Iowa Begins Process to Ban Manure on Soybean Ground

September 27, 2006 — 

The Iowa Environmental Protection Commission has instructed the state's Department of Natural Resources to draft a notice that begins the rule-making process necessary to implement a ban on spreading manure on soybean ground.

Environmentalists suggest that manure spread on soybean ground leads to increased runoff of nitrogen into the state's waterways because they contend that soybeans do not utilize the nutrients available in the manure. The Iowa Soybean Association, however, counters that scientific research shows soybeans do uptake the nutrients in manure and the runoff concerns can be managed by focusing on proper application rates and procedures rather than banning surface application of manure.

The ban, if enacted, would go into effect three years after its approval.

Source:
Pork Magazine