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Effects Of Winter Manure Application In Ohio On The Quality Of Surface Runoff
Citation:
Owens, L. B., J. V. Bonta, M. J. Shipitalo, AND S. Rogers. Effects Of Winter Manure Application In Ohio On The Quality Of Surface Runoff. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY. American Society of Agronomy, MADISON, WI, 40(1):153-165, (2011).
Impact/Purpose:
To assess the environmental impact of winter application of manure while using recommended guidelines, specifically current Ohio NRCS recommendations.
Description:
Winter application of manure can pose environmental risks depending upon the application approach. Seven continuous corn, instrumented watersheds (approximately 1 ha each) at the USDA-ARS North Applachian Experimental Watershed research station near Coshocton, Ohio were used to evaluate environmental impacts of winter manure applications when using Ohio NRCS recommendations. For 3 years on frozen, sometimes snow-covered, ground in January or February, two watersheds received turkey litter; two received liquid swine manure; and three were controls (received N fertilizer at planting, not manure). Manure was applied at an N rate fro corn; the target level was 180 kg N ha-1 with a 30 m setback from the application area to the bottom of each watershed. Also, four grassed plots ( 61 x 12m) were used for beef slurry applications (9.1 Mg ha-1 wet weight); 2 plots had 61 x 12m grassed filter areas below them; 2 plots had 30 x 12m filter areas. There were 2 control plots. Nutrient concentrations were sometimes high, especially in runoff soon after application. However, most events with high concentrations occurred with low flow volumes; therefore transport was minimal. Applying manure at the N rate for crop needs resulted in excess application of P. Elevated P losses contributed to a greater potential of detrimental environmental impacts with P than with N. Filter strips reduced nutrient concentrations and transport, but the data were too limited to compare the effectiveness fo the 30m and 61m filter strips. Winter application of manure is not ideal, but by following prescribed guidelines, detrimental environmental impacts can be reduced.
