Integrated farming systems require adequate weed
management programs embedded within the agricultural
production framework. One approach recently
developed for swine production is the use of deepwww.elsevier.com/locate/agee
Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 111 (2005) 63–69
* Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 406 9944783;
fax: +1 406 9943933.
E-mail address: menalled@montana.edu (F.D. Menalled).
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doi:10.1016/j.agee.2005.04.027
bedded hoop structures in which animals are raised in
a thick layer of corn stalks or small grain straw. The
bedding absorbs dung and urine and allows swine
waste products to be handled as solids with reduced air
and water contamination risks (Honeyman et al., 1999;
Honeyman and Kent, 2001). Composting of the
bedding/manure mixture occurs within the hoop
structure before hogs are removed and continues
afterwards when the mixture is stored in piles prior to
field application (Richard et al., 1998). Composted
swine manure produced in deep-bedded hoop structures
represents a concentrated source of nutrients that
can beneficially modify soil chemical characteristics