Manure Management 101
Purpose (Learning Objective):
The objective of these materials is to provide students an
introductory look at the main issues related to manure management from production of manure to
storage and handling to land application to the role of manure as a nutrient source for crop production
as well as other uses. Also included is an overview of environmental challenges and a brief look at
regulatory issues and information on technical and financial resources for livestock producers. This
module was developed to be an introduction to other BELAA modules http://www.extension.org/32944
Why Is This Important?
The issues surrounding manure are agronomic, environmental, social and regulatory in nature and pose
big challenges to both livestock and crop farmers. The days of manure management being “kept” on the
farm are long gone and today manure management is a huge business. Livestock producers need to
understand their role in not only producing milk, meat or poultry, but also in manure production,
placement and use of manure nutrients in a cropping system, and the potential impacts on water
quality, air quality and societal concerns.
In many areas of the United States, livestock and crop production systems have become separated
physically over time. Livestock produced in areas where feedstuffs have to be imported will concentrate
manure nutrients and eventually those nutrients will have to be redistributed back to crop land. In
locations where crop and livestock enterprises are co-located geographically, but not on the same farm,
the opportunity to distribute nutrients back to cropland might be easier, but often the crop farmer has
little to no experience in manure management issues. For many young or beginning farmers, starting or
expanding a livestock operation on an existing farm is one way to bring family members back into the
farming enterprise.
Prior to this activity/program:
High school/Jr. College Teachers: Student should have some background knowledge on local
livestock and crop production. Students should be familiar with local topography, soil types, and
environmental features such as rivers, lakes, and ground water resources. Students should also be
aware of local livestock production systems as well as current social and controversial issues
surrounding livestock and manure production.
Extension Faculty/Staff: Educators should try to gather information about attendees’ experience
or familiarity with livestock and manure production and handling systems as well as have general
knowledge about local production systems, environmental resources, and regulations.
Anyone facilitating this module may choose to incorporate local experts such as livestock producers,
agency staff or others who can share local information, systems or experiences. Please note: some slides
have notes pages with additional text, explanations or talking points.
Manure 101 Curriculum Materials http://www.extension.org/66226
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Suggested Presentation Outline:
1. Section 1: What is Manure?/ Production of Manure/ Bedding (Video, Slides 1-7, exercises 1 & 2)
(50 minutes)
2. Section 2: Forms of manure; collection/handling; manure storage; land application (slides 8-29,
videos) (
3. Manure and the environment/ manure uses/ nutrient management planning (slides 30-38; fact
sheet; exercise 3; videos)
4. Regulations, Technical Assistance (Slides 39-42)
Instructional Materials
All materials can also be downloaded at the URL found in the footer of this page.
Presentation slides: (42 slides, annotated, .pptx format)
Preview online: http://www.slideshare.net/LPELC/manure-101 or
Download http://www.extension.org/sites/default/files/Manure%20101_0.pptx
Exercise Activities (1-3): 2 pages; docx format
http://www.extension.org/sites/default/files/Manure%20101%20Exercises%20%282%29.docx
Section 1. What is Manure?/ Production of Manure/ Bedding
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Learners will identify benefits and challenges of manure production and use.
Learners will be able to define manure.
Learners will be able to calculate manure production.
Video: (26 minutes)
Modern Manure Management: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vSPvlZNtnM&feature=youtu.be
(A link to download this video is available at the URL in the footer)
Optional: ask students to watch the video prior to class
Presentation slides 1-7 (10-20 minutes)
Prior to Slide 3 have participants make a list of benefits and challenges for manure production and use.
This can be done as a group or on an individual basis. Review the class’ list and compare to the list on
slide 3. Keep the list to revisit thoughts, challenges and benefits again at the end of this module.
Exercise 1. Calculating Manure Production
Exercise 2. How much bedding is needed for the 400 head deep-bedded barn in Example 1.
See bonus questions and discussion on the Exercise sheet. Calculations were not provided for the two
bonus questions. Bonus question 1 will depend on weight of bales. Bonus question 2 is a challenge for
many producers and there are no good documented answers so discussion may be more appropriate.
See the note below in the reference material.
Discussion Prompts or Enrichment Activities:
 Have students calculate manure produced on their farms.
