AGRI-TREND Manure Management Process™
Manure is often treated as a waste disposal problem, rather than one of the most valuable resources on the farm. On many farms it gets pushed aside and piled up, and later spread on the nearest convenient field.
Stored and applied properly, and balanced with the proper soil nutrient program, it will improve crop yields while reducing fertilizer costs, as well as improving long term beneficial microbial activity and soil moisture holding capacity.
AGRI-TREND Agri-Coaches™ are trained to follow a process to get the biggest benefit from any available manure resources. There can also be value in some municipal or industrial byproducts. Composting is also an option that should be considered.
Our process includes several key stages:
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Test the manure – Manure varies greatly in its nature and properties, depending on where it originates and how it is stored. Collecting a sample will quantify what the quality of the resource is.
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Test the soil – The manure will be matched with the fields, or parts of fields that will best respond to it, where it has the most value. A soil sample will help reveal this.
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Plan - The correct rate will be prescribed, and documented according to the local regulatory requirements. The plan will be communicated to the applicator.
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Apply and confirm – After application, it is important to verify the application was done according to plan, and document any irregular patterns for future testing.
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Enhance – While manure has many great properties that commercial fertilizers can’t duplicate, it is usually not balanced well if used alone, and should be supplemented with the right fertilizer program to get maximum benefit. Problems like lodging and crop diseases are characteristic of imbalanced soils.
AGRI-TREND’s Manure Management Process™ can be delivered in both regulated and non-regulated areas.
