Manure Can Be Cost-effective Fertilizer

Using manure instead of commercial fertilizer can save producers money, North Dakota State University nutrient management specialists say.

The NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center’s recent application of manure that accumulated during the past winter is a good illustration of how much a producer could save, according to Chris Augustin, nutrient management specialist at the center.

A custom fertilizer applicator spread nearly 1,500 tons of manure from the 600 head of cattle used for research at the center’s livestock facility. Before the manure was spread, it and the soil were tested for nutrients. Also, the manure spreader was calibrated.

When the application was completed, the custom applicator dropped off the bill at the front office and the center staff experienced some sticker shock. They, like many livestock producers, tend to overreact a bit to application costs, Augustin says.

“However, when the fertilizer value of the manure is calculated, it is relatively inexpensive,” he adds.

The analysis of the manure applied showed that each ton contained 10 pounds of nitrogen (N), 8 pounds of phosphorus (P) and 10 pounds of potassium (K), all plant available. If the whole cost of application were based just on the amount of N in the manure, it would be 29 cents per pound. If you compare this with the local cost of urea N at 55 cents per pound, the manure N is nearly half the cost.

“The forgotten benefit of manure is that you are getting three almost equal amounts of required plant nutrients in one application,” says center nutrient management specialist Ron Wiederholt. “Therefore, if you split the cost of manure application among N, P and K, the cost is only 10 cents per pound for each of the nutrients. That is a tremendous cost savings, compared with commercial N at 55 cents per pound and commercial P at $1.92 per pound.”

The cost to haul manure also may seem high, but when you calculate the crop nutrient value, it is quite affordable, the specialists say.

In this scenario, the manure was hauled three miles and the loads were less than full to ensure that no manure spilled onto the highway. If the manure is hauled a shorter distance and the travel route allows for maximum loads, the cost is even less.

“Manure is a great resource for producers who raise cattle and crops,” Augustin says. “Proper manure application is another practice that improves plant production and soil quality while being friendly to the environment and farmers’ wallets.”

For more information on manure and determining the correct fertilizer application rates for your crops, check out NDSU’s fertilization and manure publications at http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/soilfert.html and http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/watanim2.html.

NDSU Agriculture Communication