Dry Manure Storage and Treatment
What should be considered when storing dry manure?
The storage location should be located in a flat area underlain by impermeable soils and away from streams and floodplains.
Disposal (reuse) methods include spreading the manure on fields, composting it, and physically removing it from the farm (e.g., hauling to a farm or area that has a use for it).
The volume of manure to be stored is animal specific (number, type, length of confinement, bedding). Also the length of time the manure is stored and the maximum stackable height are considerations.
What rules apply to dry manure storage?
Act 38 requires manure storage to be a part of a Nutrient Management Plan (NMP), providing guidance to:
- Locate manure pads on flat or moderately sloped impervious soils.
- Minimize rain absorption Setback manure stacks from property lines
- Rotate stacks on unimproved surfaces to different stacking areas to reduce nutrient overload
- Store uncovered stacks no longer than 120 days.
- Locate the manure stack in the field that it is to be applied.
How can contact with water sources be avoided?
Above the stack best management practices (BMPs) prevent contact between rainwater and the manure. Included are building structures or alternative paths that divert water around the manure stack, installation of roofs with gutters, drop inlets to under-ground pipes, or other diversionary routes.
Below the stack BMPs ensure that runoff (water that has come into contact with the manure) is managed properly. Diversion of runoff through a vegetative strip downhill from the stack or installation of collection boxes and screens from which runoff can be pumped to treatment or holding areas are useful BMPs.
