Manure Management: An essential component of 4-H livestock projects

Project Overview

EW05-015
Project Type: Professional Development Program
Funds awarded in 2005: $59,927.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2008
Region: Western
State: Colorado
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Jessica Davis
Email
Colorado State University

Annual Reports

Information Products

Commodities

  • Animals: bovine
  • Animal Products: dairy

Practices

  • Animal Production: manure management
  • Crop Production: nutrient cycling, organic fertilizers
  • Education and Training: extension
  • Farm Business Management: budgets/cost and returns, value added, whole farm planning
  • Natural Resources/Environment: soil stabilization
  • Production Systems: holistic management
  • Soil Management: composting, organic matter, soil analysis, nutrient mineralization, soil quality/health
  • Sustainable Communities: new business opportunities, urban/rural integration

    Abstract:

    Manure management is a critical component of sustainable livestock production. Our goal was to train extension 4-H leaders and youth in manure management. We have developed a 4-H Manure Management curriculum that includes the following topics: Livestock and the Community, Protecting Human and Animal Health, Protecting Water Quality, Protecting Air Quality, Composting Animal Manure, Manure and Compost Utilization, and Economics of Manure Management. The 4-H leaders will encourage youth to enhance their awareness and improve their skills in manure management. Behavioral changes may include increased composting, prevention of manure-contaminated runoff, and manure utilization at agronomic rates.

    Project objectives:

    • We developed a Manure Management curriculum for 4-H livestock participants.
      We pilot tested the curriculum and made revisions to improve it.
      We posted the curriculum on www.manuremanagement.info.
      We distributed the curriculum to 4-H agents throughout the West.
    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.