November 26, 2001
HOG MANURE IMPROVES PASTURE CONDITION

November 26, 2001

Hog Manure Improves Pasture Condition

A Covering New Ground project in southeastern Manitoba is proving that applying hog manure to pastureland increases forage production.

Over the past three years, the Southeast Soil Conservation Organization (SESCO) has been conducting a demonstration at two sites in its area
showcasing the value of hog manure to pasture.

"Our goal was to examine the yield response from grass pastures to varying rates of hog manure," said John McGregor, agricultural representative for Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives in Steinbach. "We found yield increases in response to manure application ranged anywhere from three to nine times that of sites with no fertilizer, depending on the conditions and location."

At each of the sites near Zhoda and St. Malo, liquid hog manure was applied at two rates for nitrogen content, then compared to a check strip with no nitrogen. The manure was applied according to its nitrogen content which varied between locations and from year to year. The variation meant
different amounts of manure had to be applied. The plots were harvested in July and the yields measured.

In 1999, the manured plots out-yielded non-fertilized plots by as much as nine times. The results were less dramatic in 2000, but impressive all the
same. They showed a three to six-fold increase in forage production when manure was applied. Different weather conditions in 2000 may have caused the lower yield responses.

As the 2001 season figures are being tabulated, early indications are the results will support the conclusions from the previous two years. McGregor admitted the results are preliminary, but said there is no doubt in his mind manure application to pastures can deliver impressive results.

"We also found that the forage used up virtually all of the applied nitrogen from the soil," McGregor said. "This indicates you can use manure at the
recommended rates on forages without having to worry about nitrate leaching."

In most cases, protein levels in the forage grown with manure were higher than forage without fertilizer, resulting in a higher quality feed.

"It's a win-win situation," said McGregor. "Not only does it show that hog manure increases forage production, it provides beef producers with a
valuable source of fertilizer to increase forage production. It also improves the carrying capacity of the land base."

Related projects have been carried out by the Manitoba Zero Tillage Research Association, South Interlake Land Management Association and South East Soil Conservation Association. For more information on these projects or the Covering New Ground Program, contact your Regional Soil and Water Management Specialist.