Manure storages are
emptied completely once or several times
each year. Therefore, a larger fraction of the plant nutrients
in the waste can be utilized for crop production. In addition,
the valuable organic matter in the solids will improve soil tilth
over time.
Manure storages are much
smaller than anaerobic treatment lagoons.
Since large amounts of dillution water are not needed the total
storage volume is typically one fifth to one tenth of the size
of the equivalent anaerobic lagoon.
Manure storages can often
be more convieniently located due
to their smaller size.
Costs of manure storages
can be the same or less than anaerobic
lagoons depending on desired storage period and construction material.
Solid buildup problems
do not occur with storages since the
solid and liquid fractions of the manure are land applied each
year.
If the water table is
within 4 feet of the soil surface a partially
above-ground or above ground storage may be the only option available.
Covering an outside
manure storage or using a storage tank below
a slotted floor will not allow rain water to enter the storage.
As a result, covered storages will not overflow during periods
of heavy rain.
Land application
costs can be lower with manure storages since
less water must be hauled or pumped with the manure.
Less nitrogen is lost
from manure storages than from treatment
lagoons, and all of the liquids and solids are utilized as fertilizer
each year. Therefore, more cropland is needed to develop a sound
manure utilization plan.
Manure handling
equipment that is designed to agitate and pump
slurries are required to empty manure storages.
Slurries from manure
storages can be applied with traveling
guns, but the amount of odor will be high. Direct injection or
surface spreading with immediate incorporation is recommended
for odor control.
Unlike manure
from dairy cows, swine manure will not form a
crust in a storage. As a result, odor from open storages is greater
than from a well designed anaerobic lagoon (see section on
Odor Control for Manure Storages
Advantages and Disadvantages of Manure Storages
Advantages