Manure Incorporation and Crop Residue Cover -Part II

Manure incorporation represents a conflict between best management practices for soil erosion control and manure management. Manure should be incorporated into the soil for odor control, maximum availability of nutrients, and control of potential manure runoff. However, for maximum soil erosion control, the soil and crop residue should remain undisturbed. These two best management practices must be balanced since disturbing the soil and residue for manure incorporation, either with conventional tillage implements or equipment specifically designed for manure application, reduces the residue cover remaining for erosion control.

This NebGuide discusses how injector/applicator spacing, tire spacing, field speed, and other factors influence the amount of residue cover reduction. Much of this information is based on experience and field observations and is intended to help livestock producers select and operate manure application/incorporation equipment to maximize residue cover and erosion control.

The type of soil-engaging component (chisel or sweep injector, disk-type applicator, coulter-type applicator, etc.) is the predominant factor affecting residue cover reduction during manure incorporation. Adjustments, operating conditions, and many other factors also can influence the amount of reduction that occurs. These include: applicator spacing, width and timing; contour applications; field speed; use of chisels or sweeps, straight versus twisted chisel points, coulters, disk-type applicators, coulter-type applicators, manure application rates, tire spacing, and soil surface following application/incorporation.