Solid manure
Incorporating manure (tillage) is not practical or desirable in a direct seeding system.
It is possible to direct seed manured land. Low disturbance with wide row spacing and narrow openers works well.
Nutrient mineralization without tillage may be slower and not as readily crop-available in the year of application.
Composting
Composted manure is a viable alternative for direct seeding systems.
Volume and weight are significantly reduced making compost more efficient to spread than solid manure.
More research is needed to quantify the greenhouse gas emissions during the composting process (carbon sequestration balance).
Liquid Manure
Low disturbance injection technology makes liquid manure efficient for use on perennial forage or direct seeded cropland.
Research in Saskatchewan has shown large increases from low disturbance injection of liquid hog manure in forage grasses and promising results in cereal crops.
Best Manure Management Practices for Direct Seeding
Know what nutrients are in the manure.
Soil test to find out available nutrients in the soil.
Apply manure and fertilizer to meet crop demand.
Use application methods that maximize crop nutrient uptake without compromising direct seeding, such as: uniform spreading, composting, or low disturbance injection.
Comply with existing manure management regulations for applications on frozen and sloped ground (setbacks, rates, record keeping, etc.)
Other references:
“Managing the Nitrogen Cycle in Today’s Cropping Systems and Ensuring Balanced Fertility” Jeff Schoenau FarmTech 2002 Proceedings
“Nutrient Cycling and Manure Management” Dr Jeff Schoenau et al Agronomy Update 2001 Conference.
“Managing Manure as a Fertilizer: Nutrient Forms and Behavior” Western Canada Agronomy Workshop”, July 4-6, 2001
