Success StoryUtilizing Animal Manures Effectively for Fertilizer



Utilizing Animal Manures Effectively for Fertilizer

Author: Nick Roy

Planning Unit: Adair County CES

Major Program: Soil testing

Plan of Work: Strengthening Adair County's Agriculture Industry

Outcome: Initial Outcome

In 2022, fertilizer prices increased nearly three-fold compared to 2021.  The increase in prices brought attention to the need to use both fertilizers and animal manures effectively to grow crops.  In Adair County, a large amount of animal manure is produced annually from beef, dairy, and poultry operations.  

During the winter of 2022, multiple educational programs were held addressing grain producers, dairy and beef cattle producers, and poultry producers.  Strategies were shared on how to best manage animal manures effectively for fertilizer.  A specific technology addressed was a tool called Nitra-Check which allows for quick soil nitrate analysis.  The technology was purchased by the Adair County Cooperative Extension Service to begin offering testing services of soil nitrates following animal manure applications.

Samples representing approximately  200 acres where submitted by farmers in the spring of 2022 for analysis.  Results revealed that one fourth of the fields tested did not need any additional nitrogen fertilizer applied, half of the fields needed only a half rate, and only a fourth needed a full rate applied.  In total, $20,000 was saved by farmers by reducing their nitrogen fertilizer rates as a results of the test results.  Expanded testing is planned for the 2023 growing season.






Stories by Nick Roy


No-Till Green Beans

about 3 years ago by Nick Roy

In Adair County, small farmers are looking for ways to increase on-farm income with minimal inputs o... Read More


Adair County Milk Quality Initiative

about 3 years ago by Nick Roy

In Adair County, the dairy industry produce $13.2 million dollars in products each year. Mastitis no... Read More


Stories by Adair County CES


Family Gardening Program

about 3 years ago by Michael Rose

In 2020, our daily routines were altered as a pandemic swept across our nation. Traditional in-perso... Read More


4-H Youth Beekeeping Project

about 3 years ago by Michael Rose

Beekeeping continues to increase in popularity as more youth and adults become interested in helping... Read More