A SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR EVALUATING ON-FARM SITE-SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT TRIALS: A CASE STUDY WITH VARIABLE RATE MANURE AND CROP QUALITY RESPONSE TO INPUTS

Abstract

Site-specific application of manure has the potential to improve crop production and environmental quality. If manure is applied where it is needed, in the quantity required by the crop, over application, with attendant runoff and leaching problems can be reduced. To implement this approach growers need site-specific crop response information. Increasing availability of site-specific yield information offers a way to estimate such crop responses. The objective of this study is to develop a methodology for estimating site-specific response of corn and soybeans to manure given soil test information, and to use that methodology to analyze an on-farm manure management trial conducted near Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. Both quantity and quality of the crop is considered.Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,