Introduction:
Livestock waste management refers to storage facilities, but also includes practices such as buffer strips and livestock exclusion, where appropriate. If manure is not handled properly, it can become a source of bacteria, nutrients, ammonia and total suspended solids. The impact of feedlot runoff on surface waters is dependent on size and location, although feedlot distance from surface water can contribute pollution if runoff becomes channelized and/or reaches a ditch or tile. In general, if a feedlot is large and close to a lake or stream, the impact is significant. If the feedlot is small and a long distance from surface water, the impact would most likely be minimal.

Practice Examples:
A waste management systems is a combination of practices used to temporarily store manure until it can be properly applied to cropland. Examples include waste storage ponds, waste storage structures, and solid waste storage areas. Storage ponds are earthen structures that usually require liquid manure handling equipment for agitation, hauling and field application. Storage structures are fabricated containment areas such as a pit below a confinement building or an above-ground structure. These also require equipment to handle liquid manure. Solid storage areas are usually concrete slabs designed to store solids and allow liquids to run off. They require some type of runoff containment to prevent polluted runoff from leaving the site.

Pollutant Reduction:
Waste management systems typically achieve pollutant reduction in the range of 50, 75 and 100% can be expected from systems that totally control runoff according to the MPCA publication Agriculture and Water Quality; Best Management Practices for Minnesota. Systems that totally control runoff can eliminate all pollutant discharges. Careful consideration must be given to design and construction of these systems to prevent groundwater contamination. For example, even with proper construction, a certain amount of seepage is expected from earthen ponds. Waste management systems can be relatively complex and expensive. For that reason, they are not an attractive alternative to many farmers.

Feedlot Runoff:
Runoff from feedlots can be controlled with several practices that may or may not be used in conjunction with a waste management system. Diversions prevent clean water from flowing over the feedlot. Roof water can be collected and routed away from the feedlot. Filter strips are another effective way to treat feedlot runoff by allowing it to pass over an area of vegetation.

Livestock Exclusion:
This is another way to manage livestock waste in non-feedlot situations. Livestock exclusion involves fencing off areas where grazing would cause erosion of streambanks or allow water quality to be lowered by livestock activity in the stream. This practice can achieve a 50 to 90% reduction of suspended solids and phosphorus within a stream reach, according to the MPCA publication Agriculture and Water Quality; Best Management Practices for Minnesota.