Manure Value Calculator
What is Manure Value?
Manure value is the economic value of manure as a fertilizer for crops. It is determined by the nutrient content of the manure and the cost of commercial fertilizers.
Calculating the manure value can help farmers determine whether it is more cost-effective to use manure or commercial fertilizers.
Manure Value Calculation Formula
To calculate the manure value, follow these steps:
- Determine the nutrient content of the manure: Manure is typically analyzed for its nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) content. This information can be obtained from a laboratory analysis or by using published values for similar manure types.
- Calculate the number of nutrients in the manure: Multiply the nutrient content (in percent) by the weight of the manure produced (in pounds or tons) to determine the total amount of nutrients (in pounds) in the manure.
- Calculate the nutrient value of the manure: Multiply the amount of each nutrient by its current market price to determine the nutrient value of the manure. For example, if nitrogen is currently priced at $0.50 per pound and the manure contains 100 pounds of nitrogen, the nitrogen value of the manure is $50.
- Determine the total manure value: Add up the nutrient values of the manure to determine the total manure value. This can be compared to the cost of commercial fertilizers to determine whether it is more cost-effective to use manure or commercial fertilizers.
