Manureshed management to overcome longstanding nutrient imbalances in U.S. agriculture

Authors: Flynn, Kyle; Spiegal, Sheri; Kleinman, Peter; MEINEN, ROBERT - Pennsylvania State University; Smith, Douglas

Submitted to: Resources Conservation and Recycling
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/25/2022
Publication Date: 9/20/2022
Citation: Flynn, K.C., Spiegal, S.A., Kleinman, P.J., Meinen, R.J., Smith, D.R. 2022. Manureshed management to overcome longstanding nutrient imbalances in U.S. agriculture. Resources Conservation and Recycling. 188. Article 106632. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2022.106632.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2022.106632

Interpretive Summary: Livestock produce waste, but that waste can be a valuable resource because manure can fulfill the nutrient needs of crop production. Failing to apply manure to fields can result in risk of catastrophic losses of nutrients that pollute water resources. With this perspective it is important to connect those areas producing manure to areas with crop nutrient needs, thus the creation of the “manureshed”: the land surrounding livestock production operations that could benefit from the redistribution of livestock manure to accomplish goals associated with environmental quality and quality of life. Here we present a comprehensive exploration of manuresheds by reviewing the foundational manureshed concepts, analyzing a long-term national retrospective of manure-based sources/sinks, and understanding the barriers that must be overcome for manuresheds at various scales. The circular agricultural relationship – where livestock manure sources are providing the nutrient needs of surrounding crop production often supplying feed for livestock – must be achieved to protect agricultural production, conservation efforts, and water quality. New incentives, policy, and data will be required to support the aim of transforming broken nutrient cycling to national-level circular nutrient cycling via the concept of manuresheds, leading to improved agricultural sustainability.

Technical Abstract: Livestock produce waste, but that waste can be a valuable resource because manure can fulfill the nutrient needs of crop production. Failing to apply manure to fields can result in risk of catastrophic losses of nutrients that pollute water resources. With this perspective it is important to connect those areas producing manure to areas with crop nutrient needs, thus the creation of the “manureshed”: the land surrounding livestock production operations that could benefit from the redistribution of livestock manure to accomplish goals associated with environmental quality and quality of life. Here we present a comprehensive exploration of manuresheds by reviewing the foundational manureshed concepts, analyzing a long-term national retrospective of manure-based sources/sinks, and understanding the barriers that must be overcome for manuresheds at various scales. The circular agricultural relationship – where livestock manure sources are providing the nutrient needs of surrounding crop production often supplying feed for livestock – must be achieved to protect agricultural production, conservation efforts, and water quality. New incentives, policy, and data will be required to support the aim of transforming broken nutrient cycling to national-level circular nutrient cycling via the concept of manuresheds, leading to improved agricultural sustainability.