Journal of Nutrient Management - Qtr 3 – 2022

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Working in harmony

ON THE COVER

Nutrient management and sustainability have been longtime goals of this dairy in northwestern Iowa. Water from the farm is collected and used to wash the sand bedding that is separated and recycled. Manure from the 1,500-cow milking herd is stored in a multi-stage lagoon prior to application on the farm’s 1,500 acres of cropland.

Journal of Nutrient Management

Managing Editor

Abby Bauer

Art Director

Todd Garrett

Editorial Coordinator

Jennifer Yurs

Director of Marketing

John Mansavage

Advertising Sales

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Patti Hurtgen phurtgen@hoards.com

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Publisher

W.D. Hoard & Sons Co.

Brian V. Knox, President

CONTACT INFORMATION

Editorial Office PO Box 801 28 Milwaukee Ave. West Fort Atkinson, WI 53538

Website: www.jofnm.com

Email: info@jofnm.com

Phone: 920-563-5551

Journal of Nutrient Management (ISSN# 26902516) is published four times annually in February, May, August, and November by W.D. Hoard & Sons Company, 28 Milwaukee Ave. West, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin 53538 Tel: (920) 563-5551. Email: info@ jofnm.com Website: www.jofnm.com. Postmaster: Send address corrections to: Journal of Nutrient Management, PO Box 801, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin 53538-0801. Tel: (920) 563-5551. Email: info@jofnm. com. Subscription Rates: Free and controlled circulation to qualified subscribers. For Subscriber

Services contact: Journal of Nutrient Management, PO Box 801, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin 53538, call (920) 563-5551, Email: info@jofnm.com.

Copyright © 2022 W.D. Hoard & Sons Company. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Content may not be reproduced or used for any commercial activity without express written consent from W. D. Hoard & Sons Company

Abby Bauer

Managing Editor

WORDS OF WISDOM

dvice can be a tricky thing. Opinions and recommendations may be offered with the best of intentions, but the person on the receiving end could interpret the sentiments differently. The best advice often comes from people who have a way with words, a good rapport with people, and experience to back up their suggestions.

The founder of our publishing company was William Dempster (W.D.) Hoard, a man considered by many to be the father of Wisconsin’s dairy industry. Originally from New York, Hoard moved to the Badger State as a young man. In 1870, he established a weekly newspaper, the Jefferson County Union. In this paper, he wrote a column about dairy farming, a topic of interest for him that stemmed from years of working on a farm as a child.

His insight was sought by people far and wide, many who bought the newspaper simply to read his dairy advice. With the encouragement of a few friends, he launched Hoard’s Dairyman, a national dairy farm magazine, in 1885.

Through the pages of Hoard’s Dairyman, Hoard shared his knowledge and wisdom, about dairy cattle of course, but also about farming in general. Although these words appeared in print more than a century ago, many of his quotes were timeless or foreshadowed what was to come.

Hoard’s expertise and foresight spanned beyond the cow and connected all areas of the farm. It is no surprise that this dairyman, writer, and leader (who eventually served as the state’s governor) understood the importance of healthy soil and the usefulness of manure, and he often wrote about this in the magazine. In this quote, he promoted the need for productive farm fields:

“Here are the three cardinal principles of dairy farming — good land, good crops, and good cows — but at the bottom lies good land and a farmer wise enough to keep it good.”

He went more in depth to address specifics on how farmers could maintain their land and the financial ramifications if they didn’t in quotes like this one:

“The dairy farmer must be honest with his soil,

not rob it. He must be willing to give up a part of what the farm returns to him for the purchase of the necessary elements of fertility — nitrogen, phosphate, potash. He is not honest if he does not do this; neither is he getting rich if his soil is growing poorer.”

The publishing world has changed in the 137 years since Hoard printed his first magazine, but our commitment to bringing scientific research, real life examples, and words of wisdom to readers across the country and around the world remains intact. In this very issue, you will find two articles on how to improve soil, protect water quality, and grow additional feed using cover crops. There are several “how to” articles, from how to work with custom applicators and crop farmers to staying in compliance with regulations. There’s even a “what not to do” example when it comes to manure lagoon management. Our goal is to bring relevant information to your mailbox with each and every issue.

The world of nutrient management continues to grow and develop. We are now creating products with manure that farmers a century ago would have never dreamed of. But that doesn’t mean manure was any less beneficial. Hoard knew farmers needed to capture these nutrients, and he acknowledged this valued resource in this quote: “Every good farmer feels that he could use three times the manure he is capable of producing. If he does not supply the necessary elements of fertility, the farm goes down.”

While most farms today would not be eager for three times more manure to store and process, the point that these nutrients serve a useful purpose can’t be denied. As we move forward, working to utilize nutrients and protect the land where we live and work, Hoard’s words of wisdom still ring true and serve as a sound reminder to make the most of this valuable resource.

Until next time,

Presenter: Rebecca Larson, University of Wisconsin-Madison

KEEP WATER CLEANER WITH COVER CROPS

Our evaluation of the impact of cover crops on edge-of-field water quality

by Aaron Wunderlin and Ryan Heiderman

For years, cover crops have been touted as a way to protect water quality among other benefits, such as soil health, a forage source, and carbon sequestration. One of the most important benefits directly affecting farmers is protecting their fields from topsoil and nutrient losses.

After the fall crop harvest, there may be little cover or residue left to protect from soil and nutrient loss until the next crop is established in spring. Without cover, soil and nutrients can be lost through runoff and erosion. Nitrate can also leach below the root zone. Establishing cover crops is a way to both protect the soil surface from loss and retain nutrients from leaching throughout the winter.

Looking at surface water

Discovery Farms recently completed a project focused on evaluating the impact of cover crops on surface water runoff quality. Two monitoring sites, RE1 (control basin) and RE5 (treatment basin), were installed on a farm in southern Wisconsin that utilized a paired watershed design with matching crop rotations.

Monitoring consisted of two phases: baseline and experimental. Each phase lasted one full crop rotation of corn, soybeans, and corn. From field year 2016 (FY16) through field year 2018 (FY18), the baseline phase monitored both basins under the same management and with no cover crops included in the rotation.

