OKEMOS, Mich. – An emphasis on not cutting corners while fertilizing farm fields will be among the topics discussed at the 5th annual Michigan Manure Summit.

The event provides updates on science and best practices on manure management. It’s hosted by Michigan State University and Michigan Farm Bureau. The summit is Jan. 22 at the Okemos Event Center outside East Lansing.

One of the speakers will be Charles Gould, an MSU Extension educator whose focus, beginning at 2:30 p.m., will be on best management practices for solid and liquid manure application.

Gould, based in Ottawa County, said calibrating a manure spreader is simple yet one of the most important things to do when spreading manure to make sure crops are receiving the proper amount of nutrients.

Typically, he said it takes only about 30 minutes or less to do, yet some applicators might be tempted to ignore the routine task for the sake of saving time.

Gould said the result of not calibrating, though, can be much more costly than the amount of time saved in terms of lower yields from crops receiving too much or too little fertilizer.

He said there could even be a fish kill if fertilizer is applied too heavily and some of it gets carried away in storm run-off into nearby streams and other waterways.

“It’s not worth it to cut corners. Make the right decisions,” he said.

Gould said he also plans to talk about stockpiling manure in fields, which is convenient but shouldn’t be for long-term storage.

 He said manure stockpiled outdoors should be used fairly quickly or the nutrients from just sitting there can, eventually, penetrate deep enough into the soil and reach ground water or move across a field and contaminate surface water.

“You can’t just leave a pile out there for the whole growing season,” he said.

Other topics to be covered at the event include the need for manure haulers to have a plan for responding to spills while transporting animal waste to and from a farm.

That presentation, at 12:15 p.m., will be moderated by the Michigan Manure Hauler Certification Program Leadership Team.

The certification program is offered through a partnership between MSU Extension and the Michigan Farm Bureau Family of Companies to lower the risk of accidents and potential harm to workers and the environment from a manure related mishap, said Tess Van Gorder, conservation and regulatory relations specialist with Michigan Farm Bureau.

Van Gorder said the certification program is voluntary and open for anyone hauling or applying manure.

Certification requires successful completion of an online course from MSU on basic manure management and spill response safety along with implementation of an environmental management systems plan.

Credits toward certification can also be earned by attending events like the Michigan Manure Summit to keep up on the latest developments in manure management.

Van Gorder said the final step is on-site inspection of an applicant’s equipment so if something needs fixed, it can be repaired before issuing certification. 

She said one incentive for applicators and haulers to become certified is receiving a discount on their insurance premiums.

Van Gorder said certification can also work to the advantage of haulers and applicators in their talks with farmers looking to contract those services.

“It can be a selling point to persuade a farmer to choose them,” she said.

Among the other speakers will be Beth Ferry, an MSU Extension educator covering biosecurity at 10:15 a.m., and Kitty O’Neill, of Cornell University. At 2:30 p.m., O’Neill will discuss keeping a closer eye for inclement weather to reduce the odds for soil compaction while spreading manure and achieving better results in crops from the nutrients.

Sponsors of the summit, which ends at 4 p.m., include USDA, Dairy Farmers of America and the Michigan Milk Producers Association.

For more information visit www.canr.msu.edu/news/2025-michigan-manure-summit