Farmscape for June 18, 2007  (Episode 2514)

Researchers with the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute have completed the first field test of a newly developed solid and semi solid manure application system.

Earlier this month scientists with PAMI conducted the first field trial of a new prototype solid and semi solid manure injection system.

The prototype uses a series of discharge screw conveyers to auger manure to flexible injectors which then deliver the material to coulters that open trenches in the ground into which the manure is deposited and then covered.

Project leader Dr. Hubert Landry says scientists will be evaluating the agronomic aspects of the technology over the next three years.

Clip-Dr. Hubert Landry-Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute 

We have done our field work, our plot work, a couple miles west of Humboldt and it was performed in canola stubble.

We have applied a number of treatments.

Obviously we have injected the solid manure but also we have broadcasted and broadcasted followed by incorporation so we can compare the three practices.

We've been using feedlot manure, beef cattle manure for our plot trials this year and that manure had been composting for a year.

This allowed us to use a product that's much more consistent and repeatable because we're, as you know, on a three year program here.

We will be applying manure every spring over the next three years.

We thought this would be a good way to get a consistent and repeatable product but the hope is for that prototype to eventually work with any type of solid or semi solid manure.

Dr. Landry says, although the initial field test has identified a few modifications, the implement is fairly functional and he is confident in the future of the new technology.

He expects preliminary agronomic results this fall.

For Farmscape.Ca, I'm Bruce Cochrane.

       *Farmscape is a presentation of Sask Pork and Manitoba Pork Council