Analysis of US Manure Management and Recommendations to Mitigate Associated Greenhouse Gas Emissions

This research paper analyzes methane emissions from U.S. livestock manure, arguing that while biogas digesters are the primary focus of current funding, they are often impractical for small and medium-sized farms. The paper proposes alternative technologies like acidification, aeration, and solid-liquid separation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions more cost-effectively.

• Methane emissions from U.S. dairy and swine manure management, particularly from wet storage systems like pits and lagoons, account for more than 1% of total national emissions. Methane is noted to be more than 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide when measured over a 20-year timeframe.
• Biogas digesters are currently the most funded solution but are expensive and only partially reduce emissions, making them impractical for many medium and small-sized farms. Alternative technologies—specifically aeration, acidification, and solid-liquid separation—could reduce methane at lower costs and provide benefits such as improved fertilizer value, odor control, and reduced lagoon maintenance.
• The adoption of alternative manure management technologies in the U.S. is currently minimal because of a narrow policy focus on digesters, a lack of incentives for farmers, and limited field data. The paper recommends expanded pilot programs, improved measurement and reporting, and targeted financial and technical support to scale these solutions.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). Analysis of US Manure Management and Recommendations to Mitigate Associated Greenhouse Gas Emissions. https://www.wri.org/research/analysis-and-recommendations-mitigate-greenhouse-gas-emissions-us-manure-management

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Analysis of US Manure Management and Recommendations to Mitigate Associated Greenhouse Gas Emissions. n.d. https://www.wri.org/research/analysis-and-recommendations-mitigate-greenhouse-gas-emissions-us-manure-management.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Analysis of US Manure Management and Recommendations to Mitigate Associated Greenhouse Gas Emissions |url=https://www.wri.org/research/analysis-and-recommendations-mitigate-greenhouse-gas-emissions-us-manure-management |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendanalysis, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Analysis of US Manure Management and Recommendations to Mitigate Associated Greenhouse Gas Emissions}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://www.wri.org/research/analysis-and-recommendations-mitigate-greenhouse-gas-emissions-us-manure-management}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }