When we grow crops, we will lose some nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2).
- Nitrous oxide is formed in the soil when it is wet and the soil contains a lot of nitrogen.
- Methane is emitted during the storage of livestock manure and, to a small extent, directly from the soil.
- Carbon dioxide is released during the conversion of organic matter in the soil.
Stripe spreading
When spreading manure in strips, the manure is spread on the ground in strips. This results in less ammonia loss from the manure. Reduced ammonia loss reduces the need for mineral fertilizer nitrogen and thus the emission of nitrous oxide from mineral fertilizer.
Spreading under the right conditions
It is the nitrogen in livestock manure that is most susceptible to loss. The loss is greatest when spreading on the surface of a meadow, and in hot, dry weather much nitrogen disappears as ammonia gas. If the manure is spread under humid conditions, the loss is less, and subsequent rain allows for faster infiltration into the soil. Spreading on fields and quickly incorporating it into the soil preserves the nitrogen in the manure best.
Less N fertilizer
With adapted fertilization or precision fertilization we can use less input factors and perhaps achieve higher yields. Requires somewhat more equipment and thus extra investment. The greatest benefit is if the area is not rectangular and difficult to drive without overlapping.
Do you want to read and learn more?
Here are more articles about precision agriculture from the website of the Norwegian Agricultural Advisory Council
