Manure management is an important system on farms. To provide some context, a single horse produces roughly 13kg of manure a day, a milk cow produces approximately 62kg a day, pigs produce about 1-4kg a day, beef cows produce roughly 37kg a day, and calves can produce 12kg of manure a day. Even with a few animals on a small farm, manure can accumulate quickly. Manure is a great resource that contains many nutrients for soil. Users do need to be careful about over application, as it can leak into water systems and become harmful to the environment.
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Blue wheelbarrow with manure inside, with a person holding a pitchfork picking through the manure
Some of the concerns within manure management on small farms is the ease of handling and storage, and the appropriate application or disposal. Based on the number of livestock owned, a wheelbarrow may suffice, but with larger numbers of livestock, a small tractor with a bucket may be more efficient. It is helpful to regularly clear manure to avoid accumulation. On small farms it is more challenging to manage manure compared to large farms. Some reasons for this are that small farms have fewer animals, limited acreage, and possibly lack the equipment necessary for managing or spreading manure. When manure is not managed properly it can pollute the environment, contaminate ground and surface water, and can also contribute to air quality concerns.
The most common manure management options on small farms are spreading and storing.
Spreading the Manure
The first option for small farms is referred to as spreading. This means collecting manure and bedding it daily, loading it in a spreader, and distributing it onto cropland, hay land, or pastures. This option is time consuming and must be done regularly regardless of soil moisture, weather, or time of year. Before this process, it is vital to analyze and test the manure and soil content to determine an application rate based on crop growth. The primary goal of spreading is to use the manure’s nutrients in the cropping cycle.
Since it is not always possible to use the spreading method on small farms or small acreages, distributing or moving the manure off site may be an alternative management option. This can look like using the manure in a home garden, in pastures, or sharing with neighbours or other farmers. If fresh manure is being used in the home garden, apply and incorporate it 3 months before harvesting, or 4 months before if growing root or leafy crops.
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Rake sitting in a pile of spread manure and green grass close to a fence
Storing the Manure
The second option is to store the manure. This means creating a stockpile so that the manure can be spread or hauled away and utilized later. Before considering this method, generate an area where the manure can be placed and stored. As previously mentioned, a single calf weighing roughly 100 pounds can produce 12kg of manure a day, so proper manure management and storage is essential . The capability to store manure reduces and eliminates the need to spread it daily. Storage facilities will allow the farm to store manure until it can be removed, until it is needed, or until other farmers, gardeners, or landscapers can use it. Storing manure is a beneficial management method that reduces time, resources, and labour supply. It can also protect nearby water sources, such as streams or rivers by preventing runoff, and can help manage odors. Be sure that the storage facilities are built properly to protect the environment and livestock.
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Pile of manure sitting in a storage facility with two pitchforks, on in the pile and one beside the pile
Though composting is also a viable option, based on farm size, the option of spreading or storing may be more beneficial and efficient. Managing manure on small farms is just as important as on large livestock farms. Be aware of weather conditions, soil conditions, and local regulations when choosing a method of management.