SALEM, Ohio — Farmers usually don’t raise livestock for the manure, but nonetheless manure is a guaranteed byproduct of any livestock operation.

And, it’s an important product — one that can make a big difference in crop fertility programs, and that needs to be applied accurately to get the best results, while avoiding environmental contamination.

Researchers and manure science experts are gearing up for the annual North American Manure Expo, to be held Aug. 3-4 at the Ohio Farm Science Review grounds, in London, Ohio.

Wide reach

The event will bring together farmers, custom manure applicators, equipment vendors, and “will appeal to anyone who wants to learn more about the best utilization of livestock manure,” said Glen Arnold, co-chairman and nutrient specialist with Ohio State University Extension.

Learn more and get registered.

Arnold said there are three main parts to the show: on-farm tours scheduled for opening day, a trade show, and field demonstrations that will show different types of solid and liquid manure application.

“This is a two-day intensive on everything,” said co-chairman Amanda Douridas, an Extension educator from Champaign County. “Manure management is something that is important to farmers and manure applicators, especially with the water quality concerns we’ve had in Ohio.”

Register now

The Expo events are free, but the opening day tours carry a $20 cost to cover transportation and lunch. Organizers recommend registering in advance, and registration is required for the tours, which are filling up.

On Aug. 3, attendees will begin the day with one of three all-day tours — a beef farm, dairy farm, or compost and nutrient management site — followed by pit agitation and solid/liquid manure separation demonstrations.

The Manure Expo will be staged at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center, home of the Farm Science Review. The grounds open at 3 p.m. on Aug. 3 and will be open until 8 p.m. Attendees will be able to visit with various vendors during the afternoon and evening.

More than 90 manufacturers and service providers will be exhibiting. There will also be educational sessions involving a presentation from Livestock Water Recycling, Puck Pump School, and information on small-farm manure management and cover crops.

On the second day, Aug. 4, the grounds will be open from 7:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Day Two features a full day of educational sessions, including water quality initiatives and regulations, reducing phosphorous runoff, liquid and solid manure handling and application, safety and transport, anaerobic digestion, new technologies, and biosecurity procedures.

Growing crops

Arnold said the show will also discuss how to side-dress manure into standing corn, and how it can be top-dressed onto growing crops like wheat.

“Ohio’s been on the leading edge of using manure in growing crops,” he said.

Arnold said the show will also discuss the use of frack tanks, the large metal tanks being used in the oil and gas drilling in eastern Ohio, and are now being used as temporary manure storage structures in fields.

Getting credit. He said the show will serve as a place for farmers and manure applicators to get ideas, and to ask questions of experts. And, custom applicators can also pick up necessary certifications and credits, such as Certified Livestock Manager, and Certified Crop Adviser credits.

About the show

The Expo was first organized by the University of Wisconsin in 2001, and most of the shows are held in Wisconsin, but on a rotation that has included Ohio and Pennsylvania, which hosted the event last year.

For information, lodging options and to register, visit agannex.com/manure-manager/manure-expo.