Northern Research and Demonstration Farm

Crop Availability of Phosphorus in Beef Cattle Manure for Corn and Soybean

Authors: ,

Abstract

An efficient utilization of beef cattle manure nutrients is important to improve the sustainability of animal and crop production systems and avoid unnecessary use of energy and non-renewable resources. Manure phosphorus (P) management differs from inorganic fertilizers for several reasons. There is large variation in P concentration, manure has organic and inorganic P forms, and manure handling is more difficult. Organic P forms may not be entirely or immediately available for plant uptake but may become available over time. There is uncertainty about the crop-availability of beef manure P, which is reflected by a wide range (60 to 100%) of estimated availability in Iowa (see Extension publication PMR 1003). Therefore, a study was conducted at the Northern Research Farm, Kanawha, Iowa, in 2012 and 2013 to assess the crop-availability of manure P from selected Iowa beef production systems.

Keywords: Agronomy

How to Cite: Mallarino, A. P. & Haq, M. U. (2014) “Crop Availability of Phosphorus in Beef Cattle Manure for Corn and Soybean”, Iowa State University Research and Demonstration Farms Progress Reports. 2013(1).