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Added Value From Pig Manures and Slurries

A document explaining the nutrient content of pig manures and slurries, and how these may be utilised to maximum effect and finacial value.

Year of Publication2010

Livestock manures and slurries are often referred to as wastes when in fact they are a valuable resource. BPEX promotes the responsible use of pig manures.Provided pig manures and slurries are spread for agricultural benefit, ie for their manurial value at rates consistent with expected crop demand throughout a rotation or on grassland, they are not regarded as wastes under current legislation; unless they have been treated with chemicals.Pig manures and slurries contain useful quantities of essential Nitrogen (N) Phosphorous (P) and Potassium (K) and other plant nutrients.  An added benefit over inorganic fertiliser is the ability to improve the organic matter content of the soil under a rotational system, especially with straw-based regimes. This improves soil texture, workability and quantity of water available for uptake by plant roots while improving drainage characteristics.Not all the nutrients in pig manure are readily available to plants and the value of the manure will vary in-line with spot fertiliser prices.

This item is categorised as follows

• Subject Collection > Arable & industrial crops > Nutrition & fertilisers
• Subject Collection > Greenhouse Gas
• Subject Collection > Environmental impact > Wastes management & pollution control
• Subject Collection > Livestock & dairy > Pig production
• Subject Collection > Environmental impact > Climate change

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