Manure N-P-K Economic Value Calculator

The economic value of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in manure is determined based on the amount of commercial fertilizer that the manure can replace. Therefore, the manure value is dependent on the manure nutrient analysis, the cost of commercial fertilizer, and the

The value of the nitrogen component of manure also depends on the nitrogen availability, which is affected by application management, including the season of application relative to when the crop will utilize the nitrogen and how quickly the manure is incorporated. Finally, the nutrients in manure only have value if they are replacing commercial fertilizer that would have been purchased in the abscence of the manure. For instance, on manure applied to legumes, which typically do not receive nitrogen fertilizer, there is no economic value to the nitrogen component of the manure.

Similarly, if soil test levels are above optimum in P or K and no P or K fertilizer would have been purchased and applied for a given field, then the P or K component of the manure has no immediate economic value when applied to that field. This calculator determines the potential economic value of the manure if all N-P-K nutrients were to be fully utilized, the annual economic value in replacing recommended fertilizer requirements based on soil testing, and the manure breakeven price relative to fertilizer costs.

Go to the Calculator