Commercially available agitation systems are capable of removing all the solids from the storage eliminating the need of an access. A vehicle access increases the initial cost and increases the surface area allowing more precipitation to enter the storage. In most circumstances, a storage should be located along the side of a barn rather than at the end of a barn. The storage must be easily accessible and convenient to the fields receiving manure. A solid roadbed is necessary to support heavy spreading equipment if a tanker application system is used.
Some farmers pump liquid manure from the barn to a storage located in the middle of the farm.
This saves time, labour and damage to laneways during the spreading operation. Where possible, locate the storage far enough away from the farmstead home and neighbouring homes so that it does not cause an odour problem. The direction of prevailing winds has an influence on the spread of odours. Visual screening such as fences or tree lines can help to reduce the impact of a manure storage. Most municipalities have enacted bylaws that place certain restrictions on manure storages.