Manure Management Systems-Iowa Dairy Producer Surveys

Abstract

Nutrients present in manure are increasingly receiving attention for environmental, production, and financial reasons. Dairy producers continue to strive for better ways and educational opportunities to improve profits by evaluating fertilizer and value of manure to their operation and to protect the environment. These farming decisions which help producers stay economically viable also support and stimulate their local economy, which promotes a more vital rural community. This project encompassed surveys of manure management systems and nutrient management practices on 22 Iowa Dairy Farms, including economic costs and returns. The results served a large educational role by providing industry benchmarks as well as an "Economics of Manure Management" spreadsheet tool to determine cost of handling, storing and applying manure, less the cost of the nutrients gained in the manure for other dairy producers and dairy professionals.