Economic and Environmental Manure Solutions

liquid manure spreading

Technology Description (from Dougherty et. al. 1998)
Liquids spreading is the physical application of liquid dairy manure to land.  Effective liquids spreading places nutrients on the land in an economical and environmentally-responsible manner and is an integral part of a farm’s nutrient management plan.  There are many ways to spread liquid manure on farmland including tank spreaders, drag hose systems, hard-hose systems, and sprinkler (e.g. center pivot) systems. 

The selection of a liquid manure application system depends upon many factors including

• Solids content of the manure,

• Volume of liquid manure,

• Size, shape, and slope of the fields receiving manure,

• Distance and elevation change from the manure source to the fields,

• Soil type,

• Farm cropping rotations,

• Availability of investment capital,

• Availability of time, labor, and management, and

• Surrounding land use (including proximity to neighbors).

Sources of Additional Information
A comprehensive design manual (including a list of liquids spreading manufacturers) has been prepared for liquids spreading.  This can be purchased at nominal cost through NRAES at www.nraes.org

References
Dougherty, M., L.D. Geohring, and P.E. Wright.  “Liquid Manure Application Systems Design Manual” NRAES Publication No. NRAES-89  1998  Cooperative Extension 152 Riley Robb Hall Ithaca, NY 14853-5701

Click on the picture to enlarge.

Cornell University

Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering

Ithaca, NY 14853

Fax: 607.255.4080