Livestock Manure Increases While Farmland for Spreading Decreases

Nationwide Livestock Farms and Manure Treatment Facilities First Complete Survey
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, "Plan to Develop Customized Livestock Environment Improvement Measures"

While livestock manure production is increasing, the farmland available for spreading it is decreasing, according to survey results. The government plans to develop customized livestock environment improvement measures in collaboration with local governments based on the survey findings.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) announced on the 29th the results of the Livestock Environment Survey conducted in 2022 together with the Livestock Environment Management Institute, along with its analysis and diagnosis.

To supplement the limitations of previous small-scale and irregular surveys related to livestock manure and to collect newly required information for greenhouse gas status and carbon neutrality implementation in the livestock sector, MAFRA conducted the first full-scale survey last year targeting 102,422 livestock farms of major species nationwide (Hanwoo and beef cattle, dairy cows, pigs, chickens, ducks) and 916 manure treatment facilities. The survey covered farm (facility) status, livestock rearing status, manure generation and treatment status, and odor management, among other aspects of the livestock environment.

According to the survey, a total of 50,732,000 tons of livestock manure are generated annually. Pigs accounted for 19,210,000 tons (37.9%), Hanwoo and beef cattle 17,349,000 tons (34.2%), poultry 18.8%, and dairy cows 9.1%, in descending order.

Of the manure generated, 52.1% is self-treated by farms, while the remaining 47.9% is entrusted to manure treatment facilities for processing.

Farms with their own farmland showed a high proportion of self-treatment: Hanwoo and beef cattle farms at 81.7% and dairy farms at 85.0%. In contrast, pigs (66.2%), chickens (82.0%), and ducks (68.9%) showed higher rates of entrusted treatment, attributed to aging farmers and strengthened environmental regulations. Most livestock manure is converted into compost (75.3%) and liquid fertilizer (11.7%) and spread on farmland, with the remainder undergoing purification treatment (13%).

Last year, the farmland area was approximately 1.5 million hectares, a decrease of about 12.4% compared to ten years ago. It is estimated to further decrease by about 10.5% to 1.34 million hectares by 2030. Particularly, when examining the predicted livestock manure generation and farmland area by 2030, among the 159 analyzed cities and counties, 73 (45.9%) are expected to see more than a 20% increase in manure production, while 66 (41.5%) are expected to see more than a 20% decrease. Regarding farmland area for spreading compost and liquid fertilizer, 49 cities and counties were insufficient as of 2022, and this number is projected to increase by 33% to 73 by 2030.

In response, MAFRA plans to present livestock environment improvement measures tailored to each city, county, and district, including directions for manure treatment, odor management, and farm facility improvements. Additionally, by analyzing livestock odor complaints and livestock facility status, the ministry will classify and present odor improvement measures and plans according to odor generation factors, and include greenhouse gas reduction targets and methods by city, county, and district for carbon neutrality.

Kim Jeong-wook, Director of Livestock Policy at MAFRA, said, "This survey allowed us to more closely understand the realities of the livestock environment. Through analysis and diagnosis of the livestock environment survey and related data, we hope to establish and implement customized regional measures so that livestock farming in each area can develop sustainably, considering residents, agriculture, and the environment."