Optimal use of animal slurries for input reduction and protection of the environment in sustainable agricultural systems.

Abstract

The objectives of manure management in sustainable agricultural systems are to optimise nutrient recovery by the crop and to reduce nutrient losses to the environment. However, farmers still have many practical problems in adopting and applying the research developed for improving manure management strategies. This project identified and addressed three of these problems. These concerned the provision of decision support in relation to environmental risk assessment and application decision strategies; determining the nutrient value of slurry and the development of manure application technology.