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06 Manure page

This tutorial shows you how to fill out the manure page.

Nick Rupprechter avatar
Written by Nick Rupprechter
Updated over a week ago

Guide to Manure Storage

Welcome to our guide for manure storage methods. Here you will find explanations, examples, and photos of the different storage methods. The information is intended to help you quickly and easily identify the storage form relevant to your farm.

How does the guide work?

Click on the storage type that matches your manure management process – further selection options and detailed descriptions will then open, including an indication of which option to select in the climate calculator. Since combinations of storage methods are common, you can use the sliders in the climate calculator to indicate the share represented by each storage method.

Liquid slurry

Open storage (without natural crust cover)

Select the option “Liquid slurry without natural crust cover” if the slurry is stored without cover and with direct contact to air. This is the case, for example, in open slurry pits into which the slurry is regularly introduced from above, preventing a stable floating layer from forming.

Example:

Source: Wolf Systembau Gesellschaft m.b.H., 2025

Solid cover

Select the option “Liquid slurry with cover” if the slurry is stored with a cover and without direct contact to air. This applies, for example, when slurry is stored in tanks with a tight roof, underground with a concrete ceiling, or beneath a barn floor without slats.

Examples:

Sources: AGROTEL GmbH, 2025; Erni Gruppe, 2025; Bernd Hader, 2025

Natural crust cover

Select the option “Liquid slurry with natural crust cover” if the slurry is stored without a technical cover but a floating cover forms naturally due to biological processes. This typically occurs when fresh slurry is introduced from the bottom and the top layer remains undisturbed.

Example:

Source: AgrarAnzeiger.at, 2012

Pit storage below animal confinements

Select the option “Pit storage below animal confinements” if the slurry is stored in a pit or tank beneath the barn. The slurry is typically channeled into storage containers where it is kept for longer periods.

Select one of the following options based on the storage duration:

  • Pit storage below animal confinements (1 month)

  • Pit storage below animal confinements (3 months)

  • Pit storage below animal confinements (4 months)

  • Pit storage below animal confinements (6 months)

  • Pit storage below animal confinements (12 months)

Examples:

Sources: Wölfleder GmbH, 2025; JOZ BV, 2025

Uncovered anaerobic lagoon

Select the option "Uncovered anaerobic lagoon" if the slurry is stored in an open, unheated lagoon without a cover and ferments under anaerobic conditions. Such lagoons usually have a particularly large surface area and higher storage volume compared to conventional slurry tanks.

Example:

Sources: Wölfleder GmbH, 2025; JOZ BV, 2025

Aerobic treatment

Forced aeration

Select the option "Aerobic treatment - forced aeration" if the slurry is stored in an aerated basin where air is technically introduced – for example through fine air diffusers or perforated pipes.

Examples:

Source: Beerepoot Agrartechnik GmbH, 2025

Natural aeration

Select the option "Aerobic treatment - natural aeration" if the slurry is stored in a shallow, open basin and oxygen is mainly supplied by the air and plants like reeds or algae.

Solid manure

Solid storage

Select the option "Solid manure" if the manure is stored in unsealed piles or heaps.

Example:

Source: EM-Chiemgau, 2025

Covered/compacted storage

Select the option "Solid manure - covered/compacted" if the manure is stored with a cover/compaction and without direct contact to air. The manure can be covered with tarps, soil, or a solid roof, for example.

Example:

Source: Michigan State University, 2024

Storage with additives

Select the option "Solid manure - additives" if you add substances to the manure that reduce emissions – for example attapulgite or dicyandiamide.

Storage with bulking agent (e.g. straw, wood chips)

Select the option "Solid manure - bulking agent addition" if you add structural material such as straw or sawdust to the solid manure.

Dry lot

Select the option "Dry lot" if the solid manure is stored directly in the open exercise yard. Typically, the accumulated manure is removed regularly.

Example:

Source: North Dakota State University, 2023

Deep bedding

Active mixing (with cubicles)

Select "Deep litter - active mixing" if the manure is regularly worked through or aerated. This is the case, for example, when cubicles are present in your barn.

Typically, the slurry is subsequently stored using another storage method. Therefore, select a corresponding proportion under "Slurry".

