What are the advantages and disadvantages of uncovered manure storage?

Advantages:

• All discharges, such as manure, milking center wastewater, and feedlot runoff, can be handled in one system.
• Expense is less compared to covered storage because no roof is needed.
• Dangerous gases do not accumulate.

Disadvantages:

• Manure generally needs to be handled as a slurry or liquid.
• To produce semisolid manure, precipitation must be drained from the storage area. This separated liquid must be stored and land applied in an appropriate manner.
• If slurry handling is chosen, the bedding must contain minimal amounts of fine-textured material.
• The workload is concentrated during planting and harvesting.
• Obnoxious odors are released at the time of agitation and spreading of liquid manure.
• An open storage must be fenced to keep children and livestock out!