Non-Peer ReviewedThe long-term impact of repeated applications of high rates of liquid hog manure on the quality of the soil and that of the environment is not well known. For optimal application rates of hog manure, improved knowledge is essential regarding the long-term effect of hog manure applications on salinity, acidity, soil density, aggregation, and soil strength. A field research project was initiated in 1998 to determine the effects of repeated application of high rates of injected swine manure (up to 13,000 g ac-1) on soil quality in Southern Saskatchewan. In the fall 2001, measurements were made on different soil physical and chemical quality indicators in two of the sites with contrasting soil types: a heavy clay textured soil in the Dark Brown Soil Zone and a sandy loam to loam textured soil in the Brown Soil Zone. At the site with heavy clay textured soil, the high rates of liquid hog manure increased sodium absorption ratio (SAR), electrical conductivity (EC), and surface penetration resistance (SPR) and decreased soil pH; whereas, there were no significant changes on the quality of the surface soil at the sandy loam to loam textured soil to date other than a decrease in surface crusting index. Studies are in progress to include additional sites and also additional soil quality indicator parameters through a longer term monitoring program
