EB1819
| MANURE
SAMPLING FOR NUTRIENT ANALYSIS WITH WORKSHEETS FOR CALCULATING FERTILIZER
VALUES |
Ronald E. Hermanson, Ph.D., P.E.
Extension Agricultural Engineer
Application of manure to cropland is an efficient use of the manure resource
because costs are usually less than for treatment in special facilities
and the manure nutrients, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium benefit crop
growth. Manure nutrients build and maintain soil fertility. Manure improves
soil tilth, increases water holding capacity, reduces water and wind erosion,
improves aeration, and promotes beneficial organisms. There are two paramount
objectives when applying manure to cropland:
(1) maximize use of manure nutrients by crops,
(2) minimize potential of contaminating surface water and groundwater.
Testing manure and manure wastewater for the plant nutrients, nitrogen,
phosphorus, and potassium in a laboratory or by field tests is prerequisite
to accurate calculation of manure application rates. Manure sampling procedures
for common storages are presented to insure representative samples. Laboratory
results are commonly reported as percent (wet or dry basis) and can also
be as parts per million. For calculating application rates, it is more convenient
to convert laboratory results for liquid manure to pounds per thousand gallons,
and solid manure to pounds per ton. This worksheet provides and illustrates
methods to convert laboratory results to the units desired for manure application
calculations. Although manure application rates can be determined using
a calculator and special forms, the method is slow and cumbersome for commercial
operations with several fields and more than one crop. Matching manure nutrients
to fields and crops is easily done with a program for personal computers
designed for the northwest and especially Washington. MNB: Manure Nutrient
Balancer (MCP0026) is available through your local Washington State University
Cooperative Extension Office.
A. SEMISOLID LOT MANURE
1. Scraped directly from lot into spreader: From loaded spreader, collect
about 2 lbs. manure from different locations using nonmetallic collectors.
2. From storage: Collect about 2 lbs. manure from under the surface crust
avoiding bedding materials and using nonmetallic collectors.
B. LIQUID MANURE SLURRY
1. Under-slotted-floor pit
a) Extend a 1/2-in. nonmetallic conduit open on both ends into manure
to pit floor.
b) Seal upper end of conduit (e.g., by placing a thumb over end of conduit)
trapping manure that has entered lower end, remove and empty slurry into
plastic bucket or nonmetallic container.
c) Take subsamples from 5 or more locations totaling at least 1 quart.
d) Mix and add about 3/4 pint to nonmetallic sample container.
2. Exterior storage basin or tank
a) Make sure manure has been well mixed with a liquid manure chopper-agitator
pump or propeller agitator.
b) Take subsamples from about 5 pit locations, from agitator pump or from
manure spreader and place in a plastic bucket.
c) Mix and add 3/4 pint to a nonmetallic sample container.
C. LAGOON LIQUID
1. Collect about 3/4 pint of recycled lagoon liquid from inflow pipe
to flush tanks in a nonmetallic sample container.
2. From lagoon
a) Place a small botle (1/2 pint or less) on end of 10-15 ft. pole.
b) Extend bottle 10-15 ft. away from bank edge.
c) Brush away floating scum or debris.
d) Submerge bottle within 1 ft. of liquid surface.
e) Empty into a plastic bucket, repeat about 5 times around lagoon, mix,
and add 3/4 pint to nonmetallic sample container.
D. FRYER
1. House litter
a) Visually inspect litter for areas of varying quality (e.g., areas
around feeders and waterers) and estimate percent of floor surface in each
area.
b) Take about 5 litter subsamples at locations proportionate to item a.
E.g., if 20% of litter of similar visual quality is around feeders and
waterers, take 1 subsample there and the other 4 subsamples from remainder
of floor surface.
c) At each location, collect litter from a 6-in. by 6-in. area down to
earth floor and place in a plastic bucket.
d) After 5 subsamples have been added to the bucket, mix, and add about
2-3 lbs. litter to a nonmetallic sample container such as a 1-gallon freezer
bag and seal.
2. From stockpile
a) Take subsamples from about 5 locations at least 18 in. into pile.
b) Mix, add 2-3 lbs. to nonmetallic sample container and seal.
| II. SAMPLE PREPARATION AND TRANSFER |
|
A. Place sample into an expandable container that can be sealed.
Rinse residues from outside of container with clean water before using,
but do not use disinfectants, soaps, or treat in any other way.
B. Pack sample in ice, refrigerate, freeze, or transfer to laboratory
quickly.
C. Hand-delivery is most reliable way to transfer sample.
D. If mailed, protect sample container with packing material such
as newspaper, box or package with wrapping paper, and tape.
E. Include the following information with sample:
1. Livestock species (dairy, swine, layer, etc.).
2. Livestock use (swine: nursery, finishing; poultry: grower, number
flocks grown on litter; etc.).
