Description: This dataset estimates the location and mass in dry tonnes at 0% MC and in wet tonnes at ‘As is’ MC of intensive beef feedlot, dairy, piggery and poultry manure residues across NSW, Australia. The wet tonnes ‘As is’ MC is as follows: beef feedlot (90% MC), dairy (85% MC), piggery (90% MC) and poultry (75% MC). This information was originally collated for the Australian Biomass for Bioenergy Assessment (ABBA) project and has been updated several times. It is available for use in the NSW BioSMART tool (Biomass Spatial and Modular Assessment of Resources Tool – https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/forestry/science/forest-carbon/biomass-for-bioenergy/nsw-biosmart) and on the Terria Map (https://app.terria.io/terria/catalog/map) platform.
The boundary features were extracted from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS 2016) digital boundaries [Copyright Commonwealth of Australia administered by the ABS]. This dataset is mapped at the Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2).
Each SA2 region shows the annual average combined intensive beef feedlot, dairy, piggery and poultry manure residues for the period July 2011 to June 2021 (average of 10 years). This layer gives a quick reference summary of the 4 residue types, which have been individually mapped in more detail. The SA2 residues were derived using the 'parent' SA4 region residue totals (calculated using the ABS ASGS Agricultural Commodities, Australia, cat. no. 7121.0 data cubes and from research carried out by the NSW Forest Science unit, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development – Forestry) and by applying calculated percentages using livestock numbers from the ABS 2015-16 SA2 agricultural survey data to determine the distribution of residues at this level. Please note the location of residues for the SA2 maps is based on the 2015-16 livestock distribution.
The following were calculated for the individual livestock types of beef feedlot, dairy, piggery and poultry for each SA2 and SA4 region: Total Solids (TS), Volatile Solids (VS) and Wet Weight (WW), giving the average of TS, VS and WW over the 10 year period and also providing a minimum and maximum for TS and VS. Total Solids has been chosen as the TOTAL_RESIDUES mapping unit to display because TS represents all dry matter and covers more end-use options. TS can be used as a solid fuel (combustion/cofiring/boilers), for syngas (gasification) and for bio-oil/biochar/syngas (pyrolysis) while VS is mainly only used in anaerobic digestion (biogas/biomethane). Presenting the data spatially by TS fits with the existing BioSMART tool modules and those being developed.
Note: For intensive beef feedlot, dairy, piggery and poultry (layer chickens), manure as excreted is reported. For poultry (meat chickens), manure plus bedding is reported. This is due to either the standard collection method being manure only (beef, dairy and layer chickens) or limitations of the source datasets (ABS data limitations for meat chickens and piggeries) in that they do not detail the type of system employed at the farming scale which would indicate if bedding was present (i.e. piggery manure can be collected by a deep litter or conventional systems and poultry farms can be caged, barn or free range). Without this information, calculating the bedding component was not achievable for some livestock. For poultry (meat chickens), although this information was not available, assumptions from literature were able to be used and applied to calculate the bedding component. For more detail about the intensive livestock methodologies and assumptions used in the manure residue calculations, see the individual livestock datasets for each livestock type.
Some SA2 regions were merged and the results were combined. Most commonly merged regions were built up areas contained wholly within the same regional area (i.e. Goulburn and Goulburn Region were merged) or adjacent regions that were either small or built up areas.
For more information on the derivation of the residue volumes please contact the NSW Forest Science unit (https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/forestry/science/forest-carbon/abba) and look at:
Beef Feedlot
Davis RJ, Watts PJ & McGahan EJ (2012) ‘Quantification of Feedlot Manure Output for Beef-Bal Model Upgrade’, RIRDC Publication No. 12/010, RIRDC Project No. PRJ-004377. https://www.mla.com.au/contentassets/baac23ed50d94f5da21c9dff52021a3b/b.flt.0354_final_report.pdf
Davis RJ & Watts PJ (2011) ‘Environmental Sustainability Assessment of the Australian Feedlot Industry’, Meat and Livestock Australia Limited. https://www.mla.com.au/globalassets/mla-corporate/research-and-development/final-reports/2011/b.flt.0328-1.pdf
Tucker R et al. (2015) ‘Beef cattle feedlots: waste management and utilisation’, Meat & Livestock Australia. https://www.mla.com.au/globalassets/mla-corporate/research-and-development/program-areas/feeding-finishing-and-nutrition/manure-handbook/beef-cattle-feedlots---waste-management-and-utilisation.pdf
ASAE (2005) ‘Manure production and characteristics’, D384.2, American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, USA. https://elibrary.asabe.org/abstract.asp?aid=32018
MLA (2012) ‘National Guidelines for Beef Cattle Feedlots in Australia’, 3rd ed., Meat and Livestock Australia Limited. https://futurebeef.com.au/wp-content/uploads/National-guidelines-for-beef-cattle-feedlots-in-Australia-third-edition.pdf
MLA (2021) ‘Handbook of best practice guidelines for the Australian feedlot industry’, Meat and Livestock Australia Limited. https://www.mla.com.au/globalassets/mla-corporate/research-and-development/program-areas/feeding-finishing-and-nutrition/211019-b.flt.8012--guideline-handbook-for-the-australian-feedlot-industry_v3.pdf
Watts PJ, Keane OB & Cheallaigh N (2012) ‘Feedlot industry GIS database’, FSA Consulting, Project code: B.FLT.0463. https://www.mla.com.au/contentassets/d2a32c81ae6b4210b88a3b1d4f6e4859/b.flt.0463_final_report.pdf
Andrews T (2025) ‘Market specifications for cattle’, Primefact 621, Third ed., DPIRD. https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/148415/Market-specifications-for-cattle.pdf
ALFA (accessed 2025) ‘Industry Overview – Industry Snapshot’, Australian Lot Feeders’ Association. https://www.feedlots.com.au/overview
QLD Gov (2015) ‘Beef cattle nutrition – An introduction to the essentials’, Meat and Livestock Australia Limited. https://www.mla.com.au/globalassets/mla-corporate/beef-cattle-nutrition2.pdf
Watts P & Davis R (2016) ‘Feedlot Design and Construction – 9. Overall pen layout’, Meat & Livestock Australia. https://www.mla.com.au/globalassets/mla-corporate/research-and-development/program-areas/feeding-finishing-and-nutrition/feedlot-design-manual/09-overall-pen-layout-2016_04_01.pdf
