Livestock Manure Management

Why does manure management matter?

Manure carries nutrients that can feed soil, but it can also reach wells, streams and ponds if it is stored or spread poorly. It also attracts flies, creates odor and can carry organisms that make people sick.

Good management protects your family, your water and your neighbors. It also makes better use of the nutrients, which are worth something to your soil. Even a small herd makes a surprising amount of manure over a year, so plan for the whole volume, not just a weekly cleanout.

What rules might apply?

Rules for manure storage, spreading and runoff differ by state, county and town. Some places set setbacks from wells, streams and property lines, and some have nuisance rules.

Call your county conservation district, your local zoning or health office and your state environmental or agriculture agency. Ask what applies to a small farm and whether any technical help is offered.

Do not assume small size means no rules. Ask whether any technical or cost-share help is available through USDA programs for storage or water protection, since eligibility depends on your situation. Fines and complaints often start from runoff or odor, so early contact with local offices can prevent trouble.

How should I store manure?

Store manure where runoff cannot reach wells, ponds or streams, and where rain will not wash it away. Covered or contained storage reduces runoff and odor.

Choose a site that is well drained and away from water. Ask NRCS or your conservation district for design help, since poor sites cause problems later.

Keep access in mind. You will need to move manure in all seasons, including mud and snow. Think about how rain and snowmelt move across your land, and walk the site during a storm to see where water goes.

• Away from wells and water
• Covered or contained
• Well drained site
• Easy access in all seasons

How does composting fit in?

Composting is a managed process that breaks down manure and bedding into a more stable material. Done well, it reduces odor and bulk. Done poorly, it smells and attracts pests.

Extension offices teach composting methods and the conditions needed for the process. Ask for guidance suited to your animals and climate, and do not rely on guesses.

Use gloves, wash hands and keep children away from piles. Ask the CDC or your health department about hygiene when handling manure. Turning and monitoring a pile is a skill, and local compost programs or master gardener groups often teach it.

How do I use manure on fields and gardens?

Spreading depends on soil needs, crop, weather and rules. Always begin with a soil test, since the test shows what your soil needs, and manure can easily add too much of some nutrients.

Do not spread on frozen, saturated or steeply sloped ground, or near water, since rain can carry it away. Ask your extension office for timing and rate advice matched to your soil test.

Raw manure and food crops need special care because of disease risk. Ask your extension office and health department for waiting periods and rules. Keep records of soil test results and what you applied, so next year's choices build on what you already know.

How do I protect water and neighbors?

Keep animal lots away from wells and streams, use vegetated buffers and divert clean water away from manure areas. Watch for runoff after storms.

Talk with neighbors about odor and flies, and plan spreading for times when it will bother them least.

NRCS and your conservation district may offer technical help or programs. Ask what is available. Keep manure piles and lots well away from wells, and ask a licensed well professional about safe distances for your site.

What routine keeps manure under control?

Clean pens and shelters on a regular schedule, so manure does not build up. Keep tools in good shape and plan storage capacity for the whole year.

Check storage, runoff paths and buffers after heavy rain, and fix problems early.

Keep notes on where and when you spread. They help you manage nutrients and answer questions later. Plan for storms and wet seasons, when storage fills quickly and spreading is often not allowed or not wise.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Homestead & Small Farm Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.