Impact of Manure Application on Phosphorus in Surface Runoff and Soil Erosion

Authors

Christina Gossin, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Gregory J. Teichmeier, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Daniel T. Walters, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

January 2003

Comments

Published in 2003 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. Copyright © 2002 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

Effects of method of manure management and dietary P were compared on 21 natural runoff plots to monitor the long-term impact of dietary P to P losses in runoff and erosion. Reducing feed P resulted in a 33% reduction in manure P content and soil test P buildup and runoff losses of P also were directly proportional to feed P inputs. The timing and management of manure are also important considerations for controlling P losses in runoff in the year of application. However, residual effects of timing and management are probably small. Management criteria designed to assess the potential for landscape P-loading (i.e. “P-index”) correctly weight winter applications as more detrimental than planting time applications.