Tabular data: ALFA ‘Quarterly Feedlot Survey Figures’, Australian Lot Feeders’ Association. Quarterly survey data used by Financial Year (FY) for 10 years from 2011-12FY to 2020-21FY and in conjunction with research carried out to determine the location and capacity of feedlots across NSW by region at the finer scale of ABS Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2) and at the larger scale of SA4 level to derive manure residues. https://www.feedlots.com.au/resources/figures
Dairy
Dairy Australia (2008) ‘Effluent and Manure Management Database for the Australian Dairy Industry’, Dairy Australia. https://dair-p-001.sitecorecontenthub.cloud/api/public/content/56ac610dd4424f499ec3dd9225341ca2?v=a679254d
Nennich T et al. (2005) ‘Prediction of Manure and Nutrient Excretion from Dairy Cattle’, J. Dairy Sci., 88:3721–3733. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/7599564_Prediction_of_Manure_and_Nutrient_Excretion_from_Dairy_Cattle
Ryan D et al. (1997) ‘Realistic Rations’, Dairy Research & Development Corporation and NSW Agriculture. https://www.vgls.vic.gov.au/client/en_AU/vgls/search/detailnonmodal/ent:$002f$002fSD_ILS$002f0$002fSD_ILS:134889/ada?qu=Dairy+Australia.&d=ent%3A%2F%2FSD_ILS%2F0%2FSD_ILS%3A134889%7EILS%7E260&ic=true&ps=300&h=8
Beggs D & Jagoe S (2013) ‘A guide to growing more productive heifers’, Dairy Australia. https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/1596227/Heifers-on-Target-Guide.pdf
Dairy Australia (2024) ‘Dairy Feedpads and Contained Housing – National Guidelines – Third Edition’, Dairy Australia. https://dair-p-001.sitecorecontenthub.cloud/api/public/content/1e7bb618b11a46aaad07979024090ccc?v=aeac1518
Tabular data: ABS ‘Agricultural Commodities, Australia’, Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) editions by Financial Year (FY) for 10 years from 2011-12FY to 2020-21FY, where census years 2015-16 and 2020-21 provide data at the finer scale of Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2) and all other years provide the data at the larger scale of SA4 level. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/agriculture/agricultural-commodities-australia
Piggery
FSA Consulting (2011) ‘National Environmental Guidelines for Piggeries, Second Edition (Revised)’, Prepared by FSA Consulting for: Australian Pork Limited, APL Project No 2008/2231. https://www.leap-consulting.com.au/uploads/4/2/9/0/42901589/national-environmental-guidelines-for-piggeries.pdf
McGahan EJ et al. (2010) ‘Estimates of Manure Production from Animals for Methane Production’, RIRDC Publication No. 10/151, RIRDC Project No. PRJ-002831. https://agrifutures.com.au/wp-content/uploads/publications/10-151.pdf
Tabular data: ABS ‘Agricultural Commodities, Australia’, Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) editions by Financial Year (FY) for 10 years from 2011-12FY to 2020-21FY, where census years 2015-16 and 2020-21 provide data at the finer scale of Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2) and all other years provide the data at the larger scale of SA4 level to derive manure residues. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/agriculture/agricultural-commodities-australia
Poultry
Wiedemann SG et al. (2015) ‘Grower options for spent litter utilisation’, RIRDC Publication No. 14/093. www.agrifutures.com.au/wp-content/uploads/publications/14-093.pdf
McGahan E et al. (2014) ‘National Environmental Management System for the Meat Chicken Industry Version 2 - Part A – Manual of Good Practice for the Meat Chicken Industry’, RIRDC Publication No. 14/100. https://agrifutures.com.au/wp-content/uploads/publications/14-100.pdf
Wiedemann SG (2015) ‘Energy Recovery from Litter: A Guide for Users’, FSA Consulting, RIRDC Publication No. 14/096. www.agrifutures.com.au/wp-content/uploads/publications/14-096.pdf
ASAE (2005) ‘Manure production and characteristics’, D384.2, American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, USA. https://elibrary.asabe.org/abstract.asp?aid=32018
Barnett JL et al. (2008) ‘National Animal Welfare Standards for the Chicken Meat Industry, Manual for Meat Chicken Farming’, Australian Poultry CRC Pty Ltd. https://www.awstrategy.net/uploads/1/2/3/2/123202832/me-083-chicken-standards-the-standards-3.pdf
Runge GA et al. (2007) ‘Chicken litter – Issues associated with sourcing and use’, RIRDC Publication No. 07/035. www.agrifutures.com.au/wp-content/uploads/publications/07-035.pdf
Scott P et al. (2009) ‘Structure and dynamics of Australia's commercial poultry and ratite industries’, Report prepared for: The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer by Scolexia Animal and Avian Health Consultancy. https://www.agriculture.gov.au/sites/default/files/sitecollectiondocuments/animal-plant/animal-health/livestock-movement/structure-poultry-ratite-ind.pdf
McGahan E et al. (2013) ‘Conversion of Waste to Energy in the Chicken Meat Industry’, RIRDC Publication No. 12/097. https://agrifutures.com.au/wp-content/uploads/publications/12-097.pdf
Tabular data: ABS ‘Agricultural Commodities, Australia’, Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) editions by Financial Year (FY) for 10 years from 2011-12FY to 2020-21FY, where census years 2015-16 and 2020-21 provide data at the finer scale of Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2) and all other years provide the data at the larger scale of SA4 level. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/agriculture/agricultural-commodities-australia
Last updated in March 2026.
Copyright Text: NSW Forest Science, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development – Forestry
Description: This dataset estimates the location and mass in dry tonnes at 0% moisture content (MC) and in wet tonnes at 90% MC of intensive beef feedlot manure residues across NSW, Australia. This information was originally collated for the Australian Biomass for Bioenergy Assessment (ABBA) project and has been updated several times. It is available for use in the NSW BioSMART tool (Biomass Spatial and Modular Assessment of Resources Tool – https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/forestry/science/forest-carbon/biomass-for-bioenergy/nsw-biosmart) and on the Terria Map (https://app.terria.io/terria/catalog/map) platform.
The boundary features were extracted from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS 2016) digital boundaries [Copyright Commonwealth of Australia administered by the ABS]. This dataset is mapped at the Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2).
