By Carrie Muehling

KANSAS CITY – A new product from Specialty Fertilizer Products (SFP) showed promise in its first year.

SFP launched More Than Manure (MTM) in Feb. 2012.  The manure additive helps increase nitrogen and phosphorous availability within manures.

“We’re hoping to protect nitrogen from volatilization, denitrification and leaching, and phosphorus from tie up or fixation in the soil,” said Melanie Acklin, director of marketing with SFP.  “It’s versatile and it covers two nutrients, which has not really been seen in the manure industry in the past.”

The target users would be hog or dairy producers who handle liquid manure.

“They can actually pour More Than Manure directly in the pit or lagoon, pre-treat those pits and lagoons four to five months in advance of actual application, and even get some great secondary benefits in addition to increased yields and nutrient value out in the fields,” said Acklin.

The product can also work for poultry as farmers can use it over the top of applied poultry litter on the field.

In 2011, SFP conducted 15 to 20 field trials using MTM and saw an average13 bushel increase on corn.  The product also reduced ammonia levels in barns from 75-100 parts per million (ppm) to less than 25 ppm.

Manure haulers say the manure is more consistent when using MTM, as it is easier to pump and easier to haul.

Acklin participated in Trade Talk at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention in Kansas City in November.

Carrie Muehling can be reached at carrie@wjbc.com.