Applying Manure on Perennial Forage: A Summary

Applying Manure on Perennial Forage: A Summary
Author: Atta Atia, Alberta Agriculture & Food
Date Created: January 01, 2006
Last Reviewed: May 01, 2006
Alberta has about 25 million acres of forage land (native and tame hay and pasture). In some cases, applying manure to forage land may be the best option to make use of the nutrients in manure in an environmentally sustainable way. As well, applying manure can increase forage productivity and reduce commercial fertilizer costs. Manure is a valuable nutrient source for forage crops as it contains all the major plant nutrients and a number of essential micronutrients. Manure may also enhance soil physical properties such as water infiltration rate and aggregate size and stability, leading to better tilth and improved yields. The nutrients in manure do not occur in the proportions required by crops. Therefore, producers need to balance nutrients from manure, commercial fertilizers and the soil with the requirements of the crop to be grown. Establishing this balance is the process of nutrient management. click here for the complete online & PDF factsheet on the Alberta Agriculture & Food website