Features Applications Beef
Manure Expo 2010

More than 1200 livestock producers, custom applicators, manure
management specialists and equipment dealers braved the heat of a
mid-July day in Pennsylvania to take part in the 2010 Manure Expo.
More than 1200 livestock producers, custom applicators, manure management specialists and equipment dealers braved the heat of a mid-July day in Pennsylvania to take part in the 2010 Manure Expo.

Penn State University played host to the 2010 Manure Expo, themed Balancing Production and Conservation.

The lush green hills of the state provided a stunning backdrop for about 58 equipment dealers, manufacturers and service providers who exhibited their products and services during the one-day event, hosted by Penn State University at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center, the home of the university’s Ag Progress Days. Twenty-two educational sessions were held over the course of the day, including calibrating manure spreaders, mortality composting, managing odor when applying manure, handling field storage of manure, making biochar, minimizing flies, and investigating anaerobic digesters, just to name a few.

Attendees also had a chance to view the latest in manure application equipment with demonstrations of solid manure spreaders, including the USDA Agricultural Research Service’s Poultry Litter Subsurfer during the morning, and liquid manure applicators and injectors during the afternoon.

The lush green hills of Pennsylvania provided a stunning backdrop for 58 equipment dealers, manufacturers and service providers who exhibited their products and services during the one-day event.	More than 1,200 people braved the heat to take part in the 2010 Manure Expo.

Penn State University safety specialists also presented a demonstration highlighting the importance of ventilating manure storages to reduce risks utilizing a new mobile Ag Safety and Health Program trailer developed for the purpose. The assembled crowd had an opportunity to view what can happen if someone enters a confined manure storage without adequately ventilating the area, and how long it can take to clear dangerous gases before it is safe to enter. The presenters also showed the appropriate safety equipment a person should be wearing and carrying before they enter the storage.

Officials with Jamesway Farm Equipment find their own shade while awaiting their opportunity to demonstrate the Ultra-Trac liquid manure applicator.	Penn State University safety specialists present a demonstration highlighting the importance of ventilating manure storages to reduce risks utilizing a new mobile Ag Safety and Health Program trailer developed for the purpose.

To conclude the educational day, Robb Meinen, senior extension associate with the Department of Dairy and Animal Science at Penn State and the chair of the 2010 Manure Expo, showed attendees first-hand how to properly manage an emergency manure spill response. Mimicking what could happen if a main manure hose breaks, Meinen utilized liquid manure sprayed from a nearby liquid tanker to show the sheeting behavior exhibited by the rushing manure, and demonstrated how to quickly dig earthen dams to move the manure to one spot. Using a tractor equipped with a front-end loader, a small hole was dug, allowing the manure to pool. A vacuum truck was backed into the field and quickly mopped up the mess.

Liquid manure sprays from the back of a tanker truck during an emergency manure spill response demonstration.

Officials with the event were pleased with the turnout and considered the expo a success.

Next year’s event, entitled the North American Manure Expo, will be held July 20, 2011, in Norfolk, Neb., at the Northeast Community College Ag Complex, with the help of the University of Nebraska – Lincoln Extension. Visit www.manureexpo.org for regular updates.