From FY19 through FY21, the experimental phase monitored both basins under the same management except that a cover crop (cereal rye) was incorporated into the plan at the treatment basin. The paired watershed design allowed us to determine if a relationship existed between sites and whether that relationship changed when management changed.

Cover crops were used between the harvest of one crop through the planting of another crop. Monitoring data was separated into events that happened during the growing season and events that happened during the period

when cover crops were on the field. The data from this “cover crop season” was analyzed independently from the growing season to determine the impact cover crops had on runoff, soil loss, and nutrient losses.

Paired events during the baseline and experiment phases were plotted with each basin on its own axis (Figure 1). These bivariate graphs were analyzed to determine whether a relationship existed between the sites.

There were differences in runoff and losses between phases. The number of runoff events, runoff volume, soil loss, and nutrient loss were less in

showed several benefits.

Monitoring sites were used to measure the impact cover crops had on runoff, soil loss, and nutrient losses.

the experiment phase; however, this occurred at both sites. Precipitation and other factors would have influenced this change. After further analysis, it was statistically determined that there was a log relationship between the sites and that a difference in that relationship occurred between phases.

There was a reduction in soil and nutrient losses in the treatment basin when cover crops were in the field. Further analysis determined that cover crops had a significant role in this difference. Adding cover crops to the strategy reduced soil and nutrient losses, in particular phosphorus loss, in runoff (see table).

Hang on to nitrate

Additional cover crop benefits are exhibited through another recently

Statistical results and comparisons between phases

completed tile monitoring project. In this project, bi-weekly grab samples were taken at 24 sites in Wisconsin from FY18 through FY20. Basic trend analysis was used to determine if cover crops had an impact on nitrate losses in tile drainage. With fall as the reference point, average monthly concentration change over the “cover crop season” was plotted (Figure 2). Fields with cover crops

were compared to those without. Cover cropped fields showed a trend of declining concentration through winter while concentrations in fields without cover crops remained relatively consistent. It was not until soils thawed that concentrations between the different systems increased and were similar.

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Figure 1. The Bivariate graphs show the log relationship between sites during both phases. The crossing trendlines indicate an interactive effect with some other variable(s).

A piece of the puzzle

Both of these Discovery Farms projects supply data to support the concept that cover crops can reduce edge-offield losses. However, using cover crops is only one practice that can be used to protect water quality. Combining cover crops with other strategies, such as practicing the Four R’s, reducing tillage, and diversifying crop rotation would provide a more effective approach for mitigating edge-of-field soil and nutrient losses. ■

Figure 2. Average monthly concentration change from fall (October and November when cover crops were planted) with error bars.

The authors are with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension’s Discovery Farms program.

COMPOSTING CONDENSES THE MANURE NUTRIENT PACKAGE

The manure and bedding material removed from a bedded-pack barn can be a valuable nutrient source for crops, but it is bulky. For this reason, this manure is often applied close to the farm, not necessarily on the fields that could benefit from these organic nutrients the most.

Composting is one way to reduce the volume of this manure and make it easier to transport. Eric Richer, a county educator for Ohio State University Extension, secured a Great Lakes Sediment and Nutrient Reduction Program grant and conducted a research project to evaluate the volume and nutrient content of manure composted in dry stack barns, which are popular in northwest Ohio where he works. He shared his finding at the 2022 Waste to Worth Conference.

Measuring the windrows

The project included five farmers who built at least one windrow of dry, solid manure removed from a cattle barn. The windrows were 6 feet tall, 12 feet wide, and varied in length. The manure weight and volume were measured at the start of the project and again at completion.

The windrows were either turned weekly or biweekly for five to eight weeks using an HCL Machine works pull-type compost turner. Richer said turning added oxygen into the compost system, but more importantly, it mixed and grinded the manure and bedding. The turner was pulled with a tractor equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which was important because the turner was pulled through the compost at a very slow speed of 0.05 to 0.15 miles per hour.

Manure samples were taken to assess moisture level, usable nitrogen, the nitrogen to carbon ratio, and

other key nutrients. Temperatures were also tracked to ensure the compost maintained an ideal temperature between 120°F and 140°F.

The project started with 258 tons of unprocessed pen pack manure from eight windrows. In the end, it yielded 121 tons of finished compost, a 53% reduction in weight. The volume, which was measured by number of trucks in versus number of trucks out, declined by 28%. The moisture level of the manure went from 66% to 48%.

Richer said that the total usable nitrogen stayed the same per applied ton of manure. Where significant gains were made, he pointed out, was for key nutrients of phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, and calcium. “These nutrients nearly doubled, if not more, from start to finish, within eight weeks, and some as quick as six weeks,” he shared. “We nearly doubled the nutrient density and made that product more nutrient

stable and better for a farmer to carry down the road.”

Easier to transport

One goal of the project was to encourage farms to haul this manure to fields farther away, and Richer said on average, it was transported 4.5 miles, with one farm trucking the composted manure 16 miles away.

A replicated field trial for corn compared a normal rate of manure application to a half rate application of the compost. Richer shared a few examples where there was no statistical difference in corn yield between the two nutrient sources.

Richer said more work is needed to further assess this opportunity to quickly create a more nutrient dense fertilizer source on the farm. Future plans include evaluating more windrow sites and applications on soybean fields, along with an economic analysis of composting plus transportation. ■

Density of key nutrients doubled for phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, and calcium from the start of composting to the finished product (n = 8 sites).

Fueling the BIOGAS BOOM

by Rich Schell

Biogas is attracting huge interest these days. In this article, I want to share three pieces of American law and policy that are coming together to offer unique opportunities related to anaerobic digesters. The state of New York, home to many dairies, had a renewable energy policy put forth in New York’s 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Meanwhile, California also has ambitious goals for curbing greenhouse gases related to transportation in the form of the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB-32 Air pollution:greenhouse gases). There is also California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), introduced by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in 2009 and implemented in 2011 to reduce the carbon intensity of the state’s transportation fuel pool and provide a growing range of low-carbon and renewable alternatives. These initiatives are supposed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and also improve air quality

in

California.

