Communication is key. So is understanding the view point of each person in a business deal. Here are some insights I’d like to share from the manure haulers’ side of the desk.

First, manure is not a waste product; it is a valuable nutrient source. Not only does it contain nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, but manure also contains other important soil amendments like organic matter and micronutrients.

As one example, look at how many yield contest winners for the National Corn Growers Association use organic products in their programs. Hint: it’s the majority by a large percentage.

Next, just because you can plant or harvest doesn’t mean I can apply manure. The soil can only hold so much water because it is like a sponge; sponges can only hold so much water before they leak. When a field with recently applied manure leaks, there are numerous problems.

Manure applicators do everything they can to prevent this occurrence. The seed can go into the ground when the ground is a little wet, but manure can’t and shouldn’t.

Know the rules

There is a possibility that a custom applicator does not live close to the customer. Therefore, communication is critical. After a rainfall event, it makes the applicator’s life easier, which in turn makes the crop farmer’s life easier, if the crop farmer communicates when the field will be dry. Ideally, the applicator has this information a couple days ahead of time. Communicating with the applicator the night before the crop farmer wants the manure applied places excessive and unnecessary stress on all parties involved. With short notice, the chances of the applicator applying the following day are slim.

Communication fixes most problems. I am a firm believer that there is no such thing as too much communication. I will say this again: Communication is vital to successful relationships, and there is no such thing as too much communication.

Remember that state regulations vary in regard to application and forecasted rainfall events. Just because it’s dry today doesn’t mean it will be tomorrow. As a manure hauler, I cannot risk the heightened chances of a spill.

As applicators, our hands are tied when it comes to the forecast. Trust me when I say this: we want to get the manure removed from storage and applied to the field so the farmer can plant about as much as the farmer does.

Be aware of setbacks. Legally, depending on the size and state of the operation, we cannot apply manure within certain distances of specific geographical features. We understand that you are going to call the commercial fertilizer retailer and have them spread where we didn’t. We realize this is frustrating and an inconvenience to you. We have sympathy knowing you must add another task to your to-do list. That being said, we cannot legally spread in those areas, and we will not break the law for you.

Make it accessible

Finally, consideration should be made when facilities are constructed or renovated for maneuvering around the lagoon and the pathway to the field. When there is more room around a lagoon, there is more space for equipment to move. This helps improve safety. Ideally, if the lagoon is above ground level, a wide driveway is constructed around the rim.

Today, equipment is much larger and requires more room to operate efficiently. Several manure application companies utilize semitrucks. Sometimes those trucks need to enter a field multiple times a day. Solid, wide, maintained, graded driveways are crucial for less wear and tear on equipment and humans.

I understand this might be considered a luxury to some operations, but it shouldn’t be. An investment in a grader can create significant returns on investment. The smoother the driveway, the faster the trucks run and the less time it takes to apply manure, saving all parties time and money.

These views are from our operations’ real-world experiences. Livestock farmers and crop farmers, I hope you gained some insights on how to work with your applicator better. When all parties work together, everyone wins.