PATS Research Report No. 1 abstract

Manure Management in Wisconsin: Results of the 1995 Wisconsin Farmer Poll

By Douglas Jackson-Smith, Monica Nevius, Bradford Barham

This report provides a profile of the manure storage and handling practices on a random sample of Wisconsin livestock operations. Results are presented for livestock farms overall, and adoption patterns on dairy farms are contrasted to those of other kinds of livestock enterprises. Data for dairy farms are explored in more detail to look for patterns related to the scale of the operation, and farm and household characteristics of producers who do and do not use various practices are additionally outlined. The report concludes with a discussion of what we know and don't know about Wisconsin livestock farmers' adoption of recommended manure management practices, a brief analysis of reasons for the patterns we observed, and a review of the implications of our results for university scientists, Cooperative Extension faculty, state policy makers, and others seeking to improve the effectiveness of manure and nutrient management programs.

PATS Research Report No. 1. July, 1997. 27 pp. Tables provide information on operation characteristics regarding manure management and farmer opinions on environmental issues and agriculture.

For copies of this report, please contact the PATS office @ 608-265-2908 or email nlcarlis@wisc.edu