By Farm Progress staff

Manure handling has come a long way from the days of the New Idea ground-driven spreader and the earlier spreaders that preceded it. Companies have developed bigger spreaders, hydraulically powered spreaders, slinger spreaders, liquid tanks to apply and even inject liquid manure into the soil, and many other ways to handle manure.

Those companies are still innovating and still looking for products that will make manure handling easier for livestock farmers, especially those with larger confinement operations. At recent farm shows, Farm Progress editors found innovative products from companies that are serious about helping farmers not only haul manure, but also capture value from it. More and more agronomists and crop farmers talk about the value of manure in crop production systems, and in helping restore soil health.

If you handle liquid manure, you may want to look at the new Jamesway lagoon pump or the latest tank from Balzer, a company that has been innovative in finding ways to get manure under the surface — treating it like a resource rather than a liability for the livestock operation. Puck introduces an agitation trailer specifically with manure applications in mind. Other companies also make trailers designed to handle manure. Learn more by clicking through the slideshow below.

Look for these companies to continue to introduce new products that treat manure as a resource rather than something that must be disposed of on the farm. With more pressure on livestock operators to control odors and improve air quality, expect companies to do their part in delivering new products that will help operators accomplish those goals.