Written collaboratively by Azar Movaghatian, Sushant Mehan, John McMaine, Pavan Kulkarni, Anthony Bly, Robert Thaler, Sara Bauder, John Maursetter and Peter Sexton.
Swine manure is a valuable nutrient and organic matter source that supports crop production across South Dakota and the Northern Great Plains. At the same time, manure can carry small amounts of heavy metals that do not break down in soil. When manure is applied repeatedly to the same fields, these metals can slowly build up over time.
This fact sheet explains what heavy metals are, how they enter swine manure, how they behave in soil, and what practical steps producers can take to reduce long-term risks.
