Solutions for the Growing World

INSTINCT® NITROGEN STABILIZER: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why is it important to stabilize manure?

Instinct® nitrogen stabilizer maximizes manure applications by working below ground where nitrogen is susceptible to loss through leaching and denitrification. Instinct works in the soil to protect spring- and fall-applied manure by slowing the conversion of ammonium nitrogen to nitrate nitrogen, the form prone to the most loss. By extending the availability of ammonium nitrogen with Instinct, corn achieves greater nitrogen uptake for maximum yield potential.

What are important considerations for a farmer using manure as their fertilizer for the first time?

Gauging the level of plant-available nitrogen in the first year of applied manure is important because that nitrogen is susceptible to leaching and denitrification. See the table below to understand what average first-year availability looks like. Instinct protects first-year available nitrogen regardless of whether it is injected or broadcast and later incorporated.

What benefits could I see if I use Instinct® nitrogen stabilizer with manure?

Hundreds of research trials conducted by Dow AgroSciences and university trials have found that applying Instinct nitrogen stabilizer with manure has both positive agronomic and environmental benefits. Research from the University of Minnesota shows a 10 to 12 bushel per acre increase and a 1.3 percent reduction in grain moisture at harvest when Instinct was used with fall-applied swine manure.*

Research conducted by the University of Wisconsin found Instinct increased corn silage yield and dry material per acre when applied with fall or spring liquid dairy manure.

Research results: Adding Instinct, a nitrification inhibitor, to liquid swine manure and liquid dairy manure increased yield, according to research studies in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

*Vetsch, J., and J. Lamb. 2011. Applying Instinct as a nitrogen stabilizer for fall applied manure. http://blog-crop-news.extension.umn.edu/2011/10/applying-instinct-as-nitrogen.html?m=1

Estimated first-year available nutrient content of munurea

N Time to Incorporation

Manure Type

>72 hours or

not incorporated

1- 72 hours

<1 hour or injected

P205 K20 S

Solid Manure lb./ton

Beef 3 4 5 6 10 1

Dairy: Semisolid (11.1%-20% DM)

2 2 3 3 5 1

Dairy Solid (>20.0% DM) 2 3 3 3 6 1

Goat 3 4 5 6 8 1

Horse 2 3 4 5 6 1

Poultry: chicken 24 27 29 35 26 2

Poultry: duck 6 7 7 8 7 1

Poultry: turkey 26 28 31 35 25 2

Sheep 5 6 7 7 19 1

Swine 7 9 12 10 8 1

Liquid Manure lb./1000 gal.

Beef 5 6 8 6 12 1

Dairy: liquid (<4.0% DM) 4 6 7 3 11 1

Dairy: slurry (4.1%-11.0% DM) 7 10 12 6 17 1

Goat 4 5 6 6 15 1

Poultry 6 7 7 6 7 1

Swine: finish (indoor pit) 17 22 28 14 22 2

Swine: finish (outdoor pit) 7 9 12 6 8 1

Swine: (farrow-nursery, indoor pit) 8 10 14 6 10 1

Veal Calf 3 4 4 2 13 1

a These estimates are based on the typical total nutrient contents of manures tested in Wisconsin multiplied by the estimated first-year nutrient availability. DM = dry matter

Effects of swine manure application timing and rate of Instinct® nitrogen stabilizer on corn yield, Minnesota

Manure application timing

Instinct rate (oz./A)Corn yield, 2011

(bu./A)

Oct 5, 2010 0 171

Oct 5, 2010 35 180

Nov 5, 2010 0 182

Nov 5, 2010 35 194

*Manure rate =120 pounds available N/acre, based on 80 percent availability for sweep-injected swine finishing manure

Source: Jeff Vetsch, University of Minnesota 2012

Effect of Instinct® and time of liquid dairy manure application on corn and silage yield, Wisconsin