State and federal policies help incentivize farms to explore digester opportunities.

As significant as these are, lying over these pieces of law and regulation is the Biden Administration. This leadership team has backed its goals for combatting climate change in the form of the Build Back Better Act and the U.S. Methane Emissions Reduction Action Plan.

The big players

What makes this moment in combatting climate change different and what makes the possible effect of these laws and policies on anaerobic digesters different is a matter of scale. Everyone appreciates the scale of the U.S. federal government and its ability to raise and deploy money.

There’s also the scale of California and New York. If California were a country, it would have the fifth largest economy in the world, and it is the largest dairy producing state in the country. If New York were a country, it would have the tenth largest economy in the world and is in the top five for milk-producing states. Put these together with the possibility of the Build Back Better Act and a methane reduction goal, and it all becomes promising for digesters.

Access to resources

Of course, supporting anaerobic digester construction is not new for the U.S. government. There have been programs supporting biogas initiatives for some time. In fact, Secretary Tom Vilsack oversaw one such initiative in his first tour as Secretary of Agriculture with the Obama Administration.

The federal government is clearly the player with the most resources to contribute. The Rural Business Cooperative Service (RBCS) can directly influence digester production by giving grants that guarantee loans and supply assistance. The importance of money cannot be overstated. Over a 10-year period, RBCS provided millions of dollars’ worth of support for loans and grants. In addition, the Build Back Better Act would make digester owners eligible for a 30% tax credit.

The federal support doesn’t end there. The methane reduction plan outlines significant supports through various programs detailed in the plan.

After the federal government, the next biggest player to watch is California. The Golden State has one of most ambitious plans to reduce greenhouse gases in the country. In this case, what is profoundly different is that methane now has enormous value, both as an alternative fuel for electricity, buses, and trucks and as a source of “credits” under California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard. Digester methane, which has low carbon intensity compared to fossil fuels, can be used to offset them and generate credits that can then be sold.

Working together

New York’s 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act is a huge and sprawling piece of legislation. It mandates that greenhouse gases in New York be reduced by 40% by 2030 and 85% by 2050. At this point, it’s uncertain exactly what policies New York will pursue in the future. They are in the discussion phase.

In the meantime, New York anaerobic digesters are in a

position to both export renewable natural gas to California and to offer credits under its Low Carbon Fuel Standards for sale. All of this support may lead to constructing digesters and methane production. Of course, the methane has to be used either on-site or for off-site electric generation, and, at least in the example of California, renewable natural gas that yields both fuel for buses and other vehicles but credits for creating a fuel that is “cleaner” than gasoline or diesel fuel from oil. New York also has various programs in place to support methane including its green bank that can offer financing.

California can, of course, produce at least some of its own renewable gas, but other states such as New York certainly have an incentive to get in on it. With the weight of the federal government behind methane reduction, the results could be a very interesting and profitable time for the digester business. However, there is some reason to be cautious because polices can change. ■

The author is an attorney based in Des Plaines, Ill.

Working in harmony

Managing soil, manure nutrients, and water quality has created a valuable and symbiotic relationship between this crop grower, dairy farm, and custom applicator.

by Abby Bauer, Managing Editor

Manure handling starts with the animal, but the end user is an essential part of the equation. On livestock farms that have a limited land base, it often requires a working relationship with other landowners to make use of those valuable nutrients.

For crop farmers Mark and Tyler Drewes of Drewes Farms in Custar, Ohio, manure from neighboring farms is one key to their success. The father-son duo grows corn, soybeans, wheat, and alfalfa on 10,000 owned and rented acres in the northwestern part of the state. Mark explained that where they farm used to be heavy in livestock production, but over the years, the focus turned to crops, and some of the diversification was lost. He said a resurgence

of dairy farms in the area gave way to more opportunities.

“The manure is a very welcome source of nutrients,” Mark said. “Not just because of the economics, but there are so many other reasons why.” The Drewes talked about nutrient management and building relationships during a farm tour that was part of the Waste to Worth Conference.

Tracking the fields

For nearly 10 years, the Drewes have been doing their own soil sampling, a project spearheaded by Tyler. The younger Drewes was a business major in college who decided to join the family farm, and he credits his father for allowing him to make a place for himself in the operation.

Upon his return, he took charge of the precision nutrient management and soil sampling for the farm, an area that was previously outsourced.

Fields are typically sampled in 2.5 acre grids, which allows the Drewes to understand the soil conditions and make accurate nutrient applications if needed. “We want to know the ins and outs of every field we farm so it can be made better for us and our landlords,” the pair explained.

They sample every field on a threeyear rotation. “It’s very important,” Tyler said. “Every field is different, and we have a lot of unique soil types.”

Nutrients are applied to the fields using nearly all variable rate technology (VRT), and they hope to be 100% VRT in the near future. After 12 years of inten-

sively managing their nutrients, Mark said it is amazing how uniform their soils have become within each field.

For the record

Water quality is a topic of conversation in Ohio, especially the past few years with the launch of H2Ohio, an initiative first funded in 2019 to address the water quality issues that have been building in the state for decades. Algal blooms on Lake Erie, aging infrastructure, and lead contamination are some of the problems the initiative hopes to combat.

Farms were one of the groups put under the microscope and deemed an area of opportunity in terms of improving water quality. After scientific and economic studies, 10 practices proven to reduce agricultural phosphorus runoff became part of the H2Ohio program, and economic incentives were made available for farmers who develop nutrient management plans that incorporate a combination of such practices, including soil testing, VRT fertilization, cover crops, and edge-of-field buffers.

Even though farm practices that protect water quality are suddenly under the spotlight, they are nothing new for the Drewes family.

“We knew how important it was before water quality issues arose,” Mark said. “It has always been a focus for us.”

Tyler said they had already transitioned some of their farming practices prior to joining the H2Ohio program. “We made a definitive decision to move in that direction and to do things to the best of our ability,” he said.

