Using farmyard manure (FYM)

Typical nutrient composition of farmyard manure (FYM) from Nutrient Management Guide (RB209) Section 2 Organic materials.

The nutrient content of livestock manures will depend on several factors: type of livestock, diet and feeding system, the volume of dirty water and rainwater entering storage facilities, and the amount of bedding used.

Consequently, the nutrient content of manures produced on any particular unit may vary significantly from the typical values in the tables. Therefore, although the following tables provide useful information on the typical nutrient content of livestock manures, it can be worthwhile analysing representative samples.

Typical total nitrogen content of FYM (fresh-weight basis) 

Duck farmyard manure is included here because the availability of its nitrogen is generally lower than that of other poultry manures. To convert kg/t to units/ton, multiply by 2.

^a. The crop-available nitrogen supply will depend on the application timing and the delay between application and incorporation.

Percentage of total nitrogen available to next crop, following FYM applications

N/A = Not applicable

^a. The nitrogen availability estimates assume 450 mm of rainfall (after autumn application) and 250 mm (after winter application) up to the end of soil drainage (end of March). Where rainfall differs from these amounts, intermediate values of nitrogen availability should be used. For spring or summer applications, rainfall is not likely to cause movement of agronomically important amounts of nitrogen to below crop rooting depth.

^b. Sandy/shallow = light sand soils and shallow soils. Medium/heavy = medium, deep fertile silt and deep clay soils (use this category for organic and peaty soils).

^c. The values assume incorporation by ploughing. Cultivation using discs or tines is less effective in minimising ammonia losses, and intermediate values of nitrogen availability should be used.

^d. Old FYM = manure that has been stored for three months or more and has an estimated ammonium-nitrate and nitrate-nitrate content of 10% (cattle and sheep FYM) or 15% (pig and duck FYM) of the total nitrogen.

^e. Fresh FYM = manure that has not been stored prior to land application and has an estimated ammonium-nitrate content of 20% (cattle and sheep FYM) or 25% (pig and duck FYM) of total nitrogen.

FYM – phosphate, potash, magnesium and sulphur (fresh-weight basis)

^a. Values of potash may be lower for FYM stored for long periods in the open.

^b. For crop available sulphur supply, refer to Table 2.1 on page 12 of Nutrient Management Guide (RB209) Section 2 Organic materials

Field heaps in NVZs must not be located:

• Within 10 m of surface water, including ditches, or of a land drain
• Within 30 m of surface water, including ditches, if the land slopes steeply, e.g. more than 12°
• Within 50 m of a spring, well or borehole
• On land likely to flood or become waterlogged

Samples of the soiled bedding should be analysed for dry matter, total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and ammonia-nitrate (NH4-N) before spreading. Guidance on sampling solid manures for analysis can be found in the Nutrient Management Guide (RB209) Section 2 Organic materials.

If you would like to order a hard copy of Nutrient management guide (RB209) section2: Organic materials or  Managing nutrients for Better Returns please contact publications@ahdb.org.uk or call 0247 799 0069.