Manure 101

1. Manure 101 Angela Rieck-Hinz, Iowa State University

2. Outline • What is Manure? • Production of Manure • Forms of Manure • Collection/Handling/Storage/Application • Manure and Environment • Manure Uses • Regulations • Assistance

3. Benefits and Challenges to Manure Production and Use Benefits Challenges Odor Flies Storage Handling Lack of available application area Not easy to balance nutrients It can be hard work • Readily available nutrient source • All nutrients are supplied for crop/forage/horticultural production • Increase water-holding capacity/infiltration/organic matter of soils • Could be sold or exchanged for goods/profit • Reduces commercial fertilizer inputs

4. What is Manure? Manure is a mixture of feces and urine and can include other things such as bedding, spilled feedstuffs, feathers, hair and soil It may also include wash-water from milking parlors or egg-wash facilities, and run-on water. Manure can be used as fertilizer source, soil amendment, feedstuff, bedding and energy source Manure from any source can cause water quality pollution if not managed properly

5. Pasture-based Animals and Manure • Do not overstock • Collection is not necessary (usually) • Even distribution might be needed • Rotational grazing • Move feed and water stations • Collection of manure and re-distribution • Keep animals out streams and ponds • Do not overgraze • Erosion, compaction, runoff

6. Production of ManurePer Animal Per Day • Horse (1,100) 50 lb/day 9 ton/year • Dairy (1,400) 148 lb/day 27 ton/year • Beef (1,000) 80 lb/day 14 ton/year • Swine (150) 9.5 lb/day 1.73 ton/year • Sheep (100) 4 lb/day 0.73 ton/year • Goat (63) 3.5lb/day 0.64 ton /year • Broiler (2) 0.18lb/day 0.03 tons/year • Layer (4) 0.26 lb/day 0.05 tons/year • Turkey (20) 0.90 lb/day 0.16 tons/year

7. Manure plus Bedding Primary use is to absorb moisture Use only what is needed Remove manure and dirty bedding Make sure your bedding source is compatible with your manure handling, storage and land application methods Make sure you include bedding volume when calculating storage volume needed

8. Forms of Manure • Solid • With or without bedding/soil additions • Semi-Solid • Slurry • Liquid • Understanding and recognizing forms of manure can help identify manure collection/handling/storage and land application equipment.

9. Collection/Handling Have access to equipment that fits your scale of operation

10. Manure Storage The primary principles of manure storage are: Store manure when land application is hampered by unsuitable weather/soil conditions Land-apply manure at times suitable for crop use Better match producer’s time and labor supply To protect nearby water sources Depending on system, can control or reduce odors

11. Storage • Sized to hold manure between periods of land application • Sized to hold all manure during winter months • Extra storage is always recommended • Storage requirements may be dictated by • State regulations • Design standards if seeking financial assistance • Integrator design standards

12. Storage Structures Benefits Challenges Might need to handle manure more than once Cost of building and maintaining structures Odor Location and sometimes type and size of storage must take into account state or federal setbacks. • Separation of manure from animals • Easier collection • Can reduce contact with outside water sources • Can provide storage during inclement weather • Can help “conserve” nutrients* • Can hide manure/aesthetics

13. Storage Location Site storage locations near manure sources Easy access for equipment and during bad weather Locate in a place where storage can be expanded if necessary Keep away from low areas, streams, floodplains, or other places water flows Downwind from neighbors Use “aesthetics” to hide storage facilities

14. Types of Storage Structures • Solid Manure Storage • Bedded packs; poultry operations with litter; separated solids; stockpiling and stacking sheds. • Slurry Storage • Under floor pits; earthen basins; roofed or unroofed concrete or steel tanks; • Liquid Storage • Treatment lagoons; open lot runoff holding ponds

15. Advantages and Disadvantages of selected manure storage systems The following slides offer advantages and disadvantages of certain storage systems.