Mark echoed those comments. “Everything we do is environmentally conscious,” he emphasized. “Large operations get accused, often unfairly, that they don’t care or are environmentally unfriendly, but the total opposite is true,” he continued. “We raised our family and grandchildren on these farms. We drink the water. We love that lake. We have more commitment to this area environmentally than anyone, and that’s why we are proactive.”

With that in mind, Mark noted that H2Ohio was right up their alley. They felt overall that the initiative was well thought out. The Drewes were already doing many of the incentivized practices on their farm, and they appreciated that the program does not penalize farms for practices put into place prior to sign up.

Tyler noted that the biggest drawback of H2Ohio is the record keeping, which he called intense. He felt this could be especially challenging considering the demographic of many farmers.

Mark agreed. “If Tyler wasn’t here, I don’t think this farm would be participating,” he shared.

Record keeping is part of the game, though, as Tyler also noted the extensive records needed to grow crops for one of the dairies Drewes Farm partners with, Reyskins Dairy LLC, whose

milk is shipped to Danone. It is all part of a very beneficial partnership, though. The Drewes grow feed for the dairy and utilize the manure produced by the 2,000 cow herd.

“It’s a very symbiotic relationship,” said Tyler. “We have the acres, and they have the cows. We are able to spread those nutrients and use our acres to their and our advantage.”

Reyskins Dairy LLC is owned by Mark van de Heijning, who moved from Belgium to the United States in 2005 to leave behind the growing restrictions being imposed on Belgian farmers. In the dairy’s sand-bedded freestall barn, a vacuum sweeper cleans the manure from the alleyways three times a day. The 25 million gallons of manure produced annually is stored in a series of lagoons and is custom applied once a year.

Both father and son said they have worked well with van de Heijning over the years, and they value that relationship deeply. The dairy buys a lot of corn silage, corn, and haylage from the Drewes — many commodities and dollars are exchanged between the two farms.

Besides cattle manure, Tyler said they also utilize hog manure and poultry litter to fertilize fields. In general, they are gravitating toward more diverse manure sources both because of continued on following page >>>

The manure in these lagoons is applied to some of the fields operated by Drewes Farms, a cropping operation that grows corn, soybeans, wheat, and alfalfa.

Abby Bauer

their crop needs and the rising commercial fertilizer costs.

What the manure is worth is an always evolving-question, and Mark said that for every relationship, there is a different answer.

“We have to make sure it is economical, for them and us,” Mark said. While $8 corn is an issue, so is $2 corn. “There has to be an equilibrium, and there are some trade-offs,” he said. “For us to be successful, we want them to be successful.”

Out to the fields

The third leg of this partnership stool is the custom manure applicator. For the Drewes, much of their application and silage harvest is done by the team led by Walter Manders of Manders Custom Farming, based out of Weston, Ohio.

“It is a very symbiotic relationship,” Mark repeated. “We all coexist and are all very dependent on each other.” The three businesses — Drewes Farms, Reyskins Dairy, and Manders Custom Farming — have worked well together the past 15 years.

The farms that produce the manure often provide sample results, but the Drewes will also do some of their own manure sampling prior to application. “We have trust in them, but we have to verify. Ultimately, it is our ground, our livelihood, and our family,” Tyler noted.

Mark and Tyler said that one of their biggest challenges is a short application window. Fall application is not a great option in their area, and cool, wet springs limit the number of days available for spreading those valuable nutrients. A continuous goal is finding ways to extend the hauling season by adapting equipment and using practices such as sidedress application to growing crops.

“We need to get the manure out for our farmers. It makes us nervous,” Mark said. “We are looking for ways to spread the time frame.”

The Drewes like to be on the forefront when it comes to managing nutrients, and they are willing to try new practices as long as they make sense on their farm. “It’s an ever-changing environment of what we do and how we do it,” Tyler said. “If it works out environmentally, agronomically, and economically, we will do it.”

Mark jumped in, re-emphasizing

their commitment to innovation. “If it meets those three targets, it is going to happen here. But, if one of the three won’t work, it doesn’t work. We are in a business, and economics have to be part of the equation,” Mark stated.

While many factors play into these practices, the financials are certainly a driving force. With escalating commercial fertilizer prices that doubled, tripled, or quadrupled from just one growing season ago, Mark said it is easy to recognize the value they see in manure.

In addition, the Drewes are also willing to spend money on conservation practices. “We try to be the first in line for new practices or doing studies on farms. We want to be involved,” Tyler said. “We want to know about it, and we want to know how to correct problems.”

On various fields, they have put in drainage tile and planted windbreaks and buffer strips. They also installed water control structures in a vast majority of their fields. They said that managing them to ensure they are opened or closed can be labor intensive, but environmentally, they are a great tool.

The Drewes work with many fields that they have rented for years, and

Mark said they are fortunate to have access to that land.

“As a cash crop farm, we are lucky to have a synergy with the local livestock farms. We are all on the same page,” Mark said, noting that is not always the case between these two different types of farmers. He also recognized that there are cultural differences between them and some of the farm operators in the area.

“Making that all work is part of the process,” said Mark. “We often ask the farms we work with, ‘How can we accomplish your goals and our goals together?’”

When it comes to soil and water quality, Mark said, “It took us years to get to this point, and it is going to take years to get back to where we were.”

He continued, “The soil health issue is not new. It is something we always strived for,” giving credit to his grandfather and father who farmed here before him.

This experienced farmer learned long ago that standing still and working individually is not the best way to make improvements in nutrient management.

“I’ve been doing this for 40 years,” said Mark. “Innovation is what it is going to take.” 

The father and son pair of Mark and Tyler Drewes operate Drewes Farms in Custar, Ohio.

