Investigating “living carbon” composted manure to improve nutrient mineralization (Year 2)

Gary Prescher

When used correctly, bovine manure and manure in general has always been positive for corn production. However many growers do not have access to manure or the cost and the logistics of transporting bulk manure is not practical. While composting manure is not a new practice some new composting manure practices have been adopted over the years. The specially formulated composted manure product that I have purchased is a component within a designed program to overcome some of the logistical and cost issues of transporting large volumes of manure while providing enhanced soil health – soil mineralization properties. It may also provide enhanced soil health characteristics while maintaining or increasing net profitability per acre.

I will be comparing this composted bovine manure product to my current commercial fertilizer program. The metrics which I intend to use within this project include an economic comparison, yield comparisons, and soil test comparisons between the composted production and commercial fertilizer production.