Wet and cold conditions have made spring manure application a bit tricky in recent years. This has been a friction point for many farmers, as they struggle to get manure applied and crops in the ground on time. Typically, manure is applied before the crop is planted. However, Glen Arnold, extension field specialist at The Ohio State University, explained the alternative process of applying manure after the seed is sown into the soil in a recent Buckeye Dairy News article.
Farming is a game of precision: Planting, harvesting, and applying all crop inputs on a strict schedule. Not following the timeline could be costly, or even detrimental, to a farmer’s crop. The main advantage of manure application following planting is that planting does not have to be delayed due to suboptimal conditions. Another bonus of late application is that the liquid manure adds moisture to the soil, which helps to enhance crop germination and emergence.
The question is, how long after planting can you apply manure? The answer – right away. This rings true for both corn and soybeans, as the seed remains protected by a layer of soil. “In university research, the application of 10,000 gallons per acre of dairy manure has not negatively impacted crop germination and emergence on corn or soybeans,” Arnold noted.
However, as crops begin to emerge, this can turn into a different story. Soybeans that have begun to emerge are more susceptible to being killed off by liquid manure application. Corn, on the other hand, can withstand a drag hose from the spiking growth stage all the way up until the V-4 growth stage. “Fields that are spring tilled are not good candidates for a drag hose. No-till fields, stale seed beds, fields with dead or alive cover crops, and tilled fields that have been packed with heavy spring rain are usually good fields for a drag hose,” he advised.
As it seems that the weather continues to throw wrenches in our planting and harvest seasons, this may be an idea to consider if wet and cold conditions are delaying planting. This allows for timely planting, while also providing supplemental nutrients needed for growth at a later date.
