What type of agriculture uses manure as part of its regular farm practices?
Both conventional and organic agriculture utilize manure as part of regular farm soil fertilization programs. Certified organic farmers, however, must have a farm plan detailing the methods used to build soil fertility including the application of manure or composted manure. Certified organic farmers are prohibited from using raw manure less than 120 days prior to harvesting crops whose edible portion has direct contact with soil or soil surface, or less than 90 days prior to harvesting crops whose edible portion does not have direct contact with soil or the soil surface. No other agricultural regulation in the United States imposes such strict control on the use of manure. • Why is composted manure part of organic farming practices? Composted manure is a primary source of soil fertility for organic farmers. It offers a natural means to cycle plant nutrients. As such, animal manure forms an important part of organic soil fertility programs.(Source: B.P. Baker, M. Lipson, and S. Alterma
