Dairy & Livestock Manure Transport & Injection Grants

Dairy & livestock manure transport grants 

Maryland’s Manure Transport Program can help you cover the cost of hauling dairy and livestock manure away from areas with high soil phosphorus levels. 

• This program is for non-poultry manure. (Exceptions may apply.) 
• Cost-share grants pay up to 87.5% of all eligible costs to transport manure to farm fields with acceptable soil phosphorus levels or alternative use projects that can use the product safely. 

Eligibility

• These grants are open to farmers/businesses receiving the manure and registered manure brokers.
• Applicants must be in good standing with the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share (MACS) Program and the Maryland Nutrient Management Program.
• A completed Current Nutrient Management Plan Certification Form - PDF - 566.79 KB is required with your application.
• There are two types of applications: FastTrack and the Standard Option

FastTrack option to transport dairy and livestock manure

Our FastTrack grants make it easy to transport dairy and livestock manure away from areas with high soil phosphorus levels to qualifying farm fields. Here’s how they work:

• FastTrack grants feature the haul now, apply later option for fast delivery.
• Operations receiving the manure may apply for these grants by downloading the application and claim for payment (Excel file) - XLSX - 1.86 MB or by contacting their local soil conservation district.
• Receiving farm fields are required to have a Maryland Soil Phosphorus Fertility Index Value (P-FIV) of 100 or less.
• We pay up to 87.5 percent of all eligible costs.
• Funding is capped at $15,000 per season and $30,000 a year for receiving farms.
• Our transport grants are based on the following maximum application rates:
  • 6,000 gallons per acre for liquid/slurry manure
  • 10 tons per acre for solid/semi-solid manure 
• Payment rates are based on distance and manure type (liquid or solid). 
• Manure must be transported more than 1 mile from the sending source.
• Receiving crops or hay fields must contain less than 25 percent legumes.
• Download the combined application and claim for payment form. 

Standard option to transport dairy and livestock manure 

Our standard manure transport option is available for receiving farms that don’t meet our FastTrack grant requirements. This option requires your application to be approved before you transport the manure. Here’s how it works: 

• Contact your local soil conservation district to apply for our standard manure transport grants. 
• Submit the relevant maps and soil tests from your current nutrient management plan, along with: 
  • Nitrogen-based nutrient recommendations for fields with a P-FIV of 100 or less.
  • Phosphorus-based nutrient recommendations for fields with a P-FIV between 101 and 150. 
• Receiving farm fields with a P-FIV above 150 are not eligible for this program.

Manure injection grants

Cost-share grants of up to $45 an acre are available to help farmers inject liquid manure below the soil surface to prevent nutrient runoff, reduce odors, and preserve beneficial surface residue. 

Grants are available for spring or fall-planted crops and may be used to hire custom operators, rent or lease equipment, or offset operating costs associated with manure injection. Work may begin March 1 as long as the ground is not frozen, saturated, or snow-covered. Fields must have a P-FIV less than 500.

Advantages of manure injection

• Reduces odors and complaints from neighbors.
• Reduces nitrogen volatilization—more nitrogen is available to crops.
• Minimizes soil disturbance—helps prevent soil and nutrient losses.
• Works well with no-till and strip-till systems.

Guidelines and conditions

• Manure must be injected below the soil surface
• Applicants must be in good standing with the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share (MACS) Program and the Maryland Nutrient Management Program

* Based on a maximum application rate of 6,000 gallons/acre

How to apply

• Contact your local soil conservation district to apply for our manure injection grants or apply directly to MDA.
• A completed Current Nutrient Management Certification Form - PDF - 566.79 KB is required with your application.
• Additional restrictions may apply.