New Tool Updates Manure Nutrient Data

By Scout Nelson

Manure is a valuable nutrient source for crop production, but it can also contribute to environmental loss if not managed correctly. Accurate nutrient information is essential for effective nutrient management planning, conservation efforts, and agricultural modeling.

Many commonly used manure nutrient estimates are based on data collected decades ago from limited geographic regions. These older values do not always reflect modern manure handling, storage practices, or regional differences. To address this gap, a research team identified the need for updated and standardized manure nutrient data.

With support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and partnerships with the Minnesota Supercomputing Institute and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, the team worked with laboratories and data collaborators nationwide. Together, they collected, standardized, and organized manure sample data into a new national resource called ManureDB.

ManureDB is a publicly available database that contains U.S. manure and organic amendment data from multiple laboratory sources. The online platform allows users to view simple summaries, generate data visualizations, and download datasets for further analysis. This makes the information easy to access and useful for a wide range of users.

ManureDB is described in an article published in the Journal of the ASABE by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.

“ManureDB provides real, up-to-date information that reflects current manure handling and storage practices,” said Melissa Wilson, an associate professor in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences and a member of the ManureDB project team. “Since we will continue to add data over time, we will be able to track trends that we have not had access to in the past.”

While individual manure testing is still recommended to create site-specific nutrient management plans, ManureDB allows users to compare their results with national benchmarks. This is especially helpful for new livestock operations and agricultural or environmental models that need representative nutrient values from multiple regions.

The database continues to grow as new partners contribute data. The project team is also working with a professional engineering committee to update national manure characteristic standards. Funding for the project is provided by USDA programs focused on conservation and agricultural research.