Expert workshop

The main objective of the expert-workshop is to re-evaluate the potential nitrogen recovery of different manure categories. To this end, a thorough discussion, from nitrogen excretion until long-term nitrogen dynamics in the soil, is needed. Along the manure cascade nitrogen can be lost through volatilisation, and once applied to the field (or on pasture), leaching, volatilisation, nitrification, denitrification, immobilisation and other microbial and soil processes influence how much nitrogen will potentially be recovered and taken up by the crops. Legislations on fertilizer management steer how much nitrogen and manure can be applied to the field, and are therefore important tools when considering the bigger picture of manure and fertilizer management.

In order to cover all this relevant aspects influencing the potential manure nitrogen recovery, the workshop structure is built on the following main topic blocks:

1. Defining the manure quality according to livestock and manure management choices along the manure cascade: Drivers and levers to reduce ammonia and nitrous oxide volatilisation and nitrate leaching
2. Manure treatment strategies: potentials to reduce ammonia and nitrous oxide volatilisation and nitrate leaching and effects on manure characteristics and scaling potentials
3. Assessing the potential manure nitrogen recovery after application: current knowledge and challenges of the nitrogen dynamic assessment in the soil
4. Regulatory fertilisation measures in selected countries: Obstacles and opportunities of fertilisation laws adaptations on manure management strategies