Jeonbuk Agricultural Research Institute Distributes 'Guidelines for Proper Management of Livestock Manure Compost'

To prevent complaints consistently raised every year due to livestock manure odor and to promote high-quality composting, the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Agricultural Research and Extension Services (Director Choi Jun-yeol) announced on the 6th that it will distribute the 'Livestock Manure Compost Proper Management Guide' to livestock farms.

According to the Agricultural Research and Extension Services, the Ministry of Environment revised the enforcement decree of the 'Act on the Management and Use of Livestock Manure' in March 2015, followed by a five-year grace period. Since March 25, 2020, under the 'Notice on Composting Standards including Maturity Standards,' livestock farms are required to conduct maturity inspections after composting livestock manure.

Livestock manure maturity refers to the stable reaction of livestock manure to plants and soil after undergoing composting or liquid fertilizer processes. Depending on the livestock rearing area, farms subject to reporting must conduct inspections once a year, and those subject to permits must do so twice a year, with analysis results kept for three years. However, violations or compost that does not meet maturity standards may result in fines.

Cover of the "Proper Management Guide for Livestock Manure Compost" published by Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Agricultural Research and Extension Services.
[Photo by Jeonbuk Agricultural Research and Extension Services]

Accordingly, maturity inspections are being conducted for livestock farms, but many farms on-site are still unaware of the mandatory maturity enforcement. Cases of failing maturity or being judged unsuitable due to exceeding standard levels of salinity and moisture content during the inspection process are increasing.

The distributed guide includes information on livestock manure compost standards, how to verify maturity inspection agencies, proper compost storage and spreading methods, major violation cases related to compost maturity, and fines. It is expected to help reestablish awareness of mandatory maturity and prevent disadvantages to livestock farms.

So-ra Choi, Head of the Agricultural Environment Division, stated, "The judgment of livestock manure compost maturity suitability is not optional but a mandatory obligation," and urged, "Livestock farms should conduct inspections and apply compost to farmland to avoid disadvantages."