TimingInstinct

No YesInstinct

No Yes

Grain Yield, bu./A 2011 Silage Yield, T DM/A 2011

Fall 2010 136 142 7.25 7.54

Spring 2011 136 157 7.25 8.40

Mean 136 149 7.25 7.97

Source: Carrie Laboski, University of Wisconsin 2012

2015 Dow AgroScience Trial - Clarion, Iowa 7725 GPA of liquid swine manure – fall-applied (each plot 1.1 acre)

Plot Treatment Average Yield Yield Advantage

1 Instinct® II - 74 oz. 200.9 +16.3

2 Check 184.6

3 Instinct® II - 74 oz. 200.9 +16.3

4 Check 184.6

5 Instinct® II - 37 oz. 194.6 -0.9

6 Check 195.5

7 Instinct® II - 37 oz. 192.7 +7.2

8 Check 185.5

Can I apply more manure per acre if I use Instinct® nitrogen stabilizer?

Instinct extends the availability of nitrogen to help maximize every gallon of applied manure by working below ground to protect nitrogen from leaching and denitrification.

It’s important to understand how many pounds of nitrogen your soil can hold at any one given time. This is dictated by the soil’s cation exchange capacity (CEC). Typically, 10 times the CEC is a target number to use as the soil’s nitrogen holding capacity.

What is the recommended rate of Instinct with manure?

If I apply manure in the fall, will Instinct still be working in the spring?

It’s critical to protect fall-applied nitrogen with Instinct nitrogen stabilizer so it remains available for approximately 90 days as soil temperatures climb past 40 F. and spring rainfall creates conditions for nitrogen loss due to leaching and denitrification.

Can Dow AgroSciences prove that Instinct works with manure?

Instinct® nitrogen stabilizer is proven across university and field trials to maximize profit in an environmentally sustainable way:

• Dow AgroSciences trials show an average advantage of 8.7 bushels per acre yield across 124 trials when Instinct was applied with manure.

• In 2016, Instinct was awarded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award for providing both economic and environmental benefits to farmers. More specifically, the EPA states that Instinct nitrogen stabilizer added an additional 50 million bushels of corn and removed more than 600,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

How do you know that Instinct has been evenly mixed in liquid manure?*

When normal agitation procedures are conducted, uniformity of Instinct was approximately 96 percent to 110 percent of the average concentration throughout the entire manure pit.** Normal agitation procedures should be followed so Instinct is mixed uniformly in the center, middle and bottom portions of the pit. *Some states may have additional requirements related to liquid manure and nitrogen stabilizers. Be sure to consult your state or local extension service to understand your requirements. **Dow AgroSciences trials

What if I get rained out before my pit is emptied when Instinct® has been mixed?

Approximately one week after agitation has been conducted, Instinct nitrogen stabilizer will move about 8 percent to 10 percent lower in the pit.* If rain occurs for more than seven days, re-agitation of the pit is recommended.

*Dow AgroSciences trials

Will adding Instinct to my concrete pit affect its integrity like other products used in this space?

Instinct has a pH of 7.9, which makes it alkaline. Products that have a pH lower than 7 are considered acidic; therefore Instinct doesn’t have an acidic effect on cement pits. Primary components of cement are calcium and concrete, which are susceptible to acid breakdown because of their alkaline nature. The components of the cement paste break down during contact with acids.

How long should I agitate my pit once Instinct is added?

The effectiveness of the agitation equipment used is probably as or more important than defining a set length of agitation. Once Instinct nitrogen stabilizer is added to the pit, it’s vital that the liquids and solids within the pit are uniformly agitated and mixed into a slurry.

What happens to any remaining Instinct left in the pit after pumping?

If the pit isn’t completely emptied, the remaining Instinct will stay encapsulated in the manure pit with no detrimental effects to the pit or the nutrient quality of the manure. The active ingredient in Instinct won’t release from the capsule until application to and incorporation with the soil, which allows Instinct to retain product quality while remaining in leftover manure slurry.

My retailer plans to put Instinct into my pit before I agitate and pump. Is this acceptable? *

Yes, the active ingredient that inhibits nitrification in Instinct will stay encapsulated in the manure pit with no detrimental effects to the pit or the nutrient quality of the manure. Instinct can be poured into the manure pit up to10 days prior to agitation and application.

