Flushing Out the Facts: Farm Manure and the Environment

In this talk, Dr. Daniel Andersen, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, confronts the misconceptions surrounding livestock manure in Iowa, examining what really happens when manure meets soil, water, and weather. Drawing on current field experiments, anaerobic digestion projects, and emerging approaches such as irrigation-based application and nutrient recovery, his/her research focuses on improving manure management through better timing, advanced technology, and system redesign that reduces environmental impact while strengthening farm profitability. The talk offers Iowans a straight, science-based understanding of manure's risks, value, and future.

Dr. Daniel Andersen, widely known as “Dr. Manure,” is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University. His research blends engineering, agronomy, and environmental science to rethink how Iowa manages livestock manure, from timing and technology to anaerobic digestion and nutrient recovery. He works directly with farmers, agencies, and students to translate science into practical, climate-smart solutions.

This lecture recording can be found on the Available Recordings page approximately two business days after the event and will remain accessible for three weeks.