News
Using manure as fertilizer?

March 28, 2008 by Candace Pollock

The Great Lakes Manure Handling Expo will take place July 9 at the
Molly Caren Agricultural Center (home of Farm Science Review) in
London, Ohio.

Learn more at the Great Lakes Manure Handling Expo July 9

LONDON, Ohio – Manure application may be an option for growers looking
for alternatives to high-priced commercial fertilizers, and an event
spearheaded by five land-grant universities in July will cover the
economics and management of manure as a crop production resource.

The Great Lakes Manure Handling Expo will take place July 9 at the
Molly Caren Agricultural Center (home of Farm Science Review) in
London, Ohio. The expo is sponsored by Ohio State University Extension,
the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Michigan State
University, Purdue University, Penn State University and Cornell
University. Additional sponsors include Ohio Composting and Manure
Management and the Midwest Professional Nutrient Applicators
Association.

The theme of the Great Lakes Manure Handling Expo is “The Economics
of Recycling” and will include commercial field demonstrations,
educational demonstrations, educational sessions, and commercial vendor
displays.

Session topics participants can look forward to include:
calculating the value of manure nutrients; the benefits of proper
equipment calibration; the importance of accurate record-keeping; how
communication among applicator, producer and regulatory agency can
improve application and the bottom line; safety precautions in manure
application and storage; and case studies of farmers who will share
their stories about manure management.

Educational demonstrations taking place during the event include:
solid manure application rates; liquid manure application rates;
preferential flow; calibration of manure application equipment;
stockpiling best management practices; compaction; slurry seeding; and
equipment safety.

July 9, 2008

Commercial Field Demonstration

Educational Demonstrations

Educational Sessions

Commercial Vendor Displays

Schedule

8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Trade Show open

9 a.m. & 12:30 p.m

Educational Sessions

11:45 a.m. & 1:15 p.m.

Case Studies

9:45 a.m. & 1:15 p.m.

Educational Demonstrations1

10:30 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.

Commercial Demonstrations

4:00 p.m.

Expo site closes

Educational Demonstrations

Solid Manure: Calibration of Manure Handling Equipment & Application Rates

Liquid Manure Application

Stockpiling Manure

Slurry Seeding

Compaction

Equipment Safety

Sponsored by:
Ohio State University Extension
Michigan State University
Purdue University
Penn State University
Cornell University
OCAMM
Midwest Professional Nutrient Applicators Association

All organizational sponsors are affirmative –action, equal-opportunity institutions

Molly Caren Agricultural Center, London, Ohio

Address:
135 SR 38 NE; London, Ohio 43140 (Home of the Farm Science Review)

Educational Sessions:

Manure 101: The Superior Fertilizer – Understanding
how the application rate and timing affect utilization of nutrients is
key to maximizing the value of manure. Learn to calculate the value of
manure nutrients as well as the role of calibration

Records: What? Why? How? – Good
documentation of manure application can save time and money. Records
are important in determining nutrient needs and essential evidence in
the event of an accidental spill.

Growing a Management Team – Good
communication between producers and applicators is the key to a
successful team. What key pieces of information do producers and
applicators need to ask and tell each other?

Safety Concerns –
Livestock buildings and other spaces where manure is confined may
create safety issues such as high emissions of gasses or particulates.
How can these emissions be reduced and what safety measures should
workers follow?
Case Studies:

Using Liquids on Crops – How
do manure application rates and timing affect crop production, the
environment and the bottom line? Experiences from two farms will be
shared.

Brokering and Custom Application of Poultry Manure –
Excess manure nutrients can provide an additional source of income.
How can a third party help market those nutrients? What are the
potential risks and liabilities?

Environmental Management – The
role of the custom applicator is expanding to include assessing the
whole farm nutrient balance and recommending application practices.
How can the producer and applicator ensure quality control to enhance
economic and environmental goals?

Extending the Application Window –
Management of manure storage is important to maximizing value and
minimizing risks. How can practices such as side dressing help?

For more information call:

Jon Rausch at 614-292-4504

Mary Wicks at 330-202-3533

Tami Combs at 614-292-6625

or visit www.ohio-environmental.org

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