"Selling and Buying Manure in Iowa", a fact sheet developed by members of the Iowa Manure Management Action Group (IMMAG) is now available. This fact sheet is the 10th fact sheet in a series on manure management. This one is written to assist producers in Iowa who want to sell or buy animal manure.

The series of fact sheets, including the newly released "Selling and Buying Manure in Iowa", is at www.agronext.iastate.edu/immag/pubsimms.html.

"This valuable tool comes at a time when more farmers are considering the application of manure as an alternative to high priced commercial fertilizers this fall," says Angela Rieck-Hinz, Iowa State University Extension program specialist. "The fact sheet discusses selling regulated and nonregulated manure sources as well as things to consider when buying manure."

High-priced fertilizer makes manure more valuable

Because of the many rules associated with manure management as regulated by either the Department of Natural Resources or the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, IMMAG members identified topics they felt the state's crop and livestock producers needed as a resource. In addition to buying and selling manure, topics have included land application, winter manure application, crop availability of manure nutrients and financial resources for livestock operations.

IMMAG members and contributors to the fact sheet series include USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Cattlemen's Association, Iowa Turkey Federation, Iowa Poultry Association, Iowa State Dairy Association, Conservation Districts of Iowa, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers, Agribusiness Association of Iowa, Iowa Commercial Nutrient Applicators Association, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa Environmental Council, Iowa Pork Industry Center, Iowa Beef Center, ISU Extension and the ISU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

The fact sheets are available through IMMAG's Web site at extension.agron.iastate.edu/immag/pubsimms.html. IMMAG is also distributing the fact sheets through their respective newsletters, magazines, producer mailings and media. Copies can be printed from the IMMAG Web site.