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ARS Home » Plains Area » Temple, Texas » Grassland Soil and Water Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #424814
Research Project: Enhancing Cropping System and Grassland Sustainability in the Texas Gulf Coast Region by Managing Systems for Productivity and Resilience

Location: Grassland Soil and Water Research Laboratory

Title: Summary of manure handling certification programs across the United States

Author
item MEINEN, ROBERT - Pennsylvania State University
item Flynn, Kyle
item ERB, KEVIN - University Of Wisconsin
item Krecker-Yost, Jenifer
item INAOKA, MIRAI - University Of Illinois
item Spiegal, Sheri

Submitted to: Symposium Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/12/2025
Publication Date: 4/10/2025
Citation: Meinen, R.J., Flynn, K.C., Erb, K., Krecker-Yost, J.L., Inaoka, M., Spiegal, S.A. 2025. Summary of manure handling certification programs across the United States. Symposium Proceedings. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clwas.2025.100241.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clwas.2025.100241

Interpretive Summary: Effective management of manuresheds is important to address regional mass nutrient imbalances of manure nitrogen and phosphorus. To date, a summary description of state-level certification programs of those that apply, transport, or broker manure has not been published in literature. The purpose of this research was to: 1) Enumerate & characterize manure handling certification programs across the US; 2) Investigate correlation of state programs and manure surpluses/regional manureshed source areas; and 3) Explore Wisconsin case study focused on voluntary, market-based, statewide certification and correlation with reduced manure spills and safe land application. Thorough internet examinations of state agency and university websites were used to compile descriptive data for state manure hauling, brokering, and application certification requirements. A previously database (Erb, Inaoka, and Meinen 2024) was also used to strengthen summarization of manure handling certification programs. In addition a case study, summarized information from historical surveys, reports, and conference proceedings and reported impacts of certification and associated educational programming in the state of Wisconsin.

Technical Abstract: Effective management of manuresheds is important to address regional mass nutrient imbalances of manure nitrogen and phosphorus. To date, a summary description of state-level certification programs of those that apply, transport, or broker manure has not been published in literature. The purpose of this research was to: 1) Enumerate & characterize manure handling certification programs across the US; 2) Investigate correlation of state programs and manure surpluses/regional manureshed source areas; and 3) Explore Wisconsin case study focused on voluntary, market-based, statewide certification and correlation with reduced manure spills and safe land application. Thorough internet examinations of state agency and university websites were used to compile descriptive data for state manure hauling, brokering, and application certification requirements. A previously database (Erb, Inaoka, and Meinen 2024) was also used to strengthen summarization of manure handling certification programs. In addition a case study, summarized information from historical surveys, reports, and conference proceedings and reported impacts of certification and associated educational programming in the state of Wisconsin.