Each SA2 region shows the annual average, minimum and maximum tonnes of intensive beef feedlot manure residues for the period July 2011 to June 2021 (average of 10 years). The SA2 residues were derived from ALFA ‘Quarterly Feedlot Survey Figures’ data and from research carried out by the NSW Forest Science unit, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development – Forestry). By investigating and estimating individual feedlot annual turnoff numbers and then converting these to percentages, Cattle Numbers on Feed were able to be extracted from the statewide ALFA ‘Quarterly Feedlot Survey Figures’, Australian Lot Feeders’ Association. The residues were calculated to a Standard Cattle Unit (SCU). From the literature, assumptions were made regarding an acceptable SCU for NSW. In this research, the average live weight (lwt) for a SCU will be 550kg. To provide an acceptable range for this average figure, a lwt of 400kg was used to calculate a minimum figure and a lwt of 750kg was used to calculate a maximum figure. The residues were amalgamated to the ABS SA2 and SA4 Level regional scales for mapping and to bring the datasets spatially in line with other associated intensive livestock mapping (dairy, piggery and poultry).
The following were calculated for each SA2 region: Total Solids (TS), Volatile Solids (VS) and Wet Weight (WW), giving the average (SCU lwt 550kg) of TS, VS and WW over the 10 year period and also providing a minimum (SCU lwt 400kg) and maximum (SCU lwt 750kg) for TS and VS. Total Solids has been chosen as the TOTAL_RESIDUES mapping unit to display because TS represents all dry matter and covers more end-use options. TS can be used as a solid fuel (combustion/cofiring/boilers), for syngas (gasification) and for bio-oil/biochar/syngas (pyrolysis) while VS is mainly only used in anaerobic digestion (biogas/biomethane). Presenting the data spatially by TS fits with the existing BioSMART tool modules and those being developed.
Some SA2 regions were merged and the results were combined. Most commonly merged regions were built up areas contained wholly within the same regional area (i.e. Goulburn and Goulburn Region were merged) or adjacent regions that were either small or built up areas.
For more information on the derivation of the residue volumes please contact the NSW Forest Science unit (https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/forestry/science/forest-carbon/abba) and look at:
Beef Feedlot
Davis RJ, Watts PJ & McGahan EJ (2012) ‘Quantification of Feedlot Manure Output for Beef-Bal Model Upgrade’, RIRDC Publication No. 12/010, RIRDC Project No. PRJ-004377. https://www.mla.com.au/contentassets/baac23ed50d94f5da21c9dff52021a3b/b.flt.0354_final_report.pdf
Davis RJ & Watts PJ (2011) ‘Environmental Sustainability Assessment of the Australian Feedlot Industry’, Meat and Livestock Australia Limited. https://www.mla.com.au/globalassets/mla-corporate/research-and-development/final-reports/2011/b.flt.0328-1.pdf
Tucker R et al. (2015) ‘Beef cattle feedlots: waste management and utilisation’, Meat & Livestock Australia. https://www.mla.com.au/globalassets/mla-corporate/research-and-development/program-areas/feeding-finishing-and-nutrition/manure-handbook/beef-cattle-feedlots---waste-management-and-utilisation.pdf
ASAE (2005) ‘Manure production and characteristics’, D384.2, American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, USA. https://elibrary.asabe.org/abstract.asp?aid=32018
MLA (2012) ‘National Guidelines for Beef Cattle Feedlots in Australia’, 3rd ed., Meat and Livestock Australia Limited. https://futurebeef.com.au/wp-content/uploads/National-guidelines-for-beef-cattle-feedlots-in-Australia-third-edition.pdf
MLA (2021) ‘Handbook of best practice guidelines for the Australian feedlot industry’, Meat and Livestock Australia Limited. https://www.mla.com.au/globalassets/mla-corporate/research-and-development/program-areas/feeding-finishing-and-nutrition/211019-b.flt.8012--guideline-handbook-for-the-australian-feedlot-industry_v3.pdf
Watts PJ, Keane OB & Cheallaigh N (2012) ‘Feedlot industry GIS database’, FSA Consulting, Project code: B.FLT.0463. https://www.mla.com.au/contentassets/d2a32c81ae6b4210b88a3b1d4f6e4859/b.flt.0463_final_report.pdf
Andrews T (2025) ‘Market specifications for cattle’, Primefact 621, Third ed., DPIRD. https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/148415/Market-specifications-for-cattle.pdf
ALFA (accessed 2025) ‘Industry Overview – Industry Snapshot’, Australian Lot Feeders’ Association. https://www.feedlots.com.au/overview
QLD Gov (2015) ‘Beef cattle nutrition – An introduction to the essentials’, Meat and Livestock Australia Limited. https://www.mla.com.au/globalassets/mla-corporate/beef-cattle-nutrition2.pdf
Watts P & Davis R (2016) ‘Feedlot Design and Construction – 9. Overall pen layout’, Meat & Livestock Australia. https://www.mla.com.au/globalassets/mla-corporate/research-and-development/program-areas/feeding-finishing-and-nutrition/feedlot-design-manual/09-overall-pen-layout-2016_04_01.pdf
Tabular data: ALFA ‘Quarterly Feedlot Survey Figures’, Australian Lot Feeders’ Association. Quarterly survey data used by Financial Year (FY) for 10 years from 2011-12FY to 2020-21FY and in conjunction with research carried out to determine the location and capacity of feedlots across NSW by region at the finer scale of ABS Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2) and at the larger scale of SA4 level to derive manure residues. https://www.feedlots.com.au/resources/figures
Last updated in March 2026.
Copyright Text: NSW Forest Science, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development – Forestry
Description: This dataset estimates the location and mass in dry tonnes at 0% moisture content (MC) and in wet tonnes at 90% MC of intensive beef feedlot manure residues across NSW, Australia. This information was originally collated for the Australian Biomass for Bioenergy Assessment (ABBA) project and has been updated several times. It is available for use in the NSW BioSMART tool (Biomass Spatial and Modular Assessment of Resources Tool – https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/forestry/science/forest-carbon/biomass-for-bioenergy/nsw-biosmart) and on the Terria Map (https://app.terria.io/terria/catalog/map) platform.
The boundary features were extracted from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS 2016) digital boundaries [Copyright Commonwealth of Australia administered by the ABS]. This dataset is mapped at the Statistical Area Level 4 (SA4).
