June
15, 2011, Lincoln, NE – There’s about five weeks left before the 2011 North
American Manure Expo, being held July 20 at the Northeast Community College’s
Agricultural Complex in Norfolk, NE.
June
15, 2011, Lincoln, NE – There’s about five weeks left before the 2011 North
American Manure Expo, being held July 20 at the Northeast Community College’s
Agricultural Complex in Norfolk, NE.
The
only trade show and training event in the world that spreads manure to
demonstrate the latest advances in manure management, the expo is being hosted
by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and other land-grant colleges in
partnership with Nebraska custom manure applicators and businesses and the Iowa
Commercial Nutrient Applicators Association.
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The
annual event travels to a new venue each year and may be a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity because it will not return to Nebraska for some time, said Leslie
Johnson, project coordinator for the Animal Manure Management workgroup and
co-chair for the 2011 expo. Last year it was in State College, PA.
The
industry trade show with manure technology demonstrations and many educational
events, has previously drawn 1,200 to 1,500 people from all across the U.S. and
Canada.
Anyone
with an interest in agriculture should plan to attend, including livestock
producers, manure handlers, consultants and the general public.
Approximately
50 exhibitors from across the U.S. and Canada will display and demonstrate all
types and sizes of manure handling equipment including manure and fertilizer
spreaders, manure incorporation equipment, GPS equipment for manure application
and manure storage options.
New
this year are sprinkler irrigation systems for manure application.
Ride-and-drive
style demonstrations will be available for those that want to get behind the
wheel. All demonstrations will be held (rain or shine) on 40 acres of land
adjacent to the complex.
“I’ve
attended two previous expos; both were very different and informative,” Johnson
said. “This year will be no exception. There’s something for everyone,
including anyone that is concerned for the environment and wants to know how
livestock producers are handling manure to avoid water contamination (whether
or not they are directly involved with agriculture).”
Professionalism
in Manure Management is the theme of this year’s expo. Educational topics will
include: manure stockpiling, manure pit foaming and safety, center pivots for
irrigation of manure and much more.
The
U.S. EPA will be at the expo to explain nutrient management plans. Another
session will discuss the latest research on winter application of manure on
frozen soils. A panel of crop consultants will discuss how to value and market
manure. Attendees can also attend a Manure Pump School or test their knowledge
at a Manure Scene Investigation.
These
are just a few of the educational programs that will be offered at the expo,
and many of the sessions will be approved for continuing education units for
certified crop advisors and others.
The
University of Nebraska’s Mobile Computer Lab also will be there to help
producers with manure related computer programs such as the P-Index (revised in
2011), the Purdue Manure Management Planner, and the National Air Quality Site
Assessment Tool. Technical support will be on hand to answer questions as well
as teach how to use the programs.
This
event will meet recertification (but not initial) training requirements from
the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, for livestock operations that
have a Waste Control Facility Permit. Attendees need only attend two hours of
sessions to obtain their certificate.
“Regardless
of your certification status or size of operation, this is an excellent
learning opportunity for anyone who handles manure as a livestock producer or
as a custom applicator or hauler,” Johnson said.
The
expo is open from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. There is no cost to attend. For more
information about the North American Manure Expo visit http://manureexpo.org.
