What happens to dairy manure?
The majority of manure is expelled in the corral areas, where it is compacted by the cows to form an impermeable layer on top of the existing soil. The remainder is expelled in the sprinkler pens, milking parlor or feed lanes, where it is combined with wash water and feed lane flush water. This combination is sometimes referred to as “green water” or “process water,” and this is the water that is discharged to the lagoons. The green water is combined with fresh water to irrigate feed crops for the dairy. In many cases, this reduces or eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers. Solid manure generated at dairies is usually land-applied on site, or is sold or given away to local farmers, residents or landscaping companies.
