TEX*A*Syst Slide Training Series: Livestock Manure Storage and Treatment
Animals fed in large numbers in a concentrated area such as dairies, beef cattle feedlots and swine operations or poultry farms generate large amounts of manure over a small area. This manure must be handled properly to reduce the risk of ground water contamination.
Management and storage of manure allows agricultural producers the option of timing manure applications. By applying manure when plants most need the nutrients, you can increase manure use efficiency and enhance yields.
Storing of manure does pose a risk of both surface and ground water contamination. Improperly stored manure can introduce nutrient contaminates, such as nitrates and disease-causing microorganisms like fecal coliform, to surface or ground water.
This is an example of manure separator at work separating the solid portion of waste from the liquid portion.
To reduce the risk of contamination from a manure storage facility, inspect all waste storage, treatment, and conveyance systems associated with your operation on a regular basis and correct any problems. Also, be sure to check earthen facilities for erosion.
Short-term storage can be of benefit during periods of bad weather or when problems such as equipment failure prevent daily spreading of manure. Limited to solid and semi-solid manure, sort-term storage should be designed to facilitate handling and provide protection from contamination.
Open housing of livestock under shades, pole barns, or similar structures can result in the concentration of waste, increasing the risk of ground water contamination by nitrates, coliform bacteria and other contaminates.
Make sure to follow all State of Texas separation distances between the wellhead and storage facility. These include a 150 feet distance between private wells and storage facilities and a 500 feet distance between public wells and the storage facilities.
Before land applying livestock waste, sample and test the waste for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium level.
When spreading manure in solid form or by sprinkler application in the liquid form, use information from manure tests, soil tests, and plant nutrient requirements to make proper waste applications.
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