Manure Transport Grants

Established by the Water Quality Improvement Act of 1998, the Manure Transport Program helps farmers cover the cost of hauling poultry and livestock manure away from areas with high soil phosphorus levels. To qualify for reimbursement, the manure must be trucked to farms or alternative use projects that can use the product safely. 

The program has experienced a significant increase in participation as farmers have taken advantage of favorable program changes, including an increase in the maximum payment rate to haul poultry manure.

In fiscal year 2022, Maryland farmers received $2,580,681.00 in grants to transport a record 402,926 tons of manure to approved farms and businesses. Delmarva poultry companies contributed $682,431 in matching funds to transport poultry manure.

Livestock manure (dairy, beef, and swine) comprised 62% of the manure transported. 

Livestock farmers (mostly dairies) typically use the grants to haul manure away from their livestock barns to distant fields with acceptable phosphorus levels. If soil phosphorus levels are elevated on the distant fields, the manure is hauled to other farms.

Poultry litter comprised the remaining 38% of the manure transported during the year. Of that amount, 42% was trucked to alternative use facilities with the remaining 58% land-applied to crops as a fertilizer on qualifying fields.