Manure Workshops, Field Days Offer Management, Marketing Information - NEBRASKA - A series of University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension workshops will teach producers the value of manure for crop production and management and marketing opportunities.

Three workshops, From Brown to Gold: Nebraska's Manure Value Field Days, Manure Merchandising and Manure Value for Crop Production are planned. From Brown to Gold: Nebraska's Manure Value Field Days will give livestock producers the information and skills needed for management planning of manure nutrients.

There will be morning and afternoon programs. The morning classroom program will focus on developing and using a manure nutrient application plan and understanding Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality regulations related to land application of manure. The afternoon field program will address manure and soil sampling and applicator calibration. A Manure Calibration Kit, which will be available for livestock producers and their advisers to borrow, will be introduced at the program. Producers can attend the full-day session or the afternoon field day only.

By attending both morning and afternoon sessions, participants will receive Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality land application training certification. Certification is required of livestock producers who have received a new or updated livestock waste control facility permit since April 1998. The farm representative identified on the permit application must complete an approved land application training every five years. Farm personnel responsible for land application of manure also are encouraged to attend. Registration for the full-day program is $30 which includes lunch or $20 for the afternoon field program. Space is limited for the morning program.

The Manure Merchandising Workshops will highlight strategies for marketing manure to off-farm markets. Participants will learn to calculate the value of manure to crop producers and about considerations of formulation of a manure merchandising business plan. Participants also will hear from others already marketing manure about opportunities and obstacles.

The merchandising workshops are geared toward livestock producers, managers and/or employees, crop and livestock consultants, government representatives and extension educators. Producers are encouraged to participate with their agronomic adviser or computer operator.

Manure Value for Crop Production Workshops will teach crop producers how to gain the greatest economic value from use of manure for their land and how to use manure with fertilizer to optimize their nutrient management plan. Participants will hear from other crop producers who regularly use manure and will hear from others about difficulties and benefits of manure use.

The Manure Merchandising Workshops and Manure Value for Crop Production Workshops are free and include publications and a CD of information and planning tools. Pre-registration is required as seating is limited. A tour of two farms that merchandise manure will occur from 4-5:30 p.m. at the Aug. 31 workshops in Adams. Producers attending the afternoon or evening workshops can attend. Workshop and field day dates, titles, times, locations and local contacts for more information and registration are:

• Aug. 22 -- From Brown to Gold: Nebraska's Manure Value Field Days, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Dawson County Extension Office, northwest corner of Dawson County Fairgrounds, Lexington, David Stenberg, (308) 324-5501

• Aug. 23 -- Manure Merchandising Workshop, 2-5 p.m., Fire Hall, Pender, Del Hemsath, (402) 584-2819

• Aug. 23 -- Manure Value for Crop Production Workshop, 6-8:30 p.m., Fire Hall, Pender, Del Hemsath, (402) 584-2819

• Aug. 30 -- Manure Value for Crop Production Workshop, 3-6 p.m., Methodist church basement, Phillips, Darrel Siekman, (308) 946-3843

• Aug. 31 -- Manure Merchandising Workshop, 1-4 p.m., Community Building, Adams, Paul Hay, (402) 223-1384

• Aug. 31 -- Manure Value for Crop Production Workshop, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Community Building, Adams, Paul Hay, (402) 223-1384

• Sept. 15 -- From Brown to Gold: Nebraska's Manure Value Field Days, 9-3 p.m., UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center and the Scottsbluff Agricultural Laboratory, Mitchell Farm Road, Scottsbluff, Tom Holman, (308) 632-1480

• Sept. 15 -- Manure Value for Crop Production Workshop, 1-3 p.m., Scottsbluff Agricultural Laboratory, Mitchell Farm Road, Scottsbluff, Tom Holman, (308) 632-1480

These programs are partially funded by the Nebraska Environmental Trust and are sponsored by the UNL Extension Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning team which helps livestock and crop producers better use manure resources for agronomic and environmental benefits. For more information, visit the CNMP Web site at http://cnmp.unl.edu/. UNL Extension in the university's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Source: University of Nebraska, Lincoln - 5th August 2005