Extension

 

Date of this Version

1-2012

Citation

NebGuide G1564 (Revised January 2012)

Comments

© 2005-2012, The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska

Abstract

How injector/applicator spacing, tire spacing, field speed, and other factors influence the amount of residue cover reduction after manure incorporation.

Manure incorporation represents a conflict between best management practices for soil erosion control and manure management. Manure should be incorporated into the soil for odor control, maximum availability of nutrients, and control of potential manure runoff. However, for maximum soil erosion control, the soil and crop residue should remain undisturbed. These two best management practices must be balanced since disturbing the soil and residue for manure incorporation, either with conventional tillage implements or equipment specifically designedfor manure application, reduces the residue cover remaining for erosion control. The companion NebGuide, Manure Incorporation and Crop Residue Cover — Part I: Reduction of Cover (G1563), presents results from a field study conducted at the University of Nebraska– Lincoln Haskell Agricultural Laboratory at Concord to evaluate the degree of residue cover reduction caused by soil-engaging components typically used with tank spreaders and towed hose systems to apply liquid or slurry manure. Ranges of values are given for the percentage of the initial residue cover that could be expected to remain after the operation of chisel and sweep manure injectors, disk and coulter applicators and a tandem disk. This NebGuide discusses how injector/applicator spacing, tire spacing, field speed, and other factors influence the amount of residue cover reduction. Much of this information is based on experience and field observations and is intended to help livestock producers select and operate manure application/ incorporation equipment to maximize residue cover and erosion control.

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