SAMInitiative:SubsurfaceApplicationofManuresintheChesapeakeBayBasin

ConservationInnovationGrantFinalProgressReport,November30,2017

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund

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SAMInitiative:AchievingSubsurfaceApplicationofManuresintheChesapeakeBayBasin

CONSERVATIONINNOVATIONGRANTFinalProgressReport

GranteeEntityName:NationalFishandWildlifeFoundationProjectTitle:SAMInitiative:AchievingSubsurfaceApplicationofManuresintheChesapeakeBayBasinAgreementNumber:69-3A75-13-219ProjectDirector:JakeReillyContactInformation:113315thSt.NWWashingtonDC20005

PhoneNumber:202-595-2610E-Mail:jake.reilly@nfwf.org

PeriodCoveredbyReport:October1,2016throughAugust30,2017

ProjectEndDate:September30,2017

*Coverphoto:TimMcMichael,ownerofMcMichaelCustomSpreadingstandsbyaVTIdraghoseinjectionsystempurchasedtoimplementmanureinjectionontheNorthernEasternShoreofMaryland.SAMTeammembers:Dr.JoshMcGrathandGeneHahn,UniversityofKentucky;Dr.AmyShoberandShawnTingle,UniversityofDelaware;Dr.ArthurAllen,UniversityofMarylandEasternShore;Dr.PeterKleinman,USDA-ARSPastureSystems&WatershedManagementResearchUnit;Dr.JohnLongandDr.RandyTaylor,OklahomaStateUniversity;Dr.RoryMaguireandAndrewBierer,VirginiaTech;QuirineKetterings,CornellUniversity;PeterHughes,EvinFitzpatrick,andDarrenShenk,RedBarnConsulting;JennCottingandNaomiYoung,EnvironmentalFinanceCenter,UniversityofMaryland;andKristenHughesEvans,SustainableChesapeake.

Projectcollaborators:Customapplicatorpartnersandequipmentsuppliersinclude:AlleghenyAGLLC,McMichaelCustomSpreading,Agri-Applicators,Inc.,JasonStuth,andJoshLehman(LehmanAgLLC,nowmergedwithAgri-Applicators,Inc.),andAtlanticTractor.

Farmsthatsupportedtheprojectinclude:RiverhillFarm,ValleyViewFarm,Cros-B-CrestFarm,WindcrestHolsteinsFarm,BeeryFarms,DeBaughFarm.TheSAMteamwouldalsolike

tothankthe45dairyfarmersinMarylandwhoinjectedmanurewithfundingfromtheMarylandChesapeake&AtlanticCoastalBayTrustFundandthe49farmersinPennsylvaniawhoworkedwithRedBarnConsultingtoidentifyopportunitiesandbarrierstoexpandingmanureinjectionintheSouthCentralarea.

Conservation,landgrantuniversity,extension,financial,andstate/federalagencypartners:DanPote,MikeReiner,LouSaporito(USDA-ARS);StanFultz,JeffreySemmler,andMattMorris(UniversityofMarylandExtension);DougBeegle(PennStateExtension);DwightDotterer,HansSchmidtandLouiseLawrence(MarylandDepartmentofAgriculture);TimSextonandCrawfordPatterson(VirginiaDepartmentofConservationandRecreation);DennyRemsburgandtheBoardofDirectorsoftheCatoctin&FrederickSoilConservationDistrict,FarmCredit,JoshThomas(SassafrasRiverAssociation);andAmyCollickandDonMahan(UMES).TheSAMprojectteamwouldalsoliketothankNRCSstaffinDelaware,Maryland,NewYork,Pennsylvania,andVirginiaforprojectimplementationsupport.

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Projectfundingprovidedby:TheUSDAConservationInnovationGrant,theU.S.EPAInnovativeNutrientandSedimentReductionProgram,theNationalFishandWildlife

Foundation,theMarylandChesapeakeBayandCoastalAtlanticTrustFund,UniversityofDelaware,VirginiaTech,CornellUniversity,RedBarnConsulting,andtheCampbellFoundation.

EstablishedbyCongressin1984,theNationalFishandWildlifeFoundation(NFWF)workswithboththepublicandprivatesectorstoprotectandrestorethenation’sfish,wildlife,plantsandhabitat’s.NFWF’sChesapeakeBayStewardshipFundisdedicatedtoprotectingandrestoringtheBaybyhelpinglocalcommunitiescleanupandrestoretheirpollutedriversandstreams.ThisprojectwasfundedthroughNRCSConservationInnovationGrants(CIG).CIGisacompetitivegrantprogramthatstimulatesthedevelopmentandadoptionofinnovativeapproachesandtechnologiesforconservationonagriculturallands.ThroughCIG,NRCSpartnerswithpublicandprivateentitiestoacceleratetechnologytransferandadoptpromisingtechnologies.

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TheSAMInitiative:AchievingSubsurfaceApplicationofManuresintheChesapeakeBayBasin

ExecutiveSummary TheSAMInitiative:AchievingSubsurfaceApplicationofManuresintheChesapeakeBayBasinisaregional,collaborativeeffortthatengagedateamofsoilscientists,agronomists,andengineerstoreducenitrogenandphosphoruslosstowatersoftheChesapeakeBaybyadvancingthedeploymentofbothliquidandsolidmanureinjectiontechnologiesinhigh-densityanimalproductionregionsoftheChesapeakeBaywatershed.Comparedtosurfaceapplication,manureinjectionplacesmanure3-5in.belowthesoilsurface,wheremanurenutrientsareprotected

fromsurfacerunoffandmanureammonia-nitrogenislesslikelytovolatilizetotheatmosphere.Comparedtosurfaceapplication(themostcommonwayofapplyingmanureintheregion),manureinjection:

• Improvesairandwaterquality;• Reducesodor;• Reducestheneedforsupplemental

nitrogentherebysavingmoneyonfertilizer;and

• Wheninjectedusinglow-disturbanceequipment,injectionsupportsno-tillproductionsystemsandsoilhealth.

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Toachievetheprojectgoal,theSAMTeamsetthefollowingobjectives:1)designanddemonstratepoultrylitterinjectionforbothfarm/research-scaleandcommercial-gradedeployment;and2)expandtheadoptionofproven,commerciallyavailableliquidmanureinjectiontechnologiesonfarmsintheregion.Challenges:PoultrylitterinjectiontechnologiesarenotcurrentlyavailableonthecommercialmarketandnotusedatallintheChesapeakeBayregion.Priortothestartofthisproject,previousteammembereffortstodemonstratetheagronomicbenefitsofpoultrylitterinjectionusingafarm/research-scalepoultrylitterinjector(Subsurfer)originallydevelopedbytheUSDAARSteaminArkansas,demonstratedtheagronomicpotentialofpoultrylitterinjection.Howevertechnicalperformanceissuesexacerbatedbycharacteristicsofregionalpoultrylitter(basedonwoodchipsratherthanricehillscommonlyusedinArkansas)preventedfurtheruseintheChesapeakeBayregion.Tocontinueresearchandextensioneffortsthatdemonstratetheagronomic,environmental,andpotentialfinancialbenefitsofpoultrylitterinjection,theteamneededtore-designtheoriginalUSDAARSpoultrylitterSubsurfertoimproveperformancewhenusedwithpoultrylitterproducedintheChesapeakeBayregion.Further,althoughsomefarmersintheDelmarvaregionowntheirownequipmentandapplytheirpoultrylitter,mostfarmersintheChesapeakeBayregionandelsewhereintheU.S.contractwithcommercialapplicatorstolandapplytheirpoultrylitter.Widespreadadoptionofpoultrylitterinjectiondependsonthedevelopmentofinjectionequipmentthatiscompetitiveintermsofapplicationspeed,width,andcosttosurfaceapplicationequipment.Unlikepoultrylitterinjection,liquidmanureinjectiontechnologiesthatcaninjectdairy,swine,duck,andconcentratedbeefmanurearecommerciallyavailableandproventoworkeffectivelyintheChesapeakeBayregion.

Previouslandgrantuniversity,extensionandareaUSDA-ARSequipmentmodifications,research,andfieldtrialshaveproventhesetechnologiesaretechnicallyviable,haveanutrientmanagementandfinancialbenefitforfarmers,andsupportrobustyieldgoals.Despitepreviouseffortstoidentifyanddemonstrateappropriateliquidmanureinjectiontechnologies,demonstratedenvironmentalandnutrientmanagementbenefits,theavailabilityoffederal(andinsomecases,state)costsharefundingtosupportimplementation,andevenregulatorydriversinonestate,liquidmanureinjectionwasnotwidelyadoptedintheregion.Fewfarmerswereusingmanureinjectiontechnologies,andevenfewercustommanureapplicatorswereofferingmanureinjectionservices.Custommanureapplicatorsarecriticaltoexpandingadoptionbecausemostfarmerscontractwithacustomapplicatortotheirmanure.Hence,mostoftheliquidmanureproducedintheChesapeakeBayregionislandappliedbycustommanureapplicators.Hence,notonlydofarmershavetobewillingtotrymanureinjection,butcustommanureapplicatorshavetobewillingtopurchasenewequipmentandoffermanureinjectionservices.Duringpeakmanureapplicationtimesinthespringandfall,custommanureapplicatorsworkeighty-plushoursperweek.Assuch,theprojectteamneededtoidentifystrategiesthatwouldencouragebothfarmersandcustommanureapplicatorstoadoptmanureinjectionasanalternativetosurfaceapplication.Accomplishments:Basedonlessonslearnedfrompreviousworkwiththefarm/research-scalepoultrylitterSubsurfers,theteamusedacollaborativeapproachtore-engineertheSubsurferstoimproveperformance.Theseeffortsproducedtwo,uniquelydifferentpoultrylitterinjectordesigns.Thefirstre-designedpoultrylitterSubsurferwasdevelopedbyDr.AmyShoberandShawnTinglewiththeUniversityofDelaware(UD),andDr.JoshMcGrathandGeneHahnwiththeUniversityof

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Kentucky(UK).Theymodifiedtheaugerandhydraulicsystemtoimprovepoultrylittermaterialhandling.Theyalsoaddedaliquidinjectionsystemandusedfieldtrialstodemonstratetheagronomicbenefitsofinjectingpoultrylitterwithanitrificationinhibitor.Injectingpoultrylitterwithanitrificationinhibitorcouldexpandthewindowoftimewhenpoultrylittercouldbelandappliedinthewinter/springseasonwithoutincreasedriskofnitrogenlosstosurfaceandgroundwaterresources.Theteamalsoworkedtodesignandbuildaprototypecommercial-gradepoultrylitterinjectordesignedtocomparewiththetechnical,agronomic,andfinancialperformanceofcommercialpoultrylitterspreaders.Basedontheconceptofcommercialairseeders,thecommercial-gradeprototypeusesapneumaticairpressuresystemtomovepoultrylitterfromthehoppertotheinjectionrows,allowingforwiderapplicationwidthandon-roadtransport.Althoughthistechnologyisstillintheresearchanddevelopmentphase,itdemonstratesapromisingapproachtoacommerciallyviablepoultrylitterinjectiontechnology.Ifthisprototypeanddesignconceptultimatelyresultinacommerciallyviablepoultrylitterinjectiontechnology,widespreadadoptionofpoultrylitterinjectionwithintheChesapeakeBaywatershedandelsewhereintheU.S.wouldbeachievable.Theteamalsoidentifiedstrategiestoexpandtheadoptionofliquidmanureinjectionbycouplingtraditionallandgrantuniversityandextensioneffortswithprivatesectorengagementandinnovativefinancingstrategiestoincentivizeinvestmentsinnewequipment.Aprivatenutrientmanagementplanningcompany–RedBarnConsulting,basedinSouthCentralPA–demonstratedtheroleofnutrientmanagementplannersintheoutreachandeducationprocess.WhileRedBarn’splannerswereupdatingtheirclient’snutrientmanagementplans,theydiscussedmanureinjectionwith49clientstheythoughtmightbe

interestedinlearningaboutthepractice.Theyidentifiedbothopportunitiesandbarrierstoadoption.Theyreportedthatone-thirdofthe49farmerswerewillingtotrymanureinjectiononalimitednumberofacres.Anotherthirdsaidtheywerenotinterestedbecausetheircustomapplicatordidn’thavemanureinjectionequipment.TheteamalsodevelopedaninnovativefinancingapproachdemonstratedthroughtheMDSAMInitiativethatbroughtincentives(fromaMDstategrantawardedtoSustainableChesapeake)directlytocustommanureapplicatorsthroughconservationpartnersformanureinjectiononaper-acrebasis.Customapplicatorsandpartnersinturn,purchasednewequipmentoftheirchoosingandencouragedtheirclientstogivemanureinjectionatry.Asaresultofthiscollaborative,innovativefinancingapproach,overatwo-yearperiod,45farmersinMarylandhaveworkedwithtwocustomapplicatorstoimplementmanureinjectiononapproximately7,500acres.OnecustomapplicatorservingfarmersintheNorthernEasternShoreareahasencouragedhisclientsinPAandDEtousemanureinjectioninsteadofsurfaceapplication,despitethefactthatPAandDEfarmersarenoteligibletoparticipateintheMarylandSAMInitiativeproject.