3. Waste type (dairy: lot scraped manure, liquid slurry; swine: pit slurry,
lagoon liquid, sludge; fryer: house litter, stockpile; etc.).
F. Laboratory analyses
1. Routine analyses performed on all samples: N, P, K.
2. Additional analyses performed upon request: Dry matter.
| III. INTERPRETATION OF ANALYTICAL
RESULTS |
|
A. Results are usually on a percent (%) of total weight or a parts
per million (ppm) or milligrams per liter (mg/L) basis. Note that ppm and
mg/L are the same.
B. Results may be reported on a dry weight basis (db) or on an
"as is" or wet weight (wb) basis.
C. Results expressed as dry basis should be converted to wet basis
before calculating land application rates by multiplying reported values
by percent dry matter (percent expressed as decimal). If a dry matter analysis
is not performed, average dry matter values may be obtained from appropriate
tables of average characteristics.
D. If ammonium-nitrogen tests are not performed, refer also to
appropriate tables for average percentages of the total nitrogen as ammonium.
E. Phosphorus and potassium results can be reported as elemental
P and K or in fertilizer forms of P2O5 and K2O. Recommended
fertilization rates of various crops are usually reported as P2O5 and K2O.
| IV. MANURE ANALYSIS CONVERSION
TO WORKING UNITS |
|
Laboratory analyses are reported as percent of total weight on a wet
basis, parts per million (ppm) or the equivalent milligrams per liter (mg/L).
For spreading manure you use pounds per 1,000 gallons (lb./1,000 gal.) and
pounds per ton (lb./ton). Pounds per acre-inch are included because the
units are convenient when using big gun sprinklers.
Conversion equations are given for liquid and solid manure with worked
examples. If you test with a Slurry Meter or an Agros meter the results
will be in lb./1,000 gal. as desired, but the Agros Meter tests only available
N, not P and K.
The following equations and example calculations show how to convert
the laboratory analysis to the values you will use. Unit conversions for
liquid manure are based on the density at 60°F. Conversion from P and
K to P2O5
and K2O are accomplished by the relationships:
P2O5
= P X 2.29137
K2O = K X 1.20459
which are incorporated in the multiplier constants used in the conversion
procedure. The multiplier constants were derived from basic constants using
several digits for accuracy. The final multiplier constants were rounded
to two or three digits as appropriate.
A. Liquid Manure - Laboratory Analysis Reported in Percent and Parts
per Million.
DAIRY LAGOON
EXAMPLE ANALYSIS
TOTAL N = 0.28 % WET BASIS.
NH4-N = 0.11 % WET BASIS.
P = 0.18 % WET BASIS.
K = 0.21 % WET BASIS.
| x |
TOTAL N |
= |
TOTAL N |
% X |
83.4 |
= |
_______ |
LB./1,000 GAL. |
| EXAMPLE: |
TOTAL N |
= |
0.28 |
% X |
83.4 |
= |
23.4 |
LB./1,000 GAL. |
| YOUR VALUE: |
TOTAL N |
= |
______ |
% X |
83.4 |
= |
______ |
LB./1,000 GAL. |
| |
|
| |
NH4-N |
= |
NH4-N |
% X |
83.4 |
= |
______ |
LB./1,000 GAL. |
| EXAMPLE: |
NH4-N |
= |
0.11 |
% X |
83.4 |
= |
9.2 |
LB./1,000 GAL. |
| YOUR VALUE: |
NH4-N |
= |
______ |
% X |
83.4 |
= |
______ |
LB./1,000 GAL. |
| |
|
| x |
P2O5 |
= |
P |
% X |
191 |
= |
______ |
LB./1,000 GAL. |
| EXAMPLE: |
P2O5 |
= |
0.18 |
% X |
191 |
= |
34.4 |
LB./1,000 GAL. |
| YOUR VALUE: |
P2O5 |
= |
______ |
% X |
191 |
= |
______ |
LB./1,000 GAL. |