Each SA4 region shows the annual average, minimum and maximum tonnes of intensive beef feedlot manure residues for the period July 2011 to June 2021 (average of 10 years). The SA4 residues were derived from ALFA ‘Quarterly Feedlot Survey Figures’ data and from research carried out by the NSW Forest Science unit, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development – Forestry). By investigating and estimating individual feedlot annual turnoff numbers and then converting these to percentages, Cattle Numbers on Feed were able to be extracted from the statewide ALFA ‘Quarterly Feedlot Survey Figures’, Australian Lot Feeders’ Association. The residues were calculated to a Standard Cattle Unit (SCU). From the literature, assumptions were made regarding an acceptable SCU for NSW. In this research, the average live weight (lwt) for a SCU will be 550kg. To provide an acceptable range for this average figure, a lwt of 400kg was used to calculate a minimum figure and a lwt of 750kg was used to calculate a maximum figure. The residues were amalgamated to the ABS SA2 and SA4 Level regional scales for mapping and to bring the datasets spatially in line with other associated intensive livestock mapping (dairy, piggery and poultry).
The following were calculated for each SA4 region: Total Solids (TS), Volatile Solids (VS) and Wet Weight (WW), giving the average (SCU lwt 550kg) of TS, VS and WW over the 10 year period and also providing a minimum (SCU lwt 400kg) and maximum (SCU lwt 750kg) for TS and VS. Total Solids has been chosen as the TOTAL_RESIDUES mapping unit to display because TS represents all dry matter and covers more end-use options. TS can be used as a solid fuel (combustion/cofiring/boilers), for syngas (gasification) and for bio-oil/biochar/syngas (pyrolysis) while VS is mainly only used in anaerobic digestion (biogas/biomethane). Presenting the data spatially by TS fits with the existing BioSMART tool modules and those being developed.
For more information on the derivation of the residue volumes please contact the NSW Forest Science unit (https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/forestry/science/forest-carbon/abba) and look at:
Beef Feedlot
Davis RJ, Watts PJ & McGahan EJ (2012) ‘Quantification of Feedlot Manure Output for Beef-Bal Model Upgrade’, RIRDC Publication No. 12/010, RIRDC Project No. PRJ-004377. https://www.mla.com.au/contentassets/baac23ed50d94f5da21c9dff52021a3b/b.flt.0354_final_report.pdf
Davis RJ & Watts PJ (2011) ‘Environmental Sustainability Assessment of the Australian Feedlot Industry’, Meat and Livestock Australia Limited. https://www.mla.com.au/globalassets/mla-corporate/research-and-development/final-reports/2011/b.flt.0328-1.pdf
Tucker R et al. (2015) ‘Beef cattle feedlots: waste management and utilisation’, Meat & Livestock Australia. https://www.mla.com.au/globalassets/mla-corporate/research-and-development/program-areas/feeding-finishing-and-nutrition/manure-handbook/beef-cattle-feedlots---waste-management-and-utilisation.pdf
ASAE (2005) ‘Manure production and characteristics’, D384.2, American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, USA. https://elibrary.asabe.org/abstract.asp?aid=32018
MLA (2012) ‘National Guidelines for Beef Cattle Feedlots in Australia’, 3rd ed., Meat and Livestock Australia Limited. https://futurebeef.com.au/wp-content/uploads/National-guidelines-for-beef-cattle-feedlots-in-Australia-third-edition.pdf
MLA (2021) ‘Handbook of best practice guidelines for the Australian feedlot industry’, Meat and Livestock Australia Limited. https://www.mla.com.au/globalassets/mla-corporate/research-and-development/program-areas/feeding-finishing-and-nutrition/211019-b.flt.8012--guideline-handbook-for-the-australian-feedlot-industry_v3.pdf
Watts PJ, Keane OB & Cheallaigh N (2012) ‘Feedlot industry GIS database’, FSA Consulting, Project code: B.FLT.0463. https://www.mla.com.au/contentassets/d2a32c81ae6b4210b88a3b1d4f6e4859/b.flt.0463_final_report.pdf
Andrews T (2025) ‘Market specifications for cattle’, Primefact 621, Third ed., DPIRD. https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/148415/Market-specifications-for-cattle.pdf
ALFA (accessed 2025) ‘Industry Overview – Industry Snapshot’, Australian Lot Feeders’ Association. https://www.feedlots.com.au/overview
QLD Gov (2015) ‘Beef cattle nutrition – An introduction to the essentials’, Meat and Livestock Australia Limited. https://www.mla.com.au/globalassets/mla-corporate/beef-cattle-nutrition2.pdf
Watts P & Davis R (2016) ‘Feedlot Design and Construction – 9. Overall pen layout’, Meat & Livestock Australia. https://www.mla.com.au/globalassets/mla-corporate/research-and-development/program-areas/feeding-finishing-and-nutrition/feedlot-design-manual/09-overall-pen-layout-2016_04_01.pdf
Tabular data: ALFA ‘Quarterly Feedlot Survey Figures’, Australian Lot Feeders’ Association. Quarterly survey data used by Financial Year (FY) for 10 years from 2011-12FY to 2020-21FY and in conjunction with research carried out to determine the location and capacity of feedlots across NSW by region at the finer scale of ABS Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2) and at the larger scale of SA4 level to derive manure residues. https://www.feedlots.com.au/resources/figures
Last updated in March 2026.
Copyright Text: NSW Forest Science, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development – Forestry
Description: This dataset estimates the location and mass in dry tonnes at 0% moisture content (MC) and in wet tonnes at 85% MC of intensive dairy manure residues across NSW, Australia. This information was originally collated for the Australian Biomass for Bioenergy Assessment (ABBA) project and has been updated several times. It is available for use in the NSW BioSMART tool (Biomass Spatial and Modular Assessment of Resources Tool – https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/forestry/science/forest-carbon/biomass-for-bioenergy/nsw-biosmart) and on the Terria Map (https://app.terria.io/terria/catalog/map) platform.
The boundary features were extracted from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS 2016) digital boundaries [Copyright Commonwealth of Australia administered by the ABS]. This dataset is mapped at the Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2).
Each SA2 region shows the annual average, minimum and maximum tonnes of intensive dairy manure residues for the period July 2011 to June 2021 (average of 10 years). The SA2 residues were derived using the 'parent' SA4 region residue totals (calculated using the ABS ASGS Agricultural Commodities, Australia, cat. no. 7121.0 data cubes and from research carried out by the NSW Forest Science unit, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development – Forestry) and by applying calculated percentages using livestock numbers from the ABS 2015-16 SA2 agricultural survey data to determine the distribution of residues at this level. Please note the location of residues for the SA2 maps is based on the 2015-16 livestock distribution.
