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Manure Separation Facilities

A Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training article that explains how filtration or settling systems can separate solids and nutrients from liquid manure to improve handling, reduce odor, recycle bedding, protect water and air quality, and support efficient nutrient management on farms.

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Updated:

October 15, 2025

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Liquid manure separator. Photo credit: Sarah Swope, Penn State

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Manure storage facilities are common conservation practices in Pennsylvania, especially to handle waste generated during the winter months when manure cannot be spread on frozen ground. For liquid manure, separation facilities help store that waste, reduce odor downwind, enable easier land application when the weather allows, and recycle reusable bedding like sand.

What are manure separation facilities?

A manure separation facility is a filtration or screening device, settling tank, settling basin, or settling channel used to partition solids and/or nutrients from a waste stream.

Do you notice any of these issues on your farm?

Buildup of solids in liquid waste storage
Clogging of liquid nutrient application systems
Difficulty recycling sand bedding
Need for separation of poultry litter for reuse
Odor complaints from neighbors

Manure separation facilities have many benefits

Improve manure handling methods
Serve as a pre- or post-treatment for other processes
Reduce problems associated with solids accumulation in liquid waste storage or treatment facilities
Assist with partitioning nutrients in a waste stream to improve handling and application
Recycle some separated solids for animal bedding
Improve or protect water and air quality

Inlet basin for a mechanical manure separator — Inlet basin for mechanical separator. Photo credit: Sarah Swope, Penn State

Screw pump in a mechanical manure separator — Screw pump in mechanical separator. Photo credit: Sarah Swope, Penn State

Many design choices are possible

Manure separation facilities can have a wide range of different designs to accommodate your specific needs. The separation facility design depends on the available space, planned use of the separated material, type of waste stream, and required separation efficiency.

Staged storage ponds in a mechanical manure separator — Staged storage ponds in mechanical separator. Photo credit: Sarah Swope, Penn State

A cleaned sand outlet from a mechanical manure separator — Cleaned sand outlet from mechanical separator. Photo credit: Sarah Swope, Penn State

Other practices are associated with manure separation facilities

Manure separation facilities are often associated with other practices that are used in managing animal waste streams. Some associated practices include:

Manure management plans
Manure injection
Waste storage facilities
Waste transfer
Composting facilities
Anaerobic digesters

How to maintain a manure separation facility?

The operation and maintenance of a manure separation facility depend on the type of system that is selected. Good communication with the design team is important to understand the maintenance required for your specific system.

Interested in having a manure separation facility?

Manure separation facilities are eligible for funding through several conservation programs administered by the State Conservation Commission and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Additionally, several local funding sources may be available through organizations such as County Conservation Districts or local nongovernmental organizations. Several opportunities for technical assistance with design, permitting, and construction may be available in your area.

For more information, reach out to staff at the Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training, NRCS, or your local conservation district office.

Prepared by Sarah Swope, Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training, and Robert Meinen, Penn State Extension.

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