As the cost of commercial fertilizer goes up, farmers are looking more closely at using manure as a nutrient-rich substitute.  Tommy Bass, Montana State University Extension livestock environment associate specialist, says that the calls about using manure and manure compost have increased in recent months.   

"As manure gains value, it is likely to be used more efficiently and effectively. There's a potential for increased revenue for animal feeding operations."  Bass added, "It's often written it off as a difficult-to-manage byproduct with cumbersome regulations.  Now, with fertilizer prices hovering at $1,000 per ton, the nitrogen and other nutrients in manure look more gold than brown."

Manure can also be used to create methane gas through digesters that are capable of generating electricity or heat.  As the value of manure goes up, the opportunities for both usages increase.