Efficient use of nitrogen from livestock manure (OK-Net Arable Practice abstract)

Summary

Optimized application of nitrogen from livestock manure will reduce nitrogen losses and result in higher yields.
Practical recommendation
Nitrogen application from livestock manure to winter and spring crops has different effects on crop yields depending on the pre-crop and the amount of ammonium-N provided.
The results above show that nitrogen availability from livestock manure is limited. Based on the results, the following recommendations can be made:
• If the pre-crop is not nitrogen-fixing, apply 20 to 60 kg of ammonium-N from livestock manure prior to sowing of crops.
• Livestock manure application to a spring crop after nitrogen-fixing clover-grass is not yield effective and may bear the risk of nitrogen losses.
• If livestock manure is difficult to access, choose cereals that are competitive against weeds. Spring oats and win-ter rye are the best options for spring- and winter crops, respectively.
• Where nitrogen is a limited resource, yield potential is higher in winter crops than in spring crops. If weeds are abundant and difficult to control in a poorly fertilized winter crop, spring crops might be the better option.
• Try not to compromise the nitrogen-supply of certain grass seeds, i.e. ryegrass, which need at least 100 to 110 kg of ammonium-N per ha for optimum growth.