News
Dry manure applicator workshops offered in Iowa

January 21, 2009, Ames, Iowa – Iowa State University Extension is
offering a three-hour manure applicator certification workshop for dry
manure operators on five different dates and locations in February 2009.

January 21, 2009, Ames, Iowa – Iowa State University Extension is offering a three-hour manure applicator certification workshop for dry manure operators on five different dates and locations in February 2009.

The certification workshop is for both confinement site manure applicators and commercial manure applicators that primarily handle, transport and apply dry manure. Although confinement site manure applicators are only required to attend two hours of annual training, this meeting will be three hours in length to provide training to commercial applicators. All attendees will be required to stay for the entire three-hour workshop.

“The information in this workshop will benefit not only those needing certification, but anyone who uses poultry manure or other sources of solid or bedded manure as a fertilizer source,” says Angie Rieck-Hinz, coordinator of the Manure Applicator Certification Program. “Producers interested in best management practices to get the most from the manure as fertilizer should stay current on recent research results looking at poultry manure nutrients.”

Workshop topics will include land application rules, stockpiling requirements, how to sample poultry barn manure, agronomic update on poultry manure use, and application on snow-covered and frozen ground.

The workshops are free to attend and open to all. Applicators will be required to submit certification forms and fees to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to meet manure applicator certification requirements.

Please register for one of the workshops by calling the site where you plan to attend. Workshop locations and dates include:

• Feb. 4, 1 p.m., Buena Vista County Extension Office – Storm Lake, (712) 732-5056
• Feb. 11, 1 p.m., Branding Iron Restaurant – Thompson, (641) 584-2261
• Feb. 18, 1 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, Ellsworth, (515) 832-9597
• Feb. 20, 1 p.m., Heartland Museum, Clarion, (515) 532-3453
• Feb. 24, 9 a.m., Greenfield Chamber of Commerce meeting room, Greenfield, (641) 743-8412

For more information, contact Angela Rieck-Hinz at 515-294-9590 or amrieck@iastate.edu.