Manure Management in Dairy Cattle: Insights Into Regional Variability and Sustainable Approaches

ABSTRACT The review presents the global challenges and opportunities associated with manure management in dairy cattle systems. Livestock farming, while essential for food security and economic growth, contributes significantly to environmental degradation through nutrient runoff, greenhouse gas emissions, and the dissemination of zoonotic pathogens and antibiotic‐resistant genes. Developed regions, characterized by industrialized dairy operations, face challenges such as the concentration of manure in fewer locations, leading to storage and nutrient management issues. Conversely, smallholder farmers in developing countries rely on traditional methods, often exacerbating nutrient losses and environmental contamination. The environmental consequences of improper manure management include nutrient leaching, air quality degradation, and water pollution from hormones and heavy metals. Public health risks, including the transmission of zoonotic pathogens like Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) O157:H7, Salmonella enterica , and Listeria monocytogenes , highlight the need for sustainable practices. Advanced technologies, including anaerobic digestion, composting, and nutrient recovery methods, offer pathways to mitigate these risks while enhancing resource efficiency. Region‐specific strategies, such as biogas production in high‐intensity systems and education programs for smallholder farmers, are important to achieving sustainability.