If you were to ask 100 cattle feeders how they assess profitability, that discussion would be dominated by breakevens, cost of gain, and profit/loss on a pen closeout. Adding value to farm-raised crops might come up for a farmer feeder, especially if the price of grain is low. If manure enters the discussion at all, it is usually only in the context of yardage costs, labor demands, and bedding expense.
However, manure plays a key role in reducing system costs for integrated livestock-crops enterprises. Livestock waste can be a valuable source of crop nutrients when correctly managed. That becomes even more important during years when fertilizer costs are higher than normal.
Figure 1 shows the nutrient value of manure per head of capacity for three different beef housing systems. These values assume that the feedlot is full year-round and that 50% of manure N is available for crop growth. Manure production estimates were taken from the Iowa State University Beef Feedlot Systems Manual.
Using the price assumptions shown, a 999-head beef facility would generate approximately $49,000, $103,000, and $125,000 worth of crop nutrients for an open yard, bed pack, or slat floor barn, respectively. If we just look at nitrogen alone those values are $21,000, $42,500, and $53,300 per head of capacity, respectively. Those values do not show up on a closeout report, but they absolutely will reduce direct cash costs and improve farm profitability.
Figure 2 shows how these values could change based on fertilizer costs for an open yard. For an open yard, manure value per head ranges from about $45 to just over $50 per head of capacity depending upon urea and DAP values.
Confinement systems that capture greater proportions of manure value, such as bed pack or slatted floor facilities, would show a similar pattern only with greater values per head.
How Do We Capitalize on Manure Value?
If cattle feeders are going to capitalize on this resource, we cannot treat manure, well… like manure. Hauling to the closest field is more convenient and saves costs in the short run. However, taking a more strategic approach to manure application will increase value to the overall system.
Test: The only way to reliably match manure value with crop requirements is to test both manure and soil fertility. Manure composition is highly variable depending on bedding, diet, degree of N loss during storage, dry matter content of the manure and other factors. Representative samples and accurate lab analysis will allow for more precise application.
Prioritize target fields: Fields should be chosen based on soil fertility and prior field history. Applying manure adds organic matter that has been removed, whether from silage harvest or crop residue removal. Avoiding fields with an extensive history of manure application will place crop nutrients where they will be more effective and reduce any negative effects of prior over-application. Phosphorus in particular will build up over time with repeated application history.
Reduce risk of loss: Selecting fields with less risk of nutrient losses, whether from leaching in sandy soils or from runoff on steeper slopes, will keep crop nutrients where they can benefit crop reduction rather than moving off target. Knifing in liquid manure or incorporating solid manure, when possible, reduces nutrient volatilization and keeps nutrients in place to support crop growth.
