Best ManageMent Practices for Pathogen control in Manure ManageMent systeMs

Livestock waste contains many microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. Some of these microorganisms do not cause sickness in animals or humans. However, some others are pathogens, meaning they are capable of causing disease in animals and/or humans. Irrespective of the size of their farms, all livestock producers have an important role in limiting pathogen movement from their operation to the environment. The purpose of this bulletin is to provide livestock producers with tools to help control pathogens in their production system. The best management practices (BMPs) addressed in this paper will focus on animal management and housing, dietary modifications, production management, land application of manure, and the chemical and biological treatment of stored manure. The number and types of pathogens present in livestock waste varies with animal species, feedstuff sources, health status of the animals, and characteristics of the manure and manure storage facilities. Not all pathogens are the same. Some are able to survive for long periods of time in manure. Others are susceptible to temperature extremes and manure processing. Therefore, adequate control of pathogens may require multiple management interventions to achieve significant reduction of pathogens in a manure management system.