**RUSLE2**

**Guidelines for Calculating Manure Dry Weight and Effectiveness**

**[How to incorporate manure into Crop Management File]{.underline}**

When manure application is included in the operation, the Crop
Management File will need to include the manure operation. Manure credit
should only be taken in RUSLE2 if that manure application is done on a
very regular basis. When you select the manure operation in RUSLE2 a
dialog box will appear to the right of the operation that requires you
to include the type of manure that you are applying.

![](media/image1.png){width="5.503472222222222in"
height="2.261111111111111in"}

You will then need to enter the amount of any additional cover in dry
weight in the RUSLE2 profile screen in step 4c in the box \"Adjust
external residue additions\". 

![](media/image2.png){width="5.996527777777778in"
height="3.5118055555555556in"}

RUSLE2 requires that inputs for the amount of manure added to a field be
input as mass/ac dry weight. A method to convert the fresh or wet
weights of manure to dry weight is shown below.

Laboratory data should be used in lieu of these conversion methods where
available. Moisture content estimates are also available in the Ag Waste
Handbook for various manure classes.

There are some new RUSLE2 manure residue effectiveness guidelines for
**[liquid, slurry, semi-solid and poultry]{.underline}** manure types
that only **[50%]{.underline}** of the dry weight for these wet manure
types should be used. Liquid, slurry, semi-solid, and poultry manure
types are not as affective in retarding the erosion process as solid
manures. RUSLE 2 users should enter only half of the dry weight computed
for these manure types. Use 100 % of dry weight calculated for solid
manure and solid manure plus bedding.

# Equations to Convert to Pounds Dry Matter 

**(A) For liquids and slurries**

(gallons of liquid or slurry applied/ac) X (8.34 lbs/gal) (% solids as a
decimal) = lbs dry matter

Sample calculations:

(10,000 gal liquid/ac) X (8.34 lbs/gal) X (0.02) = 1668 lbs/ac dry
matter

RUSLE2 Conversion: 1668 lbs/ac dry matter X .5 = 834 lbs/ac

**(B) For semi-solids**

(lbs semi-solid applied/ac) X (% semi-solids as a decimal) = lbs dry
matter

Sample calculations:

(8000 lbs semi-solid/ac) X (0.15) = 1200 lbs/ac dry matter

RUSLE2 Conversion: 1200 lbs/ac dry matter X .5 = 600 lbs/ac

**(C) For solids**

(lbs solid or semi-solid applied/ac) X (% solids or semi-solids as a
decimal) = lbs dry matter

Sample calculation:

(8000 lbs solid/ac) X (0.25) = 2000 lbs/ac dry matter

**[Recommendations for Types of Manure in RUSLE2
Database:]{.underline}**

"Manure, liquid" (swine from confinement, holding ponds and municipal
sewage): use Equation A,

"Manure, semi-solids" (includes beef, swine and dairy settling basin):
Use Equation A

"Manure, open lots" (beef, swine, dairy manure from open lots and
buildings and poultry manure): Use Equation B, solids

"Manure, with bedding" (horse, sheep packs including straw and shredded
newspaper): Use Equation C

**Summary of % Moisture Content Manure\
Agricultural Waste Management Field Handbook**.

**[Species % Moisture Content % Solid Content]{.underline}**

Dairy

Milk House 99.72% 0.28%

Milk House + Parlor 99.4% 0.6%

Milk House + Parlor + Holding area 99.7% 0.3%

Anaerobic lagoon -- Sludge 90.0% 10.0%

Anaerobic lagoon -- Supernatant 99.75% 0.25%

Aerobic lagoon -- Supernatant 99.95% 0.05%

Beef

Unsurfaced lot 45.0% 55.0%

Surfaced lot - High forage 53.3% 46.7%

Surfaced lot -- High energy 52.1% 47.9%

Feedlot runoff pond -- Sludge 82.8% 17.2%

Feedlot runoff pond -- Supernatant 99.7% 0.3%

Swine

Storage tank under slats

Farrow 96.5% 3.5%

Nursery 96.0% 3.0%

Grow/Finish 91.0% 9.0%

Breeding/gestation 97.0% 3.0%

Anaerobic lagoon -- Supernatant 99.75% 0.25%

Anaerobic lagoon -- Sludge 92.4% 7.6%

Feedlot runoff water 98.5% 1.5%

Feedlot settling basin sludge 88.8% 11.2%

Poultry

Litter

> Layer high-rise 50.0% 50%

Broiler 24.0% 76%

Turkey 34.0% 66%

Broiler breeder 34.0% 66%

> Duck 11.2% 88.8%

Anaerobic lagoon

Layer -- Supernatant 99.5% 0.5%

Layer -- Sludge 86.9% 13.1%

Pullet -- Supernatant 99.7% 0.3%

Pullet -- Sludge 92.6% 7.4%

Veal As Excreted 97.5% 2.5%

Sheep As Excreted 75.0% 25%

Horse As Excreted 78.0% 22.%