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Privatesectorengagementeffortsweresupportedbylandgrantuniversityandextensionpartnersthatconductedfieldandlaboratorytrialstoanswerfarmerquestionsaboutmanureinjection.FieldtrialsledbyDr.QuirineKetteringsatCornell’sresearchcentersinNewYorkdemonstratedthatmanurecanbeinjectedintoperennialcropslikehayandalfalfawithoutcausingyieldloss.IntheShenandoahValley,Dr.RoryMaguireledfieldandlaboratorytrialsthatdocumentedincreasedsoilnitrogenretentionwithmanureinjectioncomparedtosurfaceapplication.JennCottingandNaomiYoung,withtheEnvironmentalFinanceCenter,UniversityofMaryland,conductedanevaluationofthecost-effectivenessoftraditionalconservationpracticestohelpdeterminethecost-effectivenessofmanureinjectiontechnologies.FielddayeventswereheldinNewYork,Pennsylvania,Delaware,

Maryland,andVirginiatoshareinformationwithfarmersandshowcasemanureinjectionequipment.Conclusions:TheSAMInitiativeteammadesignificantstridesindevelopingviabletechnologiesforinjectingpoultrylitteratthefarmandcommercial-scales,anddemonstratedinnovativestrategiestoexpandtheadoptionofliquidmanureinjectiononfarmsintheregion.Additionalresearchisneededtobringpoultrylitterinjectiontechnologiestocommercialmarkets.Butwhenpoultrylitterinjectiontechnologiesarereadyforwidespreadadoption,approachesdemonstratedbytheteamtoexpandadoptionofliquidmanureinjectiontechnologiesmayalsobeappropriateforexpandingadoptionofpoultrylitterinjection.

Fromlefttoright,certifiednutrientmanagementplannersScarlettReelandCrawfordPatterson(retired),(VirginiaDepartmentofConservationandRecreation),Dr.RoryMaguire(VirginiaTech)andNelsonRodes(RiverhillFarm)discussingmanureinjectionwithadraghosemanureinjectionsystempurchasedwithsupportfromtheNationalFishandWildlifeFoundationandU.S.EPAInnovativeNutrientandSedimentGrantPrograminthebackground.

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TableofContentsExecutiveSummary.............................................................................................................................4SAMInitiativeProjectAccomplishments.....................................................................................9A.Improvingthedesignofpoultrylitterinjectiontechnologiesforfarm/researchandcommercial-scaledeployment...................................................................................................................91)ImprovingtheDesignofFarm/Research-ScaleAuger-BasedSubsurferSystems....................102)AField/ResearchScaleHopperandDragChainPoultryLitterInjectionSystem.....................12

B.DesignandConstructionofaCommercial-GradeSubsurferPrototype...............................14C.ExpandingtheAdoptionofLiquidManureInjectionintheChesapeakeBayRegion......171) Engagingprivatenutrientmanagementplannersinoutreachandeducationefforts........182) Makingmanureinjectionworkforcustomapplicators...................................................................193) Landgrantuniversity,extension,andstate/federalpartnersupportforexpandedadoptionofliquidmanureinjection....................................................................................................................24

Summaryoflessonslearnedthatinformfutureprojectactivitiesorbroadereffortsintheproject’stopicarea...............................................................................................................34I.Poultrylitterinjectiontechnologydevelopment...........................................................................34II.Expandingdeploymentofliquidmanureinjection.....................................................................35

NextstepsinexpandingadoptionofliquidandsolidmanureinjectiontechnologiesintheChesapeakeBayregion.......................................................................................................37

I. Farm/research-scalepoultrylitterinjectiontechnologies..................................................37II. Commercial-gradepoultrylitterinjectiontechnology...........................................................38III. Expandingadoptionofliquidmanureinjectiontechnologies.............................................38

SummaryofAccomplishments.....................................................................................................39

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SAMInitiativeProjectAccomplishments

A.Improvingthedesignofpoultrylitterinjectiontechnologiesforfarm/researchandcommercial-scaledeployment Previouseffortstodevelopfarm/research-scalepoultrylitterinjectiontechnologies(Subsurfers)demonstratedtheagronomicbenefitsofpoultrylitterinjection,butalsoillustratedthematerialhandlingandengineeringdesignchallengesassociatedwithinjectingpoultrylitter.TheseearlyunitswerebasedonaprototypedesignfirstdevelopedbyUSDAAgriculturalResearchService(ARS)scientistsinArkansas,wherepoultrygrowerstypicallyusericehullsasbedding.IntheChesapeakeBayregion,woodchipsarethepredominantbeddingsource,andtheearlyprototypesexhibitednumerousissueswiththeparallelaugersystemdesignedtomovepoultrylitterinthebedoftheSubsurfertothegroundengagementsystem.Forexample,theaugerswouldbendorbreakduetolittercakingbeneaththeaugers,orthelitterwouldbridgeabovetheaugers,ineffectcreatedatunnelthroughthepoultrylitterinthebed,causingtheaugertostopfeedingthematerial(Figure1).

WithfundingfromtheNaturalResourcesConservationServiceandtheMaryland

Chesapeake&CoastalBayTrustFund,partnersusedacollaborativedesignapproachthatultimatelyresultedinthedevelopmentoftwo,uniquelydifferentSubsurferdesigns.

Dr.DanPote’sandhisteam(USDAAgriculturalResearchServiceDaleBumpersSmallFarmResearchCenter)supportedtheSAMteam’sre-designeffortsandalsoworkedinparallelwiththeteamtoimprovetheperformanceoftheUSDAARSSubsurfer.

ParallelEffortsbyUSDAARSinArkansas:DuringtheSAMInitiativeprojecttimeframe,thepoultrylitterinjector(Subsurfer)originallydevelopedbyDanPoteandhisteamattheUSDAAgriculturalResearchService(ARS)hasalsobeenre-engineeredtoaddresspreviousperformanceissues.InsteadofusingaugerstomovepoultrylitterintheSubsurferbed,there-designedsystemusesawalkingfloor,avoidingauger-basedsystembridging/tunnelingissues.

Figure1.ExampleoforiginalpoultrylitterSubsurferprototypeaugertunneling/bridginginthebed.Thepoultrylitterinthisphotohasamoisturecontentof25%,relativelydryfortheDelmarvaregion.

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1)ImprovingtheDesignofFarm/Research-ScaleAuger-BasedSubsurferSystemsDr.AmyShoberandShawnTinglewiththeUniversityofDelaware(UD)andDr.JoshMcGrathandGeneHahn,whotransferredfromUniversityofMaryland(UMD)toUniversityofKentucky(UK)duringtheprojecttimeframe,employedaniterativeprocesstore-designtwopoultrylitterSubsurfersownedbytheUMD/UDandtheSassafrasRiverAssociation.Thefollowingsummarizestheirdesignprocess:Re-engineeringtheUMD/UDSubsurfer:ToaddressthetunnelingproblemintheSubsurferprototype,duringthespringof2014,theUDandUMDteamreplacedtheoriginal3and¾in.diameteraugerswith6in.diameter,variablespacedflightingaugers(Figure2).TheSubsurfershutewasalsore-sizedtoaccommodateincreaseddiameteroftheaugers.LaboratorytestsindicatedthatthenewaugersreducedproblemswithbridgingandtunnelingofpoultrylitterdeliverythroughtheSubsurferprototypebed. TheprototypeSubsurferwasalsomodifiedtoapplyNitropyrene,anitrificationinhibitor,topoultrylitterpriortoinjection.Abriefvideoofthisapplicationsystemispostedonline.Inthegrowingseasonof2014,themodifiedSubsurferwasusedtoinjectpoultrylitterforaseparateCIG-supportedproject(administeredbyFarmPilotProjectCoordination,Inc.)demonstratingtheperformanceofnitrogeninhibitorsappliedwithmanurealongwithcommercialnitrogen

onafieldsiteattheThurmanAdamsAgriculturalResearchFarmattheUDCarvelResearchandEducationCenter.The2014fieldtrialshighlightedadditionalproblemswiththeSubsurfer.Toaddresstheseproblems,overthe2014/2015latefall/earlyspring,Dr.AmyShoberandherteaminstalledahydrauliccoolertoeliminateoverheatingproblemswiththeoil.Toaddresstheissueofinsufficientpressureinthesystemtoturntheaugerswhentheunitisfullyloaded,theyevaluatedhydraulicpressureatvariouspointsthroughthesystemandconsideredthepossibilityofre-plumbingthemotorstoturntheaugersinparallelversusinseries(existing).Theyhavealsoevaluatedinstallingadirectdrivesystemandwhattheirlimitationsmaybewiththissystemofmotors.ModificationsmadetotheSubsurferweretestedoverthewinterusingvariousmanuresandusedforfieldtrialsandfielddayeventsinthespring-fallof2015(Figures3and4).Re-engineeringtheUKSubsurfer:Basedonlessons-learnedfromtheUMD/UDSubsurfermodificationprocess,UKbegantheprocessofmodifyingasecondSubsurferoriginallyownedbytheSassafrasRiverAssociation.TheUDteamprovidedmeasurementstoUKtosupportreplacingtheaugersinthissecondSubsurfer,includinginformationabouthowtheyraisedtheaugerstofitthemachine,thepitch,and

Figure2.VariableflightingaugerconfigurationusedtoreplaceoriginalSubsurferprototypeauger.

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spacingfromthehydraulicmotors.Additionally,theUDteamperformedhydraulictestsontheirmodifiedSubsurfertoprovideinformationtotheUKteamsoastopreventissuesandlimitationsobservedwiththeUDSubsurfer.WithdatafromtheUDteam,Dr.McGrathandMr.HahnworkedwiththeUKDepartmentofBiosystemsandAgriculturalEngineeringtomodifythesecondSubsurferunittoovercomechallengespresentedwhentheUD/UMDunitwasmodifiedtoincludevariablepitchaugers.PlannedmodificationsforthesecondSubsurferincluded:

• Newaugersandanewhydrauliccooler• Abilitytomonitorpressure,flow,and

temperatureofhydraulicfluidtoinformfuturedesignmodifications;

• Newconnectionbetweenhydraulicmotorsandaugerstoallowforgearingtomeetpowerdemand;and

• Modificationofhydraulicsystemtodelivernecessarypressureandflowtomotors.

