Liquid manure management

On this page, you’ll find information on storing liquid manure, how to size liquid manure storages, and links to the necessary regulatory information. 

Managing Excess Manure

In certain regions of British Columbia, such as the Fraser Valley, it may be more difficult to effectively manage surplus manure for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to: cost of land, transport costs to distant fields, and increasing quota to meet market demand.

The following factsheet provides guidance on dealing with surplus manure and covers a range of topics such as manure storage, nutrient management, and techniques for converting manure into valuable by-products.

• What to do with Excess Manure Factsheet (PDF)

Liquid manure storage

A critical characteristic of all farm operations is having enough storage capacity for manure and incidental by-products (ex. flush water, wasted feed, etc.). In B.C., it is recommended that farms have 6 months of storage capacity. However, 7 months of storage may be needed if the farm is located in a colder climate that reduces the manure application period.

The factsheets below describe important manure storage attributes that assist in meeting the Code of Practice for Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM Code). These factsheets discuss storage location, design, and sizing, among other things.

• Manure Storage Structures (PDF) 
• Sizing Dairy Manure Storage Facilities (PDF) 
• Earth Bank Storages for Dairy Manure (PDF)

For regulatory information regarding liquid manure storage, please visit the link below:

• Regulatory Information for Liquid Manure Storage

Liquid manure handling systems

There are various ways that liquid manure will be handled. The factsheets and reports below discuss manure collection, storage.

• Gravity Flow Slurry Channels for Dairy Manure (PDF)
• Circulatory Agitation Systems for Dairy Manure Storage Tanks (PDF)
• Daily Scraping Manure Management Systems for Dairy Farms (PDF)

Liquid manure application

The following factsheets and reports discuss liquid manure application equipment, how to sample manure for analysis and the value of manure.

• Efficient Liquid Manure Application Systems (PDF)
• Report on an Efficient Liquid Manure Application Study (PDF)
• Choosing and Calibrating Manure Application Equipment (PDF)
• Manure Sampling and Analysis
• Management & Nutrient Value of Manure (PDF

For more information on manure application, visit the Manure Application page.

Solid/liquid separation

Solid/Liquid separation utilizes a piece of equipment, such as a screw or roller press, and separates manure into a solid and liquid fraction. There are some tangible benefits from implementing solid/liquid separation on-farm:

• Liquid storage volume is maximized by removing the solids
• Less agitation is required at pump out
• Minimizes pumping issues
• Less expense when hauling manure solids to fields due to reduced volume

The following report discusses different manure treatment technologies such as solid/liquid separation and bedding masters, and how such technologies can affect farm operations

• Treatment Systems for Solid or Liquid Manure (PDF)