EM 8649 Reprinted May 1997

$1.75

Manure Management
in Small Farm Livestock Operations
Protecting surface and groundwater
D. Godwin and J.A. Moore

Clean, safe water for consumption, recreation, irrigation, manufacturing, and fish and wildlife
habitat is important to Oregonians.
Nonpoint source pollution is the
major cause of water quality
degradation in Oregon.
Nonpoint source pollution is an
accumulation of small pollution
sources and single pollution events
that, as a whole, cause significant
degradation to water quality. For
example, runoff water may carry
small amounts of soil particles,
pesticides, nutrients, or bacteria
from several land areas (Figure 1).
When combined in a water
source, these small amounts of
pollution add up to a large problem. Proper management of these
potential pollution sources is
needed to maintain clean and
usable water resources.
Many Oregonians own small
acreages and raise a few livestock,
for example, cattle, horses, pigs,
sheep, goats, llamas, or chickens.
These owners can enhance their
farms productivity by managing
manure as a soil amendment.
Manure is a source of nitrogen,

Derek Godwin, Extension agent, Curry

County; and J.A. Moore, Extension
bioresource engineer; Oregon State
University.

Figure 1.Utilizing Best Management Practices allows small farms to protect surface and
groundwater.

phosphorus, potassium, and many

micronutrients that can increase
soil fertility. It also is a source of
organic matter, which can improve
soil water-holding capacity and
tilth.
If not managed properly,
however, manure can contribute

significantly to pollution. Excess

nutrients, disease-causing organisms, and organic matter from
manure can contaminate surface
and groundwater.
The following sections discuss
manure as a pollution source, how
its constituents can contaminate

surface and groundwater, and what

practices can help prevent pollution. Best management practices
(BMPs) that can help you protect
water quality and maintain your
farms productivity are outlined.
Additional sources of information
and assistance also are listed.

precipitation

nitrogen
volatilization

crop
residues

animal
manures

water runoff

water runoff with

nutrients, organic
matter, and
microorganisms

to streams

organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus

water infiltration

microbial decomposition

plant uptake

soluble nutrients

phosphorus
compounds
ammonium (NH4+)

microbial
decomposition

groundwater and
subsurface flow

soluble nitrogen and

phosphorus leachate

to streams

Figure 2.Organic nitrogen and phosphorus in soil are converted through microbial decomposition to plant-available forms, which are taken
up by growing plants. Nutrients also can be lost through volatilization, surface runoff, and leaching to groundwater.

Manure as a
source of . . .
. . . Plant nutrients
The nitrogen in fresh manure is
in the form of ammonia and
organic nitrogen. The organic
nitrogen is in particles such as hay
and grain (organic matter).
In the soil, microorganisms
convert the ammonia and organic
nitrogen to nitrate (NO3), which is
readily available to plants
(Figure 2). The conversion of
ammonia to nitrate usually occurs
quickly, providing an immediate
nutrient source for plants. The
conversion of organic nitrogen to
nitrate occurs more slowly, providing a nutrient source over time.
Nitrate is water soluble and
moves easily with water in the soil.
It can move below the root zone to
contaminate a water supply.
Most of the phosphorus in
manure is in the form of large
organic molecules. When you
apply manure to soil, the organic
phosphorus binds to soil particles
and is immobilized. Once immobilized, it slowly becomes available
to plants as phosphate (PO4).
Phosphorus also can travel with
eroded soil particles in runoff to
surface waters, or can dissolve and
leach to groundwater. In surface
water, phosphorus stimulates the

growth of algae. Excess algae

growth can deplete dissolved
oxygen, change the taste of the
water, and cause discoloration.

. . . Microorganisms
Microorganisms abound in
animal intestinal tracts, and many
are excreted in manure. A few of
these organisms can cause disease
in humans and livestock.
These disease-causing organisms (pathogens) can live in and
move with water. In surface
waters, many settle into a streams
sediments, live there for extended
periods of time, and are resuspended when the water is disturbed.
However, when pathogens are
carried with water into the soil,
they usually are filtered out and
die. This natural filtering process
protects groundwater.

. . . Organic matter
Manure contains organic matter,
which serves as a food source for
microorganisms. As microorganisms break down organic matter,
they consume oxygen. When large
amounts of organic matter are
broken down in streams or ponds,
the microorganisms use all the
dissolved oxygen, and fish and
other aquatic animals that need
oxygen die.

