Manure Storage and Field Records

AE-1189, February 2000

Estimating the Volume to be Spread

Method 1. Estimate based on last year's volume.

Use the "Actual Volume Spread" (Worksheet 1, Column 9) from last year as a basis for this year's estimate. Account for any changes in the feeding operation. For example, if animal numbers increased by 20%, increase the volume spread last year by 20% to use for this year's estimate. If the information was not recorded, refer to the previous year's "Manure Application Log Book" (AE-1188).

Method 2. Measurement of volume in storage.

For liquid/slurry storage ponds:

V = (W x L x D) - [(S x D2) x (W + L)]+(4/3 x S2 x D3)

Where: V = volume, cubic feet
       W = liquid length, feet
       L = liquid width, feet
       D = liquid depth, feet
       S = sideslope (length of run per foot of fall)

For manure stockpiles:

V = (W x H x L)�2

Where: V = approximate volume, cubic feet
       W = width of base of stockpile, feet
       H = height of stockpile, feet
       L = crest length of stockpile, feet

Method 3. Estimate based on typical data.

This method is the least accurate way to estimate the volume to be spread. Methods 1 and 2 are preferable.

Table 1. Typical "as-collected" manure production estimates.

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Livestock Species
and Handling System       Volume                  Notes
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Beef, open lota           1 to 2 ton               
                          per head per year       
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Sheep, open lotb          0.5 ton                 100 lb liveweight,
                          per head per year       manure 62% m.c.
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Dairy, storage pond,      4600 to 6000 gallons    1400 lb liveweight
no bedding                per head per year
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Dairy, storage pond,      6800 to 8300 gallons    1400 lb liveweight
with bedding              per head per year
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Swine, farrow to finish,  4900 gallons per sow    Based on 16 hogs
storage pond              per year                sold per sow per year
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Swine, farrow to feeder,  1300 gallons per sow    Feeder pig sold
storage pond              per year                at 50 lb
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Swine, finishing only,    220 gallons per         Hogs grown from
storage pond              finished hog per year   50 to 220 lb
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Source: MWPS unless otherwise noted.

^aRange reported in various sources.
^bNorth Carolina State University.

Table 2. Commonly required conversions.

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To convert from:   To:           Multiply by:
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 cubic feet        pounds        40 to 55
 pounds            cubic feet    0.018 to 0.025
 cubic feet        gallons       7.48
 gallons           cubic feet    0.134
 bushels           cubic feet    1.24
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Worksheet 1. Manure source details.

Click here for a printable Adobe Acrobat file of this worksheet. (4KB pdf file)

Worksheet 2. Field records.

Click here for a printable Adobe Acrobat file of this worksheet. (3KB pdf file)