Mitigation of nitrogen losses during pig manure management: Impact of manure cleaning technique

Proper management of nitrogen-containing pig manure is crucial to realize its benefits of supporting plants-grow as fertilizer while minimizing its impact on the environment and climate change. Dry collection, rinsing and water submerging are manure cleaning techniques adopted in different types of pig farms and in different regions. As the first step of manure management, manure cleaning technique affects manure generation and nitrogen flow in the subsequent treatment and utilization processes. This short communication is to discuss different manure cleaning techniques and their impacts on nitrogen flow through pig manure management processes. Reducing nitrogen losses should focus on solid manure treatment such as composting when manure is dry collected. More diversified pathways of nitrogen losses are possible when manure is cleaned using water submerging technique. It is thus needed to develop proper and specific nitrogen management strategies and technologies, taking into account the manure cleaning technique adopted in pig farms.