The Value of Manure as a

Fertilizer

Agri Analysis, Inc.

www.agrianalysis.com
717-656-9326
 Average Manure Nutrient Values of Three Major Livestock Animals

60 54.05
52.21
50 44.31 Poultry
40 Bovine
lbs/ton

30 Swine

20
9.17 9.84 7.48 7.51
10 5.06 6.28

Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium

Figure 1. Average Manure Nutrient Values of Three Major Livestock Animals.
The above figure represents the average N-P-K values of manure samples
analyzed in our laboraotry since January 25th, 2006. The bovine category
includes both steer and dairy livestock, and the poultry category includes both
layers and broilers. The sample sizes are as follows: Bovine = 129, Poultry = 55,
and Swine = 22
 Average Macronutrient Values of Livestock Manure

80
64.31 Poultry
60 Bovine
lbs/ton

Swine
40
20 7.21 8.21
3.58 1.84 1.38
0
Calcium Magnesium
Figure 2. Average Manure Macronutrient Values of Three Major Livestock Animals. The above figure
represents the average Calcium and Magnesium values of manure samples analyzed in our laboraotry since
January 25th, 2006. The bovine category includes both steer and dairy livestock, and the poultry category
includes both layers and broilers. The sample sizes are as follows: Bovine = 129, Poultry = 55, and Sw ine
= 22.
 Bovine

30 27.9
Frequency (%)
23.3
25
20 17.1
13.2
15
10 7.0
4.7
7.0
5
0
0-6 6-8 8-10 10-12 12-14 14-16 16+

Nitrogen Range (lbs/ton)

Figure 3. Nitrogen Content Distribution of Bovine Manure. The above figure represents the distribution of 129
samples of bovine manure (dairy and steer) assayed for nitrogen content at Agri Analysis, Inc. since January
25th, 2006. The population displayed a mean nitrogen value of 9.17 lbs/ton, with a standard deviation of 4.4
lbs/ton and a range of 30.8 lbs/ton

Bovine Bovine

25 20.9
Frequency (%)

25.6

Frequency (%)
18.6 30 21.7
20 15.5 15.5
14.0 20 14.0
15 11.6
7.0 7.0 7.0 7.8
10 10 4.7 3.1 2.3
3.9
5 0
0 0-2 2-3 3-4 4-5 5-6 6-7 7-8 8-9 9-10 10+
0-3 3-4 4-5 5-6 6-7 7-8 8+
Potassium Range (lbs/ton)
Phosphorus Range (lbs/ton)
Figure 4. Phosphorus Content Distribution of Bovine Manure. The above figure represents the Figure 5. Potassium Content Distribution of Bovine Manure. The above figure represents the distribution of
distribution of 129 samples of bovine manure (dairy and steer) assayed for phosphorus content at 129 samples of bovine manure (dairy and steer) assayed for potassium content at Agri Analysis, Inc. since
Agri Analysis, Inc. since January 25th, 2006. The population displayed a mean value of 5.06 lbs/ton,
January 25th, 2006. The population displayed a mean value of 7.5 lbs/ton, with a standard deviation of 7.3
with a standard deviation of 2.47 lbs/ton and a range of 12.6 lbs/ton.
lbs/ton and a range of 48.5 lbs/ton.
 Bovine
Frequency (%)

40
28.7
30 24.0
20.9
20 13.2 13.2
10
0
0-2 2-4 4-6 6-8 8+

Calcium Range (lbs/ton)

Figure 6. Calcium Content Distribution of Bovine Manure. The above figure represents the distribution
of 129 samples of bovine manure (dairy and steer) assayed for calcium content at Agri Analysis, Inc.
since January 25th, 2006. The population displayed a mean value of 7.2 lbs/ton, with a standard
deviation of 6.2 lbs/ton and a range of 31.7 lbs/ton.

