Manure handling certification programs in manuresheds across the United States

Abstract

Livestock waste can serve as a vital nutrient resource in agricultural production, but manure sources and potential users are often geographically separated due enduring economic forces. The challenges associated with the disconnection has resulted in a need for reform, inspiring the concept of the ‘manureshed.’ Successful manureshed management - optimally reconnecting those with manure surplus with those who can use it sustainably - requires effective education, outreach, and training, yet to date there has been no systematic evaluation of these programs. Our objectives were to enumerate and summarize the manure handling certification programs found throughout the United States (US), investigate relationships between state programs and major manure source locations, and present a case study focused on the efficacy of a market-based and voluntary statewide certification program. Twenty-six of fifty states have manure handling certification programs, the implementation of which are state-specific and highly variable (e.g., who requires training, whether certification is voluntary/mandatory). Certification is prevalent in regions with substantial manure hauling needs. Based on a case study in Wisconsin, providing state-level incentives for obtaining a manure handling certification had lower incidences of manure spills. Therefore, multi-state cooperation and standardization of manure handling certifications would be beneficial to the improvement of regional nutrient imbalances.