Hutchinson Quoted in AP Article on Manure Management
Mark Hutchinson, a University of Maine Cooperative Extension educator and professor, was interviewed for the Associated Press article, “How to manage animal manure.” Organic and synthetic fertilizers are the most common way to add nutrients to the soil, but animal manure also works well if it can be transported and applied correctly, according to the article. “You’re no longer going to apply fresh manure and two days later do your planting. Rather, you should apply it in the fall, let a cover crop grow and allow the manures to mature,” Hutchinson said. “It’s a food safety issue rather than a nutrient issue. We’ve all seen the outbreaks of E. coli over the past couple of years.” Hutchinson also advised to use manure in moderation and to apply it just before a rain. ABC News and Foster’s Daily Democrat ran the AP report.