Quality of livestock manure in North Dakota

Abstract

Manure samples and management data were collected from 43 North Dakota cooperators and three North Dakota State University facilities. Most of the samples were collected as the manure was being pumped for land application. The samples were analyzed to determine the solids concentration, fertilizer nutrients, and other chemical components. The results were compared to published data and found to vary by as much as 100% for some nutrients. The variation appeared to relate to the housing-handling system and management programs. Manure characteristics, except potash, were not found to be closely related to rations fed to the animals.