January / February 2001
Perspective and Viewpoints on Animal Manure
By William G. Bickert
Manure management is a complex issue. At one time, manure system design was subordinate to animal facility design, usually left as something to take care of at the end. Now, addressing manure system design even in the traditional way-production, collection, storage, transport, land application-does not meet the needs of the dairy farm in the best possible manner nor does it satisfy the interests of society. Certainly all components of the manure system must operate together to economically and effectively manage the manure and its nutrients until they reach a final destination, typically being applied to the land. But manure management decisions are closely intertwined with decisions about many different aspects of the dairy production system including the buildings and other equipment selected for managing the herd and the cropping program. Beyond that, manure management involves i) a variety of subject matter areas, ii) several different segments of society and iii) a broad range of agencies. Depending on their horizon, individuals have different perspectives and viewpoints on manure and its management. Whether a dairy farmer planning a new facility, a family planning to build a home on a small acreage or a government agency concerned with protecting the environment, their perspectives and viewpoints are important. Not all have the same motives when addressing manure management problems. But understanding and appreciating the differences in a calm and deliberate manner is essential if all segments of society are to work together to address the issues involved. To the animal producer, manure is a potential resource, although the value of manure nutrients in replacing commercial fertilizers is not sufficient to offset the investment in the manure storage and handling system. In many cases, manure becomes an item that a dairy farmer considers a nuisance and would rather ignore. To other individuals in society, manure may be considered a threat to quality of life. Manure is viewed as an environmental contaminant, a potential pollutant to ground water and surface waters as well as a source of odors. Concerns about clean air and water have resulted in unconditional opposition to both existing and proposed animal operations. Zoning laws are enacted in direct opposition to a proposed animal facility, not as a result of seeking a land use plan that is in the best interest of the community. At the state governmental level, the model varies widely state-by-state. Often acting on behalf of the farmer, the State Department of Agriculture may encourage and facilitate formulation and voluntary adoption of manure management guidelines considered to be in the best interests of the environment as well as the farmer. The State Department of Environmental Quality may be seeking higher levels of regulatory control. Special interest groups exert their influence as well. At the federal level, the Environmental Protection Agency calls for permitting with eventual application of the rules to all animal feeding operations. The scientific community has a variety of perspectives. The agronomist sees the nutrients in manure as a way of offsetting use of commercial fertilizers to meet crop nutrient needs. The animal scientist uses the appearance of manure as an aid in detecting health problems and other indicators of performance. Animal scientists are now examining ration formulation realizing that a high percentage of the various nutrients fed to animals are excreted in the manure. Lowering the percentages of nutrients passed in the manure not only reduces feed costs but reduces pollution potential as well. Moreover, the land area required for spreading may be less if manure nutrients are reduced. The agricultural engineer sees manure management as a series of components-collection, transport and application equipment, devices for separating or processing the manure and facilities for storage-assembled into a system. This systems approach to design is essential to integrating the various components into a well-functioning unit. Perspectives and viewpoints on the manure management issue vary widely. The variety of perspectives and views may lead to the broadest possible examination of the manure management issue, to solving the myriad of manure management problems in the best interests of all segments of society. But communication and subsequent integration of efforts are essential. Despite differing perspectives, all agree on one thing-satisfying all interests related to manure management in the broadest sense will require massive amounts of money!
