Temporary Field Storage of Manure In Winter

by Christine Brown, Nutrient Management Lead – Field Crops, OMAFA

The opportunity to get bedded-pack cattle manure was too good to pass up. However, since application on snow covered and/or frozen fields should only occur in emergency situations, the question arises, “Where is the best location to temporarily store the manure?”

With increased risk of phosphorus and nitrogen runoff as well as society’s negative image of field applied manure on snow covered and frozen fields, there is a greater need for temporary field storages.  Temporary field storages can be a great solution to limited barn storage of manure and moving manure in winter months can also be a time saver during the busy spring season for transporting manure. 

There are guidelines that help determine the best place for temporary storages.  These guidelines help to minimize the risk of contaminating water sources and help prevent complaints from local residents. Additionally, improper storage of manure that leads to water contamination could result in undesired visits and potentially fines from the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks.

• How solid is the manure? 

The more bedding in the manure, the greater the dry matter content and the less likely the manure will move.

• Is the manure nutrient rich? 

The more concentrated the nutrient content of the manure (ie poultry manure), the more risk that some of the nutrients will move through leaching or volatilization.  Table 1 compares the average nutrient content of bedded manure from various types of livestock. The most highly concentrated manures would ideally be stored until field application on a concrete pad, where runoff is collected or prevented through coverage.

Table 1: Comparison of manure nutrients from various livestock types

Livestock Type	Dry Matter %	Total Nitrogen (lbs/ton)	Total Phosphorus (lbs/ton P2O5)	Total Potassium (lbs/ton K2O)
Solid Hog	30	18	22	13
Dairy (heavy bedding)	42	17	10	16
Beef (medium bedding)	35	20	16	17
Beef (heavy bedding)	48	27	24	21
Poultry layer	41	50	44	25
Poultry broiler	63	57	51	40
Horse	40	10	7	11

• Should the temporary storage be covered? 

Where nutrient-rich manure is temporarily stored in a field, covering a storage will help prevent runoff and ensure nutrients will remain in the pile until field application. Covering a temporary storage is easier said than done, and usually isn’t very practical for short term storages.

• Where are the field tiles located? 

A tiled field is not the best location for a manure pile.  Temporary storages should have at least 3 meters (10 ft) between the edge of pile and the nearest tile drain.  Storages should also be located away from exposed bedrock.

• What is the soil texture? 

Sandy or light textured soils are risky for temporary storages.  Infiltration in the spring will increase the risk of nitrogen leaching. Clay soils have an increased risk of manure runoff as a result of their low water infiltration rates when wet or compacted. Runoff from uncovered manure piles, especially during rain or snowmelt, can carry bacteria (E. coli), and excess nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) into nearby ditches, streams, lakes, and groundwater, causing environmental damage and contaminating drinking water sources.

• Distance to neighbours or watercourses. 

No one likes a manure pile beside their property, especially if there are odours or flies associated with the temporary storage.  It should take about 2 to 3 minute to walk to a temporary storage from the edge of a field (100 m from edge of field or 125 m from the nearest residence).

• Distance to water or surface inlets. 

We all know that manure needs to stay out of water, whether a river or water course, a catch basin or areas where water flows or floods during spring melts.  A 3 minute walk (~150 m) to get to the water source (ditches, lake, creeks, rivers or ponds) ensures that there is adequate distance to minimize risk of nutrient contamination.

• How long is “temporary”? 

Although it seems obvious, manure piled in the field as temporary storage should be applied to the field to meet the upcoming growing season’s crop needs.  Optimally the manure should be applied in the spring after the ground has thawed. Extended exposure to the elements can cause valuable nutrients in the manure to be lost through leaching and runoff, reducing its effectiveness as a fertilizer. 

Temporary field storages are regulated under the Nutrient Management Act.  Farms not phased in to nutrient management regulations (i.e. vineyards) are encouraged to follow the guidelines.  Information regarding the specifics of temporary manure storages can be found on the OMAFRA website at: Temporary field storage of solid manure or other agricultural source materials | ontario.ca