Water pathways
The main concern is to keep
manure out of water pathways so
its constituents arent carried to
surface and groundwater. Livestock owners should pay attention
to how water moves across their
pasture and around buildings.
Water flows downhill over the
surface toward the areas of lowest
elevation, or it enters the soil and
travels down toward the groundwater. Any low, wet areas or
drainage-ways can be sources of
both surface and groundwater.
Runoff occurs when rainfall or
irrigation intensity exceeds the rate
at which water can enter the soil
(infiltration rate). Sandy soils have
large soil particles and pore spaces
and can accept water at a faster
rate than clay soils (smaller
particles and pore spaces).
Some areas around buildings,
such as soils compacted by animal
or machine traffic, have very low
infiltration rates. These areas
produce runoff under most storm
conditions. Roofs and paved areas
provide no infiltration. These areas
produce runoff under all storm
conditions, in turn increasing the
amount and rate of water that runs
off of nearby areas.
In the summer, when soils are
drier, it may take several heavy
rainfalls to cause surface runoff;
however, in winter, when soils
already are wet, a single small rain
can cause runoff. The amount of
rainfall necessary to cause runoff
also depends on the surface slope.
There is more runoff from steeper
slopes.

Potential pollution problems and their Best Management Practices

anure deposited in
streams or on
stream banks

Allow animal access to only small sections of streams.

You can use fences to limit access. Water gaps are fenced openings that
allow animals to drink in a stream (Figure 3). However, in areas that
experience high rainfall rates and flooding, such as the Oregon Coast, high
maintenance demands limit the use of water gaps.
Provide alternate watering areas away from streams.
A water tank at an easily accessible location can greatly reduce the
amount of time animals spend in a creek (Figure 4). Place the tank in or
close to the animals normal path toward the creek. Water can be pumped or
gravity-fed to the tank.

2" x 4" or other stop device to

prevent cattle hooves from
slipping into stream

ramp

10

ft

Figure 3.Limit stream access to small areas for watering.

pump
water trough

Figure 4.Gravity flow or pumped water provides a drinking area away from the stream
bank.

vergrazing or high
traffic areas next to
water sources

Maintain healthy riparian vegetation and/or vegetated filter

strips along streams.
The plants that grow in wet areas next to streams are called riparian
vegetation (Figure 5). They provide shade, habitat, and food for fish and
wildlife. Vegetated filter strips are protected areas planted to grass that are
located next to creeks, winter turnout areas, impervious areas, and manure
storage piles.
Riparian vegetation and vegetated strips slow runoff; increase infiltration;
and filter microorganisms, nitrogen, phosphorus, organic matter, and
sediment from small-volume surface runoff. When runoff volume is high,
with flow depths of 2 to 3 inches, the ability to filter pollutants is greatly
reduced.
Subdivide non-vegetated and impermeable areas greater than 1 acre with
filter strips. The width needed for an effective filter strip varies with the size
and slope of the area draining toward the strip. Recommended widths are:
2550 feet for 03 percent slopes
50100 feet for 38 percent slopes
More than 100 feet for steeper slopes
The use of a vegetated earthen berm or diversion ditch greatly enhances
the filtering ability of the strip. These should drain onto other vegetated
areas for further filtering.
Protect all filter strips from excessive animal use, especially during wet
seasons. You can mow filter strips, but dont mow them real short.

riparian buffer

vegetated
filter strips

Figure 5.Use vegetated filter strips to slow runoff, increase infiltration, and filter
pollutants from runoff water.

ncontained manure
and mud in wet
weather

Keep manure piles protected from rain and surface runoff.

Place the storage on high, well-drained ground away from surface water
sources. Cover all manure and soiled bedding, and protect them from runoff
(Figure 6). There are several ways to cover manure pilesfrom a simple
pinned-down tarp, to a storage area with a roof and concrete floor.
Make sure your storage either contains the liquids or provides a drain to
move runoff to soils and vegetation that can adequately filter leachate.
Calculate the amount of manure produced and bedding used during the
storage period in order to design an adequate-size storage area. For help,
refer to EC 1094, Calculating the Fertilizer Value of Manure. In Western
Oregon, a storage length of 120 days usually is adequate to allow spreading
the manure on unsaturated soil when the pasture is growing.
Keep clean runoff from flowing through livestock facilities and
manure storage piles.
Reduce the amount of contaminated water to be handled by providing
gutters and down spouts that move clean roof runoff away from buildings
and storage areas. Create diversion ditches or earthen berms that move clean
water away from livestock facilities.
Control grazing and keep livestock off pastures in the winter.
Overgrazed pastures are potential sources of surface runoff and groundwater contamination due to compacted soils and lack of filtering vegetation.
Cross-fencing the pasture into smaller paddocks and controlling livestock
grazing and movement can help maintain healthy, vigorous forage plants.
Because soils are wet and pasture growth is minimal during the winter,
pastures will be overgrazed and physically torn up if livestock are left out.
Keep livestock in small winter holding areas and collect their manure. In
high rainfall areas, it is necessary to place material such as chips above the
soil to keep animals out of the mud. You can use gravel, but it is difficult to
keep rocks out of the pasture
when you clean out the
manure and haul it to your
fields in the spring.