Additionally,aftertheaugersintheUKSubsurferprototypewereupdatedwithnewvariablepitchdesign,thecurrenthydraulicmotorsdidnotproduceenoughtorquetoturntheaugersunderfullload.Severalmodificationstothehydraulicsystemweremadetoaddressthisproblem.BySeptemberof2016,thetorqueproblemwascorrected.However,theUKSubsurferthenhadtheproblemthattheaugersmovedtoomuchlitter.Toaddressthis,theymodifiedtheSubsurfertohandleincreasedlitterratesanddevelopedratecurvesforthenewaugers.BasedonthefinalroundofsuccessfulUKSubsurferprototypere-engineering,theUMD/UDSubsurferwasmodifiedaccordingtorecommendationsfromtheUKteam.Bothunitsarecurrentlybeingusedtodemonstratethebenefitsofpoultrylitterinjection(Figure4).

Figure3.ShawnTingle(left),Dr.AmyShober(front),andGeneHahn(backright)withtheUMD/UDSubsurfer(notenitrificationinhibitortanksmountedattop)atthe2015NorthAmericanManureExpoinChambersburg,PA.

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2)AField/ResearchScaleHopperandDragChainPoultryLitterInjectionSystemDr.PeterKleinman(USDAARSPastureResearchCenter)andDr.ArthurAllen(UniversityofMarylandEasternShore)collaboratedwithStoltzfusManufacturing,acompanywithdecadesofexperiencedesigningtraditionalfertilizerandlimespreaderstore-engineerthepoultrylitterhopperandbedtoavoidrelianceonaugerstomovepoultrylittertothegroundengagementsystem.Thenewdesignalsoprovidedtheoptionofdeliveringthelittertotherearofthehopper,somethingthatisconsistentwithmostlitterapplicationtechnologiesandwasseenaspreferredbyStoltzfusengineers.Thenewdesign(Figure5)wassmallenoughtodropwithintheexistingSubsurfer,bypassingthepoorlyfunctioningmechanismsdescribedearlier.Thenewhopperdesign(Figure6)employedcomponentsthatarecommoninlitterspreaders.Thewallsofthehopperwereangledtoimprovecollectionatacentralpoint.Adragchainrunningoffahydraulicmotorgraduallymovedtheentireloadoflittertotheendofthelitterboxwherethegroundengagementunits

werelocated.Becausethechaindragsalongthebottomofthehopper,therewasnoaccumulationofmaterial,fineorcoarse,tocreatefrictionagainstthechainoraffectitsefficiencyingatheringmaterial.ThisdesignchangeeliminatedtheneedforthelongaugersintheoriginalSubsurferandperformedmorereliablythanthewalkingfloordesignthathasbeenproposedelsewhere.SpeedofdeliverycouldbeeasilyadjustedwithinthetractorcabandinstallationofacamerabyUSDA-ARS

Figure5.InstallationoftheStoltzfushopperintoanexistingSubsurfer.

Figure4.ThephotoontheleftshowstheUMD/UDpoultrylitterSubsurferusedtoinjectpoultrylittercompostatthe2015NorthAmericanManureExpoinChambersburg,PA.Thephotoontherightshowstraditionalsurfaceapplicationequipmentusedtoapplythesamepoultrylittercompost.ThepoultrylitterSubsurfergeneratedlittletonodust,whiletraditionalsurfaceapplicationsoonhadthecrowdbackingupawayfromthedemonstrationsitetoavoidthedustplume.

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allowedtheoperatortotrackprogressonlitter

removalfromthecabaswell.

Thenewhopperandfloorsystemdeliveredthelittertoabeaterbox,consistingofaflailinstalledattheopeningatthefrontofthehopper.Thisflailwasintendedtopulverizepoultrylitterandreducetheparticlesizeoflittercakebeforeitisdeliveredtotheinjectionports.Thisdesignchangereducedthenumberoftimesthatlitterinjectionportsbecameblockedbylargechunksoflitter.Inperformancetrials,thebeaterboxperformedverywell,breakingdownallformsoflitterthatweretested.Dr.KleinmanandDr.Allen’sassessment,tothispoint,isthatthenewStoltzfuschaindrivesystemandlitterpulverizingboxachievedtheobjectiveofreliability,deliveringtheentirecontentofthehopperinaformthatcouldbereadilyhandledbytheremainingcomponentsoftheSubsurfer.Theysuggestthatthisdesignmayimproveonthesimplicityandreliabilityofpoultrylitterinjectionsystems.

ThefinaldesignstageoftheStoltzfussystemwastodeliverthepulverizedlitteracrossthe

entirefrontwallwidthoftheSubsurfer(andpotentiallywider,ifawinged,groundengagementsystemweretobedeveloped).Thislateraldeliverysystemisnecessitatedbythedesignoftheslopingwallhopperthatconcentratesthemovinglittertoatrackinthecenterofthehopper.Stoltzfusinstalledalateralaugersystem(Figure7)withvariablyspaced“flights”tomovethepulverizedlitterfrommid-lineoftheunittotheoutside.Thevariablespaced“flights”areintendedtodeliverlittertothevariousportsinthefrontwalloftheSubsurferthatwouldthenconveythelitterto

thegroundengagementunits.Here,theteamobservedavarietyofdesignissuesthatwouldneedtobemodifiedtomakethiscomponentworkmoreeffectivelywithinthelargersystem.Specifically,thereisacoverontheaugerthat,eventually,becomespackedwithlitterandmustbecleaned.Thisisunacceptable,asoperatorswillnotcondonefrequentstopswhilespreadinglitter.Onesolutionwouldbetoremovethecover,butthisapproachneedsfurtherinvestigation,asitwouldalsorequiresometypeofshieldbeinstalledtokeeplitterdirectedtowardthefrontwalloftheSubsurfer.Theteamdidnotseethisasasignificanthurdle,butsuggestthatitmustbeaddressedinfutureiterationsoftheunit.Evenso,thesystemwasadequateforrunningfieldtrials.

Figure7.EnclosedbeaterboxandhydraulicmotorrunningthelateralaugerthatdistributespulverizedlitteracrossthefrontwalloftheSubsurfer.

Figure6.Thebeaterbox,withflailsvisible.Litterontopofboxresultedfromleavingtheboxopentovisualizetheactionoftheflails.system.

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Dr.KleinmanandDr.AllensuggestthattheadditionoftheStoltzfusboxprovidesthefirstprototypethatcouldsubstantiallychangethespreadingwidthofsubsurfaceapplicators.Theysuggestthattheidealconfigurationwouldbetosetupthissystemasastand-aloneunit(independentoftheSubsurfer).Foldingwingscouldbeusedtoexpandthewidthoftheinjectionswath,increasingtheamountoflitterappliedperpass,therebyreducingtimerequiredforlitterinjection.Aspresentlydesigned,theaugerspeedhadtobecontrolledmanually(usingelectroniccontrols).Onelimitationisthatrunningtheaugerstooslowresultsinlitternotreachingtheouterinjectionports,andrunningtheaugerstoofastmayresultinoverfeedingandpackinglitterintoaconfineddeliveryspaceinthefoldingarms.Futureimprovementsshouldconsider

automatingaugerspeedstoensuretherightdeliveryrate.ThehydraulicsontheexistingSubsurfertaxedthecapacityofthetractorthatwasused.Newdesignsthatdonotincludethemanylong-augersoftheSubsurfershouldhavelesserpowerdriverequirementsforthehydraulicmotors.

FieldtrialstoevaluateiftheseengineeringchangeswouldbringaboutyieldincreasesascomparedtotheearlierSubsurferprototypewereinitiatedrecentlyatUMESandinPennsylvania.However,datafromthesefieldtrailsisstillbeingprocessed.Oncefinalized,resultswillbesharedviapublicationsandfarmer/stakeholdermeetingsandfielddayeventsintheregion.

B.DesignandConstructionofaCommercial-GradeSubsurferPrototypeAsidefromsomegrowersontheDelmarvawhoowntheirownpoultrylittersurfacespreaders,mostfarmers(evenpoultrygrowers)contractwithacustomapplicatortolandapplypoultrylitterusedasacropfertilizer.Commercial-gradespreadsapplypoultrylitteratwidthsof20ft.ormoreandareeasilytransportedfromfarm-to-farm.AlthoughDr.KleinmanandDr.AllenhavesuggestionsforhowtoovercomethiswiththeStoltzfuz-design,theauger-basedfarm/research-scaleSubsurferscannot“fold-up”fortransportationandarethuslimitedtoanapplicationwidthofapproximately8ft.,as8ft.and6in.isthemaximumallowablewidthofmachinerypermittedtotravelonpublicroadways.Toachievewidespreadpoultrylitterinjectionadoption,technologiesmustbecompetitivewithcommercialspreadingequipmentwithrespecttoapplicationwidthandspeed,andlogisticsofequipmenttransportationfromonefarmtoanother.Toachievethisgoal,Dr.JoshMcGrathrecruitedDr.RandyTaylor,andthenDr.JohnLong,bothwiththeOklahomaStateUniversity(OSU)

BiosystemsandAgriculturalEngineeringDepartment(BAE),totaketheleadonanefforttodesignandbuildacommercial-gradepoultrylitterinjectionsystem.Dr.McGrathservedasabridgebetweentheOSUengineersandtheSAMteammembersintheChesapeakeBayregion,whoprovidedfeedbackonthedesignprocessatannualmeetingsandataninitialprojectkick-offdesignevent(Figure8).BasedonfeedbackfromtheChesapeakeBaySAMteamandprojectcollaborators,OSUengineersbeganthedesignprocessasfollows:

I. TheOSUteamchoseapneumaticconveyancesystemasthebasisforthedesign.Totestthisdecision,theyfirstconstructedatabletopsystemtoconveymanuretotheboomusinganairpressuresystem.Thetablesystemtoplookedpromising.

II. Theybegantobuildindividualcomponentsoftheprototypeseparatelyandevaluatedtheirefficacy,priortoconsolidatingthecomponentsintooneunit.

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III. ToensurethattheunitwouldworkwithDelmarvapoultrylitterandtoavoidshippingcosts,theOSUteamgenerated“imitationmanure”withDelmarvapoultrylittercharacteristics.

IV. Oncecomponentswerebuilt,aprototype

injectorwasconstructed(Figure9).GeneHahn(UK)andShawnTingle(UD)traveledtoOSUfortrainingontheprototype,after

whichtheunitwastransportedtoUDforfurthertesting.Dr.TaylortraveledtotheDelmarvaPeninsulainthefallof2015andwasabletorunadditionaltestswiththeSAMteam.Overthecourseoftheseearlyprototypetests,theteammadethefollowingobservations:

a. Severalmechanicalproblemswereobserved:

i. Duringtesting,thehydraulicfanblewasealandwasshippedbacktoOSUforrepair;

ii. Datacollectedontheflowrateindicatedthatwhileapneumaticsystemcouldmovelitter,theresultantflowrateswereatthelowerendofthedesiredrange.

b. Toaddresstheseproblems,theOSU,UD,andUKteamdeterminedthatanairlockwouldkeeplittermovingdownthehosesandnotoutofthetopofthebin.

Figure8.August7,2014technicalfielddayattheWyeResearchandEducationCenter.EngineersandprecisionagriculturalspecialistsmettoprovideguidanceonexistingUMD/UDprototypedesignmodifications,viewtheUSDAARSwalkingfloordeliverysystem(inphotos)andprovidefeedbackonthedesignofthecommercialpoultrylitterSubsurfer.Participantsinclude:LarryHuddleston(USDAARS,AR),Dr.MikeBuschermole(Univ.Tennessee),StephenHaller(USDAARS,AR),Dr.DanPote(USDAARS,AR),Dr.JoshMcGrath(Univ.MD/Univ.Kentucky),GeneHahn(Univ.MD).AristotelisTagarakis(CornellUniv.),AmirSadeghpour(CornellUniv.),JoeStreet(WyeREC),JamesCoover(VirginiaTech),Dr.AmyShober(Univ.DE),ShawnTingle(Univ.DE),JamesAdkins(Univ.DE),MichaelReiner(PennState),andKristenH.Evans(SustainableChesapeake).

Figure9.EarlyversionoftheOklahomaStateUniversitypneumaticpoultrylitterinjectorinthefield(March15-16,2016).

