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Small Farms

Why Remove Manure From Lots and Barnyards?

Allowing manure to build up in barnyards and open lots when it is wet makes it harder for animals to move and feed. They use more energy to walk, and contribute more pollutants to runoff when it rains. Collect manure from barnyards and lots monthly to reduce buildup and the chance manure will leave the barnyard. Pull type blade such as a box scraper or a three point blade, work best to clean lots. Push type blades gouge and make it successively difficult and more time consuming to clean manure. Many at first think that monthly cleaning is excessive, but the same amount of manure is harvested (and time invested) whether done annually or monthly, it’s just a matter of when.

Another reason for frequent pen cleaning…Studies show that 4 inches of mud reduces feed efficiencies up to 10 percent per day in addition in feedlot cattle. Mud makes it harder for cattle to move around and reduces their ability to access all parts of the bunk. A tremendous amount of energy must be expended walking through just 2 inches of mud, that energy is reducing gain. Harvest manure monthly (or when manure depth is 3 inches) by a pull type blade to minimize mud caused by excessive manure accumulation.

Storing the Harvested Manure

Manure should be stockpiled in locations where runoff will not drain into surface water. Manure can be stockpiled in a field, away from surface water, and spread when it is more convenient. See Good Management Practices for Small Farm Dry Manure Storage for more information on managing manure storage.

Page created by Chris Henry, University of Nebraska