As fall approaches, many farmers are evaluating the timing of their manure application. Ideally, ammonium-rich manures are applied when temperatures are cooler (50 degrees Fahrenheit and cooling) to increase the probability that applied nitrogen will still be in the upper soil profile next year when crops are growing.
However, sometimes that’s not possible, and applications earlier in the fall may be necessary, according to Daniel Andersen, professor and extension agricultural engineering specialist at Iowa State University.
“Whether you’re dealing with foam in your manure pits or facing storage capacity concerns after a wet year, applying manure earlier than desired can be justified - especially from a safety standpoint,” he said. “Always keep safety as your top priority when dealing with early applications.