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V. Inordertoaddresstheairlockissues,Dr.TaylorhasworkedwiththeOSUBAEteamtomeasurelitterflowratebasedonspeedfromastandardagriculturalauger.Thisdatawasusedtoguidethedesignofavariablepitchaugertobeusedasanairlocksystem.Theauger-basedairlockwasconstructedandflowtestsconductedtodetermineperformance.Therepairedfanwasthenaddedtothesysteminordertotestthepneumaticconveyancesystemincombinationwiththeauger-basedairlock.Fieldtrials(March15-16th,2016)indicatedthatthenewlydesignedaugerair-lockperformedasdesigned.

VI. Withtheairlockdesignfinalized,theOSUteam(nowunderDr.Long’ssupervision)shiftedtheireffortstotheairflowmanifoldfromthefantotheoutlethoses.Dr.Longsupervisedairflowmodelingandevaluatedtheperformance(andfeasibilityofanewdesign)toachievebetterairflowdistribution.

VII. Inresponsetoaleakingfanseal(causedby

eitheroperatorerrorordesign),Dr.Longdesignedanewhydraulicprotectioncircuittopreventfutureleaks.

VIII. Dr.Longalsobeganinvestigatingsolutions

onthesoilengagementend,andevaluatedvariousstrategiestohandlethelitterasitexiststhetubeandentersthefurrow.

IX. Inthelastyearoftheproject,theOSUteam

developedandtestedanewdesignfortheairflowmanifoldthatsplitsthemainfanairflowintomultipleoutletsforeachrow.Oldermodifiedmanifoldsmodeledduringthepriorreportperioddidnotadequatelydistributeairflow.Thesedesignsweredroppedinfavorofanewdesignthatinjectsthelitterintotheairstreamaheadofthemanifoldsplit(Figure10).Dr.LongpresentedthenewairflowmanifolddesignatapartnermeetinginKentuckyheldonDecember13th–14th,2016.

X. Anin-labtestsetupallowedlitter

distributiontestingofthemanifoldsandtheinvestigationoflitterflowatthesoilengagementendofthedistributionhose(Figure11).Initiallitterflowtestsshowpromiseofbetterflowdistributionthanpreviousmanifolddesigns.Theteamworkedonfurthermodificationsofthemanifoldsystemtoimprovelitterdistribution.

XI. TheOSUteamalsoinvestigatedanewcyclonesystemasameanstoseparatelitterandairattherowexitofthedistributiontubing(Figure12).Inthephoto,thecyclonesystemexitsintoasealedbuckettoevaluatelitterdistributionacrossthenewmanifolddesign.TheOSUteamplanstoreplacethebucketsinFigure12withadroptubedesigninthefieldscaleprototypetoallowlittertoexitthecycloneandflowdirectlyintoafurrowopenedandclosedbyasoilengagementdevice.

Figure11.Laboratorytestingofmanifolddesign,litterflow,andsoilengagementattheendofthehose.

Figure10.Poultrylitterisinjectedintotheairflowmanifoldjustpriortodistributionofairintomultipleoutletsdistributedintoeachrow.

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XII. Finally,inJulyof2017,theOSUteambroughtthelatestversionofthecommercial-gradeprototypetoapoultrylitterinjectionfielddayheldattheUniversityofMarylandWyeResearchandEducationCenter.Atthisfielddayevent,

SAMteammembersupdatedDelmarvastakeholdersabouttheirprogresstodate,showcasedpoultrylitterinjectiontechnologies,andplannedfornextstepstobringpoultrylitterinjectiontechnologiestocommercialmarkets.(Figure1

C.ExpandingtheAdoptionofLiquidManureInjectionintheChesapeakeBayRegionAtthestartoftheproject,liquidmanureinjectiontechnologieswereavailableandproveneffectiveintheChesapeakeBayregion.SupportedbytheNaturalResourceConservationService(NRCS)ConservationInnovationGrantprogram,theUSDAAgriculturalResearchService(ARS),andNFWF,previousSAMpartnerandcollaboratorsadaptedinjectiontechnologiestosoilsintheregionanddemonstratedthatmanureinjectionproducedrobustcropyields.Partnersalsodemonstratedreducedammoniaemissionstotheatmosphereandreducednitrogenandphosphoruslosstosurfacewaters.Previous

researchalsodocumentedthatnitrogenconservedbymanureinjectionallowedfarmersintheShenandoahValleytosavemoneybyavoidingthecostofsupplementalsidedressnitrogenlaterintheseason.Giventhepotentialbenefitsofmanureinjectionforbothnaturalresourceconcernsandnutrientuseefficiency,costsharefundingwasavailabletofarmersintheregiontoencourageimplementationofthepractice.Forexample,theNRCSEQIPfinancialassistanceprogramofferedfundingformanureinjectionthroughtheEnhanced590nutrientmanagement

Figure12.GeneHahn(left),JohnLong(middle)andJordanFischer(right)preparetheOklahomaStateUniversitycommercial-gradepoultrylitterinjectionprototypefordemonstrationataDelmarvafielddayeventinJuly,2017.

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practice.InMaryland,thestate’sagriculturalcostshareprogramofferedgenerousfinancialassistancetofarmersthatinjectedmanure,aswellasregulationsthatrequiredmanuretobeinjectedorimmediatelyincorporatedafterapplication.Yet,eveninMaryland,manureinjectionadoptionrateswerelow–onlyahandfuloffarmershadadoptedthepractice.ThroughouttheChesapeakeBayregion,mostliquidmanureislandappliedbycustommanureapplicators.Farmerscontractwithcustomapplicatorstolandapplymanure,primarilyinthespringandfall.Duringpeakmanureapplicationtimes,customapplicatorswork

eightyplushoursperweektomeetcustomerdemand.Manureapplicationtimeframesareoftenconstrainedbyweatherandtheshorttimeframebetweenharvestandtheoptimumplantingwindowforthenextcrop.Forwidespreadadoptiontooccur,customapplicatorshavetobewillingtooffermanureinjectionservicestotheirclientsduringaperiodoftimewhentheirservicesareinhigh-demand.Toexpandthedeploymentofliquidmanureinjectiontechnologies,theteamworkedtoovercomebarrierstoadoption—especiallywithcustomapplicators,whoapplymostoftheliquidmanureintheregion.

1) EngagingprivatenutrientmanagementplannersinoutreachandeducationeffortsMethods:RedBarnConsulting,aprivatefirmthatprovidesagriculturalengineering,permitting,andnutrientmanagementplanningservicestofarmerswasengagedbyNFWFtoworkone-on-onewithfarmerstoexploreopportunitiestoexpandadoptionofmanureinjectionthroughthenutrientmanagementplanningprocess.Overthecourseoftheproject,RedBarn’snutrientmanagementplannersidentified49oftheirclientswhotheythought–basedonprofessionaljudgement–wouldbeinterestedinlearningmoreaboutmanureinjection.Duringthenutrientmanagementplanupdateprocess,RedBarnplannersdiscussedthebenefitsofmanureinjectionandhowthefarm’snutrientmanagementplanwouldchangeifmanurewasinjectedinsteadofsurfaceapplied.Results:Discussingmanureinjectionduringthenutrientmanagementplanningprocessgaveplannerstheopportunitytoidentifyfarmersinterestedintryingmanureinjection,aswellasbarrierstoadoption(Table1).Ofthe49farmersplannersmetwith,one-thirdwereinterestedintryingmanureinjection.Ofthefarmerswhoindicated“no,”theywerenotinterestedinmanureinjection,theprimary

reason,givenbyjustoverone-thirdofthefarmers(35%),wasthattheircustomapplicatordidn’thavemanureinjectionequipment.Fewfarmers(8%)said“no”becauseofperceivedhighercostofinjectioncomparedtosurfaceapplication.Unfortunately,24%saidthattheywerenotinterestedinmanureinjectionbecausetheyneededmoreacresforapplicationwithinjectionthantheydidwithsurfaceapplication,aconcerningresponsegiventhatthismanureapplicationapproachmaysoonresultinaphosphorus-basedapplicationrate.Itisnoteworthythataddressingthelackofcustomapplicatorequipmentpotentiallydoublesthenumberoffarmerswillingtotrymanureinjection(from16to32).AlthoughitisimportanttorememberthatRedBarnConsulting’sdataisnotbasedonarandomsurvey,theirworkdemonstratesthatthereisampleopportunitytoexpandmanureinjectionacreageinPennsylvania.Also,RedBarn’sworkdemonstratesthevaluablerolethatnutrientmanagementplannerscanplayinidentifyingfarmerswhoarewillingtotrymanureinjection,preparingthesefarmswithnutrientmanagementplansthattakeinjectionintoaccount,andfurther,identifyingreasonswhyfarmersareunwillinginjectmanure.

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Table1.Summaryofresultsfromone-on-oneconversationsaboutmanureinjectionwithPAfarmersmanagingliquidmanure(fordairy,duck,swineandbeefoperations)conductedbyRedBarnConsulting(aprivateagriculturalservicescompany)duringthenutrientmanagementplanningprocess.RedBarnchosefarmerstoparticipatebasedonpreviousknowledge/professionaljudgementregardingpotentialfarmerinterestintryingmanureinjection. Number Percentof

TotalFarmersInterviewed 49 Totalacresmanaged 19,675

Farmerswillingtotrymanureinjection(10indicatedwillingnesstotryonlimitedacres)

16 33%

Reasonsforsaying"No"Needmoreacresforapplication 12 24%

NoCustomApplicatorEquipment 17 35%HighCost 4 8%

2)MakingmanureinjectionworkforcustomapplicatorsBackground:Aspreviouslymentioned,customapplicatorsapplyalmostallthemanureintheChesapeakeBayregion.Forwidespreadadoptiontooccur,customapplicatorsneedtobeonboardwithmanureinjectionandenthusiasticaboutofferinginjectionservicestotheirclients.Previousworktoengagecustomapplicatorsinexpandingmanureinjectionadoptionyieldedimportantinformation.Dr.RoryMaguirewithVirginiaTech(fundedbyNFWF)andHeatherKarstenandhercolleaguesatPennStateUniversity(fundedbytheNRCSCIGprogram)identifiedbothopportunitiesandchallengesassociatedwithmakingmanureinjectionworkforcustomapplicators,suchas:• PennsylvaniaStateUniversitypurchased

manureinjectorsandofferedthemtocustomapplicatorstousefreeofchargeiftheapplicatorswerewillingtodeploythemonPAfarms.Mostofthepurchasedequipmentwasnotputtouseasintended,anddidnotresultinwidespreadadoptionofmanureinjectiononPAfarms.However,onecustomapplicatorcooperator(LehmanAgLLC)thatiswell-establishedinSouthCentralPAsawpotentialinmanureinjection

andeventuallypurchasedtheirownequipment.TheyhavebeenprovidingmanureinjectionservicestoafewoftheirclientsinPAandMDeversince.LehmanAgLLCrecentlymergedwithAgri-Applicators,Inc.

• Dr.RoryMaguire(VirginiaTech)developedaninnovativefinancingapproachtoofferpaymentdirectlytothecustomapplicatorformanureinjectiononaper-acrebasis.Thisapproachprovidesthecustomapplicatorwithassurancesthatinvestmentsinnewequipmenttoimplementtheprojectwillberecouped.Thecustomapplicatorinturnwasencouragedtorecruitfarmerstoinjectmanure.Thisapproachwaswell-receivedbyfunders,whoavoidtheriskofinvestinginnewequipment.However,thecustomapplicatorpartnerinitiallyemployedbyVirginiaTechwasultimatelynotsuccessful.Hewasnotwell-establishedinthemanureapplicationbusinessanddidnothaveanexistingclientbase.Also,hedidnotownsurfaceapplicationequipment,andwasthusnotabletoofferbothsurfaceapplicationandmanureinjectionservicestofarmersthatwantedtotrymanureinjectiononalimitednumberofacres.

