Manure Collection & Application
Manure is a valuable, nutrient-rich byproduct of dairy production that is typically recycled to farmlands to improve soil health and support crop production. Manure can also be a used as a source of energy or refined to value-added products that can be used on or exported from the farm. Realizing the full benefits of manure depends on proper manure management.
What is manure?
Dairy manure is a mixture of feces, urine, used bedding, wasted feed, and water from stock tanks and other sources. As excreted, dairy manure is around 87% water, with production and composition dependent on the age, diet, productivity, and environment of the dairy animal.
Manure production
Today’s lactating cow produces roughly 150 lbs. (18 gal.) of manure a day. This manure contains approximately 1 lb. of nitrogen and 0.2 lb. of phosphorus and potassium.
Manure conveyance
Collecting and removing manure from the barn, through the handling/treatment system, to the storage, and ultimately to land application, is a critical part of the manure management. Factors such as site topography, building layout, bedding type, climate, and management style impact the type of conveyance.
- Manure transfer: planning, design, construction, documentation (2022)
- Manure collection and transfer systems in livestock operations with digesters …
- Procedures for Evaluating Undesigned Manure Transfer Systems in New York State …
- Pump performance tests as a method of determining influent mass flows to dairy …
- Effective means of handling sand-laden dairy manure (2002)
- Handling sand-laden dairy manure from barn to storage (2002)
Manure application
When manure is land applied agronomically (the right manure, at the right rate, right time, and in the right place), crop nutrient demands are met, healthy soils are promoted and risks to water resources are minimized.
Information on manure application systems are below. For resources on nutrient management, visit the Cornell Nutrient Management Spear Program.