Kuehl and Payer, Ltd. Engineering in Storm Lake, Sac City and Algona Iowa

Reinforced Concrete Swine Manure Pit

The Challenge

A swine facility with 2,400 head can produce 613,200 gal of liquid manure in a year. The manure has a high nutrient content that is beneficial to producers as an agricultural fertilizer. However, land application is only practical in the spring and fall. Therefore, storage of this manure between disposal periods is necessary. One option for storage of liquid manure is in underfloor concrete pits that have an advantage of decreased odder compared to earthen basins, while also preventing surface or ground water contamination. Producers can work in conjunction with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to build manure storage structures to prevent runoff and protect water quality.

 

The KPL Solution

As a Technical Service Provider (TSP), Kuehl and Payer, Ltd. prepared the necessary Engineer’s Report with construction plans and specifications for the facility, in accordance with NRCS Standards and ACI 318 Building Code. The 193 ft x 102 ft manure pit was constructed with a concrete floor and concrete walls that allowed for manure to be stored at a maximum depth of 7.6 ft.

Construction observation was done by Kuehl and Payer, Ltd. throughout the building process to verify compliance with plans and specs. The required certification was also provided to the NRCS at the completion of construction.

 

Results and Benefits

The producer was able to construct a swine confinement building with cost share through the NRCS for the reinforced concrete manure pit. The manure pit had sufficient storage for twelve months of manure and provided for effective land application and use of nutrients.

 

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