Journal of the NACAA: Wheat Yield Results from Top-dressing with Liquid Swine Manure
Over the course of a three-year study, swine finishing manure was used as a top-dress nitrogen source for soft red winter wheat and was compared to urea fertilizer. There was no statistical yield difference between the urea, surface applied manure, and incorporated manure treatments.
Introduction
Soft red winter wheat is typically top-dressed with urea in late March or early April in Northwest Ohio; liquid swine finishing manure could potentially be used as a top-dress N source for wheat, opening up a new window for applying manure in Ohio.
Methods
The top-dress N source was swine finishing manure, which was compared to urea in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Treatments were applied the last week of March or the first week of April each year, when the wheat was in Feekes growth stage four to five.
Results
In this study, strong wheat yields were produced during the 2007 and 2009 crop seasons. During the first year of the study, the surface applied manure treatment resulted in a statistically significant increased yield; however, during years two and three of the study, all treatments were statistically similar, and there was no significant yield difference for the three-year average.
When should I fertilize my wheat?
The best time to apply nitrogen is around mid-March, just before the wheat begins to grow rapidly; applications made earlier risk loss during rainy periods; the amount of nitrogen applied during this time should be enough to bring the total amount of nitrogen applied in February and March to the 60-90 lb/ac range.
When should manure be applied?
Apply after soil temperatures drop below 50u00b0F but before the soil freezes to prevent nitrogen from being converted to forms that are easily lost. Do not apply in the fall on coarse-textured soils.
Does wheat need manure?
Before planting wheat, use manure as a substitute for commercial phosphorus (P) fertilizer, focusing on fields with soil P levels less than 25 ppm (Bray test). High ammonium-nitrogen (N) manures (e.g., swine manure) injected into the soil can meet wheat’s N requirements.
What is the best fertilizer for winter wheat?
Nitrogen fertilizers should be applied at rates based on expected crop yields minus credits for residual soil nitrates and nitrogen mineralized from organic matter, manure, and previous legume crops. Phosphate fertilizers should be applied at rates based on soil test results.
What is best wheat fertilizer?
u201cThe use of starter fertilizer u2013 both phosphorus and nitrogen u2013 can be an effective method for meeting part or even all of wheat’s phosphorus needs. Wheat plants typically show a significant increase in fall tillers and better root development when starter fertilizer u2013 both phosphorus and nitrogen u2013 is used.
Which fertilizer is good for wheat?
The only potassic fertilizers currently available on the market are muriate of potash and potassium sulphate, both of which are equally good for wheat. In addition to the major nutrients (N, P, and K), good responses to micronutrients, particularly zinc, have been obtained in many areas.
How long after adding manure can I plant?
Fresh manure may contain high amounts of viable weed seeds, which can lead to a weed problem, so wait 3 to 4 weeks after application before planting anything in the area to avoid salt damage.
Is compost better than manure?
Compost has a higher concentration of nutrients than manure due to its lower water content. It also provides organic matter that slowly releases nutrients, reduces soil compaction, and improves the soil’s binding properties.
What time of year do farmers spread manure?
Spreading is most common in late winter before summer planting and late summer/early autumn after harvest, but it can also take place at other times of the year if the weather permits.
What is a good starter fertilizer?
As a starter fertilizer, any high-quality, complete fertilizer with at least nitrogen and phosphorus will suffice; however, it should have a high phosphate (Psub>2/sub>Osub>5/sub>) ratio (e.g., 1-2-1, 1-3-1, 1-4-2, or 1-5-0) and the phosphate in starter fertilizers should be highly water soluble.
How much fertilizer do I need for winter wheat per acre?
Wheat requires 2 to 2.5 pounds of nitrogen (N) per bushel (bu) of grain, or 1 pound per acre or each 3 pound-per-acre animal gain if grazed. N deficiency can result in reduced tillering, head size reduction, poor grain fill, and low protein content.
How many pounds of fertilizer do you need per acre for wheat?
Nitrogen fertilizer applications for crops like wheat, sorghum, and sunflowers should be at least 50 pounds of actual nitrogen per acre, with no need to apply more than 100 pounds nitrogen per acre in a single application.
When should I fertilize winter wheat?
Spring nitrogen fertilization of winter wheat is best done in March, but split timing may provide additional yield benefits, especially with soil types and weather conditions that favor N loss.
How much fertilizer do you need per acre?
50 pounds of nitrogen per acre multiplied by 0.46 pounds of fertilizer per acre equals 109 pounds of fertilizer to apply per acre.
How can we increase wheat production?
Grain numbers per unit area and individual grain weight are two key yield components in wheat; high yields are obtained by achieving the correct leaf and shoot numbers, maintaining a green leaf canopy, and increasing grain numbers/ear and grain size.