Bovine
Frequency (%)

60
39.5
40
17.8 16.3
20 12.4
7.0 7.0
0
0-1 1-1.5 1.5-2 2-2.5 2.5-3 3+

Magnesium Range (lbs/ton)

Figure 7. Magnesium Content Distribution of Bovine Manure. The above figure represents the distribution of 129
samples of bovine manure (dairy and steer) assayed for magnesium content at Agri Analysis, Inc. since
January 25th, 2006. The population displayed a mean value of 1.8 lbs/ton, with a standard deviation of 0.9
lbs/ton and a range of 4.4 lbs/ton.
 Poultry

Frequency (%)
30 27.3
21.8 20.0 18.2
20
10 5.5 7.3

0
20-40 40-50 50-60 60-70 70-80 80-90
Nitrogen Range (lbs/ton)
Figure 8. Nitrogen Content Distribution of Poultry Manure. The above figure represents the
distribution of 55 samples of poultry manure (broilers and layers) assayed for nitrogen content at
Agri Analysis, Inc. since January 25th, 2006. The population displayed a mean value of 52.2
lbs/ton, with a standard deviation of 16.9 lbs/ton and a range of 71.6 lbs/ton.

Poultry Poultry

25

Frequency (%)
40
Frequency (%)

20.0 30.9
18.2
20 14.5 14.5 30
12.7 21.8
15 16.4
7.3 7.3
20
10 5.5 9.1 9.1 9.1
5 10 3.6

0 0
0-30 30-40 40-50 50-60 60-70 70-80 80-90 90+ 0-20 20-30 30-40 40-50 50-60 60-70 70+

Phosphorus Range (lbs/ton) Potassium Range (lbs/ton)

Figure 10. Potassium Content Distribution of Poultry Manure. The above figure represents the
Figure 9. Phosphorus Content Distribution of Poultry Manure. The above figure represents the distribution of 55
distribution of 55 samples of poultry manure (broilers and layers) assayed for potassium
samples of poultry manure (broilers and layers) assayed for phosphorus content at Agri Analysis, Inc. since
content at Agri Analysis, Inc. since January 25 th, 2006. The population displayed a mean
January 25th, 2006. The population displayed a mean value of 54.1 lbs/ton, with a standard deviation of 22.8
value of 44.3 lbs/ton, with a standard deviation of 15.9 lbs/ton and a range of 65.7 lbs/ton.
lbs/ton and a range of 106.4 lbs/ton.
 Poultry
Frequency (%)

30 25.5
21.8
18.2
20
12.7
10.9
9.1
10
1.8
0
10-20 20-30 30-40 40-50 50-60 60-70 70+

Calcium Range (lbs/ton)

Figure 11. Calcium Content Distribution of Poultry Manure. The above figure represents the distribution of 55 samples
of poultry manure (broilers and layers) assayed for calcium content at Agri Analysis, Inc. since January 25th, 2006.
The population displayed a mean value of 64.3 lbs/ton, with a standard deviation of 61.8 lbs/ton and a range of 234.1
lbs/ton.

Poultry

40
Frequency (%)

29.1
30 25.5

20 16.4 16.4
12.7
10
0
2-4 4-6 6-8 8-10 10+

Magnesium Range (lbs/ton)

Figure 12. Magnesium Content Distribution of Poultry Manure. The above figure represents the
distribution of 55 samples of poultry manure (broilers and layers) assayed for magnesium
content at Agri Analysis, Inc. since January 25th, 2006. The population displayed a mean
value of 8.2 lbs/ton, with a standard deviation of 3.7 lbs/ton and a range of 19.0 lbs/ton.
 Swine

50
Frequency (%) 40.9
40
30
18.2
20 13.6 13.6 13.6

10
0.0
0
4-6 6-8 8-10 10-12 12-14 14+

Nitrogen Range (lbs/ton)

Figure 13. Nitrogen Content Distribution of Swine Manure. The above figure represents the distribution of 22 samples
of swine manure assayed for nitrogen content at Agri Analysis, Inc. since January 25th, 2006. The population
displayed a mean nitrogen value of 9.8 lbs/ton, with a standard deviation of 7.0 lbs/ton and a range of 32.8 lbs/ton

Swine Swine

27.3 36.4
Frequency (%)