Choose one of the following options depending on whether the deep litter is completely removed and replaced within a month or less frequently:

  • Deep litter - active mixing (< 1 month)

  • Deep litter - active mixing (> 1 month)

Example:

Source: LKV Bayern, 2023

No mixing (without cubicles)

Select "Deep bedding - no mixing" if the manure is not worked through or aerated. This is the case, for example, when your barn has no cubicles.

Typically, the manure is either applied directly to fields or temporarily stored in piles. Therefore, select the relevant proportion under "Daily spreading" (for direct application) and "Solid manure – solid storage" (for temporary pile storage).

Choose one of the following options depending on whether the deep litter is completely removed and replaced within a month or less frequently:

  • Deep litter - no mixing (< 1 month)

  • Deep litter - no mixing (> 1 month)

Example:

Source: LZ Rheinland, 2025

Biogas plant (Anaerobic digester)

Low quality and low sealing

If the storage has low technical quality and sealing, resulting in high leakage, the biogas plant is considered an overall low-quality system. If this applies to your biogas plant, please select one of the following options based on the gas-tightness of your storage method:

High-quality gas-tight storage

Select the option "Anaerobic digester, high leakage, low quality technology, high quality gastight storage technology" if your biogas plant has high leakage, but the storage is very gas-tight. This is the case, for example, when the plant is technically outdated or poorly maintained, but the digestate storage is equipped with a tight cover.

Low-quality gas-tight storage

Select the option "Anaerobic digester, high leakage, low quality technology, low quality gastight storage technology" if your biogas plant has high leakage and the storage is not fully gas-tight. This is the case, for example, when an older biogas plant uses inferior storage technology. This may be caused by damaged cover films or the use of materials such as straw.

Example:

Source: R. Burns and L. Moody, 2019

Open storage

Select the option "Anaerobic digester, high leakage, low wuality technology, open storage" if your biogas plant has high leakage and open storage. This is the case when digestates are stored openly without a cover.

High quality and high sealing

If the storage has high technical quality and sealing, resulting in low leakage, the biogas plant is considered an overall high-quality system. If this applies to your biogas plant, please select one of the following options based on the gas-tightness of your storage method:

High-quality gas-tight storage

Select the option "Anaerobic digester, low leakage, high quality gastight storage, best complete industrial technology" if your biogas plant is operated at a high standard, has low leakage, and the storage is gas-tight. This is the case, for example, with membrane roofs with gas extraction.

Example:

Source: Lianem, 2019

Low-quality gas-tight storage

Select the option "Anaerobic digester, low leakage, high quality industrial technology, low quality gastight storage technology" if your biogas plant is operated at a high standard, but the storage is not fully gas-tight. This is the case, for example, with modern and well-maintained biogas plants that lack edge sealing for the digestates.

Open storage

Select the option "Anaerobic digester, low leakage, high quality industrial technology, open storage" if your biogas plant is operated at a high standard, but the digestates are stored openly. This is the case, for example, with an open lagoon or storage container without a cover.

Example:

Source: Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e.V., 2024

Daily spread

Select the option "Daily spread" if the slurry is regularly removed and applied to agricultural land within 24 hours.

Exporting manure off-farm

Select the option "Exporting manure off-farm - zero on farm emissions" if the resulting slurry is not stored on your own farm premises, but at an external location.

Composting

In vessel (forced aeration)

Select the option "Composting - In vessel (forced aeration)" if the composting process takes place in a closed container where the material is actively aerated and regularly mixed. This is the case, for example, when using a closed rotting tunnel or a container composter.

Example:

Source: Cool Farm Tool, 2024

In static pile (forced aeration)

Select the option "Composting - static pile (forced aeration)" if the manure is stored in a static pile without turning, but air is actively blown in through pipes or channels. The material remains stationary but is aerated. This is the case, for example, when the manure is stored in a stationary pile on perforated pipes through which air is blown.

Example:

Source: Aquatic Aeration Solutions, 2025

In windrows

Intensive windrow

Select the option "Composting - intensive windrow" if the manure is stored in long piles (windrows) and is turned by machine at least once per day.

Example:

Source: Ecoverse, 2025

Passive Windrow (infrequent turning)

Select the option "Composting - passive windrow (infrequent turning)" if the manure is composted in windrows that are turned only occasionally or not at all. There is no active aeration in this case.

Example:

Source: NutriNet, 2025

Pasture

Select the option "Pasture" if the animals are kept permanently or for part of the day on a pasture area. Urine and manure are spread directly on the ground without separate storage in pits, basins, or tanks.

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