Rick Koelsch - Professor of Biological Systems Engineering

Rick Koelsch - Professor of Biological Systems Engineering

Can I Irrigate Animal Manures On Growing Crops?

irrigating manure in front of feedlot
High rainfalls can leave holding ponds or manure storage full and operators looking for irrigation options for applying animal manure during the growing season. This article discusses important considerations for application of open lot holding pond effluent and diluted manures during the growing season without damaging the crop.

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Extending the Manure Application Window: Post Plant Experiences

Glen Arnold’s 20-minute discussion of Ohio’s experiences with applying manure in corn after planting is available for viewing.
Extending the window for manure application offers many possible advantages. One can reduce some of the labor and equipment challenges associated with busy spring application windows as well as deliver nutrients to the crop more closely timed to the crop’s nutrient’s needs. Glen Arnold, Extension Specialist at Ohio State University recently met with a Nebraska audience to share field experiences in Ohio to side-dress manure into growing corn.

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Proposed Changes to Nebraska Recommendations for Manure Nitrogen Credit

 This article introduces University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) proposed changes in recommendations for crediting manure nitrogen in a crop’s fertility program.
Managing manure for economic and environmental benefit is based, in part, upon our ability to efficiently recycle manure nitrogen (N) between animals and crops. This article introduces University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) proposed changes in recommendations for crediting manure nitrogen in a crop’s fertility program.

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Manure: Waste or Valuable Agricultural Resource?

manure pile
Is manure a “Waste” that pollutes our water resources and creates undesirable nuisances for communities? Or, is manure a “Resource” that reduces the demand inorganic fertilizers and improves the health of our soils? A team of university educators and agricultural organizations would like to learn more about the issues most important to you as you make decisions for the use of manure in cropping systems.

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Poultry Litter’s Agronomic and Natural Resource Benefits

Soils and data scientists reviewed the results from 90 research studies and 866 field observations comparing poultry litter with inorganic fertilizer. Their findings provide  several important insights to consider when using broiler litter in Nebraska. This article will attempt to answer:   What is poultry litter’s nutrient value?   Is there a yield benefit from poultry litter?  Which soils benefit most from poultry litter?   Is there value from sustained poultry litter use?

Many Nebraska farmers are experienced with using beef feedlot and swine manures as fertility products. Over the next few years, Nebraska crop farmers may have opportunities to consider using broiler poultry litter as a soil amendment and fertilizer. Other regions of the US have a history of using poultry litter in crop production from which we can take away a few lessons.

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