11-28 IAN Barley Study

 Commission backs long-term study of manure's impact on crops. The Idaho Barley Commission has made a sizable funding commitment toward an eight-year study that should provide the first long-term analysis of how manure affects crops commonly used in southern Idaho rotations. IBC will award University of Idaho Extension soils specialist Amber Moore $16,000 for each year of the project, which should cost about $90,000 per year to complete. Kelly  Olson, Administrator of the Idaho Barley Association talked to me:  “The commission backs long-term study of manure's impact on crops. What does that mean?  Well I think you just captured it pretty well. What we are  interested in looking at are the long-term effects on crop quality, crop productivity, and crop health from sustained application of manure. There is a big dairy industry in Idaho that generates manure and manure is a common fertilizer application.” Amber Moore has also approached the Idaho Dairymen's Association and the state's sugar beet, wheat and potato commissions seeking financial assistance.