Composting or Stockpiling Feedlot Manure: Nutrient Concentration and Recovery

Authors

Matt K. Luebbe, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Joshua R. Benton, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2009

Comments

Published in 2009 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report (Lincoln, NE: December, 2008). Copyright © 2008 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

Manure stockpiled anaerobically or composted aerobically for 111 days was evaluated for nutrient concentration and recovery. Recovery of dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) was not different among storage methods. The proportion of organic nitrogen (N) was greater for composted manure while ammonium N was greater in stockpiles. Recovery of N from stockpiled manure was greater than from compost when ammonium N was measured on “fresh” samples and samples dried down to simulate field application. Anaerobic stockpiling of feedlot manure provides a greater amount of N for crops and similar amounts of DM and OM.