Much like conservation tillage practices, the goal of low disturbance manure application is to minimize the physical disturbance of the soil. Unlike traditional applications, where the manure is incorporated by cultivating the land, low disturbance manure applications either consist of broadcasting or surface application. However, surface application is susceptible to nutrient loss through surface runoff. Therefore, it is recommended that transitioning producers, who have yet to establish the full benefits of improved soil infiltration, try manure injection, a new technique that injects the manure directly into the soil. This method helps reduce the risk of nutrient loss through surface runoff; however, it does disrupt the soil more than surface application. The Upper Fox-Wolf Demo Farms are working with producers to identify which of these practices is best suited for East Central Wisconsin.
- Manure injection is a low-disturbance system which places all of the manure below the soil surface, so it offers the same benefits of incorporation, without the harmful effects of tillage-based practices.
Photo credit Brent Petersen. Lower Fox Demo Farm using the Bazooka Farmstar Low Disturbance Manure Applicator into a field of cover crops (right). The field after 10,000 gl/ac was applied on living fall cover crops (left).
Table 1: Outlines the advantages and disadvantages of manure injection.
Advice for Transitioning Producers
- Seek support from local producers who have successfully used manure injection applicators. Having an experienced mentor is highly valuable when transitioning to low disturbance manure applicators.
- Contact your County Land & Water Conservation Department or your local Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) agent for guidance and assistance.
- Experiment with equipment by renting from local agencies or non-profits.