Some livestock farms that are overloaded with
strAteGIes for IMProvInG
nutrients are finding that composting is an attractive
nutrIent cYcLes
alternative way to handle manure. During the compost-
• Reduce unintended losses.
ing process, volume and weight are greatly reduced
• Enhance nutrient uptake efficiency.
(see chapter 13), resulting in less material to trans-
• Tap local nutrient sources.
port. Organic farmers are always on the lookout for
• Promote consumption of local y produced foods.
reasonably priced animal manures and composts. The
• Reduce exports of nutrients in farm products.
landscape industry also uses a fair amount of compost.
• Bring animal densities in line with the land base of
Local or regional compost exchanges can help remove
the farm.
nutrients from overburdened animal operations and
• Develop local partnerships to balance flows among
place them on nutrient-deficient soils.
different types of farms.
USINg FERTIlIZERS AND AMENDMENTS
• Develop local partnerships to balance flows
There are four main questions when applying nutrients:
among different types of farms. As pointed out
• How much is needed?
in chapter 9 when we discussed organic matter man-
• What source(s) should be used?
agement, sometimes neighboring farmers cooperate
• When should the fertilizer or amendment be applied?
with both nutrient management and crop rotations.
• How should the fertilizer or amendment be applied?
This is especially beneficial when a livestock farmer
Chapter 21 details the use of soil tests to help you
has too many animals and imports a high percentage
decide how much fertilizer or organic nutrient sources
of feed and a neighboring vegetable or grain farm
to apply. Here we will go over how to approach the other
has a need for nutrients and an inadequate land base
three issues.
for allowing a rotation that includes a forage legume.
By cooperating on nutrient management and rota-
Nutrient Sources: Commercial Fertilizers vs.
tions, both farms win, sometimes in ways that were
Organic Materials
not anticipated (see “Win-Win Cooperation” box).
There are numerous fertilizers and amendments that
Encouragement and coordination from an exten-
are normally used in agriculture (some are listed in
sion agent may help neighboring farmers work out
table 18.1). Fertilizers such as urea, triple superphos-
cooperative agreements. It is more of a challenge as
phate, and muriate of potash (potassium chloride) are
the distances become greater.
convenient to store and use. They are also easy to blend
WIn-WIn cooPerAtIon
Cooperation between Maine potato farmers and their dairy farm neighbors has led to better soil and crop quality for both types of farms. As potato farmer John Dorman explains, after cooperating with a dairy farm on rotations and manure management, soil health “has real y changed more in a few years than I’d have thought possible.” Dairy farmer Bob Fogler feels that the cooperation with the potato farmer al owed his family to expand the dairy herd. He notes, “We see fewer pests and better-quality corn. Our forage quality has improved. It’s hard to put a value on it, but forage quality means more milk.”
—FROM HOARD’S DAIRYMAN, APRIL 10, 1999
207
Building SoilS for Better CropS: SuStainaBle Soil ManageMent