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MANURE HARVESTING PRACTICES: EFFECTS ON WASTE CHARACTERISTICS AND RUNOFF
Citation:
Hansen, R., J. Harper, M. Stone, G. Ward, AND R. Kidd. MANURE HARVESTING PRACTICES: EFFECTS ON WASTE CHARACTERISTICS AND RUNOFF. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-76/292.
Description:
To develop a basis for better manure harvesting management practices a combined field and laboratory study was conducted. The effect of management practices on manure qualities and runoff pollution potential were compared on three feedlot pens with fully surfaced, partially surfaced and unsurfaced conditions. Average N, P and K elements were present in a ratio of approximately 4:1:2 providing 46 lbs N, 11 lbs P and 27 lbs K per ton of dry manure. For recycling purposes ash is an important fraction of manure and can be reduced by use of hard surfaced pens. Ash content averaged 36.2%. Fiber and lignin in manure are directly related to the fiber content of the ration. The effect of decomposition of the manure was greatest on its viscosity and squeezability. Bulk density and particle size remained the same. Surfaced feedlot areas have a larger percentage of precipitation in runoff with higher concentrations of pollutants. Increased animal densities on surfaced pens will offset the difference with non-surfaced pens and can result in a lower peranimal pollution potential from runoff.