Effects of different conditions tested ?in vitro? on the phosphorus runoff potential of livestock manure

This study aimed to investigate the changes of swine and dairy manure characteristics during a long-term storage (150-180 days) under 4 degrees C, 20 degrees C, and 37 degrees C, sealed and unsealed conditions. Water extractable phosphorus (WEP) of both manures rapidly increased during the first 15-30 days and then decreased. At the end of the storage, the WEP reduction was 90%+/- 3% and 71%+/- 5% of the initial concentration for swine manure and dairy manure, respectively. Generally, unsealed storage and higher temperatures led to more WEP reduction. This study suggested that manure stored for less than 30 days had the highest P runoff potential, while a long-term manure storage reduced P runoff potential compared to freshly excreted manure.

Automated summary

This study investigated the characteristics of swine and dairy manure during long-term storage under different temperatures and sealing conditions. The water extractable phosphorus (WEP) rapidly increased in the first 15-30 days and then decreased. Unsealed storage and higher temperatures resulted in more WEP reduction. Manure stored for less than 30 days had the highest potential for phosphorus runoff, while long-term storage reduced this potential compared to freshly excreted manure.