The Manitoba Livestock Manure Management Initiative released its latest request for research proposals last week.

The non-profit agency offers financial support to individuals and organizations conducting research aimed at addressing environmental challenges related to livestock manure management.

MLMMI Executive Director Brandy Street says the August request focuses on demonstration projects which will take some of the research data collected over the past few years to a typical Manitoba farm.

Brandy Street-Manitoba Livestock Manure Management Initiative

The manure initiatives priorities have changed somewhat in that we're now focused on assisting producers to meet the phosphorus regulations in place in Manitoba.

We're interested in supporting projects that look at reducing the amount of phosphorus excreted by the animal which would therefor reduce phosphorus content of the manure.

It's also important to look at how we can make phosphorus export more feasible as that seems to be a major hindrance in the use of manure as fertilizer for crops.

Right now it just costs too much to transport it any great distance and that makes producers reluctant to choose organic manure as a fertilizer over available commercial fertilizers.

Odor is always a contentious issue associated with livestock operations and we know that barns generate a lot of odor as that's where the livestock and sometimes the manure storage is located.

We also know that exhaust fans force that air out and in turn the odor out outside into the environment so if we can find a way to reduce in-barn odor emissions or the level of odor that the fans release to the environment, that would be of benefit to the industry.

Submission deadlines for the August call for proposals are August 29 for consideration during the agency's autumn board meeting and November 1 for consideration during the winter board meeting.

Street notes details on the initiative and information on how to apply for funding can be accessed at manure.mb.ca.