Importance of Incorporating Manure

Utah State University
R.L. Miller, P. Sutitarnnontr, and S. B. Jones

In a Utah State University study, manure was applied to the soil and incorporated either immediately, or not incorporated, and ammonia emissions monitored.  Both dairy manure from a sand bedding operation (no straw) and manure from a tie-­‐ stall barn (with straw) were utilized for the study.

Ammonia is rapidly lost after application. Manure from a sand bedding operation lost ~50% of the ammonia losses within 24 hrs, and ~76% within 48 hours. Manure with straw has much lower ammonia emissions as the carbon helps trap the ammonia.

Any nitrogen (N) that is lost as ammonia is N that is not available for your crop. Immediate incorporation of manure will help save N for your crop, and reduce the need for inorganic N fertilizer, thereby saving you money.