The Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program is a federal grant program that is part of the USDA NRCS EQIP program. This talk will describe the most significant parts of the program, explain the program intent and eligibility, and outline important program requirements that are unique to CIG. The second part of the presentation will review several successful projects on equipment and practices for in-season nutrient management and nutrient recovery techniques. This presentation was originally broadcast on February 28, 2025. Continue reading “Moving Manure Research Forward Through the NRCS CIG Program”
Managing Dairy Manure for Increased Soil Health and Forage Production Sustainability
Manure is a valuable source of crop-essential nutrients that, when managed carefully, can help build soil organic matter, enhance nutrient cycling, and improve overall soil health and climate resilience over time. In 2022, a statewide on-farm research project was initiated in New York State to quantify the nitrogen (N) replacement value, corn silage or grain yield, and soil health enhancements of various manure sources. Between 2022 and 2023, eleven on-farm field trials were implemented. Yield data are being used to quantify differences in most economic N rate between manured and non-manured strips, and to quantify the yield impact of the manure applications. In 2024, eight additional trials were added using various manure sources. Results so far indicate that manure can offset N fertilizer needs and increase corn silage yield beyond its nutrient contributions, but impacts are field-specific, reflecting differences in field histories and growing conditions. Assessments of soil microbial biomass for sites in 2023 and 2024 reflected the manure history for trial locations and suggest that mid-season assessments may help identify where nitrogen fertilizer addition is beneficial for the crop and where not. Assessment of variability of different manure sources point to the importance of manure sampling and analyses. Preliminary results will be shared. This presentation was originally broadcast on October 18, 2024. Continue reading “Managing Dairy Manure for Increased Soil Health and Forage Production Sustainability”
The Role of Agriculture in Atmospheric Nitrogen Deposition: Sources, Impacts, and Management
Agriculture is the largest source of ammonia emissions and contributes to nitrogen deposition which can impact ecosystem health. This webinar introduces the topic of nitrogen deposition and provides an overview of the role of the National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) in determining nitrogen deposition sources. In addition, the speakers provide an overview of a region being impacted by agriculture related nitrogen deposition and discusses agricultural management practices that may reduce ammonia emissions and nitrogen deposition. This presentation was originally broadcast on September 20, 2024. Continue reading “The Role of Agriculture in Atmospheric Nitrogen Deposition: Sources, Impacts, and Management”
Fifty Years of Environmental Progress for US Dairy Farms
Many changes have occurred in the technology, management, and resulting productivity and environmental impacts of United States dairy farms over the past 50 years. Based on research recently published in the Journal of Dairy Science, Dr. Al Rotz will discuss how changes in production have impacted 13 environmental metrics and where improvements can still be made in the future. This presentation was originally broadcast on August 16, 2024. Continue reading “Fifty Years of Environmental Progress for US Dairy Farms”
Optimizing Agricultural Practices: Balancing Manure Use and Minimizing Compaction
This webinar discusses why compaction is a cropping challenge, considers how the application of manure can lead to it, and the effects of manure on soil resiliency. This presentation was originally broadcast on April 19, 2024. Continue reading “Optimizing Agricultural Practices: Balancing Manure Use and Minimizing Compaction”
Energy Conservation in Livestock and Poultry Operations
To be sustainable, producers need to conserve energy while still maintaining or improving their facilities and the lives of the animals they house. This presentation was originally broadcast on December 15, 2023. Continue reading “Energy Conservation in Livestock and Poultry Operations”
Implications of Manure Additives: Both Purposeful and Accidental
This webinar discusses purposeful additives like nitrification inhibitors and biochar as well as accidental additives like copper sulfate from disinfecting foot baths and how these things can and should impact our decisions when applying manure. This presentation was originally broadcast on September 22, 2023. Continue reading “Implications of Manure Additives: Both Purposeful and Accidental”
Carbon Markets for Livestock Operations: Producer Perspectives
The final in a series of 3 webinars, this presentation focuses on producer perspectives of carbon markets for livestock operations. This presentation originally broadcast on January 20, 2023. Continue reading “Carbon Markets for Livestock Operations: Producer Perspectives”
Emissions from Composting
This webinar focuses on air emissions associated different methods of composting and the subsequent emissions when composted manure is applied to cropland. This presentation was originally broadcast on September 18, 2020. More… Continue reading “Emissions from Composting”