| |
|
| |
K2O |
= |
K |
% X |
100 |
= |
______ |
LB./1,000 GAL. |
| EXAMPLE: |
K2O |
= |
0.21 |
% X |
100 |
= |
21.0 |
LB./1,000 GAL. |
| YOUR VALUE: |
K2O |
= |
______ |
% X |
100 |
= |
______ |
LB./1,000 GAL. |
| |
|
| x |
TOTAL N |
= |
TOTAL N |
% X |
2,264 |
= |
______ |
LB./AC. IN. |
| EXAMPLE: |
TOTAL N |
= |
0.28 |
% X |
2,264 |
= |
634 |
LB./AC. IN. |
| YOUR VALUE: |
TOTAL N |
= |
______ |
% X |
2,264 |
= |
______ |
LB./AC. IN. |
| |
|
| |
NH4-N |
= |
NH4-N |
% X |
2,264 |
= |
______ |
LB./AC. IN. |
| EXAMPLE: |
NH4-N |
= |
0.11 |
% X |
2,264 |
= |
249 |
LB./AC. IN. |
| YOUR VALUE: |
NH4-N |
= |
______ |
% X |
2,264 |
= |
______ |
LB./AC. IN. |
| |
|
| |
P2O5 |
= |
P |
% X |
5,188 |
= |
______ |
LB./AC. IN. |
| EXAMPLE: |
P2O5 |
= |
0.18 |
% X |
5,188 |
= |
934 |
LB./AC. IN. |
| YOUR VALUE: |
P2O5 |
= |
______ |
% X |
5,188 |
= |
______ |
LB./AC. IN. |
| |
|
| |
K2O |
= |
K |
% X |
2,727 |
= |
______ |
LB./AC. IN. |
| EXAMPLE: |
K2O |
= |
0.21 |
% X |
2,727 |
= |
573 |
LB./AC. IN. |
| YOUR VALUE: |
K20 |
= |
______ |
% X |
2,727 |
= |
______ |
LB./AC. IN. |
EXAMPLE ANALYSIS
TOTAL N = 2,800 PPM
NH4-N = 1,100 PPM
P = 1,800 PPM
K = 2,100
| x |
TOTAL N |
= |
TOTAL N |
PPM X |
0.00834 |
= |
_______ |
LB./1,000 GAL. |
| EXAMPLE: |
TOTAL N |
= |
2,800 |
PPM X |
0.00834 |
= |
23.4 |
LB./1,000 GAL. |
| YOUR VALUE: |
TOTAL N |
= |
______ |
PPM X |
0.00834 |
= |
______ |
LB./1,000 GAL. |
| |
|
| |
NH4-N |
= |
NH4-N |
PPM X |
0.00834 |
= |
______ |
LB./1,000 GAL. |
| EXAMPLE: |
NH4-N |
= |
1,100 |
PPM X |
0.00834 |
= |
9.2 |
LB./1,000 GAL. |
| YOUR VALUE: |
NH4-N |
= |
______ |
PPM X |
0.00834 |
= |
______ |
LB./1,000 GAL. |
| |
|
| x |
P2O5 |
= |
P |
PPM X |
0.0191 |
= |
______ |
LB./1,000 GAL. |
| EXAMPLE: |
P2O5 |
= |
1,800 |
PPM X |
0.0191 |
= |
34.4 |
LB./1,000 GAL. |
| YOUR VALUE: |
P2O5 |
= |
______ |
PPM X |
0.0191 |
= |
______ |
LB./1,000 GAL. |
| |
|
| |
K2O |
= |
K |
PPM X |
0.01 |
= |
______ |
LB./1,000 GAL. |
| EXAMPLE: |
K2O |
= |
2,100 |
PPM X |
0.01 |
= |
21.0 |
LB./1,000 GAL. |
| YOUR VALUE: |
K2O |
= |
______ |
PPM X |
0.01 |
= |
______ |
LB./1,000 GAL. |
B. Solid Manure - Laboratory Analysis Reported in Percent.
DAIRY DRYLOT
EXAMPLE ANALYSIS
TOTAL N = 0.43 % WET BASIS.
NH4-N = 0.10 % WET BASIS.
P = 0.20 % WET BASIS.
K = 0.65 % WET BASIS.
| x |
TOTAL N |
= |
TOTAL N |
% X |
20 |
= |
_______ |
LB./TON |
| EXAMPLE: |
TOTAL N |
= |
0.43 |
% X |
20 |
= |
8.6 |
LB./TON |
| YOUR VALUE: |
TOTAL N |
= |
______ |
% X |
20 |
= |
______ |
LB./TON |
| |
|
| |
NH4-N |
= |
NH4-N |
% X |
20 |
= |
______ |
LB./TON |
| EXAMPLE: |
NH4-N |
= |
0.10 |
% X |
20 |
= |
2.0 |
LB./TON |
| YOUR VALUE: |
NH4-N |
= |
______ |
% X |
20 |
= |
______ |
LB./TON |
| |
|
| x |
P2O5 |
= |
P |
% X |
45.8 |
= |
______ |
LB./TON |
| EXAMPLE: |
P2O5 |
= |
0.20 |
% X |
45.8 |
= |
9.2 |
LB./TON |
| YOUR VALUE: |
P2O5 |
= |
______ |
% X |
45.8 |
= |
______ |
LB./TON |
| |
|
| |
K2O |
= |
K |
% X |
24.1 |
= |
______ |
LB./TON |
| EXAMPLE: |
K2O |
= |
0.65 |
% X |
24.1 |
= |
15.7 |
LB./TON |
| YOUR VALUE: |
K2O |
= |
______ |
% X |
24.1 |
= |
______ |
LB./TON |
FRYER LITTER
EXAMPLE ANALYSIS
TOTAL N = 4.6 % DRY BASIS
NH4-N = 0.71 % DRY BASIS
P = 2.2 % DRY BASIS
K = 2.4 % DRY BASIS
DRY MATTER = 78.0% WET BASIS
| x |
TOTAL N |
= |
TOTAL N |
% X |
DRY MATTER |
% X |
0.20 |
= |
_______ |
LB./TON |
| EXAMPLE: |
TOTAL N |
