With livestock operations becoming larger and more specialized, and a requirement for phosphorus based application, there is a need for farmers to transfer manure off their farm in order for manure to be applied at agronomic rates. A survey of livestock farmers in Iowa and Missouri was conducted in the spring of 2006. It was a random sample stratified by livestock type and farm sales.

1. Factors Affecting Manure Transfers in the Midwest
Jessica L. Amidei1, Laura M.J. McCann2, Haluk Gedikoglu2, Robert Broz2, John Lory2, Ray Massey2
College of Business 1
2
College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
For further information contact Dr. Laura McCann, e-mail: McCannL@missouri.edu
One proposed solution to excess nutrients on some livestock Results and Implications With all other variables in the regression held constant, farmers
farms is movement to other farms with nutrient deficits (Ribaudo, Percentage of Farmers Who Provide Their Manure to Others were significantly more likely to provide manure if:
et al.). Our study examined the feasibility of this solution. 90.00%
80.00% 81.55%
►they were younger
Dairy Cattle
►the farm was an AFO or CAFO
70.00%
Objectives • Turkey farmers were Beef Cattle on Feed
60.00% 57.63%
Beef Cows
Swine less than 55lbs
most likely to provide 50.00%
40.00%
Swine greater than 55lbs
Broilers
►they had more animal units or fewer farmed acres
 Identify the factors that most heavily influence which farmers sell manure. 30.00%
20.00%
26.67%
29.27%
25.00%
Turkeys
Pullets and Layers ►they didn’t apply fertilizer to their manured fields
14.29% Other
or give their excess manure to other farmers.
13.07%
10.00%
5.29% 5.44%
0.00%
1
►they had broilers or turkeys rather than swine
 Estimate typical hauling ►they say the smell of manure bothers them and
Percentage of Those Farmers Who are Paid for the Manure
distances for manure ►they agree that properly managing manure improves water quality.
90.00%
from different livestock 80.00% 82.35% 83.33%
Dairy Cattle
• Over 80 percent of However, cropping system or concern for water quality had no effect.
types.
70.00% Beef Cattle on Feed
broiler and turkey
60.00% Beef Cows
50.00% Swine less than 55lbs
 Examine the prices that 40.00%
Swine greater than 55lbs
Broilers farmers that provided Was the Manure Tested Before Application
30.00% Turkeys • 45.69 percent of
farmers are being paid 20.00%
26.09% 25.00% 23.33%
Pullets and Layers
manure were paid for it.
10.00% 11.11% 12.50% Other
farmers providing
for different types of 0.00% 0.00% 9.48%
0.00%
1 manure to others said
livestock manure. that manure was 45.69%
Yes
No
Methods
Custom Applicator Usage
tested before it was I Don't Know
100.00%
44.83%
90.00%
80.00% applied.
 A survey was sent out to over 3,000 randomly selected livestock farmers 70.00%
• Broiler farmers were 60.00%
in Missouri and Iowa in March and April of 2006.
50.00%
40.00% Farmer Providing Manure
the most likely to hire a 30.00%
20.00%
Farmer Receiving Manure
Custom Applicator
 Methodology for the survey process custom applicator.
10.00%
0.00% • Research needs to find economically feasible ways for
Br ter
O s
gr ss
ef ttle
Sw in ws
/L y
Pu T ers
er
farmers to transport their excess manure off of their
ef airy
er
followed Dillman’s model (Dillman). We
ts ke
in e le
ea
th
ay
Sw Co
B e Ca
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oi
Be D
e
initially sent out the survey to a test group farm, especially for less dry types of manure, such as
of 100 farmers. We then sent out the first that from dairy cattle or swine.
wave of the final survey with a cover letter, • Average hauling distance, as well as the range, are shown for
a postage paid return envelope, and a each livestock type. Dillman, D. A. Mail and Internet Surveys: The Tailored Design Method.
form to fill out to enter into a drawing to win 2nd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 2000.
a $200 gift certificate. A reminder postcard o Dairy Cattle: 2.35 miles (0.5 - 10)
was sent, followed two weeks later by a Ribaudo, Marc, et al. “Manure Management for Water Quality: Costs to
o Beef Cattle on feed: 2.05 miles (0.5 - 3) Animal Feeding Operations of Applying Manure Nutrients to Lands.”
second wave of the complete package,
<http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications /aer824/aer824a.pdf>
again asking them to participate. o Beef Cows: 2.78 miles (0.25 - 5)
 The effective response rate was 37.18 percent.
o Swine <55lbs: 2.95 miles (0.1 - 12)
o Swine >55lbs: 2.65 miles (0.1 - 12)
 Probit regression analysis was used to identify factors affecting
whether manure was provided to others. o Broilers: 14.78 miles (0.125 - 80)
Partially funded through USDA Water Quality 406 Grant 2005-51130-02365
o Turkeys: 13.66 miles (0.0 - 80)