The only trade show and training event in the world that spreads manure to demonstrate the latest advances in manure management technologies will be on July 20 in Norfolk.

The North American Manure Expo will be held at the Northeast Community College's Agricultural Complex on July 20, 2011. The event is hosted by the University of Nebraska and other land grant schools in partnership with Nebraska custom manure applicators and businesses and the Iowa Commercial Nutrient Applicators Association. The annual event travels to a new venue every year and has previously been held in the Upper-Midwest including Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio and Iowa and most recently held in State College, Pennsylvania in 2010. The event may be a once in a lifetime opportunity because it will not return to Nebraska for some time.   

It is an industry trade show with manure technology demonstrations and many educational events. Anyone with an interest in agriculture should plan to attend including livestock producers, manure handlers, consultants, and the general public.

About 50 exhibitors from across the United States and Canada will display and demonstrate all types and sizes of manure handling equipment including manure and fertilizer spreaders, manure incorporation equipment, GPS equipment for manure application, and manure storage options. New this year are sprinkler irrigation systems for manure application. Ride-and-drive style demonstrations will be available at the end of the day for those that want to get behind the wheel. All demonstrations will be held on 40 acres adjacent to the Complex.

Leslie Johnson, co-chair for the 2011 Expo states, "I've attended two previous expos and both were very different and informative. There's something for everyone, including anyone (even those not directly involved with agriculture) that is concerned for the environment and wants to know how livestock producers are handling manure to avoid water contamination."

Previously, the event has drawn between 1,200-1,500 people from all across the United States and Canada.

"Professionalism in Manure Management" is the theme of the Expo. Educational topics will include: manure stockpiling, applying manure on frozen ground, manure pit foaming and safety, center pivots for irrigation of manure, nutrient management plans and much more. Many of these sessions will be approved for continuing education units for certified crop advisors and others. 

The University of Nebraska's Mobile Computer Lab will also be there to help producers with manure related computer programs such as the P-Index (revised in 2011), the Purdue Manure Management Planner, and the National Air Quality Site Assessment Tool (NAQSAT).

EPA will be at the Expo to discuss Nutrient Management Plans. Another session will discuss the latest research on winter application of manure on frozen soils. A panel of crop consultants will discuss how to value and market manure.

This event will meet recertification (not initial) training requirements from the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality for livestock operations that have a Waste Control Facility Permit (NPDES).  Attendees need only attend two hours of sessions to obtain their certificate. 

There is no cost to attend. To learn about the North American Manure Expo, visit http://manureexpo.org.