Solid manure management

On this page, you’ll find information on how to store manure in permanent storage structures and temporarily in the field, how to size solid manure storages, and links to the necessary regulatory information.

Short-term solid manure storage

When receiving manure or moving manure to the field for the purposes of manure application, the location may be used for less than two weeks without having to consider soil texture as long as it is sufficiently set back from domestic water sources and watercourses according to the Code of Practice for Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM Code). Additionally, the storage location can be used every year if used for less than two weeks at a time.

If the manure is not applied or moved within 2 weeks, temporary field storage requirements will apply. More information on temporary field storage can be found below.

For regulatory information regarding short-term field storage, please visit the link below:

• Regulatory information for short-term field storage

Temporary field storage

Solid manure can be temporarily stored in the field for up to 7 months at a time if certain requirements are met. The factsheets below describe the requirements for field storage, such as setbacks, record keeping, and requirements for high-risk areas.

For more information on temporary field storage, please refer to the factsheet below:

• Field Storage of Solid Agricultural Waste (PDF, 390 KB) 

For regulatory information regarding temporary field storage, please visit the link below:

• Regulatory Information for Temporary Field Storage

Permanent manure storage

In B.C., it is recommended that farms have 6 months of manure storage capacity in permanent storage structures. However, 7 months of storage may be needed if the frame is located in a colder climate that reduces the manure application period.

The factsheets below describe important manure storage attributes that assist in meeting AEM Code. These factsheets discuss storage location, design, and sizing, among other things.

• Manure Storage Structures (PDF, 1.3 MB) 
• Solid Agricultural Waste Storage - Hoop Frames (PDF, 443 KB) 

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

• Regulatory Information for Solid Manure Storage

Manure application

For information on applying solid manure, visit the Manure Application page.