CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. — The 2022 North American Manure Expo (NAME) is returning to Chambersburg, PA. Last held at this location in 2015 the event brings vendors and experts from across the continent to an event that focuses on manure and nutrient management. “We get so excited when we can bring Manure Expo to the Mid-Atlantic region”, say Robb Meinen, co-chair of the 2022 NAME and member of Penn State Extension, “It’s an opportunity for local people to improve their operations through exposure to the latest technologies that enhance agronomic, economic, and environmental nutrient utilization, while also allowing Pennsylvania to show off our industries.”

NAME will occur on July 13 and 14 at a field location on Ingram Drive in Chambersburg. NAME kicks off on July 13 with a choice of two tours. One tour will visit the robotic milking, feeding, and manure handling systems at Oakleigh Dairy and then move to Herbruck’s Blue Spring Poultry Ranch to see learn how the most modern egg layer facility will operate. Blue Springs is nearing construction completion and will not be populated until September 2022, meaning that industry disease transfer is not a concern with the poultry farm visit. The second tour option will be led by Penn State Extension Water Team members and will visit newly installed stream restoration and habitat best management practices at the Owl’s Club property before moving to a headwater stream location near Mont Alto. The Stream Tour will teach participants how to evaluate and monitor stream health.

The rest of Manure Expo is full of education and field demonstration events. Demonstrations will include equipment for manure agitation and for applying solid and liquid manures. “Nowhere else can you see such a deep field of manure handling and application equipment”, says Meinen. It’s a play on words but, we’ve been saying that we finally have a super spreader event worth attending.” This is also an opportunity to hear from experts from ten other states who will be on hand to discuss a wide range of topics from side-dressing corn to how to make decisions concerning manure treatment technologies. Attendees are expected from far and wide as well, the 2015 NAME drew people from 26 states to Chambersburg.

To learn more about the North American Manure Expo visit their website at ManureExpo.org. From the site you can link to the event show guide, see who the speakers will be, register for a tour, and review the two-day agenda to pick which events you wish to attend. To minimize biosecurity concerns for attending farmers the demonstrations will feature only cattle manure. No poultry manures will be on site. There will also be food vendors on site. Tour attendance does require pre-registration to reserve a bus seat. Registration can occur on the NAME website or by calling the Franklin County Conservation District at (717) 264-5499.

–Penn State Extension