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Methods:Basedontheresultsofpreviousefforts,SustainableChesapeake,incollaborationwithSAMteammembersandprojectpartnersinMaryland,developedacustomapplicatorengagementapproachwiththefollowingcriteriaforpartnership.Theysoughtcustomapplicatorsandpartnerswhowere:1) well-establishedandrespectedinthe

agriculturalcommunity,withanestablishedcustomerbase;

2) willingtobringbothsurfaceapplicationandmanureinjectionequipmenttofarmssothatfarmerscouldtrymanureinjectiononalimitedamountofacreage;

3) willingtobereimbursedformanureinjectiononaper-acrebasis,andwillingtoencouragetheirclientstogivemanureinjectionatry;and

4) willingtoinvestinproven,low-disturbancemanureinjectionequipmentcompatiblewithno-tillfarmingtechniques.

SustainableChesapeakeworkedwithMDstakeholderstoleveragetheNFWFSAMInitiativepartnershipandCIG-fundingtosecurestatefundingthatexpandedtheteam’smanureinjectioneffortsonfarmsinMaryland.FundingfortheMDSAMInitiativewasprovidedthroughthestate-fundedMarylandChesapeake&AtlanticCoastalBayTrustFund.WithassistancefromMDNRCS,foreligiblefarms,NFWFSAMCIGfundingwasalsousedtoimplementmanureinjection(inaccordancewithEQIPandNEPArequirements).Results:Todate,theMDSAMInitiativehasengagedtwocustomapplicatorswhoaredeployingthreemanureinjectiontechnologiestoexpandmanureinjectiononfarmsintheCentralandNorthernEasternShoreregionsofMaryland.Inthefirsttwoyearsoftheproject,customapplicatorsencouraged45farmstoinjectmanureonapproximately7,500acres.

Toimplementtheproject,Mr.McMichaelpurchasedthetwoVTIinjectorsfordeploymentonfarmsintheNorthernEasternShoreregionofMaryland.Priortothestartoftheproject(latesummer,2015),Mr.McMichaelpurchasedaVTIdraghosesystem(Figure13),whichpumpsmanurefromthemanurestoragepondtotheinjectorviaahosesystem.Thebenefitofdraghoseinjectorsisthattheyweighlessthanatankersystem,minimizingsoilcompaction.Thedrawbackisthatdraghosesarenotfeasibleforuseonfieldsfarfromthemanurestoragearea.Toexpandthefieldsonwhichhewasabletoinjectmanure,inthespringof2017,Mr.McMichaelpurchasedatanker-basedVTIinjectionsystem.Usingboththetankeranddraghosesystems,heisabletoinjectmanureonallofhisclient’sfarmacreage.Mr.McMichaelhasalsoencouragedhisclientsinPAandDEtoadoptmanureinjection,eventhoughtheyarenoteligibletoparticipateintheMDSAMInitiative.Itisnotclearifthesefarmsarereceivinganyfinancialincentivestoadoptmanureinjection.InCentralMaryland,theCatoctin&FrederickSoilConservationDistrictpartneredwithUniversityofMarylandExtensiontodemonstratetheVeenhuisEuroject3500technology.TheVeenhuisinjectionportsarespaced7in.apart,versus24-30in.rowspacingmorecommonlyfoundinmanureinjectionequipment.Interestinnarrowrowspacingwasmotivatedbyseveralconcernsthatfarmersandextensionagentshadobservedwithinjectionequipmentwithwiderrowspacing:

1) “striping”issuesoftenobservedinsmallgrainswhenmanureisinjectedversussurfaceapplied;and

2) “poolingeffects”sometimesobservedwithwiderrowsandhighvolumesofmanureinjectedintofieldswithslopes,resultinginmanuremovingviagravityflowthroughtheinjectionslits,downslopetothelowerareasofthefield.

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Veenhuisisawell-respectedDutchcompanywithdecadesofexperienceinthedesignandmanufactureofmanureinjectionequipment.TheVeenhuisEuroject3500hasbeenindependentlyevaluatedbytheDLGTestCenterforTechnologyandFarmInputs,whichprovidesthird-partytestingofagriculturalequipment.Insummary,thetestevaluatedthevariabilityofliquidmanureinjectionattwodifferentinjectionrates(38kg/secand60kg/sec).Testswereperformedattwoinjectorgroundspeeds(12and10km/h).Resultsfromtestsatbothspeedsandinjectionratesshowedverygoodconsistencyandreproducibility(withstandarddeviation<

withstandarddeviation<3%)throughoutthecompleteinjectionofafullreservoirofliquidmanureatallspeedsandliquidmanureinjectionrates.Thefullperformancereportisavailable(inGerman)attheDLCwebsite:http://www.dlg-test.de/tests/6148F.pdfGiventhepromiseofthisequipment,theCatoctin&FrederickSoilConservationDistrictreceivedadiscountedloanfromFarmCredittopurchasethecommercial-gradeVeenhuisEuroject3500unit(Figure14).WhiletheVeenhuisEurojectmanureinjectiontechnologyhasbeenpreviouslydemonstratedattheresearchscalebyUSDAARSinPAandusedto

Figure13.TimMcMichael,ownerofMcMichaelCustomSpreadingLLCstandsbyadraghoseVTImanureinjectionsystempurchasedtoimplementmanureinjectiononfarmslocatedintheNorthernEasternShoreregionofMaryland.HelaterpurchasedasecondVTItanker-mountedmanureinjectionsystemtoservicefieldsfurtherawayfrommanurestorageareas.

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modifyatankerownedbyacustomapplicatorinNewYork,theVeenhuispurchasedbytheCatoctin&FrederickSoilConservationDistrictisthefirstcommercial-scaleunitdeployedintheUnitedStates.Allegheny-Ag,arespectedcustomapplicatorwascontractedtoimplementmanureinjectionwiththeVeenhuis.Withawell-establishedclientbaseandastrongtechnicalequipmentskillset,Allegheny-AgwasanidealchoicetobringthisnewtechnologytoCentralMarylandfarms.Todate,theMDSAMteamhaslearnedthefollowinginformationabouttheVeenhuisEuroject3500:

• FarmersusingtheVeenhuishavereactedpositivelyandespeciallyappreciateodorreductionassociatedwithinjection.Several

havesuggestedtheyhaveseenimprovedyields.

• TheVeenhuissystemdoesnotdowellinthefollowingcircumstances:

1) rockyground;

2) injectingmanureintoshellcornfrompreviousyears–husksandcornstovertiesuptheunit.Injectionintohayground,beanstubbleandsilageworksbest;and

3)Manurewithlonghaystemswillcloginthesystem.TheunitworkswellifthemanurehasahighpercentmoistureandifthemanureiswellagitatedpriortopumpingintotheVeenhuistank.

• Also,theteamrecommendsthatmanureinjectionafterfirsthayharvestbescheduledinadvance.Injectiontoolateintotheregrowthstagemaydamageregrowth.

• Theunitcreatesaslitinthegroundandmanureflowsbygravityintotheslit.Inheavierground,manuremaybevisibleonthesurfaceforabitbeforeitmovesintothesoil.

Afielddayeventhostedinthefallof2015attheDeBaughFarminBoonsboro,MDfeaturedtheVeenhuisEuroject3500technologyandothermanureinjectionequipment(Figure15).NFWFSAMpartners(Dr.PeterKleinmanandDr.RoryMaguire)talkedaboutbenefitsofmanureinjectioncomparedtosurfaceapplication.Nearly200farmersandconservationprofessionalsparticipatedintheevent.

Figure14.VeenhuisEuroject3500,acommercialmanureinjectionunitwith7-inchrowspacing.

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AsaresultofthegroundworklaidbypreviousCIGandNFWF-fundedeffortsinPAandVA,therecentsuccessengagingcustomapplicatorsinMD,andtheworkdonebyRedBarnConsulting’snutrientmanagementplannerstoidentifyopportunitiesandchallengesforexpandingadoptioninPA,SustainableChesapeakeandPApartnersrecentlysecuredfundingfromNFWFtoexpandtheadoptionofmanureinjectioninPAthroughthePASAMInitiative.Agri-ApplicatorsInc.(whichrecentlypurchasedLehmanAgLLC),anestablishedcustomapplicatorwithawidebaseofclientsintheSouthCentralregionofPA,hasbeenselectedasthecustomapplicatorpartner.NRCSSAMInitiativefundingwasusedtosupportthepurchaseofanewVTIContourKingwith24-inchrowspacingtankerinjectionsystemthatwillbeusedtoimplementthisproject.NFWFfundingwillbeusedtopayforimplementationonaper-acrepaymentrate,whichwillincentivizethepurchaseofeitherasecondinjectiontechnology,oranupgradeofthistechnologytoofferprecisionmanureapplication.ImplementationofthePASAMInitiativewillstartinthewinterof2018andwillcontinuethroughthefallof2020.BasedontheirexperienceusingVTIinjectionsystemthisfall,Agri-Applicatorsanticipatestheycanmeet

customerdemandformanureapplicationviainjectionwithouttakingmoretimethaniscurrentlyrequiredforsurfaceapplication.Withrespecttothetimerequiredforinjectionversussurfaceapplication,TimMcMichaelofMcMichaelCustomSpreading(whopurchasedtwoVTImanureinjectorstoimplementtheMDSAMInitiative)alsoindicatedthatinjectingmanuredidnottakemoretimecomparedtosurfaceapplication.BothMr.McMichaelandMr.Zimmermandidindicatethatmaintenancerequirementswerehigherfortheinjectorscomparedtothesurfaceapplicatorsgiventhegroundengagementequipment.However,itisaveryimportantfindingofthisprojectthattwocustomapplicatorswhohavedecadesofexperiencewithsurfaceapplicationhavetoldSAMpartnersthatformostfields,manureinjectiondoesnottakemoretimetoimplementthansurfaceapplicationofmanure.Aspreviouslymentioned,customapplicatorsworklonghoursduringpeakmanureapplicationtimesoftheyear,sobuildingenthusiasmforthispracticewillbechallengingifmanureinjectionrequiresthemtoworkevenmorehoursperdaythentheyarealreadyworking.

Figure15.FielddayparticipantsobservemanureinjectionfielddemonstrationsatafielddayeventhostedbyUniversityofMarylandExtensionattheDeBaughFarmsinBoonsboro,MDinthefallof2016.

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Additionalfutureworkwillfocusonhowtoengageprivateplannersinhelpingtorecruitfarmerstoparticipateinmanureinjectionthroughouttheregion.Becauseinjectingmanurechangestherateofmanureapplication

(nitrogenisconserved,andthusmanurecanbeappliedatlowerrates)thenutrientmanagementplanningprocessisanidealtimetoplanformanureinjectionandrecruitfarmerswillingtotrymanureinjection

3) Landgrantuniversity,extension,andstate/federalpartnersupportforexpandedadoptionofliquidmanureinjection

Landgrantuniversity,extension,andstate/federalpartners(stateagenciesandUSDAARSforexample)havelaidthefoundationforexpandedadoptionofliquidmanureinjectiontechnologiesintheChesapeakeBayregionandelsewhereintheU.S.by:

• Identifyingandadaptingliquidinjectionequipmenttomeetlocalconditions;

• Conductingfieldtrialsandlaboratoryanalysistodocumentmanureinjectionbenefitsfornitrogenretentionandnaturalresourceconcerns;

• Hostingfielddayeventsandgivingpresentationsatfarmermeetingstoshareinformationaboutmanureinjection;

• Identifyinglocalchallengesinterferingwithincreasedadoption;and

• ServingasexpertadvisorstotheChesapeakeBayProgram’sAgriculturalWorkingGrouptosupportthedevelopmentofnutrientreductionefficienciesformanureinjectionthat

willbeusedinPhase6.0oftheChesapeakeBaymodel.Priortothiseffort,statescouldnot“officially”countmanureinjectionassociatednutrientreductionsasprogresstowardsmeetingstheirChesapeakeBayrestorationgoals,asnoconservationpracticeefficiencyhadbeendevelopedforthepractice.

