The usage of manure as fertilizer has been a hot topic for Iowa in recent years. Many people worry about the impacts that soil runoff could have on soil health and water quality. However, when used correctly, the usage of manure fertilizer can actually have a positive impact on both of those factors. The Iowa Select Farms Soil Health and Water Quality Sustainability Report was recently conducted in the Raccoon River Watershed to prove this. Erica Lain, Iowa Select Farms sustainability manager, talked about some of the findings from the study.
Lain said the report showed that responsible application can be nine times more effective on soil erosion.
While there isn?t one grand solution for soil conservation, Lain said that manure application can be another conservation tool for farmers to add to their operations.
Lain said any farmer with access to hog manure can get involved.
Lain added that this study is part of their new Iowa Select Farms Smart Soil Partnership Program.
Lain said there will be many ways to learn about the new program as it grows.
Lain said that they?ve know that hog manure has a positive impact on soil health for a long time. Now, they have the data that proves it.
Click here for the full report on the study.
