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.

The gift that keeps giving: manure important resource for crop producers

Manure is like a slow-release fertilizer for our crops, sort of like the gift that keeps on giving. Kristen Sindelar with the Midwest Messenger shares what she learned by attending the "Saving Money by Using Manure on Crops" workshop.

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”.

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.

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.

100 years of Nebraska nitrogen

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.