Why attend the Aug. 16, Ohio Manure Science Review? Maybe farmers and others should come to the field day to learn about new and better ways to manage farm manure (both liquid and dry sources) and to be better able to supplement the knowledge base of the general public. Read on.
“Manure is organic matter used as organic fertilizer in agriculture. Manures contribute to the fertility of the soil by adding organic matter and nutrients, such as nitrogen, that are trapped by bacteria in the soil. Higher organisms then feed on the fungi and bacteria in a chain of life that comprises the soil food web.”

The above is part of a definition found online from Wikipedia, which provides limited information about the valuable resource that regularly exits the tail end of all farm animals.

For example, although nitrogen is mentioned, the web-based free encyclopedia does not inform readers that manure also includes the other two primary macronutrients (phosphorus and potassium) and secondary macronutrients (calcium, magnesium and sulfur). The definition also fails to note the existence of micronutrients found in livestock manure.

Unfortunately, much of our population (including too many farmers), fail to recognize the value of the main by-product of livestock production.  The 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 16 MSR will take place on the Winner Family Farm, located at 4317 St. Rt. 47 West, near Degraff, Ohio, in Logan County. New technologies that emphasize runoff risk and nutrient loss reduction will be featured.

Morning presentations followed by afternoon field presentations are led by speakers from the farming community, Ohio State University Extension and various Ohio agencies.

Properly putting manure to good use for fertilizing crops while minimizing application costs, saves livestock producers money and helps protect water supplies at the same time. Alan Winner, owner of the host farm, manages a 400-cow dairy that separates manure solids for greater efficiency. He and his family invite interested parties to attend the field day to access the expertise of Extension’s Tom Noyes and Amanda Meddles (Ohio’s manure queen), the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Terry Mescher (an agricultural engineer) and Jocelyn Henderson, USDA’s Frank Gibbs (famous tile smoker), Christine Pence (Ohio Department of Agriculture livestock inspector) and the Logan SWCD’s Steve Searson. 

Register by Aug. 8 for $30 or pay and extra $5 after that or at the door. Members of the Midwest Professional Nutrient Applicators Assoc. receive a $5 discount. Registration dollars cover a continental breakfast, lunch and all handout materials.

If you are interested in attending, please download the registration form at http://go.ous.edu/Dy4 or call 330-202-3533 to have a form mailed to you. Most Extension and SWCD offices in Ohio also have registration forms in their offices. Included with the registration form are the complete agenda, directions and a full list of topics and speakers.

This is a practical field day for farmers and many consultants who serve them. Numerous credits are available for Certified Livestock Managers, Certified Crop Advisors, and Professional Engineers. 

If you deal with animals and their chief by-product and manure smells like money to you, plan to attend. If you have long applied manure to the same farm and continue to purchase 10-34-0 as a row starter for corn, come to the session and understand why you probably only need nitrogen, not phosphorus to properly boost seedling growth. If you routinely purchase an expensive micronutrient fertilizer package to apply to crops grown in manure applied fields, come to the Winner Family Farm on Aug. 16.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Roger Bender may write to him in care of this publication.