A report from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln discusses the effects of using manure from feed lots to enrich compost. Apparently this process could be a very beneficial way to remove manure from feed lots. According to the report, composting removes some of the moisture, and therefore some of the weight from manure, which makes it more movable. This may open up new markets for selling manure-based compost rather than straight manure. The report also implies that turning manure into compost helps keep nitrogen out of the ground water because the nitrogen is bound to the compost more strongly than it is bonded to the manure itself. My favorite part of the report says that composting helps reduce the odor of the manure. I know that compost doesn't smell like perfume, but it's not as bad the smell that comes from feedlots.

This report also explains why composting feed lot manure is not an attractive option for all farmers. The main reason UNL researchers give is that manure-based compost has less nitrogen than straight manure, which makes it a less effective fertilizer. The process of making manure-based compost is strongly affected by weather and it appears that the weather may have skewed the results for the worse in this particular report.