ManureDB: Aggregation of U.S. Manure Nutrient Data

Highlights A database housing U.S. manure and organic amendment data was developed and is publicly available. A template standardized the data coming in from multiple laboratory sources. The ManureDB website allows for simple summaries, data visualizations, and data downloads. ABSTRACT. Manure nutrients serve a valuable role in crop production. Due to the variable nature of manure relative to animal type, storage type, animal husbandry practices, climate, etc., manure sampling and analysis for composition are recommended. However, when specific manure samples are not obtainable, published averages from the past (“book values”) are referenced. Temporal, spatial, and animal-specific book values are difficult to update and maintain for use in nutrient management planning and environmental modeling. The vision for a manure nutrient database (ManureDB) was to collect past, present, and future manure sample analysis data from multiple commercial and university laboratories that conduct manure analyses in the United States (U.S.) and dynamically aggregate this data in space and time while meeting FAIR data principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) (Wilkinson et al., 2016). This paper details ManureDB development, database schema, sample template, data-sharing agreement, data upload process, and website to support the database. The prototype database was developed as a Python web app using an sqlite3 database, and a Linux VM deployed the web application. The database schema outlined the organization, labeling, and layout of the database. Laboratories shared manure data without customer names and limited geographical data to protect customer privacy. Data that met minimum requirements were uploaded into the database. The public-facing website showed aggregate summary data for a region, animal type, or time span. As of March 2025, ManureDB included over 481,000 samples from 49 states, 15 laboratories, over 65 animal type characterizations, and 12 organic amendments (e.g., biosolids, feed waste, and swine mortality). With changing animal genetics, feed sources, manure handling and storage systems, climatic conditions, and improved laboratory testing, having more current manure nutrient test values will improve nutrient management planning, manure storage design, prioritization of conservation programs, and agricultural modeling for farmers, agronomists, researchers, and policy makers. Keywords: Agricultural waste, Data standardization, Database, Laboratory, Manure, Nitrogen, Nutrients, Organic amendments, Phosphorus, Potassium.