 Identify methods for calculating manure production that don’t use book values for manure
production
Manure 101 Curriculum Materials http://www.extension.org/66226
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o i.e. Collect daily or weekly manure and weigh the manure
Identify other sources of data that could be used to calculate
manure production
Discuss practices on farms that may influence manure production.
Reference Material for Instructors: Section 1
-The Soil Management Series. University of Minnesota Extension
-For information and examples on how to calculate manure production, bedding and storage
requirements for small farms please use materials from the Northeast Recycling Council on Manure
Management:
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Manure Management Handbook for Small and Hobby Farms.
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Quick Reference Guide
-Midwest Plan Service MWPS-18 Section 1 Manure Characteristics. This publication can be ordered at:
http://www.mwps.org/
Section 2: Forms of Manure; Collection/Handling; Manure Storage; Land
Application
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Learners will be able to determine the different forms of manure.
Learners will identify different methods of collection and handling manure.
Learners will be able to list principles of manure storage.
Learners will identify different manure storage practices and structures and benefits and
challenges to select methods of storage.
Presentation: (Slides 8-29). Annotations are provided in the notes section
Videos:
 University of Wisconsin Manure Storage http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3rLRGtZAr0
 University Of Wisconsin Methods Of Manure Application
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_uvY2FFnmA
 Bazooka Farmstar Manure Drag Hose Systems
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmMxW4Ei9gE
 Dengelman M34 Manure Spreader
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nP9fHgK6Rbo&feature=related
There are many manure videos on the Web that show different types of application, different types of
equipment and different manufacturers. The examples above are provided as examples of liquid and
solid manure application and neither endorsement of companies, individuals or their services mentioned
is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar companies, individuals or their services not mentioned.
Discussion Prompts or Enrichment Activities:
 Have students list different pieces of equipment for collecting or handling manure.
 Invite local regulatory agency staff or NRCS staff discuss different types of storage and state and
local requirements for regulations on different types of storage
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For slides 16 through 25 show included photos, or use local photos and have students discuss
Advantages and Disadvantages to different manure storage practices or structures prior to
showing the slides identifying advantages/disadvantages.
Reference Material for Instructors: (Section 2)
-Midwest Plan Service MWPS-18 Section 2 Manure Storages. This publication
can be ordered at: http://www.mwps.org/
-Fact Sheet: Manure Storage, Agitation and Handling
http://www.extension.org/sites/default/files/Section%204%20Fact%20Sheet%20Storage%20and%20Agi
tation.pdf
-Trees around animal facilities (aesthetics) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoNB90vXSls
Section 3. Manure and the Environment; Manure Uses; Nutrient Management
Planning
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Learners will be provided a brief background on manure and environmental issues.
Learners will be provided a brief background on other uses for manure.
Learners will be given the basics of nutrient management planning.
Presentation: Slides 30-38 (annotations are provided in the notes section)
Fact sheet: Read and discuss” Impacts of Nutrients on Ground and Surface Water”
http://www.extension.org/sites/default/files/Section%203%20Fact%20Sheet%20Ground%20and%20Sur
face%20Water.pdf
Review questions (and answers) for this fact sheet
http://www.extension.org/sites/default/files/Section%203%20Fact%20Sheet%20Ground%20and%20Sur
face%20Water.docx
Exercise 3. How much manure nitrogen is produced from the liquid swine manure?
