IA DNR: Livestock Manure Now OK For Soybean Fields

DES MOINES – A much-discussed rule limiting manure on crop fields that are planned for soybean production is now effective, but has limited effect on soybean producers this year.

“Producers who are worried about getting crops in don’t need to worry this crop changes about the limit on manure application on land that will be planted to soybeans,” said Gene Tinker, DNR animal feeding coordinator.

The rule applies only to liquid manure from confinements or settled open feedlot effluent from facilities that are required to have a manure management plan or nutrient management plan. It limits land application to 100 pounds of available nitrogen on ground where soybeans have been planted, are growing or will be the next crop growing in a field where the crop has been harvested.

After June 1 of each year, the 100 pound limit on nitrogen is no longer applicable based on the assumption that changes in crops may be necessary due to weather events. Consequently, producers can plant (or replant) soybeans after June 1 in fields that have already received manure at an application rate suitable for a corn crop.