Composting of Feedlot and Dairy Manure: Compost Characteristics and Impact on Crop Yields

Authors

Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Walker Luedtke, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Mark Schroeder, Agricultural Research and Development Center, Mead, Nebraska, United States
Charles A. Francis, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Gary Lesoing, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

1-1-2001

Citation

Published in Nebraska Beef Cattle Report 2001, published by Agricultural Research Division, University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension, and Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Comments

Copyright 2001, the authors. Used by permission

Abstract

Since 1993, approximately 17,600 tons of beef feedlot and dairy compost have been spread on 1,100 acres. Crop yields were measured to determine the impact of a one-time compost application by using no-compost check strips in large-scale production fields. Adding compost to irrigated corn, irrigated soybeans, and dryland corn acres significantly increased yields, with four-year average increases of 2.3, 1.5, and 2.7%, respectively. For all crops measured, the response to compost was greatest the first year following application and declined linearly in subsequent years. The increased yield from compost application offsets spreading costs using average prices for crops.