Manure composition analysis to identify potential factors for deep-pit foaming in swine farms

Manure produced in Midwestern U.S. pig finishing facilities is usually stored in concrete deep-pits beneath the building before land application. Manure foaming in deep-pit barns has recently become a problem, causing a safety hazard. Since no obvious cause for this foaming was observed, compositional analysis was conducted to reveal differences between foaming and non-foaming manure samples to determine any specific components that can be correlated to foaming. Result shows that foaming manure samples have higher concentrations of solids, lipids, trace metals, and proteins than non-foaming samples.