Agricultural Production Animal Manure Management

Value of Manure

Manure Nitrogen Use for Increased Profit and Environmental Protection

For many years, the University has used a recommended equivalence of 47% available over the course of 3 years for feedlot manure, 37% for compost, and 52% available for poultry manure with litter. Recent research shows that these numbers may be a little low, but they are intentionally conservative so as not to limit yield due to nitrogen deficiency.

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Demystifying Poultry Manure: Best management practices for optimizing agronomic value and minimizing environmental risks

chicken
Calling all crop producers who are considering using poultry manure…and rural citizens who want to learn more about poultry manure management!

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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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Sharing Animal Agriculture's Sustainability Story

Visual illustrating agriculture’s circular economy for managing C, N, and other nutrients.
Animal agriculture often endures criticism from neighbors and consumers relative to sustainability. But when it comes to management of carbon and nutrients, animal agriculture has a positive story to share. Many environmental and sustainability organizations promote the importance of a “circular economy” for increasing sustainability. Those engaged with Nebraska agriculture should help our neighbors and consumers recognize agriculture’s long term practice of implementing this circular economy. This article will help introduce agriculture’s circular economy for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), carbon (C), and other nutrients and messages you might share with neighbors and consumers about the Nebraska Advantage for sustainability.

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