Animal Waste/Manure Economics

Spreadsheet and web-based decision tools:

Web-based calculator MANURE-VALUE may be used to compare the economic value of manure from alternative manure application rates and methods.  The value is based on crop nutrient needs for a specific field and crop rotation, fertilizer prices, manure hauling costs, manure type, and application method. In addition to assisting with management of current livestock and crop operations, the calculator can be useful in budgeting new facilities or evaluation of contract production through estimating the effect of manure and manure management on cash flow. The calculations can also assist crop and livestock producer estimate the value of manure that may be transferred or sold from one entity to another.

See also MANURWKST.XLS (1.05 MB), the original spreadsheet version that has been available for several years, and MANURWKST_DAIRY.XLS, which is the same MANURWKST.XLS spreadsheet but with dairy manure as the default. These spreadsheets contain columns to compare up to five scenarios, while the web calculator looks at only one scenario at a time.

Click here for a hand worksheet (PDF) with the MANURWKST.XLS calculations with liquid and solid manure examples.

CUSTOM_DRAGHOSE.XLSM is a spreadsheet for custom manure applicators to calculate the cost of applying liquid manure with a drag hose system. CUSTOM_TANK.XLSM is for applying liquid manure with a tank applicator system or applying solid manure with a box spreader system. Space is provided to enter up to 8 tractors and power units and 20 implements and attachments such as applicators, pumps, and hose reels, and 6 trucks. Up to 120 individual jobs can be analyzed for cost differences related to distances, application rates, and equipment required. CUSTOM_DRAGHOSE_BLANK.XLSM and CUSTOM_TANK_BLANK.XLSM are blank copies for entering your own data. (Requires Excel 2007 or later). See also a short video explaining how to use the spreadsheets. The videos discuss the draghose version.

MANURCST.XLSM, a downloadable spreadsheet (350 KB) may be used by livestock producers to estimate the cost of applying manure on land. It allows the user to enter farm specific information such as the equipment being used, the distance to land receiving the manure, and market prices. The program then computes the cost and time required to distribute manure on the land. It is intended to be a companion program for the "What's Manure Worth?" manurwkst.xls spreadsheet. (Requires Excel 2007 or later)

Bulletins and papers:
The "Other Fertilizer": The Economic Value of Swine Finishing Manure (PDF) by Bob Koehler, William F. Lazarus and Mindy Spiehs. M1234/2008. A University of Minnesota Extension bulletin that discusses methodology for determining manure value, reports results of a three year study of manure values seen on Minnesota swine finishing farms, and discusses the variable dry matter levels reported in liquid swine finishing manure.

Determining Manure Value, a paper on the basics of manure value determination written by Bob Koehler and Bill Lazarus, 4/2007.

Powerpoint slide set:
What is Manure Really Worth? (PDF file of PowerPoint Presentation with notes, updated 10/1/08)

News releases:
What is Swine Manure Really Worth?

What is Dairy Manure Really Worth?

Links to other U of MN Extension websites related to animal waste/manure:
Manure Management and Air Quality Education
Dairy Manure Management
Swine Manure Management

** Disclaimer: This software is provided "as is." The entire risk as to quality and performance of the software is with the user.

** NOTE: When the file dialog box appears, save the program to your harddrive before utilizing the spreadsheet.

** These spreadsheets contain macros. Your Excel macro security setting must be set to "enable macros" in Excel 2010 or 2007 version, or "medium" or "low" in earlier version for them to work properly.