Sustainable Manure Management for Small Dairy Farms: The Challenges and a Farm Powered Solution
Manure management is a critical aspect of sustainable agriculture, particularly for smaller dairy farms where resources and space are limited. Methane, a greenhouse gas that is a leading cause of climate change, is released when manure is stored in open lagoons and land applied on the farm’s fields. According to the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), “Livestock - primarily beef and dairy cows – account for the vast majority of agriculture methane emissions,” which is why organizations like the EDF are working to help farmers mitigate as much methane as possible.
Methane is not the only consideration when looking at how to sustainably manage the large amounts of manure produced on farms every day. Manure can also have other adverse environmental impacts, including nutrient runoff and groundwater contamination if not handled correctly. The pollutants naturally occurring in manure, such as bacteria, nitrogen, ammonia, and phosphates can contribute to water pollution, air quality degradation, and climate change and may even pose a public health risk to the communities in which the farms operate.