09/11/08 Load of Manure

Most of us have heard the saying, "worth its weight in gold". But we may all soon be hearing, "It's worth its weight in&..manure"!? With the upswing in organic farming and environmental consciousness, people are taking more interest in nutrient packed manure. Requests for manure and manure compost are flooding County Extension offices. And with other fertilizer prices soaring in at around $1000 per ton, manure is looking more, if you'll pardon the expression, appealing. While manure adds specific nutrients to the soil, its high organic content also improves soil quality, and manure's texture helps in retaining water and nutrients. And while all manures are not created equal, it all has measurable value. The recognition of manures fertilizer value has created a selling or trading market for it across the country. There are several overall factors to consider with manure application though such as spreader costs, soil testing and crop nutrient needs; so it is highly suggested by the extension and conservation professionals to use manure wisely.