Development of Precision Applicator for Solid and Semi-Solid Manure By NEHA PATEL Soil 4213 : Precision Agriculture

What is the Precision Land Applicator ? “ Prototype Precision Land Applicator is equipment to control the application rate of the product and maintain uniform application and also distribution to cropped land.” 2

Prototype Precision Manure Land Applicator Prototype Precision Manure Land Applicator 3

Side view showing extended side walls. Rear view showing adjustable gate First Prototype used for the evaluation of two discharge systems:- 4

Discharge system: Two types: Discharge system: Two types: 1. Scraper Conveyer : Consisted of traditional chain and salt device that spanned the full width and length of the hopper. 5

6 2. Screw Conveyor: Provide even flow rate across the entire width at the back of the spreader.

Key parameters for land application Equipment include: Application rate ( e.g. Kg/m2, tonne/ha ). Application rate ( e.g. Kg/m2, tonne/ha ). Discharge rate ( kg/s, tonne/min ). Discharge rate ( kg/s, tonne/min ). Maximum application width ( e.g. m ). Maximum application width ( e.g. m ). Effective application width ( e.g. m ). Effective application width ( e.g. m ). Longitudinal uniformity of application. Longitudinal uniformity of application. Transversal uniformity of application. Transversal uniformity of application. 7

Preliminary prototype results obtained for banded application of sheep manure and chicken mortality compost ( unit energy required approx. 520 W per kg/s while for system is 894 W per kg/s) Preliminary prototype results obtained for banded application of sheep manure and chicken mortality compost ( unit energy required approx. 520 W per kg/s while for system is 894 W per kg/s) 8

Direct benefits :   Higher effective application width and uniformity of application. * Cost saving. * Time saving.   Increase crop yield while reducing the need for commercial fertilizer.   The cost of extra field operations (surface incorporation by disking ) can be substantially reduced with the development of the prototype precision applicator that includes surface incorporation. 9

Indirect Benefits:  Help to reduce environmental risk such as surface and ground water contamination, excessive green house gas and odor emission.  Same rate of application and a timely manner reduces the risk of nitrates leaching into the groundwater or polluting surface water sources through runoff.  Low disturbance application techniques will reduce the gaseous and odor emissions and also improve the social acceptance of the practice.  Improved flexibility through various modes of application allows crop producers to diversify their crop and cropping system. 10

Conclusion Manure is an excellent and valuable substitute for commercial fertilizer. By combining the use of manure as an organic fertilizer with precision farming technology, farmers can lower production costs while improving crop yield and soil quality. When properly managed land application of manure is also an environmentally sound way to recycle livestock manure. Testing of the solid manure spreader prototype indicated that both the scraper and screw conveyors provided sufficient discharge rates for the discharge system. So, it is the technologically and economically interesting alternative for both livestock and field crop production. 11

Future work Future work with the prototype applicator will validate the power requirements of the system as well as the field efficiency and emission reduction potential of the unique prototype design. 12

References Agnew, M; Roberge, M; Layue, C; Iskra, C (2006). Development of a Precision Applicator for Solid and Semi-Solid Manure. 22(3): Manure. 22(3): ASAE Standards, 44 th Ed S Uniform Terminology for Rural Waste Management St. Joseph, MI: ASAE. 13