Increasing the Value of Manure for Farmers

Animal manure provides crop nutrients and improves soil quality. However, manure’s nutrient variability and low phosphorus and nitrogen content per unit weight reduce its market value relative to chemical fertilizers. While manure remains an important source of fertilizer in many farming systems, alternative uses are becoming important. Manure can be used to generate renewable energy in the forms of heat, gas, and electricity with further processing, but innovation is required to compete against other renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. Entrepreneurs are also developing markets for fiber found in manure. Environmental policies related to animal farms, meant to protect air and water quality, can both raise manure management costs and increase manure’s value as an energy precursor. This study uses data from the USDA Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) to describe current manure production, handling, storage, and use. An extensive literature review of manure-related research describes existing and emerging technologies that have the potential to increase the value of manure or reduce manure management costs. The study identifies potential government programs and policies for promoting the adoption of technologies that enhance manure value for farmers.