Last fall, fertilizer prices were trending higher, and with supply change issues and soaring fuel prices, that trend has continued into the spring.

Even with potentially higher crop prices, this offers challenges to finding ways to increase or maintain farm profitability. However, one available option is to explore the use of manure. Many livestock owners have long known the value manure has to offer. With skyrocketing commercial fertilizer prices, this offers the opportunity to make even better use of the manure resources.

In this article, ag engineering specialists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach explain the opportunities and challenges to using manure as fertilizer in the spring.

Farmers who historically have relied on synthetic fertilizer, and even those who have used manure, but have limited experience with spring application, should consider using some manure this spring. While there is never a guarantee of what fertilizer prices will do in the future, current prices are unprecedented. Until 2021, most years showed a lower average price in the fall than in the spring. Even if your manure resources are limited and applying some manure this spring means you won't be able to cover as much ground next fall, it still represents an opportunity to save some money now since fertilizer prices haven't stabilized.

Why apply manure in the spring? 
Aligning nutrient availability with crop nutrient demands is good for the farm's bottom line and downstream water quality. Research has shown that applying nitrogen closer to when the crop needs it can reduce the risk of nitrogen loss to the environment. Fall nitrogen applications can pose a risk for nitrogen loss to the environment, especially when manure is applied earlier in the fall. With a longer period between manure application and crop nitrogen use, there is a higher likelihood that some nitrogen conversion and leaching will occur.

Especially with high nitrogen fertilizer prices, it can pay to apply manure in the spring. Across multiple research studies in Iowa and Minnesota, significant corn yield benefits (average of 33 bushels per acre) have been seen by delaying manure application from late fall when soils are 50 degrees Fahrenheit and cooling until spring. With 2022 futures corn prices, yield improvement can easily total over $200 an acre in value.

Cost savings can also add up fast with today's fertilizer prices. The nitrogen value in manure can often account for half of the manure's total fertilizer value. In typical swine finishing manure with 50 pounds N per 1,000 gallons and applied at a rate of 4,500 gallons per acre, the nitrogen value alone can sum up to over $200 per acre. How much of that $200 is available to the crop and how much leaches out depends on manure application practices and weather.

Factors at play include:

Spring can be a busy time, the window for fieldwork can be short, and spring rainfall can keep soils wet, leading to compaction concerns. However, there can be some clear economic and environmental advantages to applying manure in the spring. With much of the state rated as either abnormally dry or in moderate drought conditions as of March 10, conditions might be more favorable for spring manure application this year.

Similarly, this may be a good time to reexamine the nitrogen application rates you select. Manure management plans typically utilize the yield goal method to set nitrogen application rate maximums, intended for environmental protection, not to maximize profit. Rate selection tools, like Maximum Return to Nitrogen, can be used to determine rates that will help you maximize your manure fertility value and typically will help you stretch the manure across more acres.

Best practices for spring application: 

Working with new grain farmers to utilize manure
Farms that have not historically used manure in the past may be more interested in purchasing manure due to either inability to obtain other fertilizers or because of the high prices. If you are working with someone new to using manure, you can do a few things to help facilitate the exchange.

Higher fertilizer prices make getting the most from your manure essential. Spring application has consistently shown similar or improved yields. Moreover, with the high fertilizer prices, getting manure nutrients to the right field at the right time makes manure more valuable than ever.

Source: Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, which is solely responsible for the information provided, and wholly owns the information. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.