Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
management of manures requires concerted
effort to avoid the unintentional, adverse con-
sequences of a seemingly prudent agronomic
practice. In many areas of the developed
world, land application of manure is regulated.
Regulations range from international directives
aimed at improving environmental quality
(e.g. EU Nitrates Directive; European Commission,
2010) to local rules aimed at preventing nui-
sance complaints (e.g. municipal odour ordi-
nances; SRF Consulting, 2004). Site selection
and manure application method, rate and
timing are the primary factors controlling these
adverse impacts (Fig. 7.1).
concerns (e.g. odour, flies) can be readily
addressed by simply avoiding sites that are in
proximity to or upwind of potential sources of
offence (e.g. housing tracts). Site selection for
manure application must weigh potential trade-
offs (e.g. sites that conserve manure N may be
prone to P loss in surface runoff) and reflect
farming system concerns (e.g. field availability,
crop requirement, manure storage and handling
capabilities) for a particular physiographic con-
text (site selection in sloping upland landscapes
will feature different priorities than site selection
in flat coastal plain landscapes). An array of
nutrient management decision support tools
have been developed over the past several dec-
ades and are now in widespread use across
the USA, Europe and South Pacific. These tools
generally consider local climate, site hydrology
(e.g. seasonal high water table), soil properties
(e.g. erodibility, leaching potential), field man-
agement (e.g. tillage system) and delivery factors
(e.g. field buffers) as indicators of the potential
Site selection
Site selection represents the first step in decision
making when land-applying manures. The
potential for nuisance concerns is often a pri-
mary site selection factor. In general, nuisance
Animal production
Site selection
• Employ best available decision-
support tools
• Avoid proximity to sources of
complaint
• Balance farm production with
environment and human health
Application rate
• Based upon soil and
manure testing
Application rate
• Based upon soil and
manure testing
Application timing
• Time to crop need
• Avoid times of elevated
environmental transfer
• Coordinate with land and
operator availability
Application timing
• Time to crop need
• Avoid times of elevated
environmental transfer
• Coordinate with land and
operator availability
Application method
• Promote incorporation with
minimal disturbance
• Conform to labour, infrastructure
and cropping system constraints
Crop production
• Maximize efficient use of manure nutrients
Fig. 7.1.
Linking manure and crop production through the central components of a successful land
application programme.