30 40

Frequency (%)
18.2 30 22.7
20 13.6 13.6 13.6 13.6
18.2
20 13.6
10 10 4.5 4.5
0
0
2-4 4-6 6-8 8-10 10-12 12+
0-2 2-4 4-6 6-8 8-15 15+
Potassium Range (lbs/ton)
Phosphorus Range (lbs/ton)
Figure 15. Potassium Content Distribution of Swine Manure. The above figure represents the distribution of 22 samples of
swine manure assayed for potassium content at Agri Analysis, Inc. since January 25th, 2006. The population displayed a
Figure 14. Phosphorus Conent Distribution of Swine Manure. The above figure represents the
mean value of 6.3 lbs/ton, with a standard deviation of 4.0 lbs/ton and a range of 16.9 lbs/ton.
distribution of 22 samples of swine manure assayed for phosphorus content at Agri Analysis, Inc.
since January 25th, 2006. The population displayed a mean value of 7.5 lbs/ton, with a standard
deviation of 7.7 lbs/ton and a range of 28.7 lbs/ton.
 Swine
Frequency (%)

40
31.8
30 22.7
20 13.6
9.1 9.1 9.1
10 4.5
0
0-0.5 0.5-1 1-2 2-4 4-6 6-10 10+

Calcium Range (lbs/ton)

Figure 16. Calcium Content Distribution of Swine Manure. The above figure represents
the distribution of 22 samples of swine manure assayed for calcium content at Agri
Analysis, Inc. since January 25th, 2006. The population displayed a mean value of 3.6
lbs/ton, with a standard deviation of 3.3 lbs/ton and a range of 12.8 lbs/ton.

Swine
Frequency (%)

40
31.8
30 22.7
20 13.6 13.6
9.1 9.1
10
0
0-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2 2-3 3-5

Magnesium Range (lbs/ton)

Figure 17. Magnesium Content Distribution of Swine Manure. The above figure represents the distribution of 22 samples of
swine manure assayed for magnesium content at Agri Analysis, Inc. since January 25th, 2006. The population displayed a
mean value of 1.4 lbs/ton, with a standard deviation of 1.25 lbs/ton and a range of 4.2 lbs/ton.
 Summary Statistics
Mean Standard Deviation Minimum Maximum Range Sample Size

Nitrogen

Bovine 9.1 4.4 2 32.8 30.8 129

Poultry 52.2 16 17.4 89 71.6 55

Swine 9.84 7 4.37 37.2 32.8 22

Phosphorus

Bovine 5.1 2.5 0.64 13.3 12.6 129

Poultry 54.1 22.8 8.8 115.3 106.5 55

Swine 7.5 7.7 0.97 29.6 28.7 22

Potassium

Bovine 7.5 7.3 1 49.5 48.4 129

Poultry 44.3 15.9 10.2 75.9 65.7 55

Swine 6.3 4 2.6 19.6 16.9 22

Calcium

Bovine 7.3 14.4 0.47 31.2 31.7 129

Poultry 64.3 61.8 15.6 249.7 234 55

Swine 3.6 3.3 0.3 13.1 12.8 22

Magnesium

Bovine 1.8 1.1 0.18 9.4 9.2 129

Poultry 8.2 3.7 3 22 19 55

Swine 1.4 1.3 0.04 4.3 4.2 22

 Manure's Fertilizer Value

Poultry
20
15.7 Bovine
14.6
15
Value ($/lb)

Swine

10 7.1

5 2.8 3.0 2.0

1.4 1.2 1.0
0
Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium
Figure 18. Monetary Value of Livestock Manure as a Fertilizer Supplement. The above
figure represents the average value (in dollars/pound) of manure from three types of
livestock animals, if the manure is used as a substitute for supplemental fertilizer. The
values presented are generated from the average nutrient content of manure,
determined by Agri Analysis, Inc, multiplied by the current price rate for fertilizer
nutrients. The prices used for N-P-K are, on a per pound basis, $0.30, $0.27, and
$0.16, respectively. See Figure 1 for average nutrient content of manure.