16. Solid Manure- Bedded Pack

17. Solid Manure –Bedded Pack • Advantages • No need to build storage • Pack can generate heat for animals • Depending on cleaning frequency- less bedding needed • No rainfall additions • Little to no runoff • High nutrient density • Disadvantages • Need bedding source • Animals in constant contact with manure and dirty bedding- can lead to some health concerns • Infrequent removal can require more work • Flies/Odor

18. Solid Manure- Stockpiling

19. Solid Manure-Stockpiling Advantages Disadvantages Handle manure twice Odors if not managed properly Flies/Rodents Can absorb water Regulations • Will compost if managed correctly • Temporary storage option • Reduces animal contact with dirty bedding and manure

20. Solid Manure –Stacking Shed

21. Solid Manure -Stacking Shed • Advantages • Reduce or prevent addition of water • Used as a push wall to help collect manure • Hide manure/aesthetics • Disadvantages • Cost to build storage • Equipment • Odors • Flies • Handle twice

22. Liquid Manure- Below Building Pit

23. Liquid Manure - Below-Building Pit • Advantages • Relatively high nutrient density • Low/moderate nutrient loss • No rainfall effects • May only need to handle manure during land application • Disadvantages • Cost • May have more odor • May require ventilation • Animal/worker health issues from prolonged exposure to gases • May not be appropriate for areas with high water tables or geologic concerns • May be difficult to remove solids from liquid pits

24. Liquid Manure - Lagoon

25. Liquid Manure- Lagoon • Advantages • Provides biological treatment of manure • Can be used as source of irrigation water • Can provide long-term storage • Disadvantages • Possible odors • High loss of nitrogen due to volatilization • Hard to remove solids • Phosphorus may build up in solids • Difficult to agitate • May not be appropriate for areas with high water tables or geologic concerns

26. Other Storage Options • Generally for small volumes or daily application • Manure Spreader • Short term for small amounts, or • Daily scrape and haul systems • Garbage cans/wood or metal bins

27. Land Application

28. Application Determine application rate based on nutrient needs of crops Adequate capacity of application equipment Calibrate manure application equipment Achieve uniform distribution Avoid repeated application in same area Do not apply manure in the winter Follow all setbacks or land application separation distances

29. Off-Site Transfer • Possible solution if lack of storage or application area • Disposal through trash services? • Use in garden/horticultural venues • Distribute to crop farmers • Be aware • Regulations • Transportation Issues • Liability

30. Manure and the Environment Generally speaking, manure management and environmental protection should not be at odds The concept of the nutrient cycle should be the basis for nutrient use. However, concerns include water quality, soil quality and air quality issues

31. Manure and the Environment • Water Quality Issuesfor both Surface and Ground Water Sources • Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Organic Matter, Pathogens • Too much of anything in the wrong place can be a bad thing

32. Manure and the Environment • Air Quality • Emissions, odor and dust can be generated from the animal production system, the manure collection and storage system and the land application system. • Concerns arise over animal and human health issues and property values

33. Manure Uses • Nutrient Resources for Crops • Energy Production • Feedstuffs • Other Uses • Asphalt • Erosion control materials • Building products

34. Nutrient Management Planning Inventory Sampling and Analysis Application Assessment or Feedback

35. Nutrient Management Planning • Inventory • Animal Numbers • Manure Nutrients Produced • Crops to be Grown and Yields • Acres Available for Nutrients • Other Nutrient Sources

36. Nutrient Management Planning cont. • Sampling and Analysis • Take soil and manure samples • Soil Analysis • Manure Analysis • Nitrogen • Phosphorous • Potassium • pH • Moisture Content

37. Nutrient Management Planning cont. • Application • Prioritize fields based on crop nutrient needs and risk to environment • Apply the right rate • Apply an uniform rate • Apply manure in the right place in the field

38. Nutrient Management Planning cont. • Assessment or Feedback • Evaluate soil P and K levels over time to determine how manure application affects soil test levels • Use appropriate tests to determine N supply to crops • Examples include the Late Spring Nitrate Test and the Cornstalk N Test • Adjust and refine the process as needed

39. Manure Regulations Determine governing body in your state Determine how your livestock operation is classified Know how many animals and what animal types are represented on your farm and how those numbers fit into state and federal regulations

40. Regulations • At the very least: • Know setback distances for land application • Keep manure and wastewater out of surface waters • Apply manure according to a manure or nutrient management plan • Know and follow air quality regulations if they apply in your state • Keep good records

41. Assistance • The following groups can offer technical and/or financial assistance • State/Federal regulatory agency • NRCS • Local watershed groups • Extension Service • Consulting Engineers, Crop Consultants, Feed Dealers, Local Agronomists

42. The Scoop on Poop • There are many different types of livestock, poultry and manure systems out there • If you want to start a new operation or expand an existing operation take time to visit different systems and talk to owners about what works and what does not work • Pencil it out to make sure it works • Find trusted advisers who can offer sound advice • Never stop learning or asking questions