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ARS Home » Midwest Area » St. Paul, Minnesota » Plant Science Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #106362
Title: ENVIRONMENTAL TOPICS: J-MANURE AND CROP NUTRIENTS

Author
item MONCRIEF, JOHN - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
item GINTING, DANIEL - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
item MOZAFFARI, MORTEZA - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
item Russelle, Michael
item BLOOM, PAUL - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
item RICHARD, TOM - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
item GOODRICH, PHIL - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
item CHESTER JONES, HUGH - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
item CLANTON, CHUCK - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
item MULLA, DAVID - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/20/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The MN State Legislature has requested a Generic Environmental Impact Statement concerning livestock agriculture, beginning with a detailed literature review. This chapter focuses on manure. No complete inventory of storage and application practices is available for MN, although data sets representing mainly large operations are available. No single manure storage, handling, and application system can be recommended as best because the physical nature of livestock manures, available labor and time, management skills, soil properties, and weather conditions all vary spatially and temporally. Manures contain important nutrients for crop production, although the value of manure nutrients differs with site- specific soil nutrient levels and with each manure source. For example, manure is an excellent source of phosphorus (P) and potassium, but in some areas of the State these nutrients are present at adequate and even excessive levels in soil. Manure promotes biological and physical properties that make soil more productive and less erosive. With incorrect manure application, the risk of environmental impacts can be high. The risk of nitrate leaching loss is highest in deep sands and where fractured limestone bedrock allows contaminants rapid access to ground water. Surface water impacts from manure nitrogen and P are most likely where subsurface tile drains are used and in sloping landscapes near surface water. Initial estimates of nutrient inputs to MN agriculture and current soil test levels for P were provided. A list of current research was developed and recommendations for short- and longer-term research to fill knowledge gaps were made. This chapter provides a discussion of the state-of-the-art regarding manure production, use, value, and risk potential in MN.