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ARS Home » Northeast Area » University Park, Pennsylvania » Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #297465
Title: Technologies and logistics for handling, transport and distribution of animal manures

Author
item SORENSEN, CLAUS - Aarhus University
item SOMMER, SVEN - University Of Denmark
item BOCHTIS, DIONYSIS - Aarhus University
item Rotz, Clarence - Al

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2013
Publication Date: 12/15/2013
Citation: Sorensen, C.G., Sommer, S.G., Bochtis, D., Rotz, C.A. 2013. Technologies and logistics for handling, transport and distribution of animal manures. In Sommer, S.G., M.L. Christensen, T.Schmidt, and L.S. Jensen. Animal Manure Recycling: treatment and management. John Wiley & Sons Ltd. West Sussex, UK. p. 211-236.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Organizing and managing the whole manure handling chain from the animal house through transport to the point of use (e.g. in the field) is a challenging task requiring consideration of manure type and operating conditions. Solid and liquid manure must be handled differently, using very different technologies, and the environmental concerns are very different among countries. Decision support for farmers must advise on the method to use and on planning and execution of day-to-day manure handling operations. From an operations management point of view, a slurry tanker is a flexible system, adaptable to varying constraints in terms of transport paths and field dimensions, but has negative impacts in terms of heavy road transport, risk of soil compaction, poor timeliness in the spring, etc. Alternative methods such as the umbilical system with pipeline transport of slurry have lower labor requirements and less soil compaction, but require large annual amounts of manure to be economically feasible. Simulation models that predict labor input, operation capacity, and similar characteristics based on factors such as machine system, work method, crop type, treated area, application rate, soil type, terrain, weather, operating width, working speed, and transport distance are useful in evaluating the operational performance of different manure handling systems. In addition, these results may provide input to economic evaluations by the farmer.