Abby Bauer

THE INNOVATION CENTER FOR U.S. DAIRY

is pleased to celebrate the following winners of the 2022 U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards

Outstanding Dairy Farm Sustainability

Bar 20 Dairy Farm, Kerman, CA

Deer Run Dairy LLC, Kewaunee, WI

Grayhouse Farms, Inc., Stony Point, NC

Schlangen Dairy Farm, Albany, MN

Outstanding Dairy Processing & Manufacturing

Milk Specialties Global, Monroe, WI Facility

Outstanding Supply Chain Collaboration

Bel Brands USA, Inc., Chicago, IL

Boadwine Dairy, Baltic, SD

Land O’Lakes, Inc., Arden Hills, MN

Outstanding Community Impact

Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers, Reston, VA

The U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards recognize dairy farms, businesses and collaborative partnerships for practices that demonstrate outstanding economic, environmental and social benefits, a longstanding commitment to continuous improvement, and a replicable model to inform and inspire others in advancing dairy sustainability leadership.

For more information on the Awards and the 2022 winners visit usdairy.com

A BEHIND THE SCENES LOOK AT COVER CROPS

Properly managed cover crops are a tool in the manure management and livestock feeding toolbox.

by Sarah Fronczak, Monica Jean, and Christina Curell

Careful manure management is a principle of farm profitability and environmental stewardship. Thinking critically about your nutrient management plan can help protect your fields from the economic impact of nutrient loss and the resulting environmental impact.

One of the ways that researchers are exploring the retention of phosphorus is by observing the behavior of different sources of phosphorus fertilizers.

Steve Safferman, a Michigan State

University associate professor of engineering, has shown that mineral fertilizers (MAP and DAP) were statistically similar in both the degree of soil phosphorus retention and subsurface phosphorus loss through simulated tile drains. However, the phosphorus in organic fertilizers (dairy and swine manure) was bound to the soil at a higher degree and less likely to show up in the tile drain. In light of this research, let’s consider what role cover crops play in this system to improve

our options or time frame to retain dissolved phosphorus.

Phosphorus and cover crops

Cover crops can help phosphorus conservation by taking up and storing nutrients for the primary crop. A 2015 study found that a wheat cover crop residue took up 20% to 40% of phosphorus in the soil, and 8% to 22% was utilized in the following crop. An older study found that a cover crop reduced the total phosphorus runoff by 36%.

Cover crops are efficient as short-term nutrient banks in crop fields. They should not be relied on to remove all excess phosphorus, though.

Nitrogen and cover crops

Farmers have adapted and changed their practices to address timing of nutrient applications and application methods. Applying manure to land that has a cover crop is another practice that can help with nitrogen management. Minnesota researchers, led by Les Everett of the University of Minnesota Water Resource Center, wanted to determine the fate of nitrogen and if the nitrogen needs of the cash crop are met in the soil from injected manure with and without a cover crop. The research resulted in the following findings:

1. In both years, adequate growing seasons existed to establish the rye cover crop after either corn silage or soybean harvest, but aboveground fall growth was limited.

2. The rye was very resilient to manure injection; however, stand reduction was considerable at two sites where shank injectors or disk coverers were too aggressive.

3. At most sites, the spring rye growth did well, reducing soil nitrate under the cover crop compared to the check strips of all sites.

4. Rye growth and nitrogen uptake were greater in southern Minnesota compared to central Minnesota.

5. Across sites, there was not a significant difference in silage or grain yield between the cover crop and check strips. Future research is required to assess the effects of cover crop termination methods and timing on nitrogen dynamics and performance of the subsequent corn crop. To obtain the full research report, visit on.hoards.com/nitrogenstudy.

Adoption of a cover crop scheme allows for a responsive cover in the event of sudden thaws that characterize winter in much of the Midwest. Cover crops proved to be effective in reducing nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) loading through tile-drainage across the spectrum of common nitrogen fertilizer management systems.

Livestock farmers looking for ways to reduce the incidence of nitrogen leaching into groundwater from manure as well as phosphorus loss through tile drainage should consider cover crops as a tool in their toolbox.

Opportunities for feed

Cover crops that play a dual role as a forage can be harvested after the plant has taken up phosphorus. The biomass can then be fed to livestock, which recycles the phosphorus again in the following season through manure application leading to a more integrated crop and livestock system.

Annual cover crop mixtures can make very nutritious and economical grazing crops for spring, summer, fall, and early winter grazing in cool climates. Fall grazing is especially beneficial because it can fill the gap as perennial pasture grasses go dormant for winter. Tom Cook, a dairy farmer in central Michigan, says using cover crops as a forage after silage is taken off is a “no-brainer . . . utilizing the soil to get more nutrients and forage to feed the livestock.”

Mixes of four or more plant species all planted together at the same time and same depth at a seeding rate of 28 to 40 pounds per acre can be economical and nutritious for fall grazing livestock. These same mixes can also act as soil improvers, suppressing weed growth and mining nutrients from deep down in the subsoil, bringing them to the soil surface. With their aggressive growth, they also elevate soil organic matter both from the grazing animals’ manure and from the decaying plants’ leaves, stems, and roots.

Fall cover crops for grazing or chopping work best following a wheat harvest, oat harvest, or after silage. Depending on the species planted, you usually need 70 to 120 days of growth before temperatures drop into the low

20°F range. Plantings made from late July to mid-August turn out the best in cooler climates.

To provide a healthy, nutritious blend, consider a mixture of brassicas, small grains, legumes, and cool-season grasses. Be aware of possible drain tile plugging issues.

Plan to manage cover crop growth. Consider planting the cover crop in mid- to late August and schedule more intense grazing in fields where tile plugging may be a concern. Change the seed mix to include more shallow rooted species or winterkill cover crops.

Tile plugging from cover crops is very rare. A warm, late fall gives cover crops a long window for growth and increases the chances for roots to grow deep into the soil profile. Your local extension educator can help you find the right cover crop mix for your needs.

If rotating from a sod crop like hay or pasture, weed control is necessary. If seeding within 10 days of combining wheat or oats, it is not. The volunteer wheat or oat seed that was lost on the ground from the previous crop harvest can become part of the new seeding mix. Like any crop, the risk of insect and disease pressure will rise if the same plants are seeded on the same sites annually as the pests overwinter and attack their preferred food source.