Landgrantuniversity,extension,andfederalpartnerscontinuedtosupportexpandedadoptionduringtheNFWFSAMInitiativebyusingfieldandlaboratorytrialstoaddresslocalconcernsaboutmanureinjectionasfollows.TheseeffortswereledbyDr.QuirineKetteringatCornellUniversity’sNutrientManagementSpearProgram;Dr.RoryMaguire,withVirginiaTech;andJenCottingandNaomiYoungwiththeEnvironmentalFinanceCenteratUniversityofMaryland.Summaryreportsoftheirworktosupportexpandedadoptionofliquidandsolidmanureinjectiontechnologiesaresummarizedasfollows:

a. ExpandingtheAdoptionofLiquidManureInjectioninNewYork:Demonstratingthe

BenefitsofManureIncorporationandInjectionforCropProductionandNutrientManagement.

Methods:Dr.QuirineKetteringsofCornellUniversity’sNutrientManagementSpearProgram,withsupportfromAmirSadeghpour,GregGodwin,andKarlCzymmek,hostedfielddemonstrationstoanswerfarmerquestionsaboutmanureapplicationandinjectioninto

alfalfaandgrassstands.Specifically,farmerswantedtoknowwhether:1. Applicationofmanureincreasedyields;and2. Injectingmanureintoalfalfaandgrass

standswouldresultinreducedyieldsduetomechanicaldamageoftherootsystem.

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Thesequestionswereaddressedviafieldtrialsattwolocations:1)theMusgraveResearchFarminAurora,NewYork;and2)theCornellUniversityRuminantCenter(CURC)inHarford,NewYork(Figure16).InAurora,NY,manurewasinjectedinto4thyearalfalfaand4thyeartallfescuestands.BothofthesestandsinAurorawereolder,lowproducingstandsthatDr.Ketteringdescribesas“rescuesituations.”InHarford,NY,manurewasinjectedintotwo,2ndyearalfalfastands.TheHarfordstandswerehigherproducing,well-managedfieldswithaprevioushistoryofmanureapplication.TheAuroraalfalfaandtall

fescuestandshadnotpreviouslyreceivedmanurepriortothestartofthesefieldtrials.Usedatbothlocations,thefollowingtreatmentsweredesignedtoevaluatewhethermanureapplicationimprovedyields,andwhetherinjectionequipmentdamagedyieldsduetomechanicaldamageoftherootsystem.• Nomanureaddition(noslicing,nomanure);• “Diskdown,nomanure”(slicingofthesoil

only);• Injectionofliquiddairymanure;and• Surfaceapplicationofdairymanu

Figure16.AlfalfaatCURC,HarfordNY,at2nd(left)and4th(right)cut2015.Manureatthetwolocationswasappliedaccordingtothefollowingschedulesin2014and2015:

AlfalfatrialatAurora(2productionyearswithapplicationafter1stcutineachyear):• Manureafter1stcutin2014(4,000

gallons/acre)and2015(8,000gallons/acre)

TallfescuetrialatAurora(2productionyears,2applicationratesafter1stand3rdcutting):• Manureafter1stand3rdcutin2014

(4,000gallons/acre),and2015(8000gallons/acre).

AlfalfatrialsatHarford(2productionyears,2applicationratesafter1stand3rdcutting):

• Manureafter4thcutin2014(4,000gallons/acre)and1stcutin2015(8,000gallons/acre)

Note:The2014and2015manureapplicationratesdifferedbecauseofequipmentlimitations.In2014,manurewasinjectedwithaVeenhuismanureinjectionsystemownedbyUSDA-ARS.Withthisunit(Figure16,A),applicationof4,000gallonsofmanure/acrewasachievable.In2015,incollaborationwithScottPotter,acustomapplicatorintheregion,CornellusedamodifiedVeenhuisinjectionsystem(Figure16,B)toinjectmanure.ThisinjectionsystemcoupledVeenhuisinjectioncomponentswithanon-Veenhuistanker.Thissystemdidnotallowforalowerapplicationrate.Hence,arateof8,000gallonsperacrewasused.

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Figure16.USDA-ARSloanedacustom-builtVeenhuismanureinjectionsystemtoCornellin2014foruseinthefieldtrials(A).AmodifiedVeenhuismanureinjectionsystemownedbyScottPotter,acustomapplicatorincentralNY,wasusedin2015(B).Yieldswereusedasameasureofpotentialdamagefrominjectionandpotentialbenefitsfrommanureapplication.Dr.Ketteringscautionsthatakeyconsiderationwheninterpretingyieldresultsistoconsiderthehistoryofthestandsinthetwofieldtrials.TheAurorastands(bothalfalfaandfescue)areolder,lowproducingstands,withoutahistoryofmanureapplication.Incontrast,theHarfordstandsarenewandhaveaprevioushistoryofmanureapplication.Results:Yieldresultsforfourtreatmentsatbothlocationsindicatedthattherewerenointeractionsbetweenapplicationrate(withandwithoutmanure)andapplicationmethod(surfaceorinjected).Assuch,yieldsweresummarizedbytwogroupsoftreatments:1)nomanureversusmanure(Table2);and2)diskupversusdown(Table3).Inbothtallfescueandalfalfa,manureapplicationincreasedyieldssignificantlyattheAuroralocationwheretherewasnoprevioushistoryofmanureapplication,butnotattheHarfordlocation,wheremanurehadbeenpreviouslyapplied.(Note2014wasaverydryyear,whichalsoimpactedresultsacrosstheboardforalltreatments).Themanureinjectiondisksalonedidnotharmyieldsateitherlocation.Slicingdidnotbenefit,

norharm,anyofthestands,includingolderalfalfa/tallfescuestandsandnewalfalfastands.Resultsfromtheprojectareplannedforpublicationat:

Sadeghpour,A.,Q.M.Ketterings,F.Vermeylen,G.S.Godwin,andK.J.Czymmek(2017).Nitrousoxideemissionsfromsurfaceversusinjectedmanureinperennialhaycrops.SoilSci.Soc.ofAmer.Jrnl(inpress).doi:10.2136/sssaj2017.06.0208;October06,2017Anddiscussedonline:Impactofmanureinjectiononalfalfaandgrasshaystands.December22,2016,byCornellFieldCrops: http://blogs.cornell.edu/whatscroppingup/2016/12/22/impact-of-manure-injection-on-alfalfa-and-grass-hay-stands/

Fields,Lisa.Grassinjectorprovidesamanuremanagementoption.CornellUniversityCooperativeExtension.ManureApplicationStudy.DairySupportServicesCompany#13.http://nmsp.cals.cornell.edu/publications/impactstatements/ScottPotter.pdf.

AvideoofaprojectpresentationgivenbyDr.Ketteringsisalsoavailableonline:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zkb58U4hCes

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Conclusions:Manureincreasedhay(60-65%)andalfalfa(20-25%)yieldsofolderstandsregardlessofapplicationmethod,butnotforthehigheryielding2ndyearalfalfastand.There

wasnoyieldpenaltyorbenefitfrominjection;andinjectioncanbeimplementedwithoutnegativelyimpactingyieldinhaycrops.

Table2:ForageyieldsattheMusgraveresearchfarm,Aurora,NY,andtheCornellUniversityRuminantCenter(CURC),Harford,NY,asinfluencedbymanureapplication.

Table3.ForageyieldsattheCornellUniversityRuminantCenter,HarfordNY,andMusgraveresearchfarm,Aurora,NYasinfluencedbyinjection(“disksdown”).

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b. ExpandingtheadoptionofmanureinjectionintheShenandoahValley:Impactsoncropyields,nitrogenuse,revenueandsoilhealth

Dr.RoryMaguireandAndrewBierer(VirginiaTech)designedfieldandlaboratorydemonstrationstoanswerfarmerquestions

aboutimpactsofmanureinjectiononsoilhealth,nitrogencyclingandyields(Table4).

Table4.Fieldandlaboratorytrialsaddressedfarmerquestionsaboutsoilhealth,nitrogencyclingandcropyieldsbymeasuringindicators.

FieldTrials LaboratoryTrialsSoilHealth NitrogenCycling Yields SoilHealth NitrogenCycling

Carbonmineralizationrates

Soilnitrogencontent Cropyield

Carbonmineralizationrates

NH3volatilization(overa14-dayperiod)

Microbialbiomasscontent

Planttissuesnitrogen Foragequality Microbialbiomass

content

Soilnitrogencontent(overa14-dayand40-dayperiod)

FieldTrialMethods:Inthespringof2014,fieldtrialswereestablishedtocomparethesoilhealth,cropperformanceandfinancialperformanceofsurfaceapplicationversusinjectionofdairymanureforsilagecornproduction.Previously,thesefieldshadreceivedsurfaceapplicationofdairymanure.Demonstrationsinclude2plotsoneachfarm.Eachplotis60ftx200ft,with2replications.Therewerethreetreatmentsateachsite:1)Injectedmanure–nosidedressN2)Surfaceappliedmanure–nosidedressN3)Surfaceappliedmanure–withsidedressN

Manurewasappliedinthespringof2014andfieldswereplantedintosilagecornfordairyfeed,andweretreatedagaininthespringof2015(Figure17).Previously,thesefieldshadreceivedsurfaceapplicationofdairymanureastheprimarysourceoffertilizer.

Bothofthefarmerswhoparticipatedinthistrialwereeitherusingtheirownequipmentorpayingacustomapplicatortoinjectmanureoutofpocket.CIGfundingwasusedtopayVirginiaTechforthecostofdatacollectionandanalysis.AYetterdirectdiscmanureinjectionunitwasusedononefarm,andaDawndirectdiscmanureinjectionunitwasusedtheotherfarm.Thesetrialscomparedthesoilhealth,cropperformanceandfinancialperformanceofsurfaceapplicationversusinjectionofdairymanureforsilagecornproduction.Dr.Maguireandhisgraduatestudentscollecteddataonsoilnitrateandmicrobialbiomass.Therewerethreetreatmentsateachsite:

1)Injectedmanure–nosidedressN2)Surfaceappliedmanure–nosidedressN3)Surfaceappliedmanure–withsidedressN

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In2016,VirginiaTechestablished4-5fieldsiteswithaprivatecustomapplicatoranddairyfarmer(AnthonyBeery)(Figure18).VirginiaDepartmentofConservationandRecreation(DCR)nutrientmanagementplanningstaffcommittedtimeandresourcestorecruitfarmerstoparticipateinfielddayevents.FundingfromDCRwasalsousedtosupportthefielddemonstrations. FieldTrialResults:Preliminaryresultsfrom2014showedthatmanureinjectionincreasedplantavailableNby40lbs/acversussurfaceapplication.Yieldsfromplotswheremanurewasinjectedwithoutside-dressNshowedthatside-dressNwasnotnecessarywheninjectingmanurecomparedtosurfaceapplication.Avoidingthecostandtimeassociatedwithside-dressnitrogenwillbethemaineconomicdriverforfarmersadoptinginjection,andshouldovercomeanyincreaseincostinvolvedwithinjecting.Finalresultsfromthefieldtrialsareintheprocessofbeinganalyzedandwillbepublishedwhenavailable.Theseresultswillbesharedwithfarmers,conservationprofessionals,and

interestedstakeholdersviapublicationsandoutreachandeducationevents.LaboratoryStudyMethods:Twostudieswereconductedtoquantifytheeffectofmanureinjectionversussurfaceapplicationonammonialossviavolatilization,soilinorganicnitrogen(N),andmicrobialparametersofsoilhealth:

1. AclosedchambersystemmeasuredammonialossesandsoilinorganicNaftermanureapplicationovera14-dayperiod.Labilecarbonwasestimatedbyrespiration,andactivemicrobialbiomasswasmeasuredbysubstrateinducedrespiration.Thevolatilitystudyusedthreetreatments(surfaceapplieddairymanure,injecteddairymanure,andanomanurecontrol).

2. A40-daystaticincubationusingthesametreatmentsasdescribedabovewasalsoperformedtostudynitrogentransformationsoveralongerperiodoftimeafterapplication.