Videos:
 “Clean Water in Our Hands: A Guide for Water Testing for Beef and Dairy Producers” (this video
link was included as an example of how livestock producers can engage in water quality on their
farms) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYr_peACz6I (9 minutes)
 The Value of Manure Nutrients http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqCrG8eoD5k (1 ½ minutes)
 “Sampling Liquid Manure from Deep-Pit Storage” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm4FCYqHck&NR (4 minutes) Iowa State University
 “Sampling Dry Manure from an Open Feedlot”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoRscP6sDog (1 ½ minutes) Iowa State University
 “Sampling Stockpiled and Composted Manure”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V0LVY8EhGk (2 ½ minuts) Iowa State University
 “Manure Sample Analysis” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHZ_lUJy01w (2 ½ minutes)
Iowa State University
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Reference Material for Instructors: (Section 3)
-Related BELAA Module: “Managing Manure Nutrients”
http://www.extension.org/65573
-Environmental Impacts and Benefits of Manure: Phosphorus and Surface Water Protection
http://www.extension.org/19859 eXtension (e-extension)
-Value of Manure as an Energy Source http://www.extension.org/17155 eXtension
-Manure to Energy: Understanding Processes, Principles and Jargon
http://tammi.tamu.edu/ManurtoEnrgyE428.pdf Texas A&M
-Fact Sheet “Nutrient Management Planning” University of Wisconsin
http://www.extension.org/sites/default/files/Section%201%20Fact%20Sheet%20Nutrient%20Managem
ent%20Planning.pdf
-Using Manure Nutrients for Crop Production
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PMR1003.pdf Iowa State University
-Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship Lesson 2 Whole Farm Nutrient Planning
http://www.extension.org/sites/default/files/w/f/f3/LES_02.pdf
-Manure Nutrient Management Educational and Informational Resources
http://www.extension.org/8938 eXtension
Section 4. Regulations; Assistance
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Learners will be exposed to the basics of regulations
Learners will identify sources of local and state regulatory, technical and financial assistance.
Presentation: Slides 39-42
Enrichment Activities:
Invite staff from local regulatory agency or NRCS to discuss federal, state and local regulations and
sources for regulatory, technical and financial assistance.
Reference Material for Instructors:
-EPA’s Animal Feeding Operations Virtual Information Center State Regulations
http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/afo/afoinfo.cfm?view=category&link_cat=23
-EPA Animal Feeding Operation State Web Sites, Permits and Other Publications
http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/afo/afoinfo.cfm?view=category&link_cat=24
-Nutrient Management Regulations (fact sheet)
http://www.extension.org/sites/default/files/Section%202%20Fact%20Sheet%20Nutrient%20Managme
nt%20Regulations.pdf
-State Specific Manure Nutrient Management Information http://www.extension.org/14881 eXtension
Alignment With the National Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
Career Cluster Content Standards
Life Knowledge and Cluster Skills (CS)
 CS.06 Performance element: Examine the importance of health, safety, and environmental
management systems in organizations and their importance to performance and regulatory
compliance
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CS.07 Performance element: Safety, Health, and Environmental: Demonstrate appropriate
health and safety procedures for AFNR occupations
 CS.08 Performance element: Technical skills: Use tools, equipment, machinery and technology
appropriate to work within areas related to AFNR
Agribusiness Systems (ABS)
 ABS.02 Performance element: Utilize appropriate protective equipment and handle AFNR tools
and equipment to demonstrate safe and proper use of the tools and equipment
 ABS.03 Performance element: Utilize record keeping to accomplish AFNR business objectives
while complying with laws and regulations
 ABS.07 Performance element: Create a production system plan
Animal Systems (AS)
 AS.01 Performance element: Performance element: Examine the components, historical
development, global implications and future trends of the animal systems industry
 AS.07 Performance element: Select animal facilities and equipment that provide for the safe and
efficient production, housing and handling of animals.
 AS.08 Performance element: Analyze environmental factors associated with animal production
Environmental Service System (ESS)
 ESS.01 Performance element: Use analytical procedures to plan and evaluate environmental
service systems
 ESS.02 Performance element: Assess the impact of policies and regulations on environmental
service systems
 ESS.04 Performance element: Operate environmental service systems to manage a facility
environment
 ESS.06 Performance element: Use tools, equipment, machinery and technology to accomplish
tasks in environmental service systems
Natural Resource Systems
 NRS.01 Performance element: Explain interrelationships between natural resources and humans
necessary to conduct management activities in natural environments
Plant Systems (PS)
 PS.02 Performance element: Prepare and implement a plant management plan that addresses
the influence of environmental factors, nutrients and soil on plant growth
Power, Structural, and Technical Systems (PST)
 PST.02 Performance element: Design, operate and maintain mechanical equipment, structures,
biological systems, land treatment, power and technology.
Teaching Notes:
What would you keep the same, change, add or remove the next time you teach this lesson?
Acknowledgements:
Author:
Reviewers:
Angela Rieck-Hinz, Iowa State University, amrieck@iastate.edu
Rachel Klein, Iowa State University, raklein@iastate.edu
Ann Ronning, Montana State University, aronning@montana.edu
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