Following soil test recommendations is always advised — these cover crops are expected to provide enough growth to feed livestock. Manure or 50 to 60 pounds of N/acre is usually a minimum requirement. The nonlegume plants really respond to nitrogen.

A word of caution

Be aware of livestock health risks that are dependent on the plant species used. Bloat, nitrate toxicity, and others are a possibility, especially if hungry animals overeat on a new pasture. To reduce risk,

Cover crops aid in phosphorus conservation by taking up nutrients and storing them for the primary crop.

1 Assumes 70% utilization, 30% residual left standing or trampled on the soil surface.

2 Assumes a 1,300-pound beef cow that is not milking consumes 28.5 pounds of dry matter per day.

make sure livestock have a full stomach before turning them onto a new type of pasture and provide access to hay. In the seed mix, including oats and other grasses with brassicas and legumes also reduces the risk of bloat. When these precautions are followed, the risks are low.

Any time fields are grazed while wet, soil compaction can be a result, especially on heavier ground. Late fall and early winter grazing is often done in wet soil conditions, and some compaction will result. The best site locations are on lighter, well-drained soils. Research studies have shown that if grazing animals are pulled out during times of excess moisture, the benefits of fall grazing will outweigh the compaction issue. Soil fertility and crop yields often improve after cover crop grazing.

Soil health will benefit

The use of cover crops can be a valuable tool in building soil health

and resilience. Cover crops supply feedstuffs, provide manure application opportunities, and they enhance the retention of nutrients. Soil degradation caused by intensive tillage and nutrient mining can be improved, and in turn, increase productivity through the use of cover crops and reduced tillage.

The ability to improve the biological, chemical, and physical soil properties can also improve nutrient efficiency in the system. These nutrient management benefits are especially important considering the USDA identified the Great Lakes Region as a Critical Conservation Area and has prioritized nutrient and sediment management on agricultural lands a top priority. A cover crop’s ability to reduce soil erosion by 90% and sediment transport by 75% makes them a useful tool on fallow ground that would otherwise be subjected to the elements and have the potential to further threaten this critical region.

Cover crops, in tandem with reduced tillage, maximize soil health improvement benefits and work toward accomplishing the goals of minimizing disturbance and maximizing soil cover, biodiversity, and the presence of living roots. This will ultimately prevent or mitigate compaction issues, as well as improve organic matter and water holding capacity.

“When we find out that we have an area with too much compaction . . . or water pools in an area . . . we will put cover crops in with radish or we will grow alfalfa to get those roots in there,” said Brent Wilson of Wilson Centennial Farms in central Michigan. “So, over time, we are trying to improve ourselves, and that’s a part of sustainability as far as I am concerned.” ■

COVER CROP RECOMMENDATIONS

Here is some insight on the plant species to consider for cool-season mixes seeded in late summer for grazing after November 1.

OATS: Seed 6 to 12 pounds in mixes. Oats are great for fall grazing, as they will stay green into December and will die out in January. Oats can start producing seed 45 to 65 days after planting, which may be a concern if producing grass fed beef.

WHEAT, RYE, OR TRITICALE: Seed 6 to 12 pounds per acre in mixes. Wheat, rye, or triticale will have less fall growth than oats but will survive the winter and provide substantial spring growth. Be aware of crop insurance spring-time termination guidelines for cover crops to be eligible for insurance on the following year’s cash crop.

ANNUAL RYEGRASS: Seed 6 to 10 pounds per acre in mixes. Annual ryegrass is a short-lived (one to two years), highly nutritious grass that

establishes fast in the fall and will survive most winters, providing more growth in spring. Annual ryegrass can become a serious weed in fields rotated to grains the next year if proper herbicide timing is not followed.

TURNIP: Seed 2 to 3 pounds per acre in mixes. Turnips need 60 to 90 days to mature. Leaves, stem, and bulb are highly nutritious. Turnips hold their feed quality well after a killing frost and are cold tolerant to 20°F, but eventually they will winterkill. Some will just produce an edible leaf and stem but no tuber, while others will regrow after grazing.

RAPESEED: Seed 2 to 4 pounds per acre in mixes. Rapeseed needs 45 to 100 days to mature. Most can be regrazed. It produces a highly nutritious, edible leaf and stem but no tuber. Some are cold tolerant to -5°F.

RADISH: Seed 1 to 2 pounds of radish per acre in mixes. Radish needs 70 to 85 days to mature. It has vigorous fall growth of highly nutritious leaf and tuber that livestock like and perform well on. Radish holds nutrient value well after killing frost. Taproot hairs can penetrate compacted soil hardpans and mine nutrients from the subsoil.

RED CLOVER: Seed 2 to 4 pounds of red clover per acre in mixes. Red clover will provide some fall growth but will be more productive the following spring for spring grazing. It can last for two to three years, so if rotation crops are planned the next summer, termination options should be factored into the plan. When given the chance to mature, it will produce residual soil nitrogen that can benefit future nitrogenloving crops.

The authors are educators with Michigan State University Extension.

A STORY ABOUT SLUDGE

by Abby Bauer, Managing Editor

It lurks beneath the surface of every manure lagoon or anaerobic digester. Sludge, an unavoidable part of manure storage and treatment, is a manure by-product that is lower in organic matter but higher in solids and nutrients. This makes it more dense, and it settles to the bottom of a manure storage structure. Eventually, this sludge builds up, and it can interfere with the primary function of the structure. It reduces the overall volume of the storage that would otherwise be occupied by the microbial community that treats the manure, leading to brief, incomplete treatment or digestion of the manure. For this reason, sludge removal should be part of a manure management plan.

Built up over time

During a Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Community webinar, University of Missouri extension professor Teng Lim shared an example of a farm that found themselves with a bad sludge situation. On this dairy in Missouri, manure was flushed from the freestall barn three times per day into a lagoon that was 400 feet long by 280 feet wide, with a depth of 10 to 12 feet. The estimated volume was 7.5 million gallons.