covered manure
storage
minimal wintering
area

gutter collects
clean water and
directs away
from lot areas

grass filter strips

graveled drive

clean water
to ditch

Figure 6.Careful management of grazing, manure storage, and clean water runoff can
protect surface and groundwater from contamination during wet weather.

xcessive nutrients
on a pasture

Collect and store manure in winter, then spread it on pastures when

plants are growing.
Spread the manure on pastures in the spring or early summer when there
is little chance of runoff and growing plants can readily use nutrients.
Stored manure, with or without bedding, provides food and a place for
bacteria to grow, thus making it a readily compostible material. Composting
kills most disease-causing organisms, reduces the manure pile size, and
provides a more stable nitrogen source that greatly reduces the possibility of
leaching. Consult your county office of the OSU Extension Service for
more information about composting.
Apply manure and fertilizer based on crop needs.
Spreading manure from one 1,000-lb cow, three 150-lb pigs, or twelve
100-lb sheep on 1 acre of pasture may provide the yearly phosphorus
requirement for the plants (Table 1). If you apply manure based on pasture
grass nitrogen needs only, you may apply excess phosphorus, which will be
available for runoff and leaching. In this case, apply manure at the rate
needed to supply P and purchase supplemental N fertilizer to meet crop
nitrogen needs. Worksheets for calculating the fertilizer value of manure
and land area required for application are available from the OSU Extension
Service and other agencies.
Table 1.Daily manure production and nutrient content of manure from various
farm animals.

Animal
size
(lb)

Manure
production
(cu ft)

N
(lb)

P
(lb)

150
250
500
1,000
1,400

0.19
0.32
0.66
1.32
1.85

0.06
0.11
0.22
0.45
0.59

0.011
0.023
0.047
0.094
0.131

500
750
1,000
1,250

0.50
0.75
1.0
1.2
1.05

0.17
0.26
0.34
0.43
0.36

0.051
0.079
0.109
0.12
0.11

35
65
150
200
Gestate sow
275
Sow and litter 375
Boar
350
Sheep
100

0.038
0.070
0.16
0.22
0.15
0.21
0.19
0.062

0.018
0.034
0.078
0.104
0.069
0.1
0.081
0.045

0.0052
0.0099
0.023
0.036
0.023
0.031
0.023
0.0066

Poultry
Layers
Broilers
Horse

0.0035
0.0024
0.75

0.0034
0.0024
0.31

0.0012
0.0006
0.072

Animal
Dairy

Beef
Cattle

Cow
Swine
Nursery pig
Growing pig
Finishing pig

4
2
1,000

The next step

Proper manure management
starts with identifying existing and
potential pollution problem areas.
The next step is to plan and
develop manure management
techniques to reduce the impacts
on surface and groundwater. The
following agencies can help:
Oregon State University Extension Service
Natural Resource Conservation
Service (NRCS)
Farm Services Agency (FSA)
Soil and Water Conservation
District (SWCD)
Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA)
These agencies can help you
select BMPs for your livestock
operation. They also have information on pasture renovation and
management, soil testing, and
well-water testing. FSA also
provides a Water Quality Incentives Program, which can offset
part of the cost of these tests and
improve overall farm management,
as well as some cost-sharing
opportunities for building livestock
manure-handling facilities.

You make a difference

Proper management of livestock
waste usually can be accomplished
with minimum investment. Your
efforts do make a difference.

For more information

OSU Extension
publications
Assessing your Manure Management for Water Quality Risk,
EM 8646, by M. Gamroth and
J. Moore (Oregon State University, Corvallis, 1996). 75
Calculating the Fertilizer Value of
Manure from Livestock Operations, EC 1094, by J. Moore
and M. Gamroth (Oregon State
University, Corvallis, reprinted
1993). $1.00
Dairy Manure as a Fertilizer
Source, EM 8586, by J. Hart,
M. Gangwer, M. Graham, and
E. Marx (Oregon State University, Corvallis, reprinted 1996).
75
Livestock Manure Management
Worksheet, EM 8596, by
R. Miner (Oregon State University, Corvallis, 1995). $1.00
Livestock Manure Management
Fact Sheet, EM 8597, by
R. Miner (Oregon State University, Corvallis, 1995). $1.25
Manure Application Rates for
Forage Production, EM 8585,
by J. Hart, E. Marx, and
M. Gangwer (Oregon State
University, Corvallis, 1996).
$1.00
Manure Management Practices to
Reduce Water Pollution,
FS 281, by J. Moore and
T. Willrich (Oregon State
University, Corvallis, reprinted
1993). No charge.

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Other publications
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number of publications on livestock facilities, manure storage and
treatment, etc. These publications
can be purchased at OSU Extension county offices or from OSUs
Bioresource Engineering Department in Corvallis.

1996 Oregon State University

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