Composting of Feedlot Manure: Compost Characteristics, Crop Yields and Application Rates

Authors

Casey B. Wilson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Walker Luedtke, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Mark A. Schroeder, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

January 2005

Comments

Published in 2005 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. Copyright © 2004 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

Crop yields were measured using no-compost check strips in large-scale production fields to determine the impact of a one-time compost application. Adding compost to irrigated corn, irrigated soybeans and dryland corn acres significantly increased yields. Altering the application rate from 0 to 20 to 40 ton per acre did not significantly increase grain yield. However, all yields made biological improvements under irrigated conditions when compost was added.