K soil tests in Field #1. Manure can be applied at a lower rate (5 tons/ac) and supplemented with commercial fertilizer N for this year's crop.
It is important to have the manure pits empty enough by the end of November to have enough winter storage capacity (December through March). Some manure might be applied in March, but it is most desirable to apply in April and May when field conditions are optimal.
Summarize the amount 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 (Avail. N, P2O5, and K2O) supplied by the manure and compare it with the total amount required by the field (from worksheet Table A.4.). Determine if commercial fertilizer nutrients are needed in the field.
In this example, P requirements were in excess for all fields with N requirements met on Field #2 with manure application. The K2O requirements were exceeded in Fields #2 and #4, with additional N required for Fields #1 and #4.
This worksheet approach to developing a manure management plan can help you evaluate manure applications to cropland. It is not intended to "automate" decision making, to recommend specific practices, or to replace computer software or crop consultants. Rather, it is to help the conscientious producer better utilize the value of available manure nutrient resources. The guidelines presented in this publication are general. Your MMP should include the specifics of your operation, such as capital. labor, and management goals.
The following Best Management Practices (BMPs) give you valuable guidelines on utilizing manure nutrients efficiently in cropping programs without adversely impacting the environment. Refer to the Extension publications listed under References for more detail on additional aspects of poultry manure management.
A1. Reduce chemical fertilizer applied to a field by the corresponding amount of manure nutrients applied.
A2. Keep a record on each field of manure and chemical fertilizer applications, crop information, and soil and manure test results.
A3. Test the soil in each field 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, NM4-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 test results are generally stable, use quick tests on a few representative loads each year.
Note: Available N in storage = NH4-N + 0.5 x (TKN - NH4); where 0.5 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 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 presidedress N test in fields receiving manure to predict N availability from manure applications. If needed supplemental N can be applied if sidedress N is possible.
B1. Base crop fertilizer needs on realistic yield goals. Deduct nitrogen credits from last year's legume 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 (e.g. NServe) 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. When necessary, surface-apply manure over fall cover crops or surface residues rather than tilled soil to minimize runoff.
B8. During the summer. broadcast manure on pastures, or hay fields where nutrients can be used immediately or incorporate on harvested wheat fields with an 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 the soil.
C4. Apply manure to sandy soil near planting time to minimize nitrate leaching. Applying smaller amounts of N more often, rather than a large amount at one time, minimizes 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 500F 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 the highest nutrient manure to legumes only if you have no better use for the N content, because legumes produce their own N if none is provided.
D6. To avoid N leaching to groundwater. 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. If manure is applied to the same fields every year, alternate each year between high-nutrient and low-nutrient manures if possible.
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. When applying manure on erosive soils. delay application and tillage 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. Surface apply manures in highly erodable land (HEL) to cover crops, residue cover, or consistent wit 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.
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)
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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 0 1.5 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
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Values are based on building capacity and include typical dilution and bedding. Data are from nutrient measurements in many storages. Additional N can be lost during transport, distribution, and incorporation.
Storage Type Broiler Pullet Layer Turkey Tom Turkey Hen Ducks
Daily Manure Storage Required
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Solid, lb/day 0.05 0.06 0.09 0.13 0.13 0.16
Liquid, gal/day 0.03 0.03 0.05 0.09 0.08 0.08
Lagoon, gal/day 0.04 0.05 0.07 0.16 0.t6 0.10
Yearly Manure Storage Required
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Solid, lb/yr 18 22 32 46 46 60
gal/yr 10 10.5 17 34 28 30
Lagoon, gal/yr 16 17 27 60 60 35
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Manure Nutrients
Solid manure Pounds of nutrient/ton of manure
Avail. N 29 28.5 28 23 22 12.5
P2O5 40 35 35 30 27 18
K10 30 27 22 22 20 11
Liquid manure Pounds of nutrient/1000 gal manure
Avail. N 38 36 36.5 34.5 40 13.5
P2O5 40 35 45 40 38 15
K2O 29 30 28 29 32 8
Lagoon Pounds of nutrient/1000 gal manure
Avail. N 6.75 6.5 6.25 7.0 7.0 4.25
P2O5 4.3 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 3.0
K2O 3.5 3.5 3.5 4.5 4.0 __
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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 inhibitor reduces N losses following injection or incorporation.
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 suitable for applying manure
Periods to apply manure With spreading equipment
Northern Indiana Southern Indiana
Beans/ Small Legume/ With
Months Dates corn grain or grass biweekly total biweekly total irrigation
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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 1-15 d b x 1 3 2 5 -
15-28 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 - - 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
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Key to table symbols:
x. Typical application period.
a. Apply with injection or irrigate until corn is 2' high.
b. Apply up to 1/4th of annual crop needs to dormant wheat in winter.
c. Apply up to 1/4th 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 swine manure = 62
* lb P x 2.29=lb P2O5 pounds per cubic foot
Tons x 32.26 = cu ft
* 1.75 lb K2O increases soil K test value by 1 ppm Cu ft x 0.0310= tons
* lb K2O x 0.83=lb K Tons x 241 S gal
* lb K x 1.2=lb K2O Gal x 0.00414 =tons
* Divide ppm by 10,000 =
Examples:
80 lb nitrogen per ton/20 =4% nitrogen.
100 tons manure occupies about 1680 blkb
Manure in 3500 gal tank weighs about 14.5 tons.
* "Freeboard" is space in a storage that is designed to not store manure. It is often one foot or two feet o f clear space between Liquid Depth, LD (maximum manure depth), and total height or earth depth, H, 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 free board 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):
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: (LWxLLxLD).
b. Multiply: (4xSxSxLDxLDxLD)
and divide by 3.
c. Add the second term, b,
to the first term, a: c. =a. +b.
d. Multiply (SxLDxLD).
e. Add (LW+LL).
f. Multiply the two terms, f.=d. x e.
g. Volume = c. - f.
New 9/94
Acknowledgments:
The Poultry Manure Management Planning publication was a joint effort of the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service and the Indiana Soil Conservation Service. John Petersen, Consulting Agricultural Engineer, Ames, IA, provided valuable technical input and editing.
The partial support for publication development from the Indiana State Poultry Association and Turkey Market Development Council is appreciated.
The following individuals contributed to ID-206:
Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service: Indiana Soil 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 Engineering Jesse Wilcox, Conservation Agronomist Alan Sutton, Dept. of Animal Science
Additional support was provided by:
Richard Adams. Dept. of Animal Sciences, Purdue University Stephen Hawkins, Dept. of Agronomy, Purdue University Deb Felix, Dept. of Agricultural 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 30,000 or more poultry 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 poultry 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: (3l7)232-8731 or (800)451-6027.
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