The Role of Manure Application in Maintaining Air, Water & Soil Quality

When we read about manure in the popular press it is seldom to sing its praises. Both producers and the public at large are often unaware of the value of manure to agriculture. The return of animals, and the manure they produce, to the prairies has the potential to significantly increase the sustainability of prairie agriculture. For decades the organic matter and nutrient content of prairie soils has been declining as rates of removal under annual cropping and grain export have outpaced the return of organic matter and nutrients to the soil. Animal manure, an excellent source of nutrients and organic matter, provides the opportunity to replenish the soil and increase soil fertility Manure contains all of the major crop nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) as well as many, if not all of the minor nutrients needed by plants. Manure has an additional benefit beyond its nutrient content. Manure contains many organic compounds. These compounds help to build and maintain soil structure which in turn helps to maintain soil tilth, water holding capacity, soil aeration and reduces soil erosion. The organic compounds in manure are foo