The residues were calculated for each ABS class of dairy cattle as follows: Cows in milk and dry, Calves, Heifers 1 to 2 years, Heifers over 2 years and All other (bulls, steers). From the literature, assumptions were made and averages were calculated, such as daily milk production = 15.5kg/day; average live weight and dry matter intake (DMI) were calculated for each ABS dairy cattle class and time spent in holding yards and feed pads where an acceptable minimum was determined to be 3/24hrs, a maximum of 10/24hrs and an average of 6/24hrs. Daily milk production was used as a factor in calculating the manure for Cows in milk and dry. DMI was used as a factor for calculating manure in all other classes. When all calculations were complete, the class totals were added together to give combined manure residue totals for each SA2 region.
The following were calculated for each SA4 region: Total Solids (TS), Volatile Solids (VS) and Wet Weight (WW), giving the average (6/24hrs) of TS, VS and WW over the 10 year period and also providing a minimum (3/24hrs) and maximum (10/24hrs) for TS and VS. Total Solids has been chosen as the TOTAL_RESIDUES mapping unit to display because TS represents all dry matter and covers more end-use options. TS can be used as a solid fuel (combustion/cofiring/boilers), for syngas (gasification) and for bio-oil/biochar/syngas (pyrolysis) while VS is mainly only used in anaerobic digestion (biogas/biomethane). Presenting the data spatially by TS fits with the existing BioSMART tool modules and those being developed.
Some SA2 regions were merged and the results were combined. Most commonly merged regions were built up areas contained wholly within the same regional area (i.e. Goulburn and Goulburn Region were merged) or adjacent regions that were either small or built up areas.
For more information on the derivation of the residue volumes please contact the NSW Forest Science unit (https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/forestry/science/forest-carbon/abba) and look at:
Dairy
Dairy Australia (2008) ‘Effluent and Manure Management Database for the Australian Dairy Industry’, Dairy Australia. https://dair-p-001.sitecorecontenthub.cloud/api/public/content/56ac610dd4424f499ec3dd9225341ca2?v=a679254d
Nennich T et al. (2005) ‘Prediction of Manure and Nutrient Excretion from Dairy Cattle’, J. Dairy Sci., 88:3721–3733. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/7599564_Prediction_of_Manure_and_Nutrient_Excretion_from_Dairy_Cattle
Ryan D et al. (1997) ‘Realistic Rations’, Dairy Research & Development Corporation and NSW Agriculture. https://www.vgls.vic.gov.au/client/en_AU/vgls/search/detailnonmodal/ent:$002f$002fSD_ILS$002f0$002fSD_ILS:134889/ada?qu=Dairy+Australia.&d=ent%3A%2F%2FSD_ILS%2F0%2FSD_ILS%3A134889%7EILS%7E260&ic=true&ps=300&h=8
Beggs D & Jagoe S (2013) ‘A guide to growing more productive heifers’, Dairy Australia. https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/1596227/Heifers-on-Target-Guide.pdf
Dairy Australia (2024) ‘Dairy Feedpads and Contained Housing – National Guidelines – Third Edition’, Dairy Australia. https://dair-p-001.sitecorecontenthub.cloud/api/public/content/1e7bb618b11a46aaad07979024090ccc?v=aeac1518
Tabular data: ABS ‘Agricultural Commodities, Australia’, Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) editions by Financial Year (FY) for 10 years from 2011-12FY to 2020-21FY, where census years 2015-16 and 2020-21 provide data at the finer scale of Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2) and all other years provide the data at the larger scale of SA4 level. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/agriculture/agricultural-commodities-australia
Last updated in March 2026.
Copyright Text: NSW Forest Science, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development – Forestry
Description: This dataset estimates the location and mass in dry tonnes at 0% moisture content (MC) and in wet tonnes at 85% MC of intensive dairy manure residues across NSW, Australia. This information was originally collated for the Australian Biomass for Bioenergy Assessment (ABBA) project and has been updated several times. It is available for use in the NSW BioSMART tool (Biomass Spatial and Modular Assessment of Resources Tool – https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/forestry/science/forest-carbon/biomass-for-bioenergy/nsw-biosmart) and on the Terria Map (https://app.terria.io/terria/catalog/map) platform.
The boundary features were extracted from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS 2016) digital boundaries [Copyright Commonwealth of Australia administered by the ABS]. This dataset is mapped at the Statistical Area Level 4 (SA4).
Each SA4 region shows the annual average, minimum and maximum tonnes of intensive dairy manure residues for the period July 2011 to June 2021 (average of 10 years). The SA4 residues were calculated using data from the ABS ASGS Agricultural Commodities, Australia, cat. no. 7121.0 data cubes and from research carried out by the NSW Forest Science unit, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development – Forestry.
The residues were calculated for each ABS class of dairy cattle as follows: Cows in milk and dry, Calves, Heifers 1 to 2 years, Heifers over 2 years and All other (bulls, steers). From the literature, assumptions were made and averages were calculated, such as daily milk production = 15.5kg/day; average live weight and dry matter intake (DMI) were calculated for each ABS dairy cattle class and time spent in holding yards and feed pads where an acceptable minimum was determined to be 3/24hrs, a maximum of 10/24hrs and an average of 6/24hrs. Daily milk production was used as a factor in calculating the manure for Cows in milk and dry. DMI was used as a factor for calculating manure in all other classes. When all calculations were complete, the class totals were added together to give combined manure residue totals for each SA4 region.
The following were calculated for each SA4 region: Total Solids (TS), Volatile Solids (VS) and Wet Weight (WW), giving the average (6/24hrs) of TS, VS and WW over the 10 year period and also providing a minimum (3/24hrs) and maximum (10/24hrs) for TS and VS. Total Solids has been chosen as the TOTAL_RESIDUES mapping unit to display because TS represents all dry matter and covers more end-use options. TS can be used as a solid fuel (combustion/cofiring/boilers), for syngas (gasification) and for bio-oil/biochar/syngas (pyrolysis) while VS is mainly only used in anaerobic digestion (biogas/biomethane). Presenting the data spatially by TS fits with the existing BioSMART tool modules and those being developed.
