Publication Date

1997

Description

Efficient methods of application may enable dairy producers to use slurry manure as aoereplacement for inorganic nitrogen on grassland. This study compares the effect of slurry applied in bands beneath the grass canopy (drag-shoe) with a broadcast of slurry on top of the canopy (splash-plate), and with fertilizer nitrogen on yield of grass. Trials were conducted in spring, summer and fall of 1995 on established tall fescue in south-coastal B.C. Slurry manure was applied by drag-shoe or splash-plate at 50 and 100 kg ha-1 (nominally), at start of grass regrowth or 7-8 days later. A range of rates of NH4NO3 was applied on both dates. Grass yield responded more to drag-shoe than to splash-plate applied slurry, particularly at the high rate where the differences averaged 0.9 t ha-1 per cut. Most of the drag-shoe treatments were not different from NH4NO3 but all splash-plate treatments were lower. Despite differences in weather conditions following application, the treatment effects were consistent in all trials. The results show that fertilizer nitrogen can be replaced by slurry applied with a drag shoe-implement.

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Benefits of Applying Cow Slurry in Bands Beneath Grass Canopies

Efficient methods of application may enable dairy producers to use slurry manure as aoereplacement for inorganic nitrogen on grassland. This study compares the effect of slurry applied in bands beneath the grass canopy (drag-shoe) with a broadcast of slurry on top of the canopy (splash-plate), and with fertilizer nitrogen on yield of grass. Trials were conducted in spring, summer and fall of 1995 on established tall fescue in south-coastal B.C. Slurry manure was applied by drag-shoe or splash-plate at 50 and 100 kg ha-1 (nominally), at start of grass regrowth or 7-8 days later. A range of rates of NH4NO3 was applied on both dates. Grass yield responded more to drag-shoe than to splash-plate applied slurry, particularly at the high rate where the differences averaged 0.9 t ha-1 per cut. Most of the drag-shoe treatments were not different from NH4NO3 but all splash-plate treatments were lower. Despite differences in weather conditions following application, the treatment effects were consistent in all trials. The results show that fertilizer nitrogen can be replaced by slurry applied with a drag shoe-implement.