The initial consideration of manure storage is how much will need to be stored. This is determined by how much is produced each day and how many days of storage will be needed.
However, the moisture content and physical characteristics of the manure are also important. For example, when bedding material such as wood shavings, rice hulls, or other crop residues are used, the manure mix is typically dry enough that it stacks well and water drainage is not a concern. With this type of manure, it is not normally necessary for the manure storage to be able to contain water.
On the other hand, manure collected and stored without bedding, such as in a “dry scrape” dairy, often has enough moisture that it does not stack and water drainage is a concern. With this type of manure, it is normally necessary for the storage to contain water.
Since moisture is an important factor in both the physical characteristics of manure and the total volume of the manure mixture that needs to be managed, common practice is to prevent the addition of water to the manure. Therefore, covers and roofs are often recommended in humid regions of the country. It is also important to locate and design the manure storages so that rain runoff water drains around the storage and not through it.
An important note to be aware of is that in many areas of the country, environmental regulations provide specific requirements regarding the sizing, design, and location of manure storages.
Author: Karl VanDevender, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, University of Arkansas
