Keeping it in the Root Zone

This highly successful event truly reflects the value of multi-state collaboration and partnerships that the GLRWP supports. The purpose of the Great Lakes Manure Expo was to provide producers with practical and innovative ideas for land application of manure. By showcasing a systems approach to manure applications, the event focused on communicating the dollar value of manure nutrients, the cost associated with transporting them to the most appropriate fields, conservation practices that will impact retaining these nutrients, and odor control concerns. Although only ninety evaluations were returned (attendance was nearly 1300), respondents indicated that they were going to increase their frequency of: calculating hauling costs, replacing fertilizer with manure, manure testing, keeping better records, improving odor management and even crop producers taking manure from a livestock farm. The best comment indicating direct impact was from a large Michigan pork producer indicating, “as a result of the discussion at the field day the farm has decided to lay down 4-5 miles of pipe and purchase an Aerway and possibly a Cadman outfit (equipment used for incorporating manure)”, directly related to the Expo theme “keeping manure in the rootzone”. In addition, Michigan is not generally considered the “go to state” in the Midwest for agriculture. The tri-state Planning Committee felt that this event left participants with a strong positive impression of university Extension systems, specifically Michigan State. The Planning Committee included farmers, custom manure applicators, a private consultant, and university educators. The diversity of interests involved in planning was key to the event’s success. The Expo had many sponsors, including local farmers agri-businesses, and the Great Lakes Regional Water Program.

Contacts:

Natalie Rector
Michigan State University
(269) 781-0908
rector@msu.edu