Animal Manure Management

Recycling local manure nutrients before purchasing fertilizer is key to protecting the environment. Manure can be an economic “Win”, due to its fertility value, and a soil quality “Win”, due to its organic matter.  But it can also be a community risk, due to odors and pathogens. Our live educational programs, online courses, and resources provide science-based information on economically viable, environmentally sound manure handling systems that also comply with all regulations.

Understanding and Mitigating Ammonia Deposition

Applying manure to fields provides a natural and sustainable way to fertilize crops, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. It adds essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, improving soil health and promoting plant growth. Additionally, manure enriches the soil with organic matter, enhancing its structure and water-holding capacity. However, there’s a side to manure that many don’t often think about, that is ammonia deposition. Ammonia deposition is the process by which ammonia is returned to the Earth’s surface after being released into the atmosphere.

The 2025 Nutrient Recordkeeping Calendars are Here!

The 2025 Nutrient Management Calendars are now available from the Nebraska Extension. This easy-to-use record keeping calendar tracks manure-related records for livestock and cropping operations. It serves as a guide for livestock operations that are required by the State of Nebraska to keep records. It was designed to be used by all sizes of livestock operations and includes all records required for operations permitted for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).

Manure for Crop Producers Workshops Offered December 10 and 12

A manure workshop will be held in conjunction with the Confronting Cropping Challenges programs at two locations, Randolph and Neligh. The manure workshop will help row-crop farmers Save Money and Resist Stress, and it is designed for crop producers using manure on their cropland. You do not need to own your own livestock to attend. Participants can choose to attend either the Confronting Cropping Challenges program, the manure workshop, or both.

Do Digesters Affect the Nutrient Content of Manure?

When incentives are available for renewable energy and/or practices that reduce carbon emissions, livestock and poultry producers tend to show more interest in anaerobic digesters.  These producers may also be looking to better manage manure nutrients on the farm.  Common objectives are to reduce nutrient content where an imbalance exists – typically an excess of phosphorus (P) – and to optimize the fertilizer value, especially the amount of nitrogen (N) that is readily available for plant use.  Perhaps the most appropriate answer to whether digesters affect the nutrient cont

Maximizing Manure Efficiency in the Fall

As the harvest season winds down and cooler temperatures set in, it's time to start thinking about post-harvest plans. For many farmers, this means planning manure application. Manure is a valuable fertilizer and soil amendment, but to maximize its benefits, it should be treated with the same attention as commercial fertilizers. However, some farmers overlook manure in their fertility programs, missing out on its potential.

Nitrogen Sources and Water Quality Field Day

Nebraska Extension will host a Nitrogen Sources and Water Quality Field Day on August 13, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the Haskell Ag Lab near Concord, NE.

When you're ready to apply for EQIP...

Part 3 in a series of 3, this article explains the what you need to know when you want to apply for USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service's Environmental Quality Incentives Program, known as EQIP.

From Soil to Swine: How One Nebraska Farmer Found Success in Manure Management

Nebraska farmer Walt Troudt added manure to his cropping system and hasn't looked back. Hear his account of the value of manure for farmers in Nebraska.

So, you're considering applying for EQIP...

Part 2 in a series of 3, this article explains the what to think about when considering applying for the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service's Environmental Quality Incentives Program, known as EQIP.

What is EQIP? And who is eligible?

Part 1 in a series of 3, this article explains the basics of the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service's Environmental Quality Incentives Program, known as EQIP.

Managing Animal Carcass Leachate to Prevent Water Pollution

PhD student Gustavo Castro shares some of the challenges of managing animal mortality in livestock production, focusing on routine and large-scale events due to disease outbreaks or natural disasters. This article discusses carcass disposal by burial, best practice for siting burial pits, prevention of groundwater contamination, and logistical challenges caused by large-scale mortality events.

Strategies to Minimize Compaction During Wet Spring Conditions

Insights on how wet field conditions affect compaction and ways to mitigate compaction when field work can't be delayed.

UNL Researchers Advance Soil Health Cycle Concept

Inspired by an extension event survey comment, Dr. Bijesh Maharjan, associate professor and extension specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center, conceptualized the soil health cycle (SHC) as an iterative soil health management cycle to achieve agricultural sustainability.

Choosing a manure application rate

An often asked question is, "how much manure do I need?". The answer is not as simple as the question. It depends on the crop you are growing and the expected yield, existing soil nutrients, knowing your goals, the type of manure you wish to use, and any other fertilizer nutrients you expect to apply.

Nitrogen Fertilizer Trends in Nebraska from 1955-2023

This Nebraska Extension article highlights the impact of factors such as plant genetics and improved production practices to fertilizer consumption in Nebraska over numerous decades.

Using technology to monitor water on the ranch

Producers who are looking to minimize time spent checking water may consider investing in one of many modern water monitoring solutions.

100 years of Nebraska nitrogen

Nitrogen is an essential plant nutrient but increasingly found in our water. Here is a brief history:

Land Application Training is a Producer’s Google Maps

Just over a year ago, I joined Dr. Amy Schmidt, the Manure Lady’s, team as a content developer to help spread the word about manure (and her other area of interest, antimicrobial resistance). Luckily, UNL’s Manure team is full of friendly, inviting people who are really good at teaching about manure. Feeling more confident in my manure knowledge, and with my interest peaked for all things manure, I attended my first manure Land Application Training (LAT). LAT events, led by members of UNL’s Manure Team, are offered each spring at venues all across the state. Participants can attend for a full day if they are newbies like me, or a half day if they just need a refresher.

Manure Application from a German Perspective

Student researcher Saskia Lanwermann reflects on what she's learned about the benefits of manure use both back home in Germany and here in the US while studying agricultural and environmental sciences communications and working with the UNL Manure team.

Substituting Commercial Fertilizer with Manure a Focus of Annual Manure Training Events

It’s that time of year again and I’m here to help you stay on track for that New Year’s resolution to “Manure Better”. That wasn’t your resolution? I’m sorry, but it would be a great resolution and an achievable one at that, so add it to your list. My New Year’s resolution is to help crop farmers “Manure Better”. The annual land application (manure) training events are coming up soon and may be just the ticket to “help me, help you”.