For more information on the derivation of the residue volumes please contact the NSW Forest Science unit (https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/forestry/science/forest-carbon/abba) and look at:
Dairy
Dairy Australia (2008) ‘Effluent and Manure Management Database for the Australian Dairy Industry’, Dairy Australia. https://dair-p-001.sitecorecontenthub.cloud/api/public/content/56ac610dd4424f499ec3dd9225341ca2?v=a679254d
Nennich T et al. (2005) ‘Prediction of Manure and Nutrient Excretion from Dairy Cattle’, J. Dairy Sci., 88:3721–3733. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/7599564_Prediction_of_Manure_and_Nutrient_Excretion_from_Dairy_Cattle
Ryan D et al. (1997) ‘Realistic Rations’, Dairy Research & Development Corporation and NSW Agriculture. https://www.vgls.vic.gov.au/client/en_AU/vgls/search/detailnonmodal/ent:$002f$002fSD_ILS$002f0$002fSD_ILS:134889/ada?qu=Dairy+Australia.&d=ent%3A%2F%2FSD_ILS%2F0%2FSD_ILS%3A134889%7EILS%7E260&ic=true&ps=300&h=8
Beggs D & Jagoe S (2013) ‘A guide to growing more productive heifers’, Dairy Australia. https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/1596227/Heifers-on-Target-Guide.pdf
Dairy Australia (2024) ‘Dairy Feedpads and Contained Housing – National Guidelines – Third Edition’, Dairy Australia. https://dair-p-001.sitecorecontenthub.cloud/api/public/content/1e7bb618b11a46aaad07979024090ccc?v=aeac1518
Tabular data: ABS ‘Agricultural Commodities, Australia’, Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) editions by Financial Year (FY) for 10 years from 2011-12FY to 2020-21FY, where census years 2015-16 and 2020-21 provide data at the finer scale of Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2) and all other years provide the data at the larger scale of SA4 level. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/agriculture/agricultural-commodities-australia
Last updated in March 2026.
Copyright Text: NSW Forest Science, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development – Forestry
Description: This dataset estimates the location and mass in dry tonnes at 0% moisture content (MC) and in wet tonnes at 90% MC of intensive piggery manure residues across NSW, Australia. This information was originally collated for the Australian Biomass for Bioenergy Assessment (ABBA) project and has been updated several times. It is available for use in the NSW BioSMART tool (Biomass Spatial and Modular Assessment of Resources Tool – https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/forestry/science/forest-carbon/biomass-for-bioenergy/nsw-biosmart) and on the Terria Map (https://app.terria.io/terria/catalog/map) platform.
The boundary features were extracted from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS 2016) digital boundaries [Copyright Commonwealth of Australia administered by the ABS]. This dataset is mapped at the Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2).
Each SA2 region shows the annual average, minimum and maximum tonnes of intensive piggery manure residues for the period July 2011 to June 2021 (average of 10 years). The SA2 residues were derived using the 'parent' SA4 region residue totals (calculated using the ABS ASGS Agricultural Commodities, Australia, cat. no. 7121.0 data cubes and from research carried out by the NSW Forest Science unit, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development – Forestry) and by applying calculated percentages using livestock numbers from the ABS 2015-16 SA2 agricultural survey data to determine the distribution of residues at this level. Please note the location of residues for the SA2 maps is based on the 2015-16 livestock distribution.
The residues were calculated for each ABS class of pig as follows: Breeding sows and All other (boars, finishers, gilts, growers, suckers, weaners). From the literature, assumptions were made such as Breeding sows = Gestating sows and All other = 1 Standard Pig Unit (SPU) = Grower pigs. There was no way to determine from the ABS data or the literature what system (deep litter or conventional) was used at the farm scale, hence bedding could not be calculated. Therefore, this dataset only represents manure as excreted. When all calculations were complete, the class totals were added together to give combined manure residue totals for each SA2 region.
The following were calculated for each SA2 region: Total Solids (TS), Volatile Solids (VS) and Wet Weight (WW), giving the average of TS, VS and WW over the 10 year period and also providing a minimum (-20%) and maximum (+20%) for TS and VS. Total Solids has been chosen as the TOTAL_RESIDUES mapping unit to display because TS represents all dry matter and covers more end-use options. TS can be used as a solid fuel (combustion/cofiring/boilers), for syngas (gasification) and for bio-oil/biochar/syngas (pyrolysis) while VS is mainly only used in anaerobic digestion (biogas/biomethane). Presenting the data spatially by TS fits with the existing BioSMART tool modules and those being developed.
Some SA2 regions were merged and the results were combined. Most commonly merged regions were built up areas contained wholly within the same regional area (i.e. Goulburn and Goulburn Region were merged) or adjacent regions that were either small or built up areas.
For more information on the derivation of the residue volumes please contact the NSW Forest Science unit (https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/forestry/science/forest-carbon/abba) and look at:
Piggery
FSA Consulting (2011) ‘National Environmental Guidelines for Piggeries, Second Edition (Revised)’, Prepared by FSA Consulting for: Australian Pork Limited, APL Project No 2008/2231. https://www.leap-consulting.com.au/uploads/4/2/9/0/42901589/national-environmental-guidelines-for-piggeries.pdf
McGahan EJ et al. (2010) ‘Estimates of Manure Production from Animals for Methane Production’, RIRDC Publication No. 10/151, RIRDC Project No. PRJ-002831. https://agrifutures.com.au/wp-content/uploads/publications/10-151.pdf
Tabular data: ABS ‘Agricultural Commodities, Australia’, Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) editions by Financial Year (FY) for 10 years from 2011-12FY to 2020-21FY, where census years 2015-16 and 2020-21 provide data at the finer scale of Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2) and all other years provide the data at the larger scale of SA4 level to derive manure residues. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/agriculture/agricultural-commodities-australia
Last updated in March 2026.
Copyright Text: NSW Forest Science, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development – Forestry
Description: This dataset estimates the location and mass in dry tonnes at 0% moisture content (MC) and in wet tonnes at 90% MC of intensive piggery manure residues across NSW, Australia. This information was originally collated for the Australian Biomass for Bioenergy Assessment (ABBA) project and has been updated several times. It is available for use in the NSW BioSMART tool (Biomass Spatial and Modular Assessment of Resources Tool – https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/forestry/science/forest-carbon/biomass-for-bioenergy/nsw-biosmart) and on the Terria Map (https://app.terria.io/terria/catalog/map) platform.
The boundary features were extracted from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS 2016) digital boundaries [Copyright Commonwealth of Australia administered by the ABS]. This dataset is mapped at the Statistical Area Level 4 (SA4).
Each SA4 region shows the annual average, minimum and maximum tonnes of intensive piggery manure residues for the period July 2011 to June 2021 (average of 10 years). The SA4 residues were calculated using data from the ABS ASGS Agricultural Commodities, Australia, cat. no. 7121.0 data cubes and from research carried out by the NSW Forest Science unit, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development – Forestry.
