Participants needed for on-farm research focused on manure and nutrient management

Have you ever been interested in testing out a new practice, product or research question that could improve the nutrient crediting and benefit you get from the manure you apply? 

The Manure Management team at the University of Minnesota is currently partnering with farmers in southeast and southwest Minnesota who are interested in conducting on-farm research. This opportunity is part of a collaborative project with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture focused on improving and promoting manure best management practices that are regional and animal specific. 

Farmers that join this research program can expect to receive compensation for their collaboration. The manure application costs are also covered by the University. Experiments are typically set to be easily integrated with the farmers current management practices and can start with spring or fall applied manure treatments.

Current projects in Minnesota 

Our researchers are interested in hearing from farmers about their operations and the manure and nutrient management challenges they face, which could lead to new research projects. Below are examples of current on-farm projects active in Minnesota:

• Evaluating the interaction of a rye cover crop when coupled with fall-applied liquid dairy manure in a corn silage rotation and swine manure for corn grown for grain
• Testing a novel John Deere manure sensing technology that provides real-time N-P-K content as liquid manure is being applied
• The use of nitrification inhibitors in swine manure to improve nitrogen management

Example of a strip trial layout (8 strips required)

Farmer participants will need to set up a minimum of 8 strip trial strips in a field with consistent soil conditions, so the field will need to be big enough for the width of their combine harvester to make 16 passes. In addition, they should have access to a calibrated yield monitor system. 

Manure Team researchers will provide support with treatment implementation, cover the cost of manure samples, take soil and plant samples, and share a report with the results and key findings of the experiment.

For more information

If you have questions or would like additional information, please reach out to:

• Eduardo Garay, University of Minnesota on-farm research manager & outreach specialist: garay043@umn.edu

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If you have questions or comments, please email us at nutmgmt@umn.edu.