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Nitrogen Balance: <br /> Nitrogen required at fields 173,242 lbs. N <br /> Nitrogen from liquids: 119,418 lbs. N <br /> Nitrogen shortage from liquids: 53,824 lbs. N <br /> Nitrogen from solids: 182,759 <br /> Nitrogen Balance: Positve is a shortage, (Negative is an excess) (128,935) <br /> -71% <br /> Nitrogen Excess in Liquids 0% <br /> Nitrogen Excess in Solids -71% <br /> Nitrogen Loading Conclusion <br /> The current farming operation is adequate to consume all the nitrogen contained in liquids and approximately 29%of the solids generated at the site. <br /> Approximately 71%of the solids need to be sold off site to maintain proper nutrient balance at the crop fields.Manure solids need <br /> to be incorporated into the soil immediately after application to minimize volitization of ammonia into the atmosphere. <br /> F As indicated in the calculations above,the remaining nitrogen that will be in liquids after storage losses in the flush lagoon and <br /> irrigation pond are fewer than the calculated nitrogen demand from the proposed farming acreage. <br /> Proper dairy pond water nutrient testing need be used&recorded for each irrigation application.Proper distribution,clear water mixing, <br /> and application timing also needs to be recorded. <br /> Use of dairy pond water to maintain the proper moisture content of manure piles while in the composting process can reduce the <br /> volume&consequently the amount of nutrient applied to the fields in the form of liquids. <br /> ❑Composting of the manure solids will condition the solids prior to application to the farm. <br /> ❑Composting converts an organic waste material into a stable organic product by converting nitrogen from the unstable ammonia form <br /> to a more stable organic form.The end result is a product that is safer to use than raw organic material. <br /> ❑Composting can reduce the nitrate content of the solids due to anaerobic bacterial activity.Anaerobic activity will cause denitification <br /> of nitrate to convert the nitrates to the gaseous form as nitrous oxide or nitrogen gas during the composting process. <br /> This gas then escapes into the atmosphere.Considering that composting is an aerobic activity,anaerobic activity can be controlled by <br /> simply turning the material to aerate it at the proper time which is the point at which aerobic bacterial activity has consumed all the <br /> oxygen with in the mix. <br /> Manure is more carbonaceous than commercial fertilizer and carbon is a common energy source to bacteria.Consequently,some <br /> denitification will also take place in the soil naturally. <br /> Compost is used primarily as a fertilizer supplement and soil conditioner.Compost improves soil structure and fertility.Nutrients in <br /> finished compost will be slowly released over a period of years,thus minimizing the risk of nitrate leaching and high nutrient <br /> concentrations in surface runoff. <br /> ❑A balanced liquids/solids application rates are favorable to the agronomical management of the soil because of the soil requiring <br /> organic materials to increase filth,water intake rate,water retention capabilities and consequently,nitrate retention capability. <br /> ❑It is important to apply nutrients through out the growing season as the crop requires lt. <br /> ❑The lagoon water needs to be managed in such a fashion that the irrigation pond is empty prior to the winter rainfall season,yet not <br /> _ applying nutrients to the crops when they are not needed. <br /> Over irrigation needs to be at a minimum for nitrates can be pushed past shallow rooted crop effective usage depth due to the low water holding capacity <br /> of the farms'soils. <br />