The residues were calculated for each ABS class of pig as follows: Breeding sows and All other (boars, finishers, gilts, growers, suckers, weaners). From the literature, assumptions were made such as Breeding sows = Gestating sows and All other = 1 Standard Pig Unit (SPU) = Grower pigs. There was no way to determine from the ABS data or the literature what system (deep litter or conventional) was used at the farm scale, hence bedding could not be calculated. Therefore, this dataset only represents manure as excreted. When all calculations were complete, the class totals were added together to give combined manure residue totals for each SA4 region.
The following were calculated for each SA4 region: Total Solids (TS), Volatile Solids (VS) and Wet Weight (WW), giving the average of TS, VS and WW over the 10 year period and also providing a minimum (-20%) and maximum (+20%) for TS and VS. Total Solids has been chosen as the TOTAL_RESIDUES mapping unit to display because TS represents all dry matter and covers more end-use options. TS can be used as a solid fuel (combustion/cofiring/boilers), for syngas (gasification) and for bio-oil/biochar/syngas (pyrolysis) while VS is mainly only used in anaerobic digestion (biogas/biomethane). Presenting the data spatially by TS fits with the existing BioSMART tool modules and those being developed.
For more information on the derivation of the residue volumes please contact the NSW Forest Science unit (https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/forestry/science/forest-carbon/abba) and look at:
Piggery
FSA Consulting (2011) ‘National Environmental Guidelines for Piggeries, Second Edition (Revised)’, Prepared by FSA Consulting for: Australian Pork Limited, APL Project No 2008/2231. https://www.leap-consulting.com.au/uploads/4/2/9/0/42901589/national-environmental-guidelines-for-piggeries.pdf
McGahan EJ et al. (2010) ‘Estimates of Manure Production from Animals for Methane Production’, RIRDC Publication No. 10/151, RIRDC Project No. PRJ-002831. https://agrifutures.com.au/wp-content/uploads/publications/10-151.pdf
Tabular data: ABS ‘Agricultural Commodities, Australia’, Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) editions by Financial Year (FY) for 10 years from 2011-12FY to 2020-21FY, where census years 2015-16 and 2020-21 provide data at the finer scale of Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2) and all other years provide the data at the larger scale of SA4 level to derive manure residues. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/agriculture/agricultural-commodities-australia
Last updated in March 2026.
Copyright Text: NSW Forest Science, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development – Forestry
Description: This dataset estimates the location and mass in dry tonnes at 0% moisture content (MC) and in wet tonnes at 75% MC of intensive poultry manure residues across NSW, Australia. This information was originally collated for the Australian Biomass for Bioenergy Assessment (ABBA) project and has been updated several times. It is available for use in the NSW BioSMART tool (Biomass Spatial and Modular Assessment of Resources Tool – https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/forestry/science/forest-carbon/biomass-for-bioenergy/nsw-biosmart) and on the Terria Map (https://app.terria.io/terria/catalog/map) platform.
The boundary features were extracted from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS 2016) digital boundaries [Copyright Commonwealth of Australia administered by the ABS]. This dataset is mapped at the Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2).
Each SA2 region shows the annual average, minimum and maximum tonnes of intensive poultry manure residues by livestock type for the period July 2011 to June 2021 (average of 10 years). Livestock types have been categorised as Meat chickens and Layer chickens. The SA2 residues were derived using the 'parent' SA4 region residue totals (calculated using the ABS ASGS Agricultural Commodities, Australia, cat. no. 7121.0 data cubes and from research carried out by the NSW Forest Science unit, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development - Forestry) and by applying calculated percentages using livestock numbers from the ABS 2015-16 SA2 agricultural survey data to determine the distribution of residues at this level. Please note the location of residues for the SA2 maps is based on the 2015-16 livestock distribution.
The residues were calculated for each ABS class of poultry as follows: Meat chickens, Layer chickens and All other (ducks, turkeys, other - classed as Meat chickens in this dataset). Assumptions were made from literature, as detailed data at the farm scale was unavailable to determine the regional breakdown of percentage of farms that are caged, barn or free range. For Meat chickens, manure plus bedding will be calculated using the following assumptions: most meat chickens are housed in barns; single-batch litter systems are the most common with 5.5 batches/year; for NSW most common bedding depth = 50mm; basic density of bedding material = 410kg/m3 (softwood sawdust and shavings); stocking density = 30-40kg/m2 = 14 birds/m2 (conservative). For Layer chickens, approximately 70% of the industry are caged and manure is collected by conveyor belt, therefore no bedding will be calculated, only manure as excreted.
The following were calculated for each SA2 region: Total Solids (TS), Volatile Solids (VS) and Wet Weight (WW), giving the average of TS, VS and WW over the 10 year period and also providing a minimum (-20%) and maximum (+20%) for TS and VS. Total Solids has been chosen as the TOTAL_RESIDUES mapping unit to display because TS represents all dry matter and covers more end-use options. TS can be used as a solid fuel (combustion/cofiring/boilers), for syngas (gasification) and for bio-oil/biochar/syngas (pyrolysis) while VS is mainly only used in anaerobic digestion (biogas/biomethane). Presenting the data spatially by TS fits with the existing BioSMART tool modules and those being developed.
Some SA2 regions were merged and the results were combined. Most commonly merged regions were built up areas contained wholly within the same regional area (i.e. Goulburn and Goulburn Region were merged) or adjacent regions that were either small or built up areas.
