For more: http://www.extension.org/67568 Increased local or regional food marketing opportunities have allowed commercial success in livestock and poultry operations with relatively small herds and flocks. The Census of Agriculture recently reports an increase in the number of small farms, as a proportion of all farms, across much of the U.S. Small animal feeding operations, less than 300 animal units, are a productive component of the animal ag sector. Finally, there continues to an interest in the development of hobby farm and equine related properties. All of these scenarios result in the necessity to manage manure resources, often on small acres, and often in close proximity to a neighbor. Knowledge about, access to, and acquisition of, appropriate manure handling equipment is a requirement to proper manure and nutrient management on all of these types of commercial or hobby farms and ranches.
Mattingly "AI & Prompt Design: The Basics of Prompt Design"
Overview of Manure Management Equipment for Small Farms
1. Overview: Manure Management
Equipment for Small Farms
Part of the Small Farms Special Session
Waste-to-Worth Conference 2013
Thomas M. Bass
Livestock Environment Associate Specialist
Animal & Range Sciences Department
tmbass@montana.edu
3. Small Farm Spectrum
• Animal Feeding Operations
– under CAFO threshold
• Small Scale Commercial Production
– very small herds or flocks
– small acreage, possibly mixed zoning
• Hobby Enterprises
– equine
– show, heritage and exotic breeds
– small acreage, possibly mixed zoning
4. Appropriate Small Farm Equipment
• Presentation emphasis is placed on:
– small commercial and hobby scale
– solid manure handling
– small acreage land application
– light duty compost production equipment
• Examples are based on Internet and literature
reviews, as well as personal field experiences.
• Examples do not imply endorsement!
6. Considerations
• Size, Power, and Versatility
– Power Take Off (PTO)
– attachment types and points
– accessories
– multiple tasks
– operator safety and ease of operation