Publication Date

1997

Description

Livestock-crop farmers have very limited opportunities to efficiently utilize manure in an environmentally safe manner during the cropgrowing season. In this study, dairy manure slurry was surfaceapplied over a two year period on reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.), a perennial grass cover (living filter) at one location each in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Public and private (University and Cenex/Land O’Lakes) research and development capabilities were coupled to request and receive funding from a nationally-mandated program on water quality (United States Department of Agriculture). The primary objective was to study factors which impinge upon acceptable ground water quality using a living filter. Contrasting soil types were included to evaluate slurry application methods, timing, and rates; RC response to manure or fertilizer N; and herbage, soil, and soil solution N levels. We suggest our effort as an example of cooperation between private and public agriculturalists in seeking funding for research addressing important issues.

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Integrated Dairy Waste Management, Water Quality and Crop Utilization System

Livestock-crop farmers have very limited opportunities to efficiently utilize manure in an environmentally safe manner during the cropgrowing season. In this study, dairy manure slurry was surfaceapplied over a two year period on reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.), a perennial grass cover (living filter) at one location each in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Public and private (University and Cenex/Land O’Lakes) research and development capabilities were coupled to request and receive funding from a nationally-mandated program on water quality (United States Department of Agriculture). The primary objective was to study factors which impinge upon acceptable ground water quality using a living filter. Contrasting soil types were included to evaluate slurry application methods, timing, and rates; RC response to manure or fertilizer N; and herbage, soil, and soil solution N levels. We suggest our effort as an example of cooperation between private and public agriculturalists in seeking funding for research addressing important issues.