ABSTRACT
Cattle manure is considered a good "shotgun" fertilizer. Manure should be applied to crops that generally respond best to nitrogen fertilization and should be used primarily as a phosphorus source, or on problem soils to correct chemical imbalances. Available nitrogen and salt are the major limiting factors in determining land application rates of livestock and poultry manures. Application rates are usually based on nitrogen because it is the most widely used fertilizer element and the most mobile nutrient from the standpoint of surface and groundwater pollution control. The nutrient content of liquid beef cattle manure varies because of different diets and nutrient losses resulting from various handling systems. Animal manures added to soils tend to increase soil porosity, permeability, and water holding capacity and to decrease bulk density and modulus of rupture. Selection of equipment and procedures for manure application will depend on manure moisture content, transportation distances, application rates, and economic factors.
