Manure can also improve soil tilth, increase water-holding capacity, lessen wind and water erosion, improve aeration, and promote beneficial organisms. Incineration destroys the nitrogen and organic material content of the manure. It is unclear that land application of manure requires significant, if any, subsidies. Nevertheless, if subsidies are desirable to reduce the cost of manure handling, it would appear more appropriate for them to be offered on a per ton basis, rather than on a per kWh basis. This would level the playing field for all competing manure handling techniques.
Convenience is no excuse for poor policymaking.
The growing demand for manure has led to an increasing professionalism in the application industry. In Minnesota, over 100 commercial poultry manure applicators are operating. The Minnesota Solid Applicators Association will soon be formally incorporated. New regulations requiring that all for-hire applicators be certified through the Department of Agriculture and participate in trainings will go into effect March 1, 2000. Many of these applicators say they can spread all of the manure they can get, and farmer demand is growing.