Abstract:
Nutrient management plans for crops require estimates of plant-available nitrogen (PAN) provided by application of manure or compost. Recent developments have stimulated interest in utilizing manure nitrogen (N) as a resource. These factors include the following:
• Increased cost of N fertilizers
• Increased value of PAN from manure on farms using certified organic methods to produce crops or animal products
• Greater concern for the environmental effects of ammonia and nitrate loss
• Development of manure application equipment that can reduce ammonia loss (increase retention of PAN)
• Federal cost-share programs (usually administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service) that pay producers to adopt practices that reduce
N loss to the environment
• Efforts to reduce phosphorus buildup in manure fertilized soils (when manure N is used more efficiently, the manure application rate to meet P
needs can be reduced)
