Livestock producers across the state are dealing with manure storages that are extremely full. Wet weather last fall, poor winter conditions for manure application, and an extremely wet spring have many livestock producers needing to land apply manure.
Liquid dairy and swine manure can be applied to both newly planted corn and soybean fields. If applied while the seed is protected by a layer of soil, both corn and soybeans will emerge through surface applied manure. Full article can be found at: https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-13/applying-manure-newly-planted-crops
On preventative planted acreage, manure can also be used to promote cover crop germination and growth. Most cover crops are typically planted more shallowly than corn and soybeans so caution should be taken not to burn the germinating seed with the nitrogen along with the phosphorus and potash (salts) in the manure. Grass cover crops are typically more tolerant of manure than broadleaf cover crops are.
Both dairy and swine manure can also be applied to hay fields between cuttings. The thought process here is to get manure applied immediately after the hay crop is harvested and before regrowth is started. This is usually a five-day window. Johne’s and other diseases can be transmitted from older cows to young stock through manure on hay so be cautious when using dairy manure in this fashion if Johne’s disease exists in the herd.
Dairy and swine manure can also be applied to emerged corn as a side-dress using a tanker (modified for traveling down the corn rows) and an injection toolbar. In university trials this has worked very well until the corn is too tall to travel through. Not many commercial applicators or livestock producers have manure tankers capable of traveling down corn rows.
Updated: 7/11/2019