Applying Manure with A Drag Line System

Applying manure with a drag line system is getting a lot of interest from farmers in Pennsylvania these days. In response to the demand, a number of custom manure haulers have invested in this equipment making this practice available in many areas. With the cool wet weather delaying field work this spring and creating wetter than desired soil conditions, this may be a good season to try drag line manure application.

One of the major benefits of drag line use is the removal of a heavy manure tanker from the system. While many tankers have floatation tires, the weight of that equipment definitely is a compaction risk. In many seasons, periods of wet weather forces application at times when soil conditions are not ideal, therefore increasing the risk of compaction. Using a drag line for manure application reduces that risk.

Efficiency of application is another advantage to the drag line system. Many operators have enough hose to pump manure as far as 3 miles from the manure storage. A large pump at the storage is usually controlled by the operator in the application rig. Being able to pump manure over that distance enables the application unit to keep applying for long periods of time. This eliminates all the time in running a long distance back to the storage to refill the tank after each load. So, the amount of manure that can be applied in a short weather window is increased.

An additional advantage of not running back to the storage after each load is road safety. This is especially important in the more congested traffic areas which includes much of Pennsylvania's agricultural areas. This also eliminates the time lost in slow traffic congestion.

Typically, there are two kinds of application units used with a drag line. One option is a tool bar with multiple splatter plates. This allows for typical surface application.

Today there is a growing interest in manure incorporation. This can be combined with a drag line system using an incorporation tool bar.   Many years of surface application can cause a build-up of very high phosphorus levels in the top inch or two of soil. This can lead to increased runoff of dissolved phosphorus into surface waters. Today's incorporation equipment enables the injection of manure a few inches below the surface with very minimal soil disturbance. This captures most of the conservation benefits of no-till while reducing the environmental concerns caused by the build-up of phosphorus at the soil surface.

Another advantage of manure incorporation is the increased nitrogen availability for the crop reducing the need for additional fertilizer. Only 20% of the nitrogen in surface-applied dairy manure is available for the following crop. Much of the loss is due to ammonia volatilization off the surface. When incorporating 50% of the nitrogen is available to the crop since ammonia loss is reduced. The nitrogen savings are even greater when applying hog manure. For surface applied grower/finisher manure only 20% of the nitrogen is captured for the following crop. But if this manure is incorporated 70% of the nitrogen is available. The value of the increased nitrogen is often more than the cost for incorporation, so it is a financial win.

Odor control is another benefit when incorporating. Odor concerns are specific to location but many farms in Pennsylvania are near neighbors who may object to manure odors. Incorporating can reduce manure odor issues significantly.

A number of custom operators who offer drag line services are equipped to incorporate as well.  This combination of drag lines with an injection tool bar delivers the benefits of both systems to the farmer.