The only trade show and educational training event in the world that spreads manure to demonstrate the latest advances in manure management technologies will be July 20, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Northeast Community College’s Agricultural Complex in Norfolk.
The only trade show and educational training event in the world that spreads manure to demonstrate the latest advances in manure management technologies will be July 20, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Northeast Community College’s Agricultural Complex in Norfolk.
The 2011 North American Manure Expo is hosted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and other land-grant colleges in partnership with Nebraska custom manure applicators and businesses and the Iowa Commercial Nutrient
Applicators Association.
The annual event travels to a new venue each year and may be a once-ina-lifetime opportunity because it will not return to Nebraska for some time, said Leslie Johnson, project coordinator for the Animal Manure Management workgroup and co-chair for the 2011 expo. Last year it was in State College, PA.
The industry trade show with manure technology demonstrations and many educational events, previously has drawn 1,200-1,500 people from all across the U. S. and Canada.
Anyone with an interest in agriculture should plan to attend including livestock producers, manure handlers, consultants and the general public.
Approximately 50 exhibitors from across the U.S. and Canada will display and demonstrate all types and sizes of manure handling equipment including manure and fertilizer spreaders, manure incorporation equipment, GPS
equipment for manure application and manure storage options.
New this year are sprinkler irrigation systems for manure application.
Ride-and-drive style demonstrations will be available for those that want to get
behind the wheel. All demonstrations will be held (rain or shine) on 40 acres of
land adjacent to the complex.
“I’ve attended two previous expos; both were very different and
informative,” Johnson said. “This year will be no exception. There’s something for
everyone, including anyone that is concerned for the environment and wants to
know how livestock producers are handling manure to avoid water contamination
(whether or not they are directly involved with agriculture).”
“Professionalism in Manure Management” is the theme of this year’s
Expo. Educational topics will include: manure stockpiling, manure pit foaming
and safety, center pivots for irrigation of manure and much more.
The U.S. EPA will be at the expo to explain nutrient management plans. Another session will discuss the latest research on winter application of manure on frozen soils.
A panel of crop consultants will discuss how to value and market manure.
Attendees can attend a “Manure Pump School” or test their knowledge at a
“Manure Scene Investigation”.
These are just a few of the educational programs that will be offered at
the expo, and many of the sessions will be approved for continuing education
units for certified crop advisors and others.
The University of Nebraska’s Mobile Computer Lab also will be there to
help producers with manure related computer programs such as the P-Index
(revised in 2011), the Purdue Manure Management Planner, and the National Air Quality Site Assessment Tool. Technical support will be on hand to answer
questions as well as teach how to use the programs.
This event will meet recertification (not initial) training requirements from
the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, for livestock operations that
have a Waste Control Facility Permit. Attendees need only attend two hours of
sessions to obtain their certificate.
“Regardless of your certification status or size of operation, this is an
excellent learning opportunity for anyone who handles manure as a livestock
producer or as a custom applicator or hauler,” Johnson said.
The expo is open from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. There is no cost to attend. For more information visit, manureexpo.org
More details at: http://go.unl.edu/wym