Integrated decision support system (DSS) for manure management: A review and perspective

For centuries, livestock manure has been utilized as a valuable soil amendment and fertilizer for crops. The continuing growth of the livestock industry in both developed and developing countries coupled with the implementation of rigorous environmental regulations and protocols are increasing the importance of appropriate manure management systems and practices. A systematic approach to manure management must involve the identification and evaluation of criteria that are necessary for the design and selection of optimal manure management systems. The purpose of such a decision-making process is to analyze the system parameters and to recommend site-specific and need-based parameters that result in an optimized manure management strategy. The objectives of this article were to identify manure management criteria, review some of the available decision support systems and to suggest ways for integrating systems components. Not surprisingly, environmental considerations have been found to top the list of manure management criteria. Most of the existing decision-support tools are based on very specific aspects, for example nutrient management. The need to develop whole-farm decision-support tools that address all the major components of manure management systems, such as manure collection, storage, treatment, and land application, has been identified. Integrated decision support systems (DSS) should play a major role in the identification of the most suitable manure management system for a given livestock operation.