ARS | Publication request: Manure on alfalfa

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: February 6, 2012
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Many managers of crop-livestock operations could, or need to, utilize alfalfa fields in their manure management plans. The advantages to manure application on alfalfa need to be considered in the context of some potential concerns – plant damage from manure or wheel traffic, pathogen transmission in the feed, nutrient runoff, and excessive N at stand termination. Some of these risks can be minimized by careful management, for example, by spreading soon after harvest, avoiding traffic on wet soils, and avoiding application at stand termination if the N credit from the forage is adequate for the next crop. Several innovative liquid manure application methods offer additional options to improve N utilization, minimize forage contamination, decrease nutrient runoff, and provide more uniform manure application. To a very large extent, however, the success of manure application on alfalfa depends on the specific conditions at the site and good decision-making by the manager.