Ready, Set, Spread: Manure application workshop dates announced

Turning manure nutrients into better crop yields while protecting the environment will be the focus of Nebraska Extension workshops being held across the state this February and March.

Area locations hosting workshops include Norfolk, Feb. 26; West Point, March 4; Columbus, March 12; Chambers on March 13, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.,

“Our workshops have traditionally been focused on livestock producers because they’re required to attend manure training regularly, but we’ve made an effort to include the crop farmers that are often the recipients of the manure because the information we share is just as valuable to them and their bottom line,” said Leslie Johnson, Nebraska Extension’s animal manure management extension educator. “The workshops will still meet the educational requirements for permitted livestock operations laid out by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy’s title 130.”

Participants who attend the day-long event will receive NDEE Land Application Training Certification. The land application training certification requires participation in the full day program, which includes lunch. Sessions will include an update on regulations and discussions on how to best use manure on cropland. Anyone is welcome regardless of the need for certification. Crop farmers and smaller livestock operations will also learn useful information to apply to their operations.

Sessions will focus on what fields should be chosen to best utilize manure nutrients and other benefits. Each session will be highly participant led with limited seating. Participants will be given a scenario and asked at the end of each activity to determine whether the field will benefit from manure application or whether there are considerations that make the field less desirable for manure application. Based on the activities, participants will then rank each field within the scenario to determine a priority ranking for the entire scenario. Activity topics will include manure nutrient value, transportation cost, soil health, water quality, as well as neighbors and odors. Regulations and record keeping pertaining to manure storage and application will also be addressed during each session.

Because of participation limits and meals provided in each session, registration is required and is requested by one week ahead of each event. If registration numbers exceed expectations, more sessions may be added. To ensure your attendance, register at water.unl.edu/lat. The cost of the sessions will be $75 per operation requiring certification or 25 per person with no expectation of certification.

For additional information on the workshops and other resources for managing manure nutrients, visit manure.unl.edu or contact Leslie Johnson at 402-584-3818 or [email protected].