For more information on the derivation of the residue volumes please contact the NSW Forest Science unit (https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/forestry/science/forest-carbon/abba) and look at:
Poultry
Wiedemann SG et al. (2015) ‘Grower options for spent litter utilisation’, RIRDC Publication No. 14/093. www.agrifutures.com.au/wp-content/uploads/publications/14-093.pdf
McGahan E et al. (2014) ‘National Environmental Management System for the Meat Chicken Industry Version 2 - Part A – Manual of Good Practice for the Meat Chicken Industry’, RIRDC Publication No. 14/100. https://agrifutures.com.au/wp-content/uploads/publications/14-100.pdf
Wiedemann SG (2015) ‘Energy Recovery from Litter: A Guide for Users’, FSA Consulting, RIRDC Publication No. 14/096. www.agrifutures.com.au/wp-content/uploads/publications/14-096.pdf
ASAE (2005) ‘Manure production and characteristics’, D384.2, American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, USA. https://elibrary.asabe.org/abstract.asp?aid=32018
Barnett JL et al. (2008) ‘National Animal Welfare Standards for the Chicken Meat Industry, Manual for Meat Chicken Farming’, Australian Poultry CRC Pty Ltd. https://www.awstrategy.net/uploads/1/2/3/2/123202832/me-083-chicken-standards-the-standards-3.pdf
Runge GA et al. (2007) ‘Chicken litter – Issues associated with sourcing and use’, RIRDC Publication No. 07/035. www.agrifutures.com.au/wp-content/uploads/publications/07-035.pdf
Scott P et al. (2009) ‘Structure and dynamics of Australia's commercial poultry and ratite industries’, Report prepared for: The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer by Scolexia Animal and Avian Health Consultancy. https://www.agriculture.gov.au/sites/default/files/sitecollectiondocuments/animal-plant/animal-health/livestock-movement/structure-poultry-ratite-ind.pdf
McGahan E et al. (2013) ‘Conversion of Waste to Energy in the Chicken Meat Industry’, RIRDC Publication No. 12/097. https://agrifutures.com.au/wp-content/uploads/publications/12-097.pdf
Tabular data: ABS ‘Agricultural Commodities, Australia’, Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) editions by Financial Year (FY) for 10 years from 2011-12FY to 2020-21FY, where census years 2015-16 and 2020-21 provide data at the finer scale of Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2) and all other years provide the data at the larger scale of SA4 level. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/agriculture/agricultural-commodities-australia
Last updated in March 2026.
Copyright Text: NSW Forest Science, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development – Forestry
Description: This dataset estimates the location and mass in dry tonnes at 0% moisture content (MC) and in wet tonnes at 75% MC of intensive poultry manure residues across NSW, Australia. This information was originally collated for the Australian Biomass for Bioenergy Assessment (ABBA) project and has been updated several times. It is available for use in the NSW BioSMART tool (Biomass Spatial and Modular Assessment of Resources Tool – https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/forestry/science/forest-carbon/biomass-for-bioenergy/nsw-biosmart) and on the Terria Map (https://app.terria.io/terria/catalog/map) platform.
The boundary features were extracted from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS 2016) digital boundaries [Copyright Commonwealth of Australia administered by the ABS]. This dataset is mapped at the Statistical Area Level 4 (SA4).
Each SA4 region shows the annual average, minimum and maximum tonnes of intensive poultry manure residues by livestock type for the period July 2011 to June 2021 (average of 10 years). Livestock types have been categorised as Meat chickens and Layer chickens. The SA4 residues were calculated using data from the ABS ASGS Agricultural Commodities, Australia, cat. no. 7121.0 data cubes and from research carried out by the NSW Forest Science unit, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development – Forestry.
The residues were calculated for each ABS class of poultry as follows: Meat chickens, Layer chickens and All other (ducks, turkeys, other - classed as Meat chickens in this dataset). Assumptions were made from literature, as detailed data at the farm scale was unavailable to determine the regional breakdown of percentage of farms that are caged, barn or free range. For Meat chickens, manure plus bedding will be calculated using the following assumptions: most meat chickens are housed in barns; single-batch litter systems are the most common with 5.5 batches/year; for NSW most common bedding depth = 50mm; basic density of bedding material = 410kg/m3 (softwood sawdust and shavings); stocking density = 30-40kg/m2 = 14 birds/m2 (conservative). For Layer chickens, approximately 70% of the industry are caged and manure is collected by conveyor belt, therefore no bedding will be calculated, only manure as excreted.
The following were calculated for each SA4 region: Total Solids (TS), Volatile Solids (VS) and Wet Weight (WW), giving the average of TS, VS and WW over the 10 year period and also providing a minimum (-20%) and maximum (+20%) for TS and VS. Total Solids has been chosen as the TOTAL_RESIDUES mapping unit to display because TS represents all dry matter and covers more end-use options. TS can be used as a solid fuel (combustion/cofiring/boilers), for syngas (gasification) and for bio-oil/biochar/syngas (pyrolysis) while VS is mainly only used in anaerobic digestion (biogas/biomethane). Presenting the data spatially by TS fits with the existing BioSMART tool modules and those being developed.
For more information on the derivation of the residue volumes please contact the NSW Forest Science unit (https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/forestry/science/forest-carbon/abba) and look at:
Poultry
Wiedemann SG et al. (2015) ‘Grower options for spent litter utilisation’, RIRDC Publication No. 14/093. www.agrifutures.com.au/wp-content/uploads/publications/14-093.pdf
McGahan E et al. (2014) ‘National Environmental Management System for the Meat Chicken Industry Version 2 - Part A – Manual of Good Practice for the Meat Chicken Industry’, RIRDC Publication No. 14/100. https://agrifutures.com.au/wp-content/uploads/publications/14-100.pdf
Wiedemann SG (2015) ‘Energy Recovery from Litter: A Guide for Users’, FSA Consulting, RIRDC Publication No. 14/096. www.agrifutures.com.au/wp-content/uploads/publications/14-096.pdf
ASAE (2005) ‘Manure production and characteristics’, D384.2, American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, USA. https://elibrary.asabe.org/abstract.asp?aid=32018
Barnett JL et al. (2008) ‘National Animal Welfare Standards for the Chicken Meat Industry, Manual for Meat Chicken Farming’, Australian Poultry CRC Pty Ltd. https://www.awstrategy.net/uploads/1/2/3/2/123202832/me-083-chicken-standards-the-standards-3.pdf
Runge GA et al. (2007) ‘Chicken litter – Issues associated with sourcing and use’, RIRDC Publication No. 07/035. www.agrifutures.com.au/wp-content/uploads/publications/07-035.pdf
Scott P et al. (2009) ‘Structure and dynamics of Australia's commercial poultry and ratite industries’, Report prepared for: The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer by Scolexia Animal and Avian Health Consultancy. https://www.agriculture.gov.au/sites/default/files/sitecollectiondocuments/animal-plant/animal-health/livestock-movement/structure-poultry-ratite-ind.pdf
McGahan E et al. (2013) ‘Conversion of Waste to Energy in the Chicken Meat Industry’, RIRDC Publication No. 12/097. https://agrifutures.com.au/wp-content/uploads/publications/12-097.pdf
Tabular data: ABS ‘Agricultural Commodities, Australia’, Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) editions by Financial Year (FY) for 10 years from 2011-12FY to 2020-21FY, where census years 2015-16 and 2020-21 provide data at the finer scale of Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2) and all other years provide the data at the larger scale of SA4 level. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/agriculture/agricultural-commodities-australia
Last updated in March 2026.
Copyright Text: NSW Forest Science, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development – Forestry