Land application of manure and pond sludge

Manure can be readily used as fertiliser. As a result of increasing resource scarcity and fuel costs, the price of chemical fertilisers is increasing, in turn increasing the value of the nutrients in manure. However, the value of manure is not just limited the macro and micro-nutrients, but extends to the organic matter, which has beneficial effects on soil health and structure. The level of dairy farm experience with successful manure and sludge reuse, as well as processing of manure and sludge, are growing. However, environmental policies developed to minimise risk tend to limit the off-site use of solids. With obvious opportunities for using manure to support pasture and crop production, land application is currently the favoured option for reuse.