Elements of Precision Manure Management

Manure management, in its most comprehensive form, involves practices that span most of a livestock production system, from feed management to barnyard management to manure storage and handling to land application. We propose that precision manure management involves careful manipulation of these components, with an eye to interactions between these components as well as to factors beyond the farm gate. Great strides have been made in many areas of manure management, from more efficient use of feed inputs (and therefore lower manure nutrients), to innovations in storage and handling, to tools improving the use of manure nutrients in crop production. Despite these gains, barriers exist to adoption of many practices. This chapter reviews advances made in manure management and reflects on the challenges and opportunities involved in developing holistic strategies for precision manure management that balance production and conservation priorities.