Figure17.InjectingdairymanureintheShenandoahValley(spring,2014)forsilagecorntrialscomparinginjectedmanurewithandwithoutsidedressnitrogentosurfaceappliedmanureontwodairyfarms.Yetterdirectdiscinjectionequipmentisusedinthephotoontheleft,andDawndirectdiscmanureinjectionequipmentisusedinthephotoontheright.Dataoncropandfinancialperformanceaswellassoilhealthwillbecollected.

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Twodifferenttypesofsoilswereusedinthetwoexperiments–aBraddockclayloam(Clayey,mixed,mesicTypichapludult)andaDragstonsandyloam(Coarse-loamy,missed,thermic,AericOchraquults).DairymanureusedinthestudywasobtainedfromaworkingfarminHarrisonburg,Virginia,andcontained94.13%moisture,totalNof18.44lbs/1000gallons,andorganicnitrogencontentof10.26lbs/1000gallons.

Results:ClosedChamberSystem:Resultsfromtheclosedchamberstudyfoundthatmanureinjectionreducedammoniavolatilizationcomparedtosurfaceapplicationthroughoutthestudy.A98%reductioninammoniaemissionsbetweenthetwotreatmentswasobservedfortheclayloamsoils,and87%reductionwasobservedforthesandyloamsoils(Figure19).Mostoftheammonialostfrommanure(70%ofthetotalammoniaemissions)occurredfromsurfaceapplicationbetween36and48hoursafterapplicationforboththesandyloamandclayloamsoils.Thestudyalsofoundthatinjectionincreasedsoilnitrate-Nby23%and

100%oversurfaceapplicationaftersubtractingthecontrolintheclayloamandsandyloamsoils.Withrespecttosoilcarbon,theclosedchambersystemstudyfoundthatmanureinjectioninthesandysoilresultedinlowerrespirationthansurfaceapplicationsofmanure.Thiscouldbeanindicationthatmanureinjectionslowsthedecompositionofthelabilecarbonpoolrelativetosurfaceapplication,perhapscontributingtolongerlastingcarbonpools.However,nosignificantdifferencesweredetectedintheactivemicrobialbiomassestimatesamonganyofthetreatmentsineithersoil.40-DayIncubationStudy:Overthecourseofthe40-dayincubationstudy,manureinjectionresultedinhighersoilnitrateconcentrationsinbothsoiltypes,relativetobothsurfaceapplicationofmanureandtheno-manurecontrol(Figure20).Soilnitrateincreasesareassociatedwithreductioninammoniavolatilizationduetomanureinjectioncomparedtosurfaceapplication.

Figure18.Dr.RoryMaguire(left)andAnthonyBeery(right)talkaboutopportunitiesandchallengesassociatedwithadoptingbothliquidandsolidmanureinjectiontechnologiesataNationalFishandWildlifeForumfielddayeventattheBeeryFarminRockinghamCounty,VA.

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Conclusions:Dr.Maguireandhisteamconcludethatmanureinjectionleadstoreductionsinnitrogenlossviaammoniavolatilizationrelativetosurfaceapplication,andthesearecoupledwithincreasesinplantavailablenitrogenasnitrate.Thisincreaseinsoilnitratewouldbebeneficialforcrop

production,andcouldoffsetanyadditionalecostsassociatedwithmanureinjection.Strongevidencethatapplicationmethodeffectsbiologicalsoilhealthwasnotfound,althoughinjectionledtolessCO2-Cevolutioninonesoil,relativetosurfaceapplication.

Figure19.CumulativeNH3

+-Nlossduringatwo-weekforcedairvolatilitystudy.(A)istheClayloamand(B)istheSandyloam.Differentletterssignifysignificantdifferencesattheendofthetwo-weekperioda=0.05.Errorbarsindicatethestandarddeviation.

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Figure20.SoilnitrogenchangesasNO3

—NandNH3+-Nbetweenmanureapplicationmethodoverthe

courseofa40-daystaticairincubation.GraphsA&BaretheClayloamandC&DaretheSandyloam.Significantdifferencesarenotedbydifferinglettersateachtimepoint,n/sindicatesthatnosignificantdifferencesexist,a=0.05.Errorbarsindicatethestandarddeviation.c. Evaluatingthecost-effectivenessofmanureandpoultrylitterinjection

TheUniversityofMarylandEnvironmentalFinanceCenter(EFC)evaluatedtherelativecost-effectivenessofconservationpracticescurrentlyusedintheChesapeakeBayregiontoreducenitrogenlosstosurfaceandgroundwaters.Althoughthecostofmanureinjectionforfarmorcommercial-scalepoultrylitterinjectionhasnotbeendeterminedatthisphaseoftechnologydevelopment,theSAMteamisinterestedinadditionaleffortsdesignedtoestimatethecostofpoultrylitterinjectioncomparedtosurfaceapplication.Also,formanureinjection,thecostofinjectioncomparedtosurfaceapplicationalsoneedstobedeterminedbasedonrecentcustomapplicatorreportsthatnewmanureinjection

equipmentrarelytakesmoretimethansurfaceapplication.Previouscostestimatesassumedatimedifferencebetweensurfaceapplicationandmanureinjectionforliquidmanures.Assuch,futureeffortsforbothliquidmanureandpoultrylitterinjectionwillfocusonthecostofdeliveringtheseconservationpractices.FortheChesapeakeBayregion,acriticalfactorforevaluatingconservationpracticesisthecostperpoundofpollutionreduced.TheanalysisconductedbyEFCwillhelpSAMteampartnerstodeterminewhethermanureandpoultrylitterinjectioniscompetitivewithotheragriculturalconservationpracticesusedtoreducenitrogenpollutionintheregion.

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Throughaliteraturereview,EFCidentifiedcosteffectivenessestimatesforagriculturalconservationpractices,representedasthecostofpreventingonepoundofnitrogenpollutionfrombeingdeliveredtothereceivingwaterbodyperyear.ThoughbothnitrogenandphosphorousarepollutantsofconcernintheChesapeakeBaywatershed,andmostconservationpracticesimpactbothpollutants,theliteraturereviewrevealedthatcosteffectivenessinformationtendstofocusonnitrogen,ratherthanphosphorous.AsummaryofEFC’scost-effectivenesscurveforagriculturalconservationpracticesarepresentedinFigure21.Thecost-effectiveness

curveforconservationpracticesthatapplyonlytocrop,grazingandpasturelandsispresentedinFigure22.EFC’sfullreportisavailableonline:https://efc.umd.edu/assets/subsurface_manure_injection_memo.pdfWhenbetterinformationisavailableaboutthecosttoimplementmanureinjection(forbothliquidandsolidmanures)thesecost-effectivenesscurveswillhelpSAMteammembersandpartnersintheregiontoevaluatehowmanureinjectionrankswithrespecttothecostofreducingnitrogentransporttotheBaywithother,moretraditionalpractices.

Figure21.AgriculturalconservationpracticecosteffectivenesscurveforreducingnitrogentransporttotheChesapeakeBaywatershed.

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Summaryoflessonslearnedthatinformfutureprojectactivitiesorbroadereffortsintheproject’stopicarea

I.Poultrylitterinjectiontechnologydevelopment• Farm/researchscaletechnologiesmayhave

commercialapplication–especiallyfororganicgrowersthatplaceahighvalueonconservingorganicnitrogenandintheDelmarva(orotherareas)wherefarmerslandapplytheirownpoultrylitter.

• TheprocessemployedbytheSAMteamencouragedcollaborationnotjustwithintheteam,butwithmultiplestakeholdersinterestedinpoultrylitterinjectiontechnologies.Teamandstakeholderoutreachwascriticaltodevelopingdesigncriteriaforcommercial-gradeprototypedevelopmentandforinformingre-designoffarm/research-scaleunits.

• Engagingtheprivatesector(StoltzfusManufacturing)broughtafreshdesignapproachtotheprocess.AdditionalresearchanddevelopmentisneededtofurtherevaluatetheStoltzfus-inspired

design,butitshowspromisethatwarrantsfurtherresearch.

• Injectingpoultrylitterwithanitrificationinhibitorshowspromiseasapotentialmeanstoincreasenutrientuseefficiencyanddecreasenaturalresourceimpactsassociatedwithlandapplicationofmanure.Thiscouldpotentiallyexpandthewindowduringwhichpoultrylittercouldbesafelylandappliedbeyondwhatregulationscurrentlyallow.

• Thepneumaticairdeliverysystemshowspromiseasthebasisforacommercial-gradepoultrylitterinjectiondesign.Thoughmoreresearchanddevelopmenteffortisneededtobringacommercial-gradepoultrylitterinjectortomarket,partnershavemadeimportant“proofofconcept”stridesinthisdirection.

Figure22.AgriculturalconservationpracticecosteffectivenesscurveforreducingnitrogentransporttotheChesapeakeBaywatershed.Conservationpracticesthatapplytocrop,grazing,andpasturelandsonly.

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II.ExpandingdeploymentofliquidmanureinjectionInsupportofexpandingmanureinjectioninPennsylvania,theMarylandandVirginiaSAMteamprovidedthefollowing“lessonslearned.”

LessonslearnedfromnutrientmanagementplannersinPennsylvania:Nutrientmanagementplannershaveafantasticopportunitytointroducetheirclientstomanureinjection.Duringthenutrientmanagementplanningprocess,theplannercandiscusshowthefarm’snutrientmanagementplanwouldchangeifmanureinjectionwouldbeimplemented.TakeawaysfromRedBarnConsulting’sworkaresummarizedbelow:

• Nutrientmanagementplannersknowtheirclientsandhavegoodideasaboutwhomightbeopentotryingmanureinjection.Forexample,RedBarnConsulting’snutrientmanagementplannersonlyapproachedfarmerstheythoughtwouldbepotentialcandidatesformanureinjection.Oftheseclients,one-thirdindicatedtheywouldbewillingtotryinjection.

• CommonchallengestoadoptingmanureinjectionidentifiedbyRedBarnConsultingduringtheplanningprocessare:

o Thefarm’scustommanureapplicatordoesn’thavemanureinjectionequipment(35%)

o Thefarmdoesn’thavealargeenoughlandbasetoinjectmanure(26%)

o Thefarmerdoesn’twanttopayahighercostformanureinjectioncomparedtosurfaceapplication(8%).

LessonslearnedfromeffortstoexpandmanureinjectioninMaryland:Engagingcustomapplicatorsinexpandingtheadoptionofmanureinjectionbyofferingfinancialincentivestoinjectmanureonaper-acrebasisisaviableapproachtoexpandingadoptionofmanureinjection.TheMDSAMInitiativehasdemonstratedthisapproachworks,andcustomapplicatorshavegonebeyondtheproject

deliverablestoencourageadoptioninPAandDE,withouttheper-acrepaymentavailableforinjectiononeligibleMDfarms.RegardingtheVeenhuisEuroject3500andtheVTIsysteminjectiontechnologies:TheVeenhuisEuroject3500isconsiderablymoreexpensivethantheVTIdraghoseortankersystem.Sofar,wehaveworkedwithtwocustomapplicatorsusingVTIinjectorswhoarepleasedwiththetechnologyandwhosaythatforthemostpart,itdoesnotresultinadditionaltimespentinthefieldcomparedtosurfacemanureapplication.Inotherwords,itisnotclearatthispointthatthehighcostoftheVeenhuisEurojectisjustifiedcomparedtosimilarequipment.Additionalresearchusingthistechnologyinsmallgrainsandovertimemaydemonstrateadifferenceinyieldsthatwouldjustifytheexpense.

GivenexperiencetodateinMD,VAandPA,andrecenteffortstobuildontheSAMInitiativelessonslearnedtoexpandmanureadoptioninotherstates,theteamoffersthefollowingobservations:

• Mostfarmerswillingtotrymanureinjectionforthefirsttimearewillingtotryitonlyonaportionofthecropland.Therefore,customapplicatorpartnersneedtobeableandwillingtoprovidebothsurfaceapplicationandmanureinjectionservices.

