ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND — Fall manure grants open with a Dec. 15 deadline for completing transport and injection projects; livestock and dairy claims are due Jan. 15, 2027.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture said Sept. 30, 2026, that cost-share funding is available to help farmers cover expenses for transporting any type of manure to fall crop fields with acceptable soil phosphorus levels, and for injecting liquid manure into the soil to help prevent nutrient runoff and reduce odors.

Farmers can receive up to $28 per ton to move poultry manure to qualifying fields or approved alternative-use projects, and up to 87.5% cost-share to transport dairy and livestock manure. FastTrack and standard transport options exist for both streams. Injection aid is up to $45 per acre for liquid manure; poultry manure is not eligible for injection funding because of low moisture content, MDA said.

New this fall for Fast Track Livestock applications: organic nutrient recommendations from the receiving farm’s Nutrient Management Plan must be included, but only the pages for fields listed in the application. Producers who do not qualify for FastTrack can still seek standard grants that require pre-approval before any manure is transported or injected; MDA directs those applicants to their local Soil Conservation District. Conservation Grants Program staff administer the awards; applicants must be in good standing and in compliance with Maryland nutrient-management rules. MDA’s Manure Transport Program page posts separate FastTrack forms for poultry manure and for dairy and other livestock manure. Manure Management Program phone: 410-841-5864.