Improving Ground and Surface Water Quality by Reducing Commerical Fertilizer Applications to Land Receiving Livestock Manures

Improving Ground and Surface Water Quality by Reducing Commerical Fertilizer Applications to Land Receiving Livestock Manures

Summary

With increasing concerns about water quality, coordinating crop needs, manure credits and fertilizer application all become important.

Objectives: To reduce nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer usage on land receiving adequate nutrients from lievestock manure, thereby maximizing nutrient uptake and managing potential water pollution at the source.

Results: Based on soil tests and Michigan State University recommendations, Ottawa County farmers reduced or eliminated phosphorus in starter fertilizers at a savings of $10 to $22 per acre with no reduction in corn yields. Project was extended for one year to repeat trials and gather additional data.