Page 60 - Nutrient Management Planning Guide

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Manure and Fertilizer as Sources of Nutrients and Potential Environmental Hazards

Fertilizer has several advantages over •

manure including: standardized nutrient content, readily plant available nutrients, can be blended to meet crop requirements, higher nutrient concentration and more easily handled. The advantages of manure relative to •

fertilizer include: minimal cost, provides a broad nutrient profile, provides nutrients both immediately and slowly over time, and has soil conditioning benefits. The major risks to soil quality from manure •

application are increased salinity and soil compaction due to use of application equipment during high-risk periods (e.g., wet spring season).

The major risk to groundwater quality •

from nutrient application is NO

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- leaching to groundwater sources, this has potential human and animal health concerns. The major risk to surface water is increased •

eutrophication resulting from nutrients carried to surface water bodies from manured or fertilized fields. Manure pathogens transmitted to surface •

water can pose a significant risk to human and animal health if consumed. Odour from manure application can •

adversely impact air quality, particularly with surface application without incorporation.

summary