Lim said an elevated screen system failed and was eventually abandoned, which led to more solids entering the lagoon. The pit was agitated each year prior to emptying, but there was significant build up of sludge over time, and by 2020, islands of manure could be seen in the middle of the lagoon.

To remedy this situation, a plan was

created. First, the sludge was sampled and the volume was estimated. Lim said this sampling was done by an experienced crew. In all, 24 readings were planned with an estimated cost of $2,600. Unfortunately, the sampling boat repeatedly got stuck in the lagoon, limiting the number of samples that could be taken.

From the samples that were collected, moisture content was found to be 86%, 94%, and 88% for the sludge mounds, the lagoon center, and the shore samples, respectively. This means the sludge contained between 6% and 14% solids. The contractor hired to do the job normally pumped at 5% to 8% solids, so water from a nearby pond would be brought in to dilute the lagoon effluent and prevent clogging the system.

The farm’s fields were also sampled to determine application rates for 200 of their own acres, according to their nutrient management plan. Manure would also be applied to 400 acres on a neighboring farm.

Moving the manure

To start the job, the lagoon was agitated using a remote control boat and two PTO-run agitation pumps. A trailer mounted pump was used to remove manure, along with a dilution pump to bring in the pond water. Booster pumps were used for fields farther from the farm to maintain a flow of 1,800 gallons per minute. The manure was transported to fields using draghoses and was injected with a toolbar pulled behind a tractor.

Lim said it is important to sample the effluent during application. In this case,

samples were collected at the primary pump at least once a day, measuring nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, pH, moisture content, and more. Even with agitation, there was still a significant amount of fluctuation in nutrients applied day to day. Lim noted that real time nutrient measurements taken in the field would be valuable for adjusting application rates more quickly.

The effluent was applied at an average rate of 25,000 gallons per acre. Over eight days, around 8 million gallons of manure were applied. The overall cost of the removal was $151,000.

Looking forward

Lim said one lesson learned was that complete agitation and homogeneity was very difficult to achieve with this amount of sludge, which was recognized by the varying sample results. Furthermore, the nutrient management plan and land application piece is very important to ensure effective recycling of the nutrients. He stressed the need to work with a custom applicator that has the equipment, experienced crew, and reputation to get a job like this done.

The moral of the story is to not let solids build up to this level. This dairy installed a pull-plug sediment basin system (on.hoards.com/pull-plug) to help remove solids from the manure flush water and keep them out of the lagoon. Lim said this system, which cost the farm about $26,000, is relatively easy to operate and, along with scheduled lagoon clean outs as needed, should help prevent this sludgy situation from happening again. ■

Solids removal from a manure lagoon becomes an even bigger undertaking if not done regularly.

U.S. GAIN SECURES DAIRY RNG OFFTAKE WITH ENTECH SOLUTIONS

U.S. Gain, a division of Wisconsin-based U.S. Venture Inc. and a leader in the development and distribution of alternative fuel and renewable energy, recently announced a new offtake agreement with EnTech Solutions at their agricultural biodigester near Madison, Wis. This project is a partnership between EnTech Solutions, Northern Biogas, and four local Dane County dairy farms where agricultural waste is processed in digester tanks to produce renewable natural gas (RNG) that will be used as an alternative fuel in the California transportation market.

The digester facility had previously produced electricity but has been repurposed to produce RNG that can be easily injected into the natural gas pipeline and distributed throughout the nation.

In this case, U.S. Gain is sending RNG from Madison to their fleet customers in California where transportation-related emission reductions are a priority.

CHONEX OFFERS AN AFFORDABLE SOLUTION TO SKYROCKETING FERTILIZER PRICES

Alabama AgTech firm CHONEX produces STRONGSOIL, a microbial concentrate that restores a thriving microbe population to soil. “Healthy soil is living soil. Unfortunately, decades of chemical-intensive agriculture have depleted agricultural soil of the microbes that are essential to plant growth,” said Michael Lynch, CHONEX founder and CEO.

Some growers are cutting back on fertilizer to save money, knowing that they might sacrifice yield at harvest. Lynch recommends that farmers maintain crop quality by using STRONGSOIL alongside their reduced fertilizer application.

Now in its second year of field trials, STRONGSOIL will be used in 50 trials in 10 states, including Grand Farm Education and Research Initiative in North Dakota, which is focused on developing the future farm.

STRONGSOIL is produced from layer chicken manure in egg production. CHONEX has developed a proprietary process utilizing the black soldier fly to consume the manure, converting it to frass and destroying the harmful pathogens that can inhabit

manure. The result is a granular, lightweight product that is brewed into a STRONGSOIL Tea, which is then applied to soil, inoculating it with hundreds of millions beneficial live microbes per milliliter. Key to STRONGSOIL’s functionality is the consistency of the product and the breadth of microbe biodiversity.

In addition to benefiting farmers, STRONGSOIL benefits the environ-

A unique attribute of this project that amplifies its positive environmental impact is the incorporation of a renewable energy microgrid onsite. Featuring solar panels and batteries, this microgrid has an output of more than 2.8 megawatts (MW) of clean energy generation — the equivalent of powering more than 400 homes. This increases energy efficiency and further reduces the RNG’s carbon intensity (CI) score. Microgrid use in agricultural applications is still a relatively new concept, but as projects like this come online successfully, other digester operations will see it as a viable solution.

U.S. Gain continues to find innovative ways to optimize gas production at their more than 30 RNG development sites. For more information on partnering with U.S. Gain, visit usgain.com.

ment in multiple ways, by upcycling layer chicken manure, reducing the amount of fertilizer used, and reducing reliance on agricultural pesticides and herbicides. Reducing the amount of fertilizer used also reduces the amount of fertilizer that is washed into waterways and solubilized into the air. By adding microbes to the soil, STRONGSOIL enhances the soil’s ability to absorb and store CO2 and counter greenhouse gas emissions.

More information is available at STRONGSOIL.com.

PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY

ANAEROBIC DIGESTER SERVICES

Agricultural Digesters LLC 88 Holland Ln. #302 Williston, VT 05495

802-876-7877

info@AgriculturalDigesters.com www.AgriculturalDigesters.com

Future Enviroassets LLC

513-349-3844

LF@futureenviroassets.com

www.futureenviroassets.com

ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS

Hall Associates

23 Evergreen Dr. Georgetown, DE 19947-9484 302-855-0723

hallassociates@mediacombb.net

Tomorrow Water

1225 N. Patt St. Anaheim, CA 92801 714-578-0676

info@bkt21.com

tomorrowwater.com

Trident Processes Inc.

1-800-799-3740

frank.engel@tridentprocesses.com www.tridentprocesses.com

COATINGS

Industrial Solutions

5115 S. Rolling Green Ave. Ste. 211 Sioux Falls, SD 57108 605-254-6059

www.isusananoclear.com

PLACES TO BE

DEWATERING EQUIPMENT

Press Technology & Mfg. Inc. 1401 Fotler Street Springfield, OH 45504 937-327-0755

dberner@presstechnology.com

WASTE HANDLING EQUIPMENT

R Braun Inc. 209 N. 4th Ave. St. Nazianz, WI 54232 920-773-2143

www.RBrauninc.com

R Braun Inc. 209 N. 4th Ave. St. Nazianz, WI 54232 920-773-2143

www.RBrauninc.com

Texas Animal Manure Management Issues Conference

August 10 and 11, 2022 Fort Worth, Texas

Details: https://tammi.tamu.edu /tammi-2022

U.S. Poultry and Egg Association Environmental Management Seminar

September 22 and 23, 2022 Destin, Fla.

Details: https://www.uspoultry.org /programs/education/seminar

World Beef Expo

September 22 to 25, 2022 West Allis, Wis.

Details: https://www.worldbeefexpo.com

World Dairy Expo

October 2 to 7, 2022 Madison, Wis.

Details: https://worlddairyexpo.com

Sustainable Agriculture Summit

November 16 and 17, 2022 Glendale, Ariz.

Details: https://sustainableagsummit.org

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Trade Show and Convention

February 1 to 3, 2023 New Orleans, La.

Details: https://www.ncba.org/events

Minnesota Pork Conference

February 21 and 22, 2023 Mankato, Minn.

Details: https://www.mnporkcongress.com

Midwest Manure Summit

February 28, 2023 Green Bay, Wis.

Details: https://dairy.extension.wisc.edu/ events/midwest-manure-summit

If you would like us to include your event on our list, please send details to info@jofnm.com

STAY OUT OF TROUBLE

by Thomas Menke

Confinement operations built under a roof were exempt unless they had an intentional discharge.

easy to procrastinate when you’re busy.

Irecently helped a client work through a regulatory quagmire. The violation was a storage pond freeboard exceedance. The resolution was application of manure on cropland — two months later. An anticipated six figure fine is yet to come.

We question the rationale of some manure regulations. We sometimes deal with unknowledgeable or over-zealous enforcers. I have made a career of studying manure laws and have been “accused” of knowing the law better than some regulators. I find it necessary to know what is required and what is not. Mission-creep is something that agriculture must always be vigilant against.

The back story

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) law under the Clean Water Act is the regulation for each state on which to build their programs. This is part of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). How do you eliminate manure discharges? By issuing permits that authorize only discharges with unattainable limits.

The CAFO program was originally designed for large cattle feedlots where manure and resultant stormwater discharges met on a regular basis.

What set the permit threshold of 1,000 animal units? At the time of CAFO inception in 1974, it was determined that the number of feedlots with that many cattle could be efficiently regulated by government staffing. Is there any correlation between animal unit types? Why do cattle equal one unit, egg layers 82 units, and swine 2.5? I did a white paper on this some time ago, examining manure production and other factors. The answer was unequivocally “no.”

Why aren’t farms with various types of livestock additive for classification as

3. Build adequate storage to meet management needs, not just the minimum to satisfy the regulation. When the pit is full, bad things happen.

4. Know where every field surface or tile outlet is and have tile plugs or a backhoe onsite during applications. Nothing is more gut-wrenching than when the water runs black and you stand there helplessly.

5. Don’t hide a spill — report it to the regulator immediately. “Maybe no one will notice” is a high-risk, five-word phrase. Years ago, a farmer I know spilled a small quantity of manure that went into a barnyard catch basin. Checking all of the obvious tile outlets,

a CAFO? The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) explanation is this: “Mixed species are typically family farms and we don’t intend to target those for permits.” Sigh.

Better safe than sorry

Suffice it to say, there are often parts of regulations that make no sense, and manure laws are no exception. When clients complain about this, I remind them that unless they are willing to help fix the current law, they are obliged to conform to it.

Here is my list of recommendations to help you stay out of trouble:

1. Read and understand your permit. Having filled out the forms and getting approval is only the first step.

2. Keep good records. All programs require records. This is the area most farms are lax with and get dinged for. It’s

no discharge was found. The next day, a neighbor noticed it and called the EPA. A year after the incident, the offender spent six months in the gray-bar hotel in lieu of the mounting legal expenses. The government has our tax money to fund their army of lawyers.

6. Realize that there are not enough regulators to police every farm every day. When they catch someone out of compliance, they will want to make it painful so others will notice.

The intent of these laws is honorable, and we need to keep our manure where it belongs — on the land. Pay attention and do your part. ■

The author is the president of Menke Consulting LLC, an agronomic and environmental consulting firm in Greenville, Ohio.

The intent of these laws is honorable, and we need to keep our manure where it belongs — on the land.

Worth its W eight in...Manure?

Pit-king

There’s more value in that manure than you may think. Containing a proprietary enzyme blend, microorganisms, co-factors and a patented Bacillus strain, Pit-King’s multi-enzyme blend quickly breaks down undigested manure solids, while its unique microorganism combination continues manure solid decomposition and also helps reduce compounds like ammonia.

On-Farm results

After 60 days, an on-farm trial showed Pit-King® treated manure featured less solids content, lower levels of ammonia and greater amounts of molecular nitrogen without altering overall mineral composition, resulting in less volatile manure that is also more pumpable.

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