Ken Foster Purdue University

Publish Date: September 24, 2007

Swine manure contains components that improve soils and facilitate crop productivity. Oftentimes manure is applied in a manner to minimize the cost of application. A rational decision maker focuses on maximizing the net value of manure rather than minimizing the cost. The net value is the value of manure as a fertilizer minus the cost of application. By managing swine manure to maximize its value while holding down its cost, producer income can be increased. Understanding what increases value is critical for marketing manure and maximizing net income.

Publish Date: September 24, 2007

Producers, researchers, vendors, regulators, and policy-makers are evaluating alternative manure management systems. Motivations include reduction of the level and risk of emissions of potential pollutants to the environment (nutrients, odor, particulates and precursors, gases, and pathogens) as well as the capture of potentially valuable constituents of manure (nutrients, energy, and water). Understanding the economic implications of alternative manure management systems is required in addition to understanding physical performance and on-farm practicality of the systems. This fact sheet reports methods, findings, and examples of economic evaluation of alternative manure management systems based on work completed under the agreements between the Attorney General of North Carolina and Smithfield Foods, Premium Standard Farms, and Front Line Farmers. Even though this study was conducted with these pork operations, the basic approach or process for evaluating alternative manure management systems throughout the US may be similar.