Animal Manure Management
Overview
The Heartland states are a grain surplus area where livestock and poultry are produced on or near the farm where feedstuff is grown. Manure nutrients and bacteria pose significant risk of water body use impairment and stress on aquatic ecosystems.
Due to the region's highly productive soils, manure can be treated, over most of the area, as a valuable crop production resource rather than a waste. Existing research and education programs in individual states encourage voluntary refinement of manure nutrient management.
However, changes in federal regulation and guidelines for livestock and poultry production facilities and manure management pose increased challenges for producers and the extension educators and government agencies that serve and regulate them.
New: Tour of Vegetative Treatment Systems for Feedlots and Cow-Calf Operations. Link to Registration and Brochure