Properly managing manure is rapidly becoming an integral facet of farm management. A typical cow produces 120 lbs. (54 kg) of manure per day. A 100 cow herd will produce 2190 tons per year making manure management a major farm enterprise. Environmental and water concerns will continue to place greater emphasis on nutrient composition, storage, handling, and time and place of spreading. Analyzing manure for its nutrient composition is required to effectively manage it. Determining N, P, and K provides information regarding its fertilizer value.
Utilizing this information in conjunction with soil analyses will facilitate the development of nutrient management plans in accordance with state and federal regulations. This will lead to the efficient and effective application of manure to fields where it will provide the most value. A manure analysis provides the following information to use as a basis for developing sound nutrient management plans.
Total Nitrogen (N)
Ammonia Nitrogen
Organic Nitrogen
Phosphorus (P)
Phosphate Equivalent as P2O5
Potassium (K)
Total solids (dry matter)
Density
Results are reported as percentages, lbs./ton, and lbs./1000 gallons.