= |
4.6 |
% X |
78.0 |
% X |
0.20 |
= |
71.8 |
LB./TON |
| YOUR VALUE: |
TOTAL N |
= |
______ |
% X |
______ |
% X |
0.20 |
= |
______ |
LB./TON |
| |
|
| |
NH4-N |
= |
NH4-N |
% X |
DRY MATTER |
% X |
0.20 |
= |
______ |
LB./TON |
| EXAMPLE: |
NH4-N |
= |
0.71 |
% X |
78.0 |
% X |
0.20 |
= |
11.1 |
LB./TON |
| YOUR VALUE: |
NH4-N |
= |
______ |
% X |
______ |
% X |
0.20 |
= |
______ |
LB./TON |
| |
|
| x |
P2O5 |
= |
P |
% X |
DRY MATTER |
% X |
0.458 |
= |
______ |
LB./TON |
| EXAMPLE: |
P2O5 |
= |
2.2 |
% X |
78.0 |
% X |
0.458 |
= |
78.6 |
LB./TON |
| YOUR VALUE: |
P2O5 |
= |
______ |
% X |
______ |
% X |
0.458 |
= |
______ |
LB./TON |
| |
|
| |
K2O |
= |
K |
% X |
DRY MATTER |
% X |
0.241 |
= |
______ |
LB./TON |
| EXAMPLE: |
K2O |
= |
2.4 |
% X |
78.0 |
% X |
0.241 |
= |
45.1 |
LB./TON |
| YOUR VALUE: |
K2O |
= |
______ |
% X |
______ |
% X |
0.241 |
= |
______ |
LB./TON |
LAYER
EXAMPLE ANALYSIS
TOTAL N = 1.7 % WET BASIS
NH4-N = 1.3 % WET BASIS
P = 1.0 % WET BASIS
K = 1.4 % WET BASIS
| x |
TOTAL N |
= |
TOTAL N |
% X |
20 |
= |
_______ |
LB./TON |
| EXAMPLE: |
TOTAL N |
= |
1.7 |
% X |
20 |
= |
34.0 |
LB./TON |
| YOUR VALUE: |
TOTAL N |
= |
______ |
% X |
20 |
= |
______ |
LB./TON |
| |
|
| |
NH4-N |
= |
NH4-N |
% X |
20 |
= |
______ |
LB./TON |
| EXAMPLE: |
NH4-N |
= |
1.3 |
% X |
20 |
= |
26.0 |
LB./TON |
| YOUR VALUE: |
NH4-N |
= |
______ |
% X |
20 |
= |
______ |
LB./TON |
| |
|
| x |
P2O5 |
= |
P |
% X |
45.8 |
= |
______ |
LB./TON |
| EXAMPLE: |
P2O5 |
= |
1.0 |
% X |
45.8 |
= |
45.8 |
LB./TON |
| YOUR VALUE: |
P2O5 |
= |
______ |
% X |
45.8 |
= |
______ |
LB./TON |
| |
|
| |
K2O |
= |
K |
% X |
24.1 |
= |
______ |
LB./TON |
| EXAMPLE: |
K2O |
= |
1.4 |
% X |
24.1 |
= |
33.7 |
LB./TON |
| YOUR VALUE: |
K2O |
= |
______ |
% X |
24.1 |
= |
______ |
LB./TON |
SUMMARY
Testing manure for the nutrients, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium
is clearly the most accurate procedure for calculating manure application
rates to match the nutrient needs of crops while protecting surface water
and ground water quality. Sampling manure storages to obtain representative
samples is important. Manure sampling procedures are presented in detail
so you can provide the laboratory or your field test method with good samples
for good results. A straightforward worksheet method is presented for converting
laboratory results to the practical units producers use when applying manure.
Further, computer software is recommended for easily determining the manure
application rate by balancing the available nutrients with field characteristics
and crop nutrient uptake.
Combining manure tests, converting manure test units to practical units,
and the computer software MNB will develop the best manure application
rates for producing your crop yield goals and protecting water quality.
Issued by Washington State University Cooperative Extension
and the U.S. Department of Agriculture in furtherance of the Acts of May
8 and June 30, 1914. Cooperative Extension programs and policies are consistent
with federal and state laws and regulations on nondiscrimination regarding
race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, and sexual
orientation. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local
Cooperative Extension office.
Published November 1996.
Subject code 374. A
EB1819