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Natural Resources Extension Program
Testing manure for nutrient content
Manure testing is necessary to determining the nutrient
contest. The following steps outline a simple method
of doing this.
What should I sample
for:
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Manure is variable -
that is one sample will not provide a good estimate
of the nutrient content for the entire manure
pile. Therefore, taking several sub-samples is
necessary. The analysis should include moisture
content, total nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium,
ash, and organic matter. Ammonia should also be
included for liquid manures, but is usually not
necessary for solid manures.
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Finding
a lab to analyze manure: |
- Look in the phone book under laboratories
that specialize in agricultural industry.
- Contact your local County Extension Office
and ask them for labs in your area.
- Contact your local NRCS Office.
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IMPORTANT: Contact the lab
that will be running the tests before you start
sampling, to obtain specific sampling instructions.
The following steps are general sampling instructions.
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Wet vs Dry basis:
Manure test results can be reported on a wet basis
(fresh, as-is) or on a dry basis. Ask the lab to
use the wet basis, since this is more practical.
(You won't be oven-drying your manure piles before
applying them to your fields.)
- If you are not sure which you have in your
report, look at the numbers for % ash, % organic
matter, and % moisture:
- If % ash + % organic matter + % moisture
= 100%, it is wet basis;
- If % ash + % organic matter = %100, it
is dry basis.
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General
Sampling Method:
Collecting Samples from Solid
Manure*:
- Remove the surface 6" crust and use an auger
or shovel to core into the pile.
- Take a minimum of six (6) separate sub-samples from
different points around the pile.
- Combine the samples in a clean bucket.
- Mix the samples well and transfer approximately
one quart (1 qt.) to a clean plastic bag.
- Keep all samples cool until they can be transported
to a lab.
Collecting Samples from Liquid
Manure*:
- Sample from the liquid storage structure, from the
outlet pipe, or from the field sprinklers using catch
cans.
- Collect a minimum of six separate samples (sub-samples).
- Combine the sub-samples in a clean bucket, mix well,
and transfer approximately one pint of liquid to a
clean bottle or other clean, rigid container.
* Adapted, with permission, from Utah State University
Extension Service, publication "Comprehensive Nutrient
Management Planning, A 12 Step Guide."
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