Manure Management

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Did you know...

•  that Canada produced 26.2 million hogs in 2001?
•  that injection of hog manure is an excellent fertilizer source for crop land and forages?

Manure management is very important as the worldwide demand for pork continues to increase. Hog producers must be well informed as to not jeopardize the environment or the long-term sustainability of their farm. A properly planned and implemented manure management plan attaches a “cash” value to manure used for fertilizer and is, therefore, a very important component of industry sustainability.

Tri-Provincial Manure Application and Use Guidelines

70 pages discuss manure management in nine sections
1. Introduction
2. Understanding Manure
3. Soil Sampling and Analysis
4. Manure Sampling and Analysis
5. Understanding the Soil Test and Manure Test Reports
6. Calculating Manure Application Rates
7. Manure Application Equipment
8. Manure and the Protection of Water, Air and Soil
9. Record Keeping

The primary purpose of Manure Application and Use Guidelines is to assist farmers and producers to implement beneficial management practices regarding nutrient management. The goal is to provide a set of recommended practices supported by science-based information to help ensure the sustainable use of manure as a fertilizer across the Prairie region. The information contained in this document is based on research and experience from the Western Canadian prairie provinces including Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba, and draws on experience from other jurisdictions. Published 2003.

To view the document in PDF format, click here:
Tri-Provincial Manure Application and Use Guidelines

To order the Pork Producer's Guide to Swine Manure, call Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization at (306) 787-5140

The Pork Producer’s Guide to Managing Swine Manure - a practical guide for farmers and applicators

42 full colour pages discuss manure management in seven sections
1. Pork Production – A Value-Added Alternative for Prairie Farmers
2. Manure Management – What’s in it for me
3. Managing Nutrient Loss – Adding Value to Manure
4. Agitation – Stirring the Slurry
5. Putting it to use
6. Liquid Manure – Moving it to where you need it
7. Manure Processing and Treatment

The purpose of this manual is to guide producers in their approach to manure management. Effective manure management is key to building a sustainable hog industry that recognizes the value of manure as a fertilizer source. Swine manure is an excellent source of plant nutrients, and when applied correctly can replace most commercial fertilizers in annual crop production. The benefits of an effective manure management strategy are many-fold.

Your manure management plan should:

•  Detail the amount of annual manure production for your operation
•  Detail the available land base for manure application
•  Maximize the fertility benefits to crops
•  Minimize risk to the environment
•  Account for changes in animal population, feed and crops
•  Incorporate regulations applicable to your location
•  Consider your neighbours

A final element in any manure management plan is record keeping. Detailed record keeping allows the operator to analyze the performance of their plan, adjust for variables, and make informed changes to the manure management plan as needs dictate.

This manual was produced by the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI) in February 2001, with the support of Canada-Saskatchewan Agri-Food Innovation Fund, Sask Pork, Pork Central, Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food and the Prairie Swine Centre Inc.

To order the Pork Producer's Guide to Swine Manure, call Sask Pork at (306) 244-7752 or submit the online order form.

Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization have many manure management documents available on their website.