For example, if a farmer has planted a crop that needs a lot of phosphorus, but has soil that is low in phosphorus, they should shop around for nitrogen-rich manure, like poultry.
“Oftentimes manures can be only transported a few miles to keep price competitive with synthetic fertilizers and with a liquid manure that application distance is probably somewhere in the neighborhood of one to five miles that we’re willing to move it and still have it be cost competitive with purchasing other synthetic fertilizers,” says Andersen.
“It’s natural versus synthetic fertilizers,” says Luepkes.
While the process is expensive, due to the travel distance and equipment–he owns nearly $250,000 of spreading equipment–Luepkas has seen a definite improvement of micronutrients in his field.
Luepkes says that as he has run soil tests after using manure on his fields, he is seeing an increase in microbiology and insect presence, which brings additional carbon to the soil and increases the overall soil health, something Andersen recommends before purchasing manure.
While producers are using the manure being generated on their farmers or purchasing to spread, they are also exploring other sources to rebuild and maintain soil health, not just to bolster crop growth.
More farmers are asking questions about manure as a source of nutrients for their crops.
Andersen says when it comes to manure, hitting the right application rate is critical to making more money per bushel.