Upcoming SWCD event rated ‘M’ for manure
- Joe Christner: SWCD
- November 24, 2023
- 624
Once again fall has arrived, bringing with it the many changes and activities we can expect in our part of rural Ohio. Cooler weather, changing and falling leaves, football, tourists coming to enjoy the beautiful scenery, harvest, and if you live near one of the many farms in the area, you may have to share the road with large farm equipment including manure application equipment. Learning to share the road with these machines is important for both farmers and the general public.
It’s important to recognize that these vehicles play a vital role in sustainable farming practices. Large manure spreaders and applicators are essential for efficiently and responsibly managing nutrient-rich manure on fields, contributing to soil fertility and crop health. When encountering such equipment on the road, patience is key. These machines may travel at slower speeds to ensure safety and prevent spillage, so allowing extra time for travel can reduce stress for all road users.
Corn silage harvest is the start of manure application efforts by dairy farmers and commercial manure applicators across Ohio. We have experienced unusually dry weather in much of Ohio, so fields are suitable for manure application.
Manure is a valuable resource on the farm, and autumn provides a break in the cropping cycle that many growers dedicate to manure application. Fall application is convenient, and when managed properly, it can effectively deliver manure nutrients to a spring crop.
One reason for applying livestock manure in the fall is to enhance soil fertility. Livestock manure is rich in essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, which are vital for plant growth. By spreading manure in the fall, farmers allow these nutrients to break down and become readily available for crops during the next growing season. This proactive approach ensures the soil is well-nourished, promoting healthier plant development and improved yields.
Fall application also serves as an effective method for managing manure storage. Livestock farmers often accumulate significant amounts of manure over the summer months. By spreading it in the fall, they reduce the risk of overloading storage facilities and potential environmental hazards associated with excess manure.
Applying manure in the fall takes advantage of favorable weather conditions. The cooler temperatures allow for slower nutrient release, preventing the risk of leaching and runoff. This ensures the nutrients are absorbed by the soil, benefiting the crops rather than posing a threat to water quality.
With the increased pressure on the livestock community and the perception that we treat manure as a waste, we need to move the manure down the road and put it where it is needed the most. It should not just be spread on the closest field at the maximum application rate because that is the fastest and easiest. The fastest and easiest does not mean it is the cheapest. These nutrients need to be placed where the soil needs them the most, and that could mean transporting manure longer distances.
If you want to learn more about the benefits of applying and using manure on your cropland, there is a great opportunity coming up on Tuesday, Dec. 5. The Soil and Water Conservation Districts from Ashland, Holmes, Wayne, Medina and Lorain counties are joining forces with the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District to present the Conservation Chat: Rated M for Manure. This literal “poop show” is designed to help area livestock and crop farmers alike take advantage of using manure as a valuable nutrient source while minimizing the risk of pollution.
This free event will take place Dec. 5 on the big screen of The Ohio Theatre in Loudonville and will feature Ohio State University’s Glen Arnold. He will talk about the agronomics behind using manure as a nutrient source. Arnold is a manure nutrient management specialist with Ohio State. His research focuses on using liquid livestock manure to replace commercial fertilizer.
In addition, Frances Springer from the Ohio Department of Agriculture will showcase best management practices for manure in pictures. Having manure on the farm is not without risk. Springer has spent much of her career working with farmers to minimize nutrient runoff from manure applications in the Grand Lake Saint Mary Watershed. Those years of in-the-field experience have provided her the opportunity to tell the story of best management practices for manure application in pictures.
“We’ve worked really hard to pull in some great outside partners and speakers to present a much more visual, user-friendly look at manure on the farm — the good, the bad and the ugly of using feces from all the species and how to develop a plan that maximizes the value of manure while minimizing the risk of manure spills or discharge into our waterways,” said Jane Houin, Ashland SWCD director.
The show will be at 6 p.m. at Ohio Theatre, 156 N. Water St., Loudonville.
This event is free to the public but does require preregistration. Pizza, popcorn and water will be provided at no cost to all attendees. Sign up at www.Eventbrite.com or call Ashland SWCD at 419-281-7645.
For more information or technical assistance in manure management of your farm, call Joe Christner at 330-600-3098 or Darby Sherman at 330-600-3105 at Holmes SWCD.