Spreader Calibration

Definition

Procedures for determining the actual rate of manure applied by a spreader (e.g., in tons or gallons per acre) and adjusting it to obtain the desired agronomic rate for a field or group of fields.

Purpose

To assure that manure is applied to a field at the desired application rate, one that meets the nutrient needs of the crop (sometimes in combination with fertilizer), while minimizing adverse environmental effects such as phosphorus (P) runoff or nitrate leaching. Applying manure at an unknown rate may result in excessive application rates. Excessive manure rates increase the amount of phosphorus susceptible to surface runoff, which can lead to more P reaching streams and lakes, and increase the potential for nitrate leaching. Manure calibration is also important to achieve desired agronomic manure rates, thereby maximizing the economic return from manure nutrients.

How Does This Practice Work?

Application rate is defined as the amount of material applied per unit area of land. For manure, it is usually expressed in tons per acre (solid or semi-solid) or gallons per acre (liquid or slurry). To calibrate a manure spreader, you need reliable estimates of both amount applied and area covered. There are a number of different ways to estimate each parameter.

Method 1. Based on Single Spreader Load (All manure types)

Estimate amount applied, or spreader capacity, based on: (a) measured volume of spreader (converted to tons or gallons), (b) weight of spreader load directly, if there is access to scales, or (c) manufacturer’s rated spreader capacity. Estimate area covered by one spreader load by measuring the width of one spreader pass and multiplying by the distance traveled to empty the spreader, using measuring wheel, measuring tape, or counting number of tractor tire revolutions. Calculate manure application rate by dividing amount applied by area covered.

Method 2. Application Rate Based on Spreader Loads Applied to a Field (All manure types)

This method estimates application rate after manure has been applied to one field. Determine amount of manure per spreader load by a procedure in Method 1 above. Then count the number of loads applied to the field, determine the accurate acreage of the field and calculate manure application rate for the field.

Method 3. Application Rate Based on Plastic Sheet Subsample (Solid or semi-solid)

This method involves measuring the amount of manure spread on a plastic sheet of known area. It is most useful where making an accurate estimate of spreader capacity is difficult, e.g., a heaped box spreader. Cut a minimum of three plastic sheets of equal size. (20 to 40 sq. ft. is a reasonable size.) Place sheets in intended path of spreader and secure to the ground. Spread manure and weigh amount of manure on each sheet.

Calculate average application rate.

To evaluate the spreading pattern, place a series of smaller plastic sheets or pans across the anticipated spreader path and calculate the application rate for each one separately. This process will quantify the unevenness in manure distribution and can serve as a guide for the desired amount of overlap in adjacent passes and the resulting swath width. Stripes of toxicity or deficiency symptoms within a field are often due to the misunderstanding of the effective swath width of the spreader, resulting in under application or over application in overlapping areas of adjacent passes

Whichever calibration method is used, it will probably be necessary to adjust the application rate to obtain the desired rate by changing a combination of tractor speed and spreader control, followed by a recalibration of the spreader by the same method. Two or more rates are typically needed for different crop types or varying nutrient needs.

Where This Practice Applies and Its Limitations

Spreader calibration applies to all land uses and site conditions where manure is spread on crop fields. The main limitation of spreader calibration is the assumption that the procedures and materials used in calibration (tractor speed, manure density, load size) will be used consistently when fields are spread. Variability in manure spreader rate can affect the reliability of the calibrated rate, especially for Method 3, because of the small amount of area on the plastic sheet. Since the optimum application rate is based on nutrient analysis of manure, a change in the nutrient content of manure being applied requires a change in application rate, and therefore, a recalibration.

Effectiveness

Manure calibration is essential to assure that the target rate is being achieved. It is most effective in preventing water quality degradation on fields that are most susceptible to runoff or leaching of nutrients. It is on these fields that excessive manure rates are most likely to contribute to environmental damage.

Cost of Implementing the Practice

The cost of spreader calibration is primarily the time of the operator needed to carry out the procedures. Costs of equipment and materials will vary with the specific method but are fairly minimal. A measuring wheel is useful for Method 1, and plastic sheeting, pail and a small hanging scale are needed for the plastic sheet method. Weighing the entire spreader (options for Methods 1 and 2) requires wheel scales or access to a drive-on scale, but it is unlikely that these would be purchased strictly for spreader calibration. Adjusting manure application rates to achieve an optimum agronomic rate can provide economic return to the farmer by assuring that manure is applied at a rate that meets crop nutrient needs and avoids wasting a nutrient resource.

Operation and Maintenance

Spreader calibration needs to be repeated whenever there is a significant change in manure characteristics (e.g., moisture content or bedding), when equipment changes (spreader or tractor) or when a different application rate is desired.

References

Beegle, D. 2003. Penn State Agronomy Guide. p. 39-41. Penn State University. http://agguide.agronomy.psu.edu/CM/Sec2/sec29f. htm

Davis, J.G. and R.B. Meyer. 2002. Manure Spreader Calibration. Colorado State Cooperative Extension. https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/references/public/CO/COATN_92_manure_spreader_calibration.pdf

Jokela, B. 2003. Manure Spreader Calibration. University of Vermont Extension. https://www.uvm.edu/sites/default/files/Agriculture/CVCROPS/ManureCalibration.pdf

Shah, S. and S.B. Kulesza. 2021. Spinner Spreader Calibration for Land Application of Poultry Litter. North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension. https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/spinner-spreader-calibration-for-land-application-of-poultry-litter

For Further Information

Contact your local soil and water conservation district, USDA-NRCS or Cooperative Extension Service office. To find your local USDA Service Center, visit https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/find-a-service-center.

Current Author

Stephanie Kulesza
North Carolina State University
sbkulesz@ncsu.edu

Previous Author

Bill Jokela
University of Vermont

Editing and Design

Deanna Osmond
NC State University

Forbes Walker
University of Tennessee

Citation:

Kulesza, S. 2023. Spreader Calibration. SERA17 Phosphorus Conservation Practices Fact Sheets. https://sera17.wordpress.ncsu.edu/spreader-calibration/