Manure and slurry storage
Published 11 June 2026
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/farm-practices-survey-february-2026/manure-and-slurry-storage
The system of manure and slurry management is relevant to the control of environmental risks to water and air. Good management prevents the loss of ammonia to the air, at the same time retaining the nitrogen for use as an organic fertiliser, reducing the need for manufactured nitrogen fertiliser inputs.
Here we look at the types of stores that livestock farmers have, whether they are covered or not and whether the farmer has any plans to upgrade their current facilities.
Figure 1 Proportion of livestock holdings with solid manure storage facilities
| Response | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Stored in the open on a field site without cover | 60% |
| Stored in the open on a concrete base without cover | 37% |
| Stored under cover | 14% |
| Stored in the open on a field site with cover | 5% |
| Stored in the open on a concrete base with cover | 2% |
| Stored in another type of store | 1% |
Farmers were asked what type of solid manure storage facilities were on their holding and were able to select more than one type of storage facility option. In 2026, 60% had the facility to store solid manure in the open on a field site without cover, 37% had the facility to store solid manure in the open on a concrete base without cover and 14% stored under cover. When asked where most of the solid manure was stored, in 2026, 54% of holdings reported storing the majority in the open on a field site without cover, another 29% said they stored in the open on a concrete base without cover, with a further 12% saying they stored under cover.
Farmers were also asked what type of slurry storage facilities were on their holding and were able to select multiple options. In 2026, farmers on 46% of holdings had the facility to store slurry above ground tanks without cover (Figure 2), 24% had the facility to store in lined or unlined earth bank lagoons without cover, and a further 21% stored in below ground tanks not under or associated with livestock buildings (e.g. concrete store). When asked where most of the slurry was stored, in 2026, 43% of holdings said the majority of slurry was stored in above ground tanks without cover, followed by 23% saying they stored in lined or unlined earth bank lagoons without cover. Slurry stores with crusts were present on 45% of farms.
Figure 2 Proportion of livestock holdings with slurry storage facilities
| Response | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Stored in above ground tanks without cover | 46% |
| Stored in lined or unlined earth bank lagoons without cover | 24% |
| Stored in below ground tanks not under or associated with livestock buildings (e.g. concrete store) | 21% |
| Stored in another type of store | 7% |
| Stored in slurry bags or weeping wall stores | 6% |
| Stored in lined or unlined earth bank lagoons (flexible or floating cover) | 5% |
| Stored in above ground tanks (rigid, flexible or floating cover) | 3% |
Figure 3 Holdings planning to enlarge, upgrade or reconstruct their manure and slurry storage facilities by time of change
| Year | In 0 to 6 months | In 7 to 11 months | In 1 to less than 3 years | In 3 to less than 5 years | In 5 to less than 10 years | In more than 10 years | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 5% | 15% | 58% | 15% | 6% | 0% | 100% |
| 2023 | 9% | 16% | 46% | 20% | 5% | 3% | 100% |
| 2024 | 7% | 9% | 51% | 23% | 6% | 4% | 100% |
| 2025 | 11% | 16% | 40% | 17% | 14% | 2% | 100% |
| 2026 | 17% | 8% | 53% | 13% | 7% | 2% | 100% |
Notes:
- The sum of the components may not equal 100% due to rounding.
- As a proportion of holdings planning a change to their manure and slurry storage.
In 2026 19% of holdings said they were planning to enlarge, upgrade or reconstruct their manure or slurry storage facilities. Of the holdings planning to make changes to their storage facilities, the majority (78%) anticipate making these changes within the next 3 years (Figure 3).
Figure 4 Proportion of holdings with storage facilities for slurry by number of months storage capacity
| Year | 1 to 3 months | 4 to 6 months | 7 to 12 months | Over 12 months | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 17% | 58% | 25% | 0% | 100% |
| 2023 | 11% | 40% | 40% | 9% | 100% |
| 2024 | 18% | 44% | 33% | 5% | 100% |
| 2025 | 13% | 49% | 38% | 0% | 100% |
| 2026 | 3% | 73% | 20% | 4% | 100% |
Notes:
- The sum of the components may not equal 100% due to rounding.
In 2026, 76% of holdings had up to 6 months storage capacity for slurry, an increase compared to 62% in 2025. This was a return to levels previously seen in 2022, following a period of lower storage capacity levels from 2023 to 2025. Decreases were again seen in those having capacity to store slurry for longer periods of 7 months or more (Figure 4).
Separating slurry can have several benefits. These include reducing storage space and improving the efficiency with which nitrogen is applied to land which has the potential to reduce emissions. Separating the suspended solids from slurry allows the two manure streams to be handled separately. The solid fraction can be stored on a concrete pad or in a field heap, while the liquid fraction can be stored and transported/pumped to fields for land application.
In 2026, 19% of farmers said they have a slurry separator, an increase from 11% in 2025.