• WorkinVirginiaandMarylandsuggeststhatexperiencedcustomapplicatorswithanestablishedcustomerbasearethebestpartnersforexpandingmanureinjection.Acustomapplicatornewtothebusinesshasnumeroushurdlestoface,inadditiontoencouragingfarmerstoadoptmanureinjection.

• Some(notall)customapplicatorsarewillingtoinvestinnewinjectionequipmenttoimplementaprojectwheretheyarepaidonaper-acrebasisforimplementation.Fromwhatweunderstand,thisapproachworksforthembecause:

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o Theydon’thavetoworryaboutmanyoftheirclientsapplyingforandreceivingtraditionalstateandfederalcostshare,andthenpassingonthecostsharetothem.Inotherwords,itstreamlinespaymentforservicestheydeliverandprovidesassurancesthattheirinvestmentinnewequipmentwillgetpaidoffinareasonableamountoftime.

o Withthecaveatthattheequipmentusedtoimplementtheprojecthadtobecompatiblewithno-tillfarming,thecustomapplicatorswerefreepurchasewhateverequipmenttheythoughtwouldworkbestfortheiroperation.

o Paymentwassetatratesthatallowedforequipmentcostrecoveryandprovidedenoughfundingfromthemtooffertheirclientstheopportunitytoinjectmanureatthesamecosttheypayforsurfaceapplication,givingthemconfidencethattheywouldbeabletosellmanureinjectionservicestotheirclientswhowerenewtothepractice.

• TwocustomapplicatorsusingVTIequipmenthaveindicatedthatmanureinjectiondoesnotrequiremoretimespentperfarm(inmostcases)thansurfaceapplication.

• Manureinjectionequipmentismorecomplicatedthansurfacespreaders,andwillrequireoperatorswithmoretechnicalexperience.Also,becauseofthegroundengagementcomponents(Figure23),manureinjectionequipmentrequiresmoremaintenancethansurfaceapplicators.Ratherthanincreasedtimerequiredtoinjectmanureastheprimarydriverofthecostdifference(originallyanticipated),technicalknowledgerequiredoftheoperatorandmaintenanceexpensemayresultinahigherper-acrecostforinjectioncomparedtosurfaceapplication.

• GiventheneedtotrackprogresstowardsmeetingChesapeakeBayrestorationgoals,theremaybeanopportunitytoworkwith

customapplicators(withappropriatefarmerprivacyprotectionsinplace)totrackmanureinjectionatanappropriatewatershedlevel,ratherthanvisitingeachfarmindividually.Thiswouldstreamlinethetrackingprocessandensurestatesgetcreditforacresonwhichmanureisinjectedratherthansurfaceapplied.

• Fieldandlaboratorytrialsfocusedonaddressingfarmerquestionsfoundthat:

o Comparedtosurfaceapplication,manureinjectionintohaydidnotresultinayieldpenalty.

o Manureinjectionandsurfaceapplicationofmanureincreasedyieldsinolderalfalfaandhaystands,butnotinhigheryielding2ndyearalfalfastands.

o Manureinjectionincreasednitrogenretentionandreducedlossviaammoniaemissions.

o Laboratoryincubationtrialsdidproducestrongevidencethatapplicationmethodeffectsbiologicalsoilhealth.

Figure23.VTIgroundengagementsystem.

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NextstepsinexpandingadoptionofliquidandsolidmanureinjectiontechnologiesintheChesapeakeBayregion

I. Farm/research-scalepoultrylitterinjectiontechnologies

A. UniversityofDelaware/UniversityofKentuckyDesign

• Additionalprototypere-engineeringwillprovideopportunitiestorefineandimprovethedesign.KristenHughesEvans(SustainableChesapeake)recentlypartneredwithDr.RoryMaguire(VirginiaTech)tore-engineerVirginiaTech’soriginalpoultrySubsurferbasedonlessonslearnedfromthetwoSubsurfersre-engineeredbyUDandUK.TheVirginiaConservationInnovationGrantprogramissupportingmodificationstotheVirginiaTechSubsurfer,whichwillthenbeusedtodemonstratetheagronomicandfinancialbenefitsofinjectingpoultrylitterintheShenandoahValleyonacommercial,poultryoperationandno-tillrowcropproductionsystem.

• Additionalfieldtrialswillhelpconfirmanddemonstratetheeconomicandfinancialbenefitsofinjectingpoultrylitter,includingpoultrylitterinjectioncoupledwithanitrificationinhibitor.

• IntheDelmarvaregion,collaborationwithstakeholderswilldeterminethecommercialpotentialforfarm-scalepoultrylitterinjectiontechnologies.IntheDelmarvaregion,somefarmerslandapplytheirownpoultrylitter(versuscontractingwithacustomapplicator).Thosethatvaluenitrogenretention(organicgrowersforexample)maybewillingtospendmoretimeapplyingpoultrylittertoavoidtheneedforadditionalnitrogenapplicationlaterinthegrowingseason.

• Evaluatethepotentialforpoultrylitterinjectionwithnitrificationinhibitorto

improvenitrogenretentionandpotentiallyexpandthewindowoftimethatfarmerscanapplypoultrylitterbeforespringplanting.OneapproachtoaddressingadditionaltimerequiredtolandapplypoultrylitterwiththeUD/UKSubsurferdesign(wheretheapplicationwidthislimitedto8feetspreadingwidthcomparedto20feetormoreassociatedwithsurfaceapplicationequipment)istoexplorethepotentialforpoultrylitterinjectionwithnitrificationinhibitorstoimprovenitrogenretentionandpotentiallyexpandtheapplicationtimeframeinthespring.Earlierapplicationwindows(thanarecurrentlyallowedbyregulations)couldserveasanincentiveforfarmerstoinvestinfarm-scaleinjectionequipment.

• Comparethecostofinjectionwithothernitrogenreducingconservationpractices.BasedontheEFCreport,comparethecostofpoultrylitterinjectionwithothercost-effectiveconservationpractices.ResearchersatUKareintheprocessofdocumentingpoultrylitterapplicationcoststosupportthiscriticalnextstep.InformationfromtheVirginiaCIG-fundedShenandoahValleyproject,wherethecost-savingsassociatedwithinjectionwillbedeterminedbythefarm’snutrientmanagementplannerwillalsoprovideinformation.Datacollectedfromfieldtrialsplannedforthefuturewillalsoshedlightonpotentialcostsandsavingsassociatedwithinjectingpoultrylitter.

B. UniversityofMarylandEasternShore/PennsylvaniaARS/StoltzfusManufacturingLLCDesign:

• Partnersproposeasecondprototypetoimproveonsuccessfulcomponentsofthisinitialdesign.Specifically,theyproposeto:

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o Setupthesystemasastand-aloneunit(independentoftheSubsurfer).

o Attachfoldingwingsthatwouldexpandthewidthoftheinjectionswathandspeeduptherateoflitterinjection.

o Automateaugerspeedstoensurepoultrylitterisdeliveredtotheouterinjectionportsattherightrate.

• Fieldtrialswilldeterminetechnical,agronomic,andfinancialperformance.

II. Commercial-gradepoultrylitterinjectiontechnology

Continueeffortstoimproveonthedesignoftheprototypeunit,eventuallyresultingintheconstructionofafield-scaleunitsuitableforside-by-sidefieldtrialswithcommercialpoultrylittersurfaceapplicationequipment.

• QuantifymechanicalpropertiesofdifferentlittertypesfoundwithintheChesapeakeBayregionandotherareasoftheUnitedStatestooptimizemanifolddesign.

• Continuetestingandevaluationofsoilengagementtoolsfordrylitterinjectioninvarioussoiltypesandconditions.

• Evaluateandrefineair-littercycloneseparationunitsforefficacyandvariancesinlittercomposition.

• Developandevaluatedroptubedesignstoplacelitterin-furrowwithminimalplugging.

• Assesssystemmodificationstoallowfortheadditionofelectronicsforsystemmonitoringandon-demandratecontrol.

• Fieldtrials,side-by-sidewithcommercialsurfacespreaderswilldeterminetechnical,agronomic,andfinancialperformancecomparedtocommercialpoultrylittersurfaceapplication.

• Whenthetechnologyisdeveloped,partnershipswithcommercialpoultrylitterapplicatorssimilartothosedeployedto

expandadoptionofliquidmanureinjectiontechnologiescouldhelptofacilitateadoption.

III. Expandingadoptionofliquidmanureinjectiontechnologies

Continuetobuildonlessonslearnedandengagetheprivatesectorinsupportingthisgoal.Specifically:

• Buildpartnershipstoexpandadoptionthroughouttheregionuntilmanureinjectionisawidelyadoptedpractice.

• Updatethecostofdeliveringliquidmanureinjectionbasedonrecentcustomapplicatorexperience.

• Exploreoptionstoincentivizecustomapplicatorinvestmentinnewequipment.

• Exploreoptionstoencouragenutrientmanagementplannerstorecruitfarmersinterestedintryingthepracticeandtohelpidentifybarriertoadoptionsostakeholderhavetheopportunitytoresolvethem,iffeasible.

Continuedsupportfromlandgrantuniversity,extensionandfederal/statepartnerswillbecriticaltofutureeffortstoexpandadoption.Specifically:

• Continuedoutreachandeducationefforts(fielddays,fieldtrials,etc.)thatprovideinformationrelevanttolocalissueswillincreasefarmerwillingnesstotrymanureinjection.

• Fundingorotherincentivesthatencouragesinvestmentsinnewmanureinjectionequipment–particularlybycustommanureapplicators–willfacilitatewidespreadadoption.

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SummaryofAccomplishmentsTheprojectteammadesignificantinroadsinadvancingthedeploymentofliquidanddrymanureinjectiontechnologiesintheChesapeakeBayregion.TheseadvanceshavebeenachievedthroughregionalcollaborationamongSAMTeammembers,projectcollaborators,andtheprivatesector.Theteamdesignedanddemonstratedtwonewengineeringapproachespoultrylitterinjectiontechnologiesatafarm/research-scale.Aprototypeunitforacommercial-gradepoultrylitterinjectiontechnologywasalsodesignedandconstructed.Althoughpoultrylitterinjectiontechnologiesatthefield/researchorcommercial-scalearenotyetreadyforwidespreadadoption,thisprojecthasaddressedtechnicalbarriersandpavedthewayforexpandedadoption.SAMTeammembershavealsomadeprogressinexpandingtheadoptionofmanureinjectiontechnologiesintheChesapeakeBayregion.Inpartnershipwithconservation,privatenutrientmanagementplanners,andcustomapplicators,

theteamdemonstratedthatprivatesectorpartnersplayavaluableroleinexpandingadoption.Privatesectorpartnersprovidecriticalsupportservicestofarmersinsupportofmanuremanagement,andtheyareoftentrustedadvisors.Theyareinanexcellentpositiontoidentifyfarmerswillingtoinjectmanure,andtoidentifychallengestoadoption.Thisprivatesectorpartnershipapproachisapplicabletoanyregionwhereexpandedmanureinjectionadoptionisahighpriority.Whenpoultrylitterinjectiontechnologiesareprovenandreadyforcommercialdeployment,thisapproachwouldbeappropriatetohelpexpandadoptionratesintheChesapeakeBayregionandelsewhereintheU.S.Inadditiontoone-on-oneconversationswithpartnersbyprivatesectorpartners,hundredsoffarmersparticipatedintraditionalfielddayeventsfeaturingmanureinjection.Theseoutreachandeducationeffortsaddressedlocalissuesandconcernsandlaidthefoundationforexpandedadoptionintheregion(Figure24).

Figure24.Afielddayatthe2015NFWFAgForumdemonstratedVTIandVeenhuismanureinjectiontechnologies,andfeaturedanexperiencedcustomapplicator(JoshLehman,co-ownerofLehmanAgLLC),oneofthefewcustommanureapplicatorsinPAthatoffersmanureinjectionservices.