Instinct® II Instinct® HL

When applied before Oct. 1 and/or soil temperature above 60 F. 74 oz./A 48 oz./A

When applied before Nov. 1 and/or soil temperature above 50 F to 60 F. 56 oz./A 36 oz./A

When applied after Nov. 1and/or soil temperature below 50 F, and spring applications.

37 oz./A 24 oz./A

Do I have to remove the hogs from the building if I add Instinct® nitrogen stabilizer to the manure before agitating?

Adding Instinct to the manure does not pose any additional risk to your animals when following proper mixing procedures and label rates. As always when agitating manure pits, follow the recommended safety steps to protect yourself and your animals from manure components that might be emitted upon agitation, including hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, carbon monoxide, methane, carbon dioxide, dust and endotoxin. Follow your state Extension recommendations for safety. Here are basic steps for improved safety provided by the Pork Checkoff:

• Remove all workers from buildings before beginning manure agitation.

- Never enter a building or allow workers to remain in the building or manure storage when agitating manure

• Place warning signs at all entrances to buildings and manure storage areas where manure agitation is taking place so people will not enter.

• Remove all animals from the building before beginning manure agitation, if possible.

- If removing animals is not possible, begin agitating manure slowly and gradually increase pump speed while observing animals from outside the building

• Do not enter the building until complete ventilation of the building has occurred — at least 30 minutes while maintaining full ventilation — or unless wearing a properly fitting self-contained breathing unit that you are trained to use.

• Never enter a building or manure storage to rescue a distressed animal or person without wearing a properly fitting self-contained breathing unit that you are trained to use.

• Never enter a manure storage pit or tank unless it is absolutely necessary.

• For manure storage access points, at or below ground level, install covers or grates in such a way that people or pigs cannot fall into the manure pit/storage.

I want to use Instinct with my manure; however, not all of the manure I have will be used on my operation. How should I position this with my neighbors who will buy my manure?*

Adding Instinct to your fall- or spring-applied manure increases the value of this fertilizer type. Not only does your manure have valuable macro, secondary and micronutrients, using Instinct protects it from leaching and denitrification with a potential to increase yield in an environmentally sustainable way. Instinct can increase yield 10-12 bushels per acre** and reduce leaching of nitrates into groundwater. *Some states may have additional requirements related to liquid manure and nitrogen stabilizers. Be sure to consult your state or local extension service to understand your requirements.

**Vetsch, J, and J. Lamb. 2011. Applying Instinct as a nitrogen stabilizer for fall applied manure. http://blog-crop-news.extension.umn.edu/2011/10/applying-instinct-as-nitrogen.html?m=1

How long before application can I add Instinct® nitrogen stabilizer to the pit?

Dow AgroSciences recommends adding Instinct as close to application as possible. However, treating the pit up to 10 days ahead of application is acceptable.

Can Instinct be used in combination with pit digesters that reduce crusts and solids in the pit?

Instinct can be mixed with products of choice to reduce crusts and solids. Follow the individual product recommendations related to adding the products to the pit.

When pouring Instinct into a deep pit, should I pour it in the pump-out ports in multiple locations?

Instinct should ONLY be poured outside of the building into the pump-outs. Pour Instinct into multiple pump-out locations around the building to help aid in distributing Instinct throughout the slurry. Instinct® nitrogen stabilizer should not be poured through the slats or flooring inside the building.

®DOW Diamond, Instinct and N-Serve are trademarks of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow. Instinct, Instinct II and Instinct HL are not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Federal law does not requires any person who applies or supervises the use of Instinct to be certified in accordance with EPA regulations and state, territorial and tribal laws. Some states may have additional requirements related to liquid manure and nitrogen stabilizers. Be sure to consult your state or local extension service to understand your requirements. When applying Instinct to deep pits, appropriate manure agitation safety steps should be followed: Instinct should be applied directly to the deep pit prior to pumping the pit; a thorough agitation system must be operating in order to evenly distribute Instinct within the deep pit; applicators and handlers of Instinct and Instinct treated manure are required to use proper protective equipment as stated on the product label; air ventilation systems must be operational inside barns. Always read and follow label directions. ©2017 Dow AgroSciences